AUGUST, 2019 ISSUE 106
MURRAY REGION
Future focus
Creating a pathway into dairy see page 6
•
Everything under control in one hand -
• • •
TH 744 Telehandler
•
Engine speed reduction for lower fuel consumption High performance hydraulics for rapid work cycles 136 PS Deutz engine Ergonomically shaped joystick console VLS driver assistance system
ON FARM DEMONSTRATIONS AVAILABLE
STIHL SHOP SHEPPARTON Ph: (03) 5820 9718 HAEUSLER’S SHEPPARTON Ph: (03) 5820 9700 HAEUSLER’S ECHUCA Ph: (03) 5481 3800
www.haeuslers.com.au
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
2 // MURRAY REGION
Julie and Trevor Campbell are calling an end to 43 years of dairy farming. They started out in 1976 when they bought a farm through the Rural Finance and Land Settlement Commission; they are the last of the original dairy farmers to leave the industry.
Herd sale hails end of an era THE SALE of the Jimann Jersey herd of
Rochester’s Trevor and Julie Campbell is the end of the era. Not just because they are exiting the dairy industry but because they are the very last of the original Rural Finance and Land Settlement Commission dairy farmers (Rural Finance blocks). The Campbells’ purchased their 42 ha dairy farm through the scheme when they were in their early 20s, way back in 1976. “We were sharefarming at the time and had our own dairy herd. We had to go through an extensive application and interview process to be accepted,” Julie said. Their little farm consisted of three water troughs, three main paddocks, a shell of a house and dairy, a machinery and hayshed — they basically had to fit-out the dairy and house and
away they went. “In the first year we were limited to milking 65 cows because the pastures were so underdeveloped,” Trevor said. Looking back the couple said their purchase never felt risky but rather like an exciting adventure. “We were ambitious and both grew up on farms, (Trevor dairy and Julie sheep and cattle) so we knew we were doing what we wanted,” Trevor said. “We bought our farm at a time when people were building pits to put their dead cattle in,” Julie said. “We sent some heifers to Bendigo for processing and I can remember getting a bill back for them instead of a cheque but we knew things would turn around if we stuck it out,” Julie said. Back in the day the block came with access
to what was considered a state-of-the art irrigation system consisting of an open channel with water piped to each individual farm. “The soils in the area were light and sandy and channels wouldn’t have been practical,” Julie said. “The downfall of the system was we had to share water delivery on a roster system that depended where you were placed on the system as to how and when you could water and if it rained and you were next on the list, you had to water. “It had its downfalls which is why so many deep lead irrigation bores went in.” The Campbells put their first bore down in 1983 and over the years there have been many repairs and the establishment of a complete new bore. Their bore never ran dry although there were
times when they had to put extensions on and go a little deeper. In 1999 the opportunity to purchase an additional 16 ha came up when a neighbouring farmer split his block in half and sold. At their peak, the couple milked 180. The couple can remember many tough years especially during the millennium drought when they had two years of zero allocation, followed by two years of 32 and 38 per cent. Over a six-year period they averaged a 20 per cent water allocation and their bore was limited as well. “We couldn’t buy water on the Campaspe system and that was the problem,” Julie said. In 2010 the Campaspe Irrigation District shut down which Trevor said was basically the nail in the coffin for dairying on the system and the Rural Finance blocks.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
MURRAY REGION // 3 “There used to be 38 dairy farms and now there are six left. We only stayed on because we loved our cows so much,” Julie said. But after 43 years of dairying, the Campbells sold their milking herd and recently auctioned their rising two-year-olds. Under the circumstances, they were very happy with the sale. Top priced lot was Jimann Valentino Maisy, a two-year-old daughter of an EX 90 Mannix Rebel dam with records to 323 kg fat; she sold for $3600. Selling the herd was pretty tough considering Trevor has been breeding his own stock since he was 15. He has had a lifelong love of cows that has never abated. He is a classifier and a life member of Jersey Australia. And he can remember the very first moment he first fell in love with cows. “I was about four or five and I was looking out the bedroom window and a Jersey cow dropped this tiny little calf with a star on its head and from that minute on, cows became my life,” Trevor said. “At that stage it didn’t matter what colour they were either, I just loved cows — it is something that has been in me as long as I can remember.” Trevor said he always enjoyed the challenge of breeding the next generation of stock and he loved the camaraderie and interaction with other Jersey breeders. At this stage the Campbells still have 40 rising one-year-olds and few old cows they couldn’t part with.
