DECEMBER 2020 ISSUE 122
MURRAY REGION
SHARED PASSION A shared love for the dairy industry sees farm move into third generation. Page 4
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2020
2 // MURRAY REGION
Chair’s message
Bright times lie ahead WHAT AN extraordinary year it has been for not
only the Murray Dairy region but for Australia and the world as a whole. We started out our year banding together to rebuild following the devastating bushfire season and then very quickly hurled into the unknown with the COVID-19 pandemic. But as I continuously see, we have all come together and supported one another through these times and as the newly elected chair of the Murray Dairy Board, I look forward to working closely with our region’s farmers, service providers and the wider dairy industry moving forward. It is pleasing to see that restrictions have
myself to you all. I have more than 30 years of dairy farming experience at Tongala in partnership with my wife, Robyn, and we currently have two sons working in the business. I have spent the past three years as part of the Murray Dairy Board, two of those as codeputy chairman. I have held quite a few roles within the dairy industry including my current position as chair of the National Feedbase Systems committee, director of the Australian Dairy Conference Board, a past member of the Dairy Advocacy Reform Team and past chair of Rochester Bamawm Dairy Business Network Group. I look forward to utilising my skills and knowledge for
“On that note, I’d like to acknowledge everyone across the industry for their resilience, patience and drive over what has been a peculiar year.” eased on the NSW and Victorian border meaning our dairy industry has begun to experience a sense of normalcy following months of having to adapt to the unprecedented times of COVID-19. On that note, I’d like to acknowledge everyone across the industry for their resilience, patience and drive over what has been a peculiar year. While the Murray Dairy region is not without its challenges, particularly this past year, we have been fortunate to have seen an exceptionally good year seasonally and overall, the whole region is enjoying much friendlier climatic conditions. From a business perspective, a lot of dairy operators will be feeling a lot more confident going forward and the board will continue to focus on what is important to our farmers and our region in this space. I am very excited to have taken on the role of chair following the Murray Dairy AGM and I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce
the betterment of our farmers across the Murray Dairy region. The Murray Dairy team has some exciting times ahead with a number of projects planned that we hope will provide some insight and direction for our farmers and the wider industry. One such project is Fodder for the Future. This $1.6 million project has been established in response to the rapid change that is currently happening on dairy and cropping farms in the southern Murray-Darling Basin. Funded through the government’s MurrayDarling Basin Economic Development Fund, five sites are being established to undertake a range of cropping trials designed to support the development of farming systems that optimise the use of both irrigated and dryland fodder across the southern basin and the board is looking forward to continue watching as this three-year project progresses. Another exciting project I’d like to touch
on is the trial program running in Kerang this summer that aims to compare maize and grain sorghum as fodder for silage. The trial, which has been made possible through funding from Dairy Australia, will evaluate grain sorghum for silage as a potential alternative to maize in the Murray Dairy region by comparing three grain sorghum varieties with long and medium season maize varieties. Definitely another one to keep an eye on. Finally, I’d like to wish each of you a very happy and safe festive season. It is hard to believe that the end of 2020 is upon us, and what a year it has been. Hopefully we can all draw breath and wind back a little over this festive season and reflect on 2020 and what a remarkable year we have experienced.
Hopefully we can all draw breath and wind back a little over this festive season and reflect on 2020 and what a remarkable year we have experienced. I know in my case this year, many of the small things in life quite often have been the most important. Thank you to each of you for your continued support for Murray Dairy and I look forward to seeing you all in the New Year. Andrew Tyler Murray Dairy chair
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2020
MURRAY REGION // 3
Cheesy grins for Stanhope wins FIFTEEN NEW awards now grace the trophy
cabinet at Fonterra’s Stanhope cheese factory. The site rolled over competition like an outof-control cheese wheel at the Dairy Industry Association of Australia Australian Dairy Product Awards. The awards won included highest scoring cheddar cheese as well as three golds and nine silvers for cheddar cheese varieties. These varieties are used to make Perfect Italiano. Fonterra north regional operations manager Steve Taylor said the awards confirmed the quality of the foods made in Stanhope and the quality of milk produced by the region’s farmers. “It’s fantastic that our skilled teams have been recognised for their expert craft and the quality of cheese they produce,” Mr Taylor said. “Stanhope is known as the town of the tastiest cheese, and we’re extremely proud of the great cheese we make and are grateful this has been recognised by experts in the industry. “We’ve got some of the best dairy know-how in the business, which is the key to making greattasting, quality dairy foods Australians love.” Mr Taylor congratulated the staff for striving to maintain the highest quality dairy, and Fonterra’s dedicated farmers for supplying the “best milk for the job”. The Australian Dairy Product Awards are a gateway to the Australian Grand Dairy Awards. Fonterra Australia took home 47 gongs in Workers at the Fonterra cheese plant in Stanhope with one of the award-winning cheddars (from left) cheese leading hand Phil White, cheesemaker Kelly Marsh and cheese process manager Graeme Bennett. total at the awards.
