FEBRUARY, 2020 ISSUE 112
MURRAY REGION
Future farming Young face in the industry, see page 7
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
2 // MURRAY REGION
Support available after fires IT IS wonderful to see the support given to
those affected by the devastating fires in the Upper Murray and other parts of the country. The bushfires that are ravaging parts of the north-east region of Murray Dairy and have been burning since Christmas have taken a devastating toll on our people, businesses, farming properties, livestock, native flora and fauna and our bushland forests. Unfortunately the flow-on effect from this tragedy will be felt for a long time to come and there will need to be a sustained effort in the months ahead when the building process begins. As we pause and reflect on what has happened and what is yet to come in the recovery process, farmers are already tallying the damage from these fires with Agriculture Victoria confirming 3946 livestock had died across the northeast and East Gippsland alone, with numbers still being processed. The team at Murray Dairy have been working consistently in gathering information as we have many dairy farmers in these communities directly impacted or affected by the fires. Murray Dairy and Dairy Australia will be providing access to free one-to-one consultations for fire-affected dairy businesses to work through recovery plans and options in the weeks and months ahead, as so many issues affecting their herds’ health, pasture and nutrition management will need to be assessed and worked through. I would encourage you to visit the Murray 2020 01 28 Dairy News February copy.pdf 1 24/01/2020 Dairy website where there is information on
herd management post fire trauma or connect directly with the team at Murray Dairy. To that end, we have also received many offers from the dairy community wanting to assist those impacted by the bushfires. If you can provide support — whether it is stock feed, labour, cow parking, milking facilities or other farm supplies — contact Murray Dairy and we can direct you to where the help is needed. With so much going on it can be hard to concentrate on planning for the year ahead, but plan we must to ensure we can make the most of the programs and options available for us to set up our seasons as they unfold. Some of the up-coming events for your calendar are: Progress with Less: These are our autumn start-up events facilitated by Brian Crockart. Hear from dairy farmers in the Riverina about their strategies for autumn start and the season with no water allocation. Fast Track Your People Skills and Future Proof your business — Guest presenter Mandy Johnson: Our work places are changing faster than we can keep pace with, transformation is happening on a scale larger than the industrial revolution. Hear from Mandy about how to identify what you need to change and the tools and techniques to improve your workplaces. US Murray Dairy and Young Dairy Network Tour: Murray Dairy has secured sponsorship to 5:45:21 PM support 20 dairy farmers to travel to the United
States in June. The tour will give participants unique access to some of North America’s leading dairy businesses, operating in many and varied ways. Looking at the parallel changes occurring in the dairy landscape across the US and the Murray region, the tour will explore how farm businesses profitably adapt to policy, environmental and market influences. Speaking of exciting opportunities, I am pleased to say that Murray Dairy has been selected as a regional partner in the three-year Smarter Irrigation for Profit 2 program. Here, farmers will look at opportunities to improve their return on water in maize and winter cereal crops through improved irrigation management and double cropping. For updates, visit the Murray dairy website. Finally, don’t forget to include your farm discussion groups in your yearly planning calendar. Murray Dairy runs 20 groups in the Murray region; they are a wonderful opportunity to enhance your dairy knowledge and skills while connecting with other farmers in your region. In closing, the board and staff of Murray Dairy recognise the unprecedented impact these fires have had on our dairying community and offer their sympathy for those impacted and support and care through the resources we have available to us in the form of information, programs or simply to have a chat if need be. Personally, as a member of the north-east community, our own family farm in the Mitta Valley has to date, not been impacted directly
Chair’s message
by fires, but being surrounded on three sides by fire means thick smoke has been prevalent on a daily basis. I would like to personally thank the many people who have sent texts and made phone calls to check on our wellbeing, it reinforces to me what a great community we have in dairying and when the “chips are down” we are there for each other. • Karen Moroney, Murray Dairy chair
Damian DRUM MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NICHOLLS
Contact my office for assistance with Federal Government issues 426 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, VIC 3630 damian.drum.mp@aph.gov.au damiandrum.com.au
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
MURRAY REGION // 3
Positive about future of dairy HARRIET BAWDEN has come a long way from