The Campbells still have their one-year old calves on farm.
For the full range of Massey Ferguson Tractors, Hay & Silage gear to mow, ted, rake, bale & stack no matter the size!
DM Series 3pl disc mowers
Massey Ferguson TH.7038
RK series rakes
From 2.4 to 3.5 meters with and without conditioners
4 cylinder 4.4 litre 130HP engine, 3 steering modes, 40km/h Hydrostatic transmission, Creeper function, 190 L/min oil flow, 7.0m max lift height 3.8T max lift capacity
Single to quad rotor working widths from 3.6 to 12.5 meters
NEW RELEASE – RazorEdgeTM 1300 Series Pull-Type Disc Mower Conditioner
TD series tedders 3pl and trailing working widths from 4.5 to 12.7 meters and 4 – 10 rotors
1300 series razoredge cutterbar technology from 3 to 5 meters, leading steel on steel rollers
Small square balers, fixed and variable chamber round balers & big square balers STD & XD
For all your Massey Ferguson sales, service and parts
BERTOLI FARM MACHINERY PTY LTD SHEPPARTON VIC 198-200 Numurkah Road Phone: (03) 5821 3299
WWW.BERTOLIS.COM.AU
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
4 // MURRAY REGION
Chair’s message
Meetings on rotation The board has been taking the opportunity to rotate our bimonthly meetings to meet farmers and industry representatives across our region. This has highlighted just how important dairy is in our regional communities and the impacts of recent challenges faced by industry. It has also shown the resilience of our communities, with dairy businesses making adjustments to manage the changing conditions, in many circumstances with the help of others; whether that be a listening ear, a second opinion or words of support. These discussions help us to prioritise our programs and information to ensure that the current needs of the dairy industry in all our sub regions are being met. Murray Dairy works in partnership with people, organisations and businesses to ensure we are delivering the resources to support your needs. We will continue to rotate these meetings around the Murray Dairy region and we hope you can join us for more of these valuable discussions.
Spring decisions Spring is upon us. We’re becoming busier and there are more decisions we have to make every day, which is exhausting at times. My experience is that decision-making is easier when it’s shared — with family or someone in your business, with someone in your discussion group, with a farm adviser or anyone else you trust. Murray Dairy continues to offer free, confidential one-to-one consultations with an adviser of your choice that can be used to work through your decisions, whether that be herd management, nutrition budgeting, feed planning or something else. Murray Dairy’s Seasonal Updates in July were focused on providing information to dairy farmers to support this decision-making. Whilst the challenges linger from last season and the water market looks to remain tight, we have seen more rain and promising signs for fodder production across key growing regions. Spring presents an opportunity to optimise fodder production by managing our grazing,
our inputs and our harvest as best we can. More information can be found on the Dairy Australia Feed Planning website. Milk Quality Awards In July, the Milk Quality Awards were again presented to dairy businesses who maintained a high milk quality throughout the 2017–18 year. Congratulations to the 20 dairy businesses from the Murray region that were ranked in the top 100 businesses nationally, this is an incredible achievement. Problem solving In closing, I come back to the adage, “A problem shared is a problem halved” — when you’re facing the season’s decisions, I encourage you to reach out to someone who will provide a listening ear and ideas to move your business forward. I hope your spring is a positive and productive one.
Karen Moroney Chair, Murray Dairy
*Offer ends 30/9/19 or while stocks last. Offer only available at participating Polaris Dealers. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes fleet clients.