CROPS PLANTED FOR SILAGE TRIAL The crop is now in the ground as part of a trial program running in Kerang this summer, which aims to compare maize and grain sorghum as fodder for silage. A collaboration between Murray Dairy and the Irrigated Cropping Council, the Dairy Australia-funded trial will evaluate grain sorghum for silage as a potential alternative to maize in the region. The trial is the result of water allocation and water prices, according to Murray Dairy program development manager of farm systems Shane Byrne. “Low water allocations and high temporary water prices have seen an increase in farm system change across the region,” he said. “As a result, there is increased interest in alternative crops such as maize and grain sorghum, as farmers strive to achieve higher returns for each megalitre of water applied.” The three sorghum varieties being assessed in the trial are white grain sorghum, red grain sorghum and a forage sorghum. “These varieties will be compared with both long and medium season maize varieties,” Mr Byrne said. “This trial is looking to investigate the suitability of grain sorghum grown for whole crop silage due to its higher tolerance to water stress
Crop has recently been planted as part of a trial program running on a site in Kerang this summer, that aims to compare maize and grain sorghum as fodder for silage.
than maize. “Grain sorghum may have a place in northern Victoria under limited water conditions. “Trials on grain sorghum grown at Gatton in Queensland under semi
irrigation with two cuts have shown promising nutritional quality and yields comparable to maize. “These trials have demonstrated that sorghum can achieve yields in excess of 30 tonne DM/ha with starch levels around
30 per cent. “Grain sorghums are different to the forage sorghums that have been traditionally grown in the Murray Dairy region for grazing and conserving as hay and silage.”
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2020
4 // MURRAY REGION
Generations share passion JUNE BROOKS, 84, and her grandson Riley
June Brook's 27-year-old grandson Riley also has a passion for dairy farming.
Brooks, 27, might be approaching different stages of their lives, but they both share a love and passion for dairying that will see the family farm successfully move into the third generation. For June, it all began when she married her late husband Frank and settled into a life of dairying on a 130-hectare parcel of land just outside of Barooga — family and cows have been her life ever since. And she doesn’t regret a thing. “I remember coming home from our honeymoon to milk 50 cows in an old walk-through dairy and I have been doing it ever since.” For Riley, his foray into dairying began when he left school looking for something to do and nine years later, he still hasn’t left. “I love working with animals and I am pretty patient with them,” Riley said. While he has many roles on the farm, one of his favourites is rearing the 200-odd calves that are born annually in the herd of Friesian, Jersey and crossbreed cows. “The cows suit our grazing system. We grow a lot of grass and a smaller type cow really performs well for us,” he said. Riley works with his dad Shane on the home farm, milking 450 split-calving cows through a 50-unit rotary. Just down the road his uncle Jason milks 250 autumn-calving cows through a 22 double-up. “Running two dairies helps us with management, reduces risk and shares the workload. My
uncle’s farm has a two-month break while the home dairy runs all year round,” Riley said. And June doesn’t sit idle either. She is usually the first person at the dairy each morning and by 5.30 am she has the lights on, the filters in and the computer on, always making sure everything is ready to go. Most of the time she sticks around the dairy until the end of milking. “I could go home if I wanted too but most of the time I stay around and help, there is always a sick cow or some other job they need a hand with. “Frank and I would get up at 5 am, have a cup of coffee and he would get the cows up and I would set the dairy up and that was what we did seven days a week — when he passed away I just continued with the same routine.” Since beginning on the farm, Riley has been focusing on improving the genetic potential of the herd. Over the past seven years he has been using the services of Nu-Genes in Numurkah. “We are really starting to see an improvement in the quality of the cows in the herd which is really great,” he said. “We use sexed semen on the heifers, which also allows us to export up to 50 excess heifers a year.” The family grows all their own fodder, only buying-in grain requirements. Silage features heavily in the mix. “We cut and wrap all our own silage and we have round bales, which work better for us than a pit system,” Riley said.