the fresh-faced 24-year-old who turned up as a project officer for Murray Dairy’s Accelerating Change Project in 2015. As a university graduate, she was looking forward to a career in agriculture despite growing up in the big smoke of Melbourne. Harriet admits she did not know too much about dairy when she first started. “Of course, I knew one end of the cow from the other, but when I think back about how much I have learnt over the years, it has been crazy,” Harriet said. Harriet has moved on from the Accelerating Change Project and is now co-ordinator of Murray Dairy’s Young Dairy Network (YDN). She is also a member of the Goulburn Valley Young Professionals. Both groups share the common goal of her passion — attracting, retaining and supporting young people in the community. Harriet said YDN was a strong group made up of people who genuinely wanted to form connections and learn from others. “They’re positive about the industry because they’re open to changing the way they operate,” she said. “They know it’s a difficult and volatile environment, but they’re building their businesses around that.” She said the challenge was always retaining young people. “We don’t want to lose young people out of our communities, so we need to offer them the same opportunities as in the city, if not better,” Harriet said. “The lovely thing about regional communities is that they are all interlinked. “Dairy is such a heart of our region and being a part of the dairy industry connects you to the community.” Harriet has been struck by the opportunity irrigation and climate brought to the region. “Initially I though all dairy areas were the same, but my role with Murray Dairy really
Murray Dairy’s Young Dairy Network co-ordinator Harriet Bawden was recently awarded the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards 2019 Young Professional of the Year.
opened up my eyes to the uniqueness of this area,” she said. Harriet firmly believes in good times and that there is no better place to dairy farm. She said the resilience and forward-thinking of the region’s farmers would ensure the industry would continue well into the future. “Of course, times are hard with current dry conditions, water policy and now fires in the northeast, but we do have a competitive edge with a well-established irrigation system, we just need the right conditions to capitalise on the opportunity it can bring.” Personally, Harriet said she was hoping to one day have her own farm with her partner Chase, although she was not sure what industry that
would be in. “The world is our oyster at this point in time as we work out what we want to do — realistically we could go anywhere,” she said. “There are some great opportunities around land prices and peer resources in this area, but uncertainty around water is a concern.” Harriet was recently awarded the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards 2019 Young Professional of the Year and had a Gardiner Dairy Foundation-sponsored place in the Fairley Community Leadership Program. She said being involved in Fairley opened doors and created numerous opportunities. “I loved how the program presented leadership in all its forms and encouraged us to identify
leaders we admire and the qualities we want to emulate,” Harriet said. “I learnt a lot about recognising the different values of people and listening and engaging in different ways and leading through demonstration.” Harriet’s commitment to Fairley helped her win the young professional award. “It was very flattering to be nominated by someone in the community, but to win the award was great recognition for not just what I do but for the importance of the local dairy industry and what is done to support it,” she said.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
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Lucky cows find forever home KATE, RED, Ann and Darky are probably four of the luckiest cows in Australia. The former dairy cows have found a home on a 162ha sheep farm owned by Robyn and Ken Richards from Terip, near Mansfield. Robyn has grown up with the ritual of milking. She had a couple of dry old girls and was looking to crank up her milk supply again. “I have had a house cow all my life and when we had our own kids, I wanted them to learn milk comes from a cow and not the supermarket, so I just continued on,” Robyn said. When Robyn saw a Facebook post from Yalca dairy farmer Steve Dalitz seeking homes for some of his girls because he was selling his herd, Robyn got in contact. “I was aware of how much the dairy industry and farmers were hurting and I wanted to do something,” she said. Robyn had every intention of taking only one cow, but the ensuing conversations saw her end up with two — Kate and Red. “When I agreed to take two cows I had no idea where Steve’s dairy farm even was — it could have been anywhere in Australia and I was thinking ‘Oh my God I have just bought two cows and
I don’t even know where from’,” she laughed. Luckily for Robyn, Steve was only about an hour away, so transporting the cows proved to be no major drama and the girls settled well into their new life. Kate is a Friesian and Red is a red Shorthorn, although she has since had a name change to Maddie to match the tag in her ear. “Kate calved first, and it took a bit to get her to stand in her outdoor bail for one, but she got the hang of it she was back in production pretty quickly,” Robyn said. “All the cows have adapted well, which is a credit to Steve as they are not scared, which tells me that they have been treated well in his dairy.” Robyn said she continued to keep in contact with Steve to offer support through his transition of selling his herd and the two have now become friends. Steve had kept a few old cows he knew he could only sell as choppers — Ann (an old cow with a bung eye) and Darky, an old Jersey. With Anne springing in early December Steve messaged Robyn in the hope she might like to add to her herd. Ken thought four milking cows was a bit of
Ken with his beloved Jersey Darky and Ann.