For more information please contact Leo Dullard 0428 886 086 | Bruce Watson 0407 433 504 | Trent Berryman 0418 632 096 1300 654 142 | www.polarisaustralia.com |
/PolarisAustralia
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
MURRAY REGION // 5
Water shortage threatens Riverina SOUTHERN RIVERINA farmers are facing
another irrigation season of zero allocation, with major implications for the dairy industry. For Helen Clark and daughters Kristen and Donna, who milk 800 cows just outside Finley, the most recent zero allocation announcement is unpalatable — especially considering South Australia has opened on 38 per cent and even under extreme dry conditions, is forecast to get 100 per cent by the end of the season. ‘‘Their water comes from the same catchment as us,’’ Ms Clark said. ‘‘How long can this continue to go on and how fair is it? ‘‘Is the government just going to let the dairy
industry die and then realise it’s too late when we are all gone?’’ Ms Clark said current prices for temporary water (above $600/Ml) made purchasing no longer an option — the only saving grace has been recent rains. ‘‘Our pasture is not looking too bad — we had an inch of rain last week. If we get followup rains we might get some crop off. ‘‘We might just be okay this year because the milk price has improved, but irrigated pastures and crops are what make us sustainable and if we can’t do that in the long term, there is no long term for our business.’’ Just down the road at Blighty, 900-cow
dairy farmer Lachlan Marshall is facing huge decisions. ‘‘We are on the verge of some confronting and very real decisions,’’ he said. ‘‘We have to destock because we can’t continue to feed and water our animals at temporary water prices of $660. ‘‘Our cows are the result of four generations of breeding and it’s a devastating thought,’’ Mr Marshall said. ‘‘Last year the storage at Dartmouth was over 80 per cent and Hume 60 per cent — they were nearly full and we still had zero allocation. ‘‘Is it going to take a flood before we ever get an allocation again?’’
Comments by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack recently on talkback radio saying he did not see a problem with ‘‘non-producing buyers’’ in the water market have also angered Mr Marshall. ‘‘The tragedy of this situation is he has been to our region and he still doesn’t understand it. ‘‘Murray Valley and southern Riverina farmers appear to be collateral damage and that seems to be acceptable. ‘‘We have no leaders on water and water policy, everyone continues to pass the buck while our rural communities continue to shrink and people are leaving the dairy industry in droves.”
Repairing and servicing hydraulics for the dairy industry After-hour breakdowns can be very costly. GV Hydraulink’s new rotary dairy drive system can be very cost effective and suits most brands and operates by a flick of a leaver.
We’re backing AUSTRALIAN AGRIBUSINESS Talk to a NAB Managing Partner in your region today Northern Victoria Gippsland South West Victoria
Locally owned and operated
Dave Davies Simon Waugh Jaime Barr nab.com.au/agribusiness
©2018 National Australia Bank Limited ABN 12 004 044 937 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 230686 A121729-1218
Ph: (03) 5831 5244 80 Drummond Rd, Shepparton 3630 0427 315 244
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
6 // MURRAY REGION
Jessie Weaver is looking forward to a long and fulfilling career in the dairy industry despite spending her early years growing up on the outskirts of Sydney.
Jessie rising to dairy career BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
JESSIE WEAVER might be young and female,
but she is adamant and determined to carve out a career for herself in the dairy industry. Growing up on the outskirts of Sydney, Jessie fell in love with agriculture when her parents moved to a beef farm at Taylors Arm on the mid North Coast. The love only intensified through the ag program her local high school ran. “I developed a deep passion for agriculture and animals,” Jessie said. “Cattle reproduction is where I wanted to go and I was really keen on learning how to AI and the whole process of getting a cow in calf, maintaining pregnancy and the birth of a healthy calf.” Jessie did attempt an animal science degree at UNE but changed her mind and in 2015, she started working on a 250-cow dairy farm just down the road from her parents in NSW. “I was the main milker and AI tech but I became hungry for more experience; I didn’t just want to milk.”
Jessie said a real turning point for her came when she was fortunate to be selected for Dairy Australia’s Dairy Path program. “I was quite proud to be selected as one of eleven participants and it has been great. “It’s a bit like a personal development program where you set realistic goals based on your own personal motivation and what makes you tick. “That helped me realise that just milking cows was not going to cut it and I needed to step up.” That desire has seen Jessie make a move to northern Victoria where she is currently working on a 1100-cow farm at Undera. “I have only been here four months but I have learnt so much already,” she said. Jessie’s job description is varied and she has been able to participate in many different aspects of running a large herd from calf rearing to animal health. “A big farm is nowhere near as personal and it is hard to have a relationship with the cows when you are always busy but I am learning a lot
and really enjoying it.” Things are currently quiet on the farm but with 300 cows ready to calve, the days will be ramping up shortly. “My passion is reproduction and I have a lot of things in mind for my future,” Jessie said. “I would really like to run an AI and preg testing business but vets offer that. “I am interested in looking more into bulls and genetics and I am hoping to learn a lot more about that — maybe I can step into a herd management role. I guess it just depends where life takes me.” Jessie hasn’t ruled out returning to study either, especially something around reproduction. She recently spent some time in Bega attending a dairy symposium. “The conference was great and I really enjoyed the presentations, especially by the young scientists. “Events like these offer great networking opportunities and over the years I have met some significant people who have impacted my life.”
