Dairy News Australia September 2022

Pasture improvement feature.......Page 31 SEPTEMBER, 2022 ISSUE 143 // TOMULTIwww.dairynewsaustralia.com.auSPECIESTHERESCUEPAGE4 CUT WITHEMISSIONSGENETICS A new standalone breeding index called the Sustainability Index has been included in the latest Australian Breeding Values. Tim and Marie Humphris will use it as an additional tool to reduce their farm’s emissions intensity. PAGES 24 –30 LADIES WHO LUNCH PAGE 6 STAY IN CONTROL THIS SEASON Stay in control with CowScout collars: GEA.com/australia | 03 8877 99999 Healthier cows are proven to stay in your herd for longer. And thanks to CowScout heat and health collars, you can act faster than ever before if there are potential health problems. Detect disordersmetabolicearly Identify non-cyclers and slipped cows Improve in-calf rates Work with user-friendly software

JFC Milk Karts are the most e cient way of feeding your calves WINNING EDGE 340L JFC MILK KARTS ✔ EASY Transport of whole milk or milk replacer to calves ✔ SMOOTH Vortex-enhanced mixing eliminates separate of nutrients/foaming of milk ✔ CONTROLLED amount of milk dispensed THE JFC MILK CART ADVANTAGES ARE: AGRI JFC Milk Calf Feeding Made Easy The 340L JFC Milk Kart can mix 2 x 20Kg bags of milk replacer in just 4 minutes. Our 340L model features an upgraded pump which can dispense up to 36 litres per minute. This model also includes upgraded castor wheels, a new control box and dispensing nozzle. These features ensure faster milk delivery time when using the JFC Milk Kart with the pump. Contact ProviCo Rural for www.provicorural.com.au,information:PH:1300380 343 email: admin@provicorural.com.au KARTKartsThe JFC Milk Cart Range is the most efficient way of feeding your calves WINNING EDGE JFC MILK CARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES (170L + 340L) ✔ EASY Transport of whole milk or milk replacer to calves ✔ SMOOTH Vortex-enhanced mixing eliminates separate of nutrients/foaming of milk ✔ CONTROLLED amount of milk dispensed THE JFC MILK ADVANTAGESCARTARE: AGRI JFC Milk Calf Feeding Made Easy ✔ The 170L model can mix a 20Kg bag of milk replacer in just 4 minutes ✔ The 340L model can mix 2 x 20Kg bags of milk replacer in just 4 minutes Our 170L and 340L models features an upgraded pump which can dispense up to 36 litres per minute. This model also includes upgraded castor wheels, a new control box and dispensing nozzle. These features ensure faster milk delivery time when using the JFC Milk Kart with the pump. Contact ProviCo Rural for www.provicorural.com.au,information:PH:1300380 343 email: admin@provicorural.com.au KART KARTS Karts Kart The JFC Milk Cart Range is the most efficient way of feeding your calves WINNING EDGE JFC MILK CARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES (170L + 340L) ✔ EASY Transport of whole milk or milk replacer to calves ✔ SMOOTH Vortex-enhanced mixing eliminates separate of nutrients/foaming of milk ✔ CONTROLLED amount of milk dispensed THE JFC MILK ADVANTAGESCARTARE: AGRI JFC Milk Calf Feeding Made Easy ✔ The 170L model can mix a 20Kg bag of milk replacer in just 4 minutes ✔ The 340L model can mix 2 x 20Kg bags of milk replacer just 4 minutes Our 170L and 340L models features an upgraded pump which can dispense up to 36 litres per minute. This model also includes upgraded castor wheels, a new control box and dispensing nozzle. These features ensure faster milk delivery time when using the JFC Milk Kart with the pump. Contact ProviCo Rural for www.provicorural.com.au,information:PH:1300380 343 email: admin@provicorural.com.au KART KARTS Karts Kart

// 3 DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS UPGRADE YOUR MILKING SYSTEM? IS I T T I M E TO IfSpecialistsUpgradeTalkdelaval.comtothe1800817199you’rethinkingabout automation, we can help you look at the full picture from rotaries to robots, not just one type of system. B&DEL0577

BY ISABEL DANDO WITH WET weather having defined the past 12 months for much of Australia, a recent shift of the Bureau of Meteorology’s ENSO Outlook to a La Niña alert will likely bring a mixed response.LaNiña events typically bring above average rainfall over northern and eastern Australia and, with the recent cooling of the Pacific Ocean and a sustained positive Southern Oscillation Index, the likelihood of its return hasThistripled.event is predicted over spring and will occur alongside a negative Indian Ocean Dipole event that is currently under way. This negative IOD is forecast to remain until late spring and will contribute to further winter and spring rainfall for much of Australia, while the Southern Annular Mode will move into a positive phase and keep a drying influence across western Tasmania. Water availability has remained strong over the past two seasons, with the current climate outlook suggesting this is very likely to continue.Aboveaverage rainfall over most of mainland Australia will keep water storage levels close to or above last year. Since the beginning of this new water season, seasonal determinations have risen substantially in response, with water users rapidly gaining full access to allocations.