Kate and Red with their calves Douglas and Barbara.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
MURRAY REGION // 5 overkill for a family of three, but Robyn couldn’t resist, especially when Steve decided to throw in Darky the Jersey. “Ken wasn’t too excited, but I couldn’t bear to think of Darky as a chopper, so home she came, and she is just a delight,” Robyn said. “Ken has warmed to all the girls, especially Darky and she is his favourite — she is so quiet when you feed her, she comes right up and puts her head in the bucket.” The cows are kept with their calves and are milked on a rotation system. Milking is a family affair with all the pets on farm in attendance. “We lock the calves up together overnight and milk just one of the cows,” Robyn said. “We obviously don’t need all the milk from four cows, but we do have four dogs and two cats who always hang around for a drink.”
Robyn said she loved the sense of calm that came from milking a cow every day. “There is no phone, no internet, just peace and quiet,” she said. “It only takes me 15 minutes by the time I say hello to the girls.” With four milking cows Robyn is now looking at leasing a Murray Grey bull to get them all back in calf. “We will often eat one of the calves and I think it is a better end for the animal when it is put down on farm. Kate’s calf is out of a Wagyu bull and has been ear tagged for our meat supply in 2021,” she said. Robyn laughs at the thought of how she has doubled her milking herd in just six months. “All our cows will stay here with us on the farm until they die, they won’t be going anywhere else,” she said.
Kate stands in the milking bale for one.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
6 // MURRAY REGION
World at her feet YOUNG DAIRY apprentice Teah Huon
Teah Huon is looking toward a career in the dairy industry and is hoping to complete a Certificate IV or Diploma in Dairy Production later this year. She was crowned runner-up best Certificate III trainee for the Apprenticeship Factory in 2019.
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has the world at her feet and a career she is excited about. She is in the second year of her apprenticeship working with Timmering dairy farmer Scott Somerville. “I have always loved animals, but when I was younger, I was more into horses,” Teah said. “I first started milking for Scott and helping around the farm and now I am enjoying an apprenticeship and I really love working with cows and calves.” Teah’s roles include milking, tractor work, feeding out hay and looking after stock. Initially she found the physical labour tiring and the days long. “Some days it can be tough, but I have learnt to fit the work in around my day, and I am used to it now,” she said. “Some mornings I get up and it is easy and others it’s a bit harder — I am lucky I can have a powernap in the ute for 15 minutes on the way to the dairy at Kyabram if I need to.” It might only be early days in Teah’s career, but she has some firm goals and plans in place. “I am aiming to work my way up in the dairy field and I would love to one day run or manage a farm,” she said. “I want to do my Cert IV or diploma in Agriculture (Dairy Production) this year and I want to start looking into the health side of cows and calves, too, because I really enjoy that side of things.” Last year Teah completed a school-based Certificate III with one day a week at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE in Shepparton and she was surprised by the number of females in the group. “I thought I would be one of the only girls, but it turned out to be half and half and we were treated all the same,” she said.
Teah believes there is a positive future for dairy and she is hoping the industry will again flourish.
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“We all got a fair go at trying out everything and it was really good fun.” Teah completed an AI course at Tongala and has plans to complete a pregnancy test course later this year. Last July last she was awarded a $500 scholarship from the Shepparton South Rotary Club when she received the Kevin Jordan Bursary Award. The award was created in honour of Kevin — a Shepparton South Rotary member and dairy farmer who passed away last year. Kevin and his wife Peg often hosted students on their Dookie farm for work experience. The award recognises students who are committed to further education and striving to achieve a career in agriculture. Teah was grateful for the award and said the $500 would go toward her preg test course later this year. “I am trying to get in as much training and courses as I can, because these courses will really help me better my skills in the industry and help me when I have my own farm one day,” she said. Teah believes there is a positive future for dairy and she is hoping the industry will again flourish. In January 2019 she attended her first International Dairy Week where she was introduced to the world of showing cattle. Following on, Scott and Teah took a few animals to local shows at Kyabram and Echuca and she is hoping to learn more about this aspect of dairying in her future. “Showing cows is very different to horses, but it is really good fun,” she said. “I am hoping to go to IDW again this year with Scott because I found it very interesting last year and I am hoping to learn a lot more about that side of things as well.”