She was surprised by the number of young people in attendance. “There is a lot of pressure on the dairy industry at the moment which everyone feels but there was a lot of optimism at the symposium. “It was a nice surprise to see so many young people in the room because I think one of the biggest challenges the industry faces is, where is the future of the industry going to come from. “We are there, we just need to be supported and looked after. We also have a voice and it is important to hear what we want for the future of the industry.” Jessie said as a young woman she felt she isn’t always given the same opportunities as a male would be, but the more work places she goes too, the more women she sees and she feels the tide is slowly turning. “I think I face a lot more challenges because I am a woman,” Jessie said. “Sometimes I am not taken seriously, especially by older men who think they can walk all over me. This can take away confidence and makes me second guess myself sometimes, but
You know farming, we know nutrition.
Let us free you up to focus on what you know best. Optimilk provides more than just a range of high performance dairy feed products. Working with our team of qualified experts, together we will tailor the right nutritional solution to suit your farm and herd’s dietary needs. Allowing you to focus on the most important thing‌ running your business.
Contact the Rivalea Sales Team on 02 6033 8062 or visit optimilk.com.au
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
8 // MURRAY REGION
Steve and April Kunde are hoping this season will bring some relief to the bottom line. They have faced some pretty tough years since they took over the running of their Mincha dairy farm.
Positive mindset during tough times BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
RIDING TOUGH times in the industry they love
It’s been a tough run for young couple Steve and April Kunde since they took over the running of their Mincha dairy farm in 2016. Both from dairying backgrounds — April’s in northern Victoria and Steve’s in Queensland, the couple certainly knew what they were in for — they just had no idea temporary water prices would climb into the stratosphere and severely impact the livelihood of their business and the industry they love. The 365 ha farm was initially purchased by April and her parents during the millennium drought. It was bought dry, with no water and not a blade of grass (it was a former dairy farm which had been converted to beef ). “The year we stepped on here with the cows we had three inches of rain and it was covered in grass,” April said. Initially the farm was run as a dry block in conjunction with her parents’ farm but in 2012 they built a 20-a-side swing-over and began milking. The couple have slowly worked their way
around the farm improving internal fencing and pastures and they have been lucky to be able to run with all the existing irrigation infrastructure. An almost total reliant on the temporary water market and the exorbitant costs this season have severely affected what they could sow this autumn — the cows normally graze an 80 ha milking platform and another 80 ha is used for cereals. “Our hay suppliers were running out of hay in February, so we sourced enough to get us through to autumn and we chose to buy temporary water. We could only afford to buy 60 Ml which has given us 32 ha of rye grass and clovers,” Steve said. The pasture was irrigated once and just as it was starting to wilt, follow-up rains saved the day. “Our dry land is just hanging on. We were hoping to get 20 mm of rain over the weekend (late June) but we only got 6 mm. “We have sown 70 ha of crop, but we were pretty late getting that in and we will certainly need a good spring to finish that off. “We were lucky to get an earlier break this autumn to save us from disaster,” he said. For the 2018–19 season, they used 200 Ml of
water, 50 of which was carried over. “We had 10 ha of sorghum we strip fed from January through to May and that 200 Ml also included stock and domestic, so you can’t say farmers aren’t economical water users.” The 180-cow Jersey herd is now happily grazing the rye and clover pasture. Milking 180 allows the business to be selfsufficient for fodder in a normal season. The Kundes supply Saputo because it is the only milk company who will pick up their milk because they are rather isolated geographically. “I would be happy with our milk price — if they gave us water with it, but our input costs are just so high,” Steve said. They hope they will be able to continue their dream of dairy farming, but things will certainly have to turn around quickly in the future. “We have come in to dairying and had to pay high-end prices for water, cattle and land,” April said. “We can’t afford infrastructure like feed pads, wagons and machinery, we need an efficient pasture-based system where we open the gate to the paddock and the cows walk in — it’s the cheapest way for us to feed our cows.” April said keeping labour costs down and
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
MURRAY REGION // 9 doing everything themselves had helped keep them in the industry. “We have been through so many different things over the years, drought, floods and a summer cold snap where we lost our heifers, but we still want to farm, this is what we love and what our children love,” she said. They have managed to hang onto all of their young stock but if the situation doesn’t improve, they will be unloaded next. “The goal is to keep the milking herd going, but if things don’t improve it will be the young stock that go this year, followed by the herd next,” Steve said. April attended Dairy Australia’s dairy plan meeting in Cohuna in June and thought it was a good opportunity to voice what she sees as the problems within the industry. “It depends what they do with results and whether or not any of it translates into action,” she said. “At least Dairy Australia are talking to us now whereas before, they used to do things without us having a say at all, especially considering our industry is on the verge of collapse.” April said representation within the dairy industry had been terrible and no-one had defended the industry at all. “Something needs to change, and we need someone to speak out for us, it is frustrating to see fees go out of our milk cheque to groups who do nothing for us and don’t step in to promote our industry. “Water is the biggest problem we have and when farmers can’t afford to buy it there is something drastically wrong,” she said.