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MURRAY REGION // 5 Fodder consists of oats, vetch, rye and clover. Carryover water gave them a start this season, but great rainfall and good conditions have meant a bumper silage year. To improve water efficiency the family has invested in a 150 Ml recycle dam and a pipe-and-riser system. “We have some of the best infrastructure here in the Riverina but water security is a huge uncertainty for us moving forward, although I do think there is a great future for the dairy industry,” Riley said. June on the other hand has weathered her fair share of uncertain times over the years. “It has been tough but there are always lessons in the hard times — especially around drought and the boys (Shane and Jason) have learnt a lot when it comes to the importance of conserving fodder. “Frank always said to make hay while the sun shines and we have always tried to have at least a year’s worth of feed ahead of us.” June despairs at the way water is now managed and she hopes some common sense will return to the water job soon “I really don’t know what is going to happen with water and if the wheel doesn’t turn, we are in some serious trouble,” she said. “We are such a productive area but we need irrigation to continue.” June said despite the ups and downs, dairying had been good to the family over the years. “Frank said when he married me he had two and sixpence, I have a bit more than that now.” Both June and Riley are proud of the fact they produce food for the nation, in fact the Brooks family has been farming in and around the Barooga area for many, many decades. “Farming has been a bit of a legacy in the Brooks family and between us all we feed a lot of people,” Riley said. “I just 2020 hope weDairy continue to copy.pdf get the1opportunity toPM do 01 28 News February 24/01/2020 5:45:21 that well into the future.”
About 200 calves are born annual in the herd of Freisian, Jersey and crossbreed cows.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2020
6 // MURRAY REGION
Rain and demand impact hay VICTORIAN DAIRY farmers are once again
feeding for profit, as some secure new-season vetch for as low as $190/tonne. Despite the low prices, the reality could have been even lower if wild weather hadn’t damaged large volumes of crops. Feed Central managing director Tim Ford said Australian hay makers avoided a major overproduction and oversupply issue in the 2020 harvest thanks to extensive weather damage and farmers opting out of hay. “It is safe to say this issue has been averted, due to the weather and an informed and conscious decision by growers to make less hay,” Mr Ford said. Many growers opted to take cereal crops through to grain this year instead of going the hay route. Major consumers of hay and straw until recently, south-east Queensland farms have lessened their demand thanks to recent rains, particularly for FCA quality cereal hay. NSW dairies are also enjoying a positive season and requiring little supplementation. According to the latest National Hay Market Report by Feed Central, more tonnes per hectare
have been produced this season but there has been a significant reduction of hectares cut. Fodder production intended to be sold will be down on last year and the supply of better grade hay will also be down significantly. “In response to the wet weather, there has been a swing towards production of silage, especially for own-farm use and for sale within the local area,” Mr Ford said. He predicted demand would pick-up in autumn-winter 2021 as beef producers start to buy up lucerne. “Buyers are eagerly awaiting a readjustment of the lucerne price prior to committing.” There will also be opportunity for dryland lucerne and southern pasture hay due to solid rainfall in southern NSW and Victoria. Victoria in particular has an opportunity to produce some reasonable quality hay. “Due to the low volumes of quality cereal hay, we would strongly support this production,” Mr Ford said. High quality feed will be the most in-demand product going into the autumn and winter selling season.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2020
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New chair is looking ahead GEOFF ADAMS
LOOKING OVER the fence to see how
others find solutions to farm problems, has been a characteristic of Andrew Tyler’s working life. Lest he be accused of unhealthy curiosity, we hasten to add that he’s been doing it in the name of professional advancement. Mr Tyler was elected chair of the regional development body, Murray Dairy, in October to replace outgoing chair Karen Moroney. He has 30 years under his belt since moving from the Adelaide Hills to his current base at Tongala, and he’s not afraid to ask other farmers how they tackle on-farm problems. He is a former chair of the Rochester Bamawm Dairy Business Network and is a great believer in information sharing to improve farm performance — and mindful of the enormous trust that discussion groups engender. The group — based around the Rochester, Calivil and Bamawm area — is now largely self-funded and employs a facilitator to tease out the issues. They change facilitators every three years. Professional development was also behind his interest in the Australian Dairy Conference.
New Murray Dairy chair Andrew Tyler farms at Tongala with two sons.