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MURRAY REGION // 7
Kyabram dairy farmer Andrew Murphy will use a $10 000 young farmer scholarship to further his knowledge in human resources and business management.
Business scholarship for Kyabram dairy farmer RODNEY WOODS
KYABRAM DAIRY farmer Andrew Murphy
will use a Victorian Government scholarship to improve his skills in business management, as his family looks to expand despite the unfavourable conditions. The Upskill and Invest Young Farmer Scholarships offer up to $10 000 for each eligible farmer — with $5000 to upskill through training and study in areas like farm management, financial literacy, product development or innovative farming techniques. Once they complete their studies, recipients are eligible for an additional funding boost of
up to $5000 to invest on-farm or in professional development — putting their new skills into practice and boosting their businesses. Mr Murphy, who milks 500 cows producing 4.8 million litres annually, said he would be studying at Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE in Shepparton next year to use the scholarship to fill a void in his family’s business. “I decided I wanted to get more information about employing people and that side of the business and doing it properly,” he said. “As the business expands, we are employing more people and it’s an area of the farm that we can really grow. “I saw that (the scholarship) as a good
opportunity and motivator to further my knowledge in HR and business management. “I think there is a lot I can learn from that side of things, so I’m not necessarily bogged down in the day-to-day running of the farm but sort of looking outside the farm to manage risk and keep moving forward.” Next year, Mr Murphy will be studying a Certificate V in both HR and Business Management, before using his second $5000 to build a staff room for the farm. Despite the issues facing the industry, Mr Murphy was positive about its future. “There’s a lot of issues we are facing in the industry and we are better off acknowledging
the problems instead of sweeping them under the rug,” he said. “I’m positive (about the future) even with the issues we do have at the moment. “We had a reasonable winter, which allowed us to grow a bit of hay and fodder. “There’s definitely a strong milk price there and plenty of competition locally between processors, which I think will benefit us. “We need to take advantage of that strong milk price as much as we can at the moment. “I think the world want for dairy is still growing and I think we can still play a role in producing milk for that market, whether it’s domestically or internationally.”
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
8 // MURRAY REGION
Questions over water release A 100 GL Water for Fodder Federal Government
program, set up to allow farmers in the southern connected Murray-Darling Basin to apply for 50 Ml parcels of water at a discounted rate of $100/Ml, has left many of the 3200 people who missed out in the ballot angered and disheartened. Tragowel dairy farmer Catherine Shepard likened the process to a rabbit with a carrot dangled
in front of its face. “Farmers are the rabbits and this particular rabbit feels like the carrot just keeps getting dangled in front of us in hard times,” Ms Shepard said. “I am sick to death of having hope ripped out from under me and then in the next sentence told if I need help call a counsellor.” The program is being implemented in two
parcels, 40 Gl in December this year and 60 Gl in the new year. Ms Shepard said she was happy for those that were successful, but in a tough year it had left those that missed out feeling “terribly dejected”. “Things are really bad and unfortunately some people may not be able to wait until 2020 to apply for the ballot again,” she said. “Many people are facing huge business decisions in the coming months.” She also questioned why the world’s best quality food, Australian produce, was not valued by the country’s leaders. “I think every farmer in this country of ours is worth a lot more than some form of ballot to keep our home-grown produce growing and our Aussie family businesses running.” Katunga dairy farmer Emily Brown said while the program was easy enough to apply for, it was a bit like throwing out scraps. “I don’t think they should have done the program at all if they couldn’t give water to everyone,” Ms Brown said. “The people that missed out feel bad and I am sure the people that got it probably feel bad as well.
“I am sure the government are feeling really good about being seen to be doing something, but the reality is there are more people feeling bad than good.”