The dairy was built in 2012 with a majority of the work done by Steve.
The Team Behind Growing Rumens
Bulk Orders | 1300 REID FEED | 1300 7343 3333
Stocking Statewide - reidstockfeeds.com.au/stockists reidstockfeeds.com.au/stockists
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
10 // MURRAY REGION
Managing calf care PROVIDING CALVES with consistent feed on
a day-to-day basis is the reason the Bryants run a fortified milk program on their calves. Monique Bryant, who manages the calf-rearing process on the 404 ha Kaarimba property, said she calved three times a year. “We calve in March/April, August/September and early December,” Mrs Bryant said. “On two of those calvings, I rear 70 to 80 each time and on the third calving, I will rear about 25.” Mrs Bryant explained how the fortified milk process worked. “We use a refractometer to test the milk off the cows and we make sure the calves get four litres of colostrum when they come into the shed,” she said. “I prefer they suck the colostrum rather than us tube it. The milk ends up where it needs to be that way. “However, when we are time poor, tubing is better than giving them nothing at all. “The fortified program works on feeding the calves whole milk, but adding milk powder to the milk. “In five litres of milk, you have ‘X’ amount of solids. “What we are trying to do is get the same amount of solids, but feed them two-and-a-half
litres of milk. “That concentrate is consistent with what we are feeding them each day. “We also add in an additive, which allows the calves’ immune system to build up faster, so they are not as susceptible to getting bugs.” Mrs Bryant said having bugs on-farm was inevitable, but managing the threat from the beginning was important. “I get the bobcat in to the shed and clean out all the bedding,” she said. “I prep the ground with antibacterial and anti-viral spray. “Then weekly, I will put a moisture absorbing powder down, which neutralises any moisture and kills any bugs sitting in the bedding. “The calves are housed until they are weaned at eight to 10 weeks old or once they are eating two kilograms of solids a day.” While the Bryants rear the calves for herd replacement as well as for external markets, the latter has been restricted by them being on the edge of a bluetongue virus zone, which has seen China refuse to accept dairy heifers from what is now a cleared area. The Bryants are long-time customers of Rex James Stockfeed at Nathalia.
Kaarimba’s Monique Bryant runs her calves on a fortified milk program to provide her cows with a consistent diet.
NEW TO RURAL GROUP
ALL YOUR SPRAY APPLICATION NEEDS COVERED Croplands range of high quality spray equipment, components and accessories are now available through your local Rural Group. From large trailed sprayers to linkage, traymount and knapsacks and beyond, Croplands and Rural Group have your spray needs covered. SHEPPARTON ECHUCA COBRAM
21 Telford Drive 37-41 Cornelia Creek Road 92 Karook Street
03 5832 3500 03 5482 2788 03 5871 3333
www.croplands.com.au
NOW WITH
Yipee! Now even better. Better weight gains, Better feed intake, Better coccidiosis control. Veanavite calf feed has got even better. It now contains Bovatec. Studies have shown that Bovatec can provide better weight gains1, feed intake1,2 and control of coccidiosis3,4 than monensin. Veanavite – Get it right, right from the start. Contact your local reseller or go to www.veanavite.com.au to find out more.