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Chopped rye-grass silage on the Tongala farm.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2020
MURRAY REGION // 9 “I’ve always had a passion for looking at, and visiting other farms, to see how other people are doing things,” Mr Tyler said. “Most years I would see something on the farm visits and pick up a few ideas. “And it’s an opportunity to get away and make contact with a network of people.” Some years the conference has dived into controversial topics. “You don’t have to agree with it, but it can challenge you in the way you are thinking.” The ideas he has gleaned has helped propel him in a growth mode, with the 150 cows he started with now reaching 900 at peak, on 400 ha of irrigated land and a further 320 ha of leased land for cropping. The cows run through a 56-unit rotary and calve down in spring and autumn. A cow ID system provides fertility and production information for the largely Holstein herd. He has deliberately opted for a larger scale, intending to create a business big enough to incorporate the specialist skills of his adult sons, James and Sam, who are now on the farm. He has gradually ramped up the feed input and for the past two years has operated as a total mixed ration business, reducing reliance on summer pasture and growing fodder crops including corn and sorghum. Silage is also a big part of the operation, and when Dairy News visited a stack of chopped ryegrass was being created. Mr Tyler takes a robust view of the structural changes needed in the dairy industry for the future. Reflecting the debate around the national
dairy plan and how it might affect regional bodies like Murray Dairy, he says he’s not precious about his new job. “If the future means that the regional bodies have to change and I don’t have a title, then that’s okay. “It’s about what’s best for the industry.” Mr Tyler prefers a new industry model where advocacy can be part of one larger body delivering representation, information and professional training for farmers, all funded by a levy. “We can’t keep running our industry bodies like we’ve got thousands of members. “And I don’t think everyone wants to attend monthly meetings in a cold hall in the middle of winter, when we have other communication avenues today. “But I’m optimistic we can deliver a plan for the industry which will work well.” Like most dairy farmers, he is currently appreciating a better season. “The Murray Dairy region is not without its challenges, but this year has been an exceptionally good year seasonally and overall; the whole region is enjoying much friendlier climatic conditions. “From a business perspective, a lot of dairy operators will be feeling a lot more confident going forward and the (Murray Dairy) board will continue to focus on what is important to our farmers and our region.” Outgoing chair Karen Moroney said her roles had been both extraordinary and rewarding, filled with optimism of what had been achieved collaboratively, and dotted with challenges through drought, water issues, floods, bushfires
and a global pandemic. “A lot has transpired between my commencement on the board in 2013,” she said. “I feel very proud of how our organisation has matured in that time. “I want to thank our farmers in the Murray Dairy region. “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside you for these past seven years and I hope that our efforts have touched your business in a meaningful way and continue to do so, through our various extension and education programs.” The Murray Dairy AGM also saw Dhurringile dairy farmer Tony McCarthy chosen to continue his role as deputy chairman.
Andrew Tyler with a chopped silage stack.
The Tyler herd is largely Holsteins.
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MURRAY REGION // 11
Dairy farm gap year on offer to school leavers Kyella McKenna completed her VCE while working on dairy farms.
SCHOOL LEAVERS are being offered an
opportunity to gain hands-on, paid farm work at local dairy farms in 2021. Called the Dairy Gap Year Program and run by Dairy Australia, it matches interested people with 12 months’ paid work on Victorian dairy farms. To be eligible students must have a driver’s licence and be prepared to enrol in a Certificate in Agriculture while undertaking their gap year. Farms taking on school leavers were sourced by Dairy Australia for their strong HR policies and commitment to providing “positive dairy experiences”.
Kyella McKenna has been working on dairy farms since she was 15 years old, spending two years working part-time while completing her final schooling years before jumping into fulltime work. “I’d recommend working in the industry to all young people. It is hard work, but you have fun, work hard and best of all make money,” Miss McKenna said. “I believe anyone can do what I have done. I don’t have a farming background, but took an interest in it and I’m now doing something I love.”
Now 19, Ms McKenna said it was great to take part in the various aspects of working on a dairy farm, such as milking, working with the machinery and tractor work. “I have been fortunate enough after finishing school to take the steps in following an agriculture career, which will lead me to a successful career in the dairy industry,” Miss McKenna said. “The most enjoyable parts of working on-farm for me are working with animals day-to-day, the rearing of calves as well as animal health and nutrition.”
Dairy Australia is labelling the gap year a great experience, which can also help school leavers qualify for Youth Allowance (student) if their family’s income is prohibiting them from being eligible. A person who earns at least $15,000 while working in agriculture may be considered independent and eligible for Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY. For more information, phone Murray Dairy’s Melva Tyson on 0439 667 425 or email melvat@murraydairy.com.au
Is your farm Summer ready? Preparing dairy for the summer season The approach of the end of the year means the weather is heating up, so it is important to be prepared for the approaching summer. Some important things to be aware of on-farm: • Ensure you have a bushfire preparation plan in place • Look into alternate power sources for milking and stock water in the event of power failures • Prepare and check water supply for Blue Green Algae blooms • Provide adequate shade and water for your cows • Educate staff on heat and sun exposure • Be snake-aware and ensure you have your snake bite kits at the ready Dairy Australia and the CFA have also put together the Preparing your Dairy Farm Toolkit which includes a useful template for fire prevention and planning. This can be found at https://tinyurl.com/dairy-farm-fire-ready Also check the CFA and NSW Rural Fire Service websites for more resources on Preventing Haystack Fires and Correct Hay Stacking Techniques.
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