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“We applied because we would have been silly not too, but it never sat right with me. “I am sure the government are feeling really good about being seen to be doing something, but the reality is there are more people feeling bad than good.” She also hoped the missed opportunity did not affect the mental health of the region’s already struggling farmers. Beck Wolfe from Peacocks Transport & Hay Contracting at Rochester was one of the successful applicants. She said the 50 Ml ensured the family business would be able to water up at least one hay crop this year. “At least we know we will get something — we have been one of the lucky ones.” Of the 2554 Victorian applicants 504 were successful, while NSW had 1574 applicants and 283 were successful. South Australia, whose irrigators are on 100 per cent allocation, had 57 applicants and 13 were successful — the highest rate of 23 per cent. Federal Water Resources and Drought Minister David Littleproud said the response showed just how keen farmers were to participate. “Farm businesses are looking for ways to earn a quid during the drought and we’re providing that with Water for Fodder,” Mr Littleproud said. “This water is only for growing fodder, silage and pasture. Fodder cannot be a by-product. “Farmers who have missed out on the December allocations will have another chance with 60Gl available in the new year.” An assessment of the first round will guide how the remaining water is allocated.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
MURRAY REGION // 9
Efficiency drive for farm THE DE CICCO family will implement a
number of operational changes on their Undera dairy farm to become more energy efficient. The family received a Victorian Government Agriculture Energy Investment Plan grant, which allows farmers to invest in new equipment to reduce their energy costs. The De Ciccos will implement a heat-recovery system in conjunction with a glycol chiller, on their Benevento Park dairy farm The glycol chiller exchanges the heat from the milk-cooling process into the hot water system to ultimately save costs. Fred De Cicco said up to 70 per cent of their energy bill came from cooling milk and heating water. “With refrigeration there’s a possibility of losing gas that cools the system down, which isn’t good for the environment and it’s expensive, so the glycol system eliminates gas and is a lot more sustainable,” he said. “It’s good for local businesses — the glycol system is manufactured in Kyabram, the vacuum pump will be coming from GV Dairy in Shepparton and electrical work will come from a local electrician. “It’s important for government to invest in agriculture because of all the spin-off effects, it helps all our local businesses.”
Fred De Cicco (left) with his sons Daniel and Ben at their family dairy farm Benevento Park in Undera.
Mr De Cicco said their electricity bill had doubled in the past five years, and his son Daniel applied for the grant after receiving an email from Tatura Milk.
Mr De Cicco said in the current climate, farmers were unable to afford energy upgrades. “At the moment the most important spend is feed for your cows; when you’re focusing on
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
10 // MURRAY REGION
IDW YOUTH SHOW
Junior Champion Heifer — Senior Leader class: Honourable Mention — Cally O’Shannassy, from Carpendeit, and Halscott Oliver P Vogue, owned by J Lindsay & L Witte, from Huntingdon, NSW; Reserve Junior Champion — Tegan Afford, from Woods Point, South Australia, and her family’s cow Billaview Burdette Jazmine; sponsor representative Andre Nel, from Ridley; Junior Champion — Torrumbarry’s Georgia Sieben and her family’s cow Brindabella Meridian Connie; and judge Waylon Barron.
Sophie Kelly, of Katunga, struggles to keep her family's cow Kelisher Talent Victory in line during the youth show at International Dairy Week.
Senior Champion In Milk Heifer — Junior Leader class: Honourable Mention — Mikaela Daniel, from Nathalia, with Sunshine Farm Lovely 285; Reserve Senior Champion — north Queensland’s Angus Fraser and Wallacedale Brax Melys, from Wallacedale Jerseys, Poowong North; and Senior Champion — Queensland’s Aila Bevan and Brookbora Love Lies 748, owned by Brookbora Jerseys, Tennyson.
Australia’s Grand Champion Heifer class winners from the IDW youth show: Honourable Mention — north Queensland’s Angus Fraser and Wallacedale Brax Melys, from Wallacedale Jerseys, Poowong North; Reserve Grand Champion — Queensland’s Aila Bevan and Brookbora Love Lies 748, owned by Brookbora Jerseys, Tennyson; Grand Champion — Torrumbarry’s Georgia Sieben and Brindabella Solomon R Midge; judge Waylon Barron; and sponsor representative Chris Millar, from Ridley.