1 From Nussio et al., 2002. Scientia Agricola, 59, 3: 421 | 2 The effect of ionophores on feed intake by feedlot cattle, 1995, Gary Vogel, Lilly Research Laboratories, Canyon Texas | 3 Stromberg et al 1982 Am J Vet Res. 43:583 | 4 Watkins et al, 1986 AgriPractice. 7:18-20
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
12 // MURRAY REGION
Getting a glimpse beneath the surface A SOIL moisture monitoring project in the
southern Riverina is giving dairy farmers realtime information to improve their summer crop management and having big benefits for production. The project, a collaboration between Murray Dairy and Murray Local Land Services, is exploring the use of soil moisture monitoring tools for irrigation and soil management. Last year, capacitance probes were installed on two sites, both growing maize, one under pivot and the other under flood. Additional probes will be installed this year after success in the first year of the project. The probes are installed to a depth of 80 cm and show soil moisture levels at 10 cm increments. Data collected from the probes show rainfall and irrigation events, changes in water levels in the soil, the movement of water through the profile and the uptake of water by crops. Probes can be used to understand the amount
of water available to plants at any given time and to schedule irrigations to ensure that plants have adequate water at critical stages of their development. This has assisted farmers to identify issues and make early decisions about how to manage them to avoid yield penalties or damage to crops.
Site one
On the flood-irrigated site, the manager used the probe to make decisions on when to water, considering the price of water and the economic return for each megalitre of water applied. A soil pit on this site revealed sealing of the soil through consecutive irrigations, impacting on water infiltration and the effectiveness of irrigation. This was mirrored in probe data, with the water not reaching refill point after the third irrigation. The refill point is generally the moisture level at which an irrigation is applied, with the aim
being to maintain an optimum moisture range at which the plants can achieve maximum yield and quality potential. Soil structural constraints below 20 cm were identified by examining the soil profile including compaction, lack of organic matter and hard panning. These constraints typically restrict root development at depth. This correlates with a significant reduction in plant water use observed using the probe as moisture fell below refill point. With the concentration of production roots within the 0–20 cm profile, once this moisture was depleted, the rate of water use declined. After identifying these issues, the manager of this site could use the probe data to identify the decline in soil moisture and time irrigations accordingly, preventing water stress which could impact yield potential and dry matter production. In the longer term, soil remediation options include drying the soil profile to allow cracking
and movement of water and organic matter into deeper layers of the soil and use of rotational deep-rooted crops to break the soil open further and add organic matter.
Site two
On the pivot-irrigated site, the manager used soil moisture data to strategically dry and wet the soil to encourage the development of plant roots and better utilisation of soil moisture at depth. Data from the probe site clearly showed that in late December, when temperatures began to rise, there was an issue with water infiltration into the root zone of the crop, which quickly resulted in poor growth and uniformity. The farmer used this data to increase application rates and frequencies to lift the moisture level with the maize crop, and then maintain good moisture levels during the prolonged hot and dry conditions. The manager of this site used the data to allow the profile to dry at strategic periods and
ROUND OR SQUARE LARGE OR SMALL WE HAVE TRACTORS AND BALERS TO SUIT
FINANCE FROM
1.75%
*
We have all your hay equipment requirements covered with great discounts and finance available on round or square balers, mower conditioners and windrower draper heads. * TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY
SHEPPARTON SHEPPARTON 03 5821 4555
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
MURRAY REGION // 13
Home-grown milk in Kyabram encourage better crop utilisation of soil moisture at depth. This encouraged deeper plant roots and the application of correct irrigation to refill the profile. As a result, the farmer could see the real practical benefits of using strategically placed soil moisture probes to monitor soil moisture conditions in conjunction with satellite imagery and visual assessment to view the performance of the crop over the entire pivot. Public information from probes installed in NSW is available from the Southern Soil Moisture Probe Network at www.soilmoistureprobes.com.au/ Public information from probes installed in Victoria under dryland crops and irrigated and non-irrigated pastures is available from Agriculture Victoria. Agriculture Victoria has also developed some tech notes on selecting and using soil moisture monitoring technologies for more effective utilisation of water on your farm. — Murray Dairy
ASIDE FROM milking a cow yourself, there
is not a glass of milk that comes fresher than the new-look GV Milk Distributors’ product. It has partnered with Kyvalley Dairy to bring the district milk and cream straight from local paddocks under the Kiewa brand. It’s the first time in almost a decade that Kyvalley Dairy milk will be available locally. GV Milk Distributors changed hands at the start of July and one of the first things new owners Michael and Irene Leijen did was switch to the Kyabram supplier. ‘‘Buying locally and supplying local is really important to me and one of the most important reasons we are passionate about GV Milk Distributors as a company,’’ Mrs Leijen said. ‘‘Before we took control of the company, the
milk was coming from well outside the district. ‘‘Dairy farmers are having a rough time and we need to be buying local and supplying local wherever we can.’’ Kyvalley Dairy director Wayne Mulcahy praised the new partnership and said they had looked at buying GV Milk Distributors close to a year ago but couldn’t find the right person to run it. ‘‘Irene is managing the company and is a wonderful, passionate person for the job,’’ Mr Mulcahy said. ‘‘Working with Irene has been terrific and we are very pleased to be able to supply products locally. ‘‘We will be doing everything we can to support Irene and see the company grow.