While abundant rainfall has lowered the need to irrigate for many, significant volumes of water have been traded in both the northern Victorian and Murray Irrigation systems. This can be mostly attributed to attractively low temporary water prices, encouraging opportunistic trading. Wet outlooks typically come with subdued demand for supplementary feed. Similarly to last year, ongoing rainfall, especially into the warmer months of spring, is likely to temper the demand for hay across many regions. This is due to strong pasture growth having the potential to both support stock and bolster home-grown feed supply. However, with additional above average rainfall forecast for an already wet south-eastern Australia, there is also potential for wet weather events to damage crops and impact the harvest period. This could play out in support of the expected short supply of hay heading into next year, or a repeat of last year, where yield-affected grain crops were cut for hay at the last minute, bringing a large volume of low-quality hay to market. For now, buyers and sellers are collectively taking a bet each way, and although supply is reportedly low across most regions, hay prices remainDomesticsteady.grain prices remain elevated on account of restricted global supply and strong globalAlthoughdemand.another bumper grain harvest is expected across Australia, global demand is expected to again soak up a large volume, keeping local prices high. This is due in part to the restriction of Ukrainian and Russian grain exports earlier this year and the impact of prolonged hot conditions on production across the Northern Hemisphere.Backhome, above average rainfall across late spring and into summer brings risks to crop maturation and the harvest period. It can significantly alter both the volume and quality of grain harvested and available on the market in the coming months. While the effects of this climate outlook will vary across each region, this will add further unpredictability to domestic grain supply and prices.Fertiliser prices have been steadily increasing over the past two years on account of high production costs and export restrictions. Urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium chloride (MOP) prices are respectively tracking 180 per cent, 157 per cent and 178 per cent higher than this time two yearsThereago.is some positive news, however — the global indicative price of urea has fallen over the past month, and prices for both DAP and MOP have stabilised. Amidst reports of farmers having to limit and prioritise fertiliser applications, those looking to lock in supply for the latter part of this season will be helped by the slower demand period across the Northern Hemisphere.Whileprices appear to have stabilised in the short term, the sheer scale and diversity of supply issues at play, especially within major export markets, makes elevated fertiliser prices a strong bet into the medium term. Even though this current outlook will likely bring challenges for the upcoming harvest period across both northern and south-eastern Australia, it also holds potential for gains in pasture growth and home-grown feed production.Thiswillhelp to reduce dairy farmers’ reliance on highly priced feed inputs and might cushion farmers against the unpredictability of grain and fertiliser markets at the whim of global influences.

NEWS 4 – 23 BREEDINGAUSTRALIANVALUES 24 – 30 PASTURE IMPROVEMENT 31 – 36 ANIMAL HEALTH 37 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 38 – 42

Rain weighs on inputs

Raising healthier calves. PG.18 Housing shortage hits workers. PG.5 Teacher is studying cows. PG.10 Urea, diammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium chloride (MOP) prices are respectively tracking 180 per cent, 157 per cent and 178 per cent higher than this time two years ago.

The farm buys little feed, apart from grain and some hay to provide fibre during winter, resulting in a huge cost saving, but Karrinjeet said the savings were a side benefit, and the move was for the planet and their children.

A SHIFT to multi-species pastures has been a farm-saving initiative for south-west Victoria’s Karrinjeet Singh-Mahil and Brian Schuler.

Soil samples have been taken at both sites and there has been one harvest of both systems, but the data has not been analysed.

quality maps provide clarity and ease of communication to both staff and suppliers. Specialist maps available for dairy, crops, herd,

University of Melbourne Associate Professor of Soil Science Helen Suter said the trials were looking at differences between soil conditions under a multi-species pasture that had been in for some time compared to a rye-grass pasture.

Multi-species to the rescue

High OH&S,

“We started the move to deeper-rooted multi-species pastures and we’ve been con tinuing one paddock at a time.

The shift from monoculture pastures to multi-species was inspired by the impacts of a changingKarrinjeetclimate.andBrian — members of Farmers for Climate Action — have also introduced solar panels, a larger effluent pond, once-a-day milking and a recycle and reuse philosophy to reduce their footprint, cut costs and improve their family life. The farm is now hosting trials undertaken by the University of Melbourne and funded by Dairy Australia to compare the multi-species pastures to more traditional rye-grass clover.

The changeover started nearly a decade ago, and the Crossley farmers say they might not be in business today if they hadn’t adopted the planting mix. “With what happened in 2016, if we hadn’t been on this journey, we’d have been gone,” Karrinjeet said. “We’re still here because we were able to manage with lower costs.”

The multi-species pastures mean the farm has feed in the paddock for more of the“Theyear.cows have a way of going through when they arrive in the morning and picking out one plant and then they pick at different plants during the day,” Karrinjeet said.

“We’ve got one paddock that’s had 12 or 13 species in it. We call it our ‘fruit salad’ paddock. We’ve only topped it up once and it’s been there for eight to 10 years. “It’s one of those paddocks that’s always got something for the cows to eat. “Now we’ve got fat, happy cows and it has cut our costs.”

“They don’t uniformly munch their way through a paddock like they would with ryegrass; they pick and choose and it’s working well for them.”

Portions of the farm were previously prone to flooding even though sub-surface drain age had been put in, but that threat has eased because of the deeper-rooted plant species and tillage“It’sradish.amazing what difference you can make with what you select and plant in your pad dock,” Karrinjeet said. She said multi-species pastures had some thing growing all year and the cover provided by the plants protects the soil from extreme temperatures that would otherwise damage the soil“Ibiota.nolonger see pictures of thick, knee-high rye-grass paddocks as healthy because it’s a monoculture.“