Junior Champion Heifer — Junior Leader class: Honourable Mention — Tongala’s Kaitlyn Joyce with her family’s cow Beclah Park Velocity Noni; Reserve Junior Champion — Shae Tweddle, from Glencoe, South Australia, with her own calf Merseybank Tequila Song; sponsor representative Wayne Peterson, from ABS Australia; Junior Champion — Hannah Gleeson, from Koroit, with Philmar FC Upto Mischief, owned by Elm Banks Holsteins at Crossley; and judge Waylon Barron.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
MURRAY REGION // 11
Invergordon's Fletcher Robinson and Gorbro Unstopabull Admira, owned by Gorbro Holsteins, competed in the Junior Champion Handler class for leaders aged between eight and 10 as part of the Youth Showmanship Competition at IDW.
The Junior Champion Heifer Senior Leader class makes its way around the ring at Tatura Park.
Katunga's Eloise Kelly parades her family's cow Kelisher Golddust Victory during class 20 of the International Dairy Week All Breeds National Youth Show.
Claudia Ross, from Katamatite, and Jake Beggs, from Numurkah, with Strongbark Byway Sally, a cow from the Tasmanian stud Jaxon Park.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
12 // MURRAY REGION
New milk factory for Kyabram A NEW milk processing factory is coming to
Kyabram, with the Kyabram Jam Company set to invest $40 million to $50 million to diversify the former SPC-owned IXL site. The investment will see dairy-related infrastructure installed from January, and be operational in six to 12 months. “We will be talking with local dairy farmers in the coming months about supplying milk to the new facility, creating more opportunity across the local community,” a company spokesperson said. The investment is expected to create 30 new jobs, which will comprise manufacturing and processing positions. Kyabram Jam Company directors Adam Pretty, from Undera, and Loi Tuan Ee, from Malaysia, purchased the business in October because of the heritage brands that have been around since 1898, employee enthusiasm and the expansion suitability of the site. Mr Ee became involved in the dairy industry about 10 years ago in Malaysia, to develop a major fresh milk delivery system in a market dominated by reconstituted products. He started his dairy with about 60 cows imported from Australia and his herds now number about 3500. His company offers a range of fresh, flavoured, and cultured milk and yoghurt drinks,
The Kyabram jam factory could soon be bottling milk.
with an emphasis on reaching shelves within 48 hours of milking. Despite the diversification, the spokesperson said all IXL and Taylor’s brand products would still be processed. The factory currently produces IXL jams and Taylor’s marinades and sauces. “We will be keeping 100 per cent of all brands active and developing them further, aiming to
return them to their former glory,” the spokesperson said. “It is an option (to sell the dairy products under the IXL Taylor’s brand) but it won’t be wholly (sold under that brand name).” The company estimates the value to the region will be in the vicinity of $60 to $70 million as a result of retained and expansion activities.
MILK POOL FALLS The national milk production pool is expected to drop between three and five per cent in 2019–20, as northern Victoria’s falling herd sizes and farmers leaving the dairy industry play a major role in the decline. Speaking after the release of Dairy Australia’s Situation and Outlook report for December, Dairy Australia industry analyst Sofia Omstedt said milk production had dropped by nearly one billion litres since 2017–18. “The ongoing effect of drought and high input costs has seen nearly one billion litres exit the pool since 2017–18 when it was 9.3 billion litres,” Ms Omstedt said. “We have seen milk production significantly decline in northern Victoria due to farm exits and decreasing herd sizes. “The last financial year saw 12 per cent more exit the industry compared to the year prior and there’s anecdotal reports of exits since. “This financial year, from July to October, we have seen an 8.7 per cent drop in production out of northern Victoria compared to the previous year.” Water is being traded on average for $512/Ml in the Murray Irrigation System, a figure that’s up by 164 per cent on October 2018. Despite water prices rising, hay and wheat prices have reduced but are still historically high.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
MURRAY REGION // 13
Women in dairy inspire and delight IT WAS another successful Power of Women
welcomed the networking opportunity the night provided for everyone. The night included the annual presentation of the Bette Hall Power of Women in Dairy Award for Excellence, which was presented to panel member Trish McCraw from Glen Afton Ayrshires. Trish said she was humbled by the award and for the first time in her life she announced to the crowd she was “speechless”. “I feel very humbled to have received this award. All my life I have been doing unto others, which is what my parents taught me, but it has given me a lot of pleasure over the years,” Trish said. Trish’s love of cattle and showing is a legacy from her parents — she began showing and exhibiting cattle at Melbourne Royal Show from a young age. Trish formed Glen Afton Ayrshires with her beloved husband Stuart and together the
in Dairy Dinner held at International Dairy Week 2020. A new format saw Channel 7 reporter and former dairy farmer Casey Treloar host a panel of three women for an informal chat about their lives. The panel included State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed, Ayrshire breeder Trish McCraw from Korumburra and journalist and former dairy farmer Sophie Baldwin from Echuca. Organiser and Torrumbarry dairy farmer Jade Sieben declared the night a success. “It was great to see so many women in the room and it was great to hear the stories behind the women on the panel, including our lovely host for the night Casey,” Jade said. Jade said the Power of Women dinner always reminded her of the amazing and powerful women involved in the dairy industry and she
Bette Hall Power of Women in Dairy winner Ayrshire breeder Trish McCraw from Gippsland, with last year’s winner Lisa Broad.