‘‘It’s a great outcome for us and for them. She’s a very strong supporter of local products.’’ Kyvalley Dairy is family-run and has a history with the local dairy industry that spans five generations. The business employs more than 120 people at its Kyabram facility and is supplied by 20 local dairy farmers. ‘‘Kyvalley Dairy have been absolutely wonderful to work with,’’ Mrs Leijen said. ‘‘They’ve been extremely supportive throughout the whole transition and we are both looking forward to growing the business.’’ Kiewa milk is available at IGA in Kyabram and Tatura and is supplied to cafes, restaurants and pubs across the region.
R U O Y F O N IO T A R E N E G T X E N E H T GROW D E E F K C O T S S E M JA X E R H IT W HERD
Providing highly palatable feed with all your nutritional requirements from birth to entering the dairy.
Calf starter with Lucerne Calf starter Weaner mix
NOW INCLUDING
MOLASSES
Heifer grower Bulk, Bulka and 25kg bags available All our calf grains are specifically formulated to meet your calves requirements our highly palatable mix now with Molasses included. When you are considering your calf grain options why not give the locals with the know how a call at Rex James Stockfeed.
www.jamesstockfeed.com.au info@jamesstockfeed.com.au 1 Murray Valley Hwy, Nathalia Vic 3638 Ph: 03 5866 2771
Food Safety CODEX HACCP
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
14 // MURRAY REGION
Nick and Lyndl Ossthuizen.
Family relishes farming future in safe haven NICK OSSTHUIZEN is 10000 km away
from home. He might have grown up on a family dairy farm on the Eastern Cape in South Africa but today he is dairy farming on another continent, in a different climate and in a new industry, not that he is complaining — he is relishing the challenge. Nick and his wife Lyndl moved to Australia after political unrest in their country made it to unsafe to continue dairying. Dairying is all Nick has ever wanted to do and as a fifth-generation farmer you could say it’s in his blood. In South Africa his family milked 1200 cows in two separate herds (Jersey and Holstein) across two farms on 380 ha while three dry land properties were used for young stock and dry cows. The milkers mainly grazed lucerne over summer and rye-grass in the winter. Pastures were irrigated through centre pivots and the business employed 36 workers. Political unrest has been swirling through South Africa for sometime and initially it was far away from the Ossthuizen farm and didn’t affect them personally.
Things changed in 2014 when an elderly white South African woman living on a small property in the middle of the farm was raped, dragged around the farm and murdered by a gang. The farm was targeted and anything that wasn’t bolted down or locked up was stolen. “They would steal the cables and the copper sprinklers from the pivot; we would go to irrigate and there would be no power or we would turn it on, and water would rush out everywhere because the sprinklers were gone,” Nick said. The final straw came when early one morning a gang broke into the dairy stole everything including the computers there were footprints all around the house. “It just became too dangerous in South Africa for us and our young family so we made the decision to look for work in another country,” Nick said. Initially Nick looked in Denmark but then he decided to apply for some jobs in Australia he saw advertised on Gumtree. “I applied for a few jobs and didn’t hear anything and then a month later someone contacted me. I spoke to them and the next thing I knew I was on a plane to Australia,” Nick said.