couple had the third-best production herd in the country. Trish was never afraid to invest in the best genetics, purchasing Brookfield Belle Star for $7500 — an Australian record at the time. Belle Star went on to become the first Australian Ayrshire embryo exported to Canada. Always passionate about helping youth, Trish
was responsible for setting up her own youth camp and during the years she has continued to support young people in the industry. “I think we all have ladies we look up to in the industry and aspire to be like and we just want to acknowledge some of them who are leaders and hands-on,” Jade said.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
14 // MURRAY REGION
Heartbreaking poem makes impact BY BORDER MAIL JOURNALIST VIVIENE JONES
THE REALITY of fire has been laid bare in a
poem that has been shared on social media more than 6700 times. The emotive statement by Corryong woman Georgia Wilson paints a grim picture for many farming families across the Upper Murray who were left with relatively nothing but burnt paddocks and dead stock. But Georgia insists her Facebook post was one of hope. "I wrote it to provide an insight into what farmers in, not only our area, but all fire-torn areas are facing," she said. "Farming is a tough gig as it is, but these fires make it a thousand times harder. "I think many people are making it a political debate and taking the focus away from all those who have been impacted and need help. "My family has two different properties up Thowgla and Nariel Gap, which got completely burnt out, we lost some stock up at those farms but thought we would lose a lot more. "However, we consider ourselves extremely lucky because the home farm with the dairy and house on it were not affected." The poem steps out things "people may not really think about". It is complete devastation. It is utter heartbreak. It is an emotional roller coaster. It is having no sleep. It is not knowing what to do next. It is red, sore eyes For Georgia and her family, the anxiety is not over yet. "We’ve lost about 140 hectares, we are now farming off about 120, but due to our home farm not burning we still have a degree of anxiety about when and if the home farm will burn," she said. "We are somewhat hesitant bringing all the cattle home off the burnt farms. "We lost around 15 to 20 head which is nothing compared to others, however, we expected the whole lot to go with the ferocity of the fire." If it wasn’t for Georgia and her mother’s bravery at 2 am one morning she believes they would have "lost a lot more". "Mum and I went and got some of the cattle into the yards and just hoped for the best," she said. "We are finding that as time goes by some of the cattle are deteriorating — the main problems are general burns, burnt feet and burnt eyes, it’s a pretty horrific scene. "The reality is farmers hate seeing stock in pain and ultimately just want to do what is best for them, which could include having to shoot them." The family also lost kilometres of fencing, a hay shed and multiple silage bales. "After reading my post, I hope people have a bit more of an understanding to what the reality of fires are for many and the heartache it causes,"
Georgia said. "They can then share it with all their friends so everyone can understand and continue to donate and support the families and communities that are doing it tough. "I also hope that it makes farmers realise that they need to come together and help each other out." It is complete devastation. It is utter heartbreak. It is an emotional roller coaster. It is having no sleep. It is not knowing what to do next. It is red, sore eyes. It is having no power or communication. It is the separation of families. It is grief. Anger. Guilt. It is having to shoot your own cattle to put them out of their misery. It is unpredictable. It is sirens, red and blue flashing lights. It is the sound of the emergency app, praying that it’s not getting close. It is pouring thousands of litres of milk down the drain. It is learning how to sacrifice. It is hoping that those that are out fighting will return home safely. It is thinking about all the “what ifs”. It is watching tears stream down the face of some of the strongest people. It is wondering when you’re going to wake up from this nightmare. It is seeing many years of hard work burn in minutes. It is watching your livelihood go up in flames. This is the reality of fires. It hurts and no one can prepare you for it. With time, the grass will get greener and life will go back to the way it once was. We just have to remember that.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 2020