Heavily pregnant, Lyndl was unable to fly and followed her husband out a couple of months later with a toddler, a newborn baby and 75 kg of luggage. The couple came to Australia in 2016, just in time to experience one of the wettest winters on record. The initial job they came out for didn’t work out and they have now found themselves in a management position at Katamatite. The business milks 550 mixed cows that calve in autumn, spring and again in December. “We run a fresh and stale herd. The cows graze pasture during the day and come up to the pad before milking where they are fed a mixed ration,” Nick said. Infrastructure includes two feed pads and a 40-bed free stall barn for sick cows and calving. All the management decisions are made in conjunction with the owners, the Buchanan family. “It is very different farming in Australia from the soil structure to the pastures. We had permanent irrigation through centre pivots while here in Australia it is mostly flood,” Nick said. Nick said one of the hardest things he has had to get used to, is now doing the work himself.
“In South Africa we could afford a lot of employees. The dairy industry was valued but we did have our ups and downs and it was never consistent — that doesn’t seem to change no matter what country you are dairying in,”. They have also been able to build up a small herd of their own which they are milking at the Buchanan farm. Lyndl is responsible for calf rearing and is a member of the milking team along with other work. “I am in the process of completing my Certificate III in agriculture and I will go on and do my Cert IV one day,” Lyndl said. The couple has found a wealth of dairy information that wasn’t available in South Africa. Looking to the future, they want to continue farming in Australia and are in the process of applying for permanent residency. “We miss family and friends but our future is here in Australia, we hope to never have to go back to South Africa because it is just too unsafe,” Lyndl said. “The Buchanan family have been very supportive of us and we will always be grateful for the opportunity and support they give us.”
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2019
MURRAY REGION // 15
Consumer focus for young farmers MEMBERS OF Murray Dairy’s Young Dairy
Network came from across the region — including Finley, Stanhope and Yarrawonga — to share a night off the farm and celebrate Christmas in July. The event, held at Katunga’s Monichino Wines on July 12, featured guest speakers Toni Barton, producer of Australian Lamb Bacon, and Jade Miles, a food advocate and orchardist from Black Barn Farm in Stanley. Ms Barton and Ms Miles spoke of their passion for farming and the importance of agriculture to Australians. ‘‘Without farmers doing what we do, people couldn’t eat,’’ Ms Barton said. ‘‘It’s that simple.’’ Ms Barton and Ms Miles shared stories of their business journeys, which were not without ‘‘blood, sweat and tears’’. Ms Barton, who grew up on a dairy farm in the Murray region, returned to farming after a successful career in marketing in New York with the desire ‘‘just to grow my own food’’. She purchased 81ha and some Australian White Sheep, first selling her product to friends and later at farmers’ markets. Her engagement with consumers gave her confidence she could sell her product at a good
price; a price she felt reflected the quality and the work she put into it. ‘‘Through this relationship with my customers, I was really encouraged by the fact ... most consumers do actually care where their food comes from — many of them are invested in their family’s future, the food future.’’ Looking for ways to make more money from her product, she identified that lamb flaps, often treated as a waste product, could be used to make ‘bacon’. After developing a prototype and testing it with chefs and consumers, the feedback proved she had an idea worth pursuing. Both Ms Barton and Ms Miles concluded by encouraging the young people in the room to be bold and look for new opportunities that come with changing consumer trends, emerging technologies and networks.
Toni Barton from Australian Lamb Bacon spoke to the young farmers. Picture: Mikaela McQueen.
Work through your decisions with a Taking Stock consultation Dairy farmers can access a free, personalised Taking Stock session with a trained advisor to assist with business planning and work through key decisions. Consultations can be used across a range of areas, including: • Feed and water budgeting • Calculating the best return on water • Working out whether to irrigate or to buy feed • Water and feed procurement strategies
• Nutrition planning • Herd decisions • Reviewing your business position • Forward-planning
Get involved. Once you register, you’ll be directly connected with a trained adviser of your choice. Your session will remain completely confidential. Contact: Lachlan Barnes, Regional Extension Officer – Murray Dairy. P: 0438 092 352 E: lachlanb@murraydairy.com.au