MURRAY REGION // 15
G-MW discusses pricing KATANDRA WEST dairy farmer Paul Harry
took part in Goulburn-Murray Water’s three-day Price Submission Customer Forum to learn how prices are set for use of the irrigation delivery system that his business relies on. The Goulburn Murray Irrigation District’s delivery network is vital for growing pasture for his 250-strong herd. But, until recently, Mr Harry was unclear how prices were determined. “Everyone has their opinions on water, but I really wanted to properly educate myself and understand regulations and legislation that informs pricing structure,” Mr Harry said. Run by an independent facilitator, Mr Harry said taking part in the summit in Echuca gave him the know-how he needed, describing the event as informative and inclusive. The summit was part of a deep engagement
WATER WORKSHOPS
process, reaching about 10 per cent of G-MW’s customers during a two-year period. The consultation informed G-MW’s Pricing Submission lodged recently with the Essential Services Committee. After the summit, Mr Harry echoed most G-MW customers’ call for fairer prices to ensure the region is sustainable for decades to come. He cited water-related matters as the greatest challenge he faces on his irrigated 200 ha property. A 10 per cent drop in fees, as recommended by the submission, could mean around $5000 Mr Harry could reinvest back into his business each year. “Adjusting to less water being available is absolutely the greatest challenge,” he said. “This year’s dry conditions are disguised because we have received good milk prices, so
we can afford to buy in hay, grain and silage to cover for the summer. “But buying grain and hay becomes unsustainable. “If access to water is more affordable and equitable, it would significantly benefit the farm. “I want to see a fairer break down of the infrastructure costing to better reflect who benefits from the system.” Mr Harry said G-MW’s Pricing Submission was creating equitable pricing across the GMID and the proposal for uniform delivery charges would cement this. The Essential Services Committee will deliver a draft decision on the submission in March. A final price determination will be made in June, for implementation from July 1. This will set fees and charges for the next four years from 2020 to 2024.
In the face of greater water uncertainty this autumn, Murray Dairy will host workshops on how dairy businesses are progressing with lower allocations. Facilitated by Brian Crockart, from CRC AgriSolutions, farmers from the Riverina will share their experiences after consecutive zero-allocation seasons — what has worked and the lessons they learned. The panel members will also share their plans for autumn. Advanced Ag agronomist Luke Nagle will discuss pasture and crop management for the most valuable use of your water, including considerations for sowing dry. Mr Nagle will also share his expertise on bringing sacrifice paddocks back into production. The workshops will be held at: ■■ Cohuna: Wednesday, February 12, at the Cohuna Football Netball Club, Island Rd, Cohuna, from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. ■■
Cobram-Barooga: Thursday, February 13, at the Cobram Barooga Golf Club, Golf Course Rd, Barooga, from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
■■
Kyabram: Monday, February17, at the Kyabram Club, 82 Allan St, Kyabram, from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm.
There is no cost to attend and meals are provided. RSVP to Lisa Birrell for catering purposes on 0499 220 027 or via email at: lisab@murraydairy.com.au
THE MURRAY MUSTER 2020
Digging Deeper Exploring how we can conserve water through soil management, cropping rotations and regenerative agriculture, The Murray Muster 2020 will give you a new perspective on what lies beneath your feet. Featuring international speakers and exclusive local site visits, you won’t want to miss it!
DAY FORUM Wednesday 20 May 2020 followed by dinner
FARM TOURS Wednesday 21 May 2020
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Phone: (03) 5862 1144 Cnr Nelson & Orchard Streets, Numurkah VIC 3636 sales@ndservices.com.au • ndservices.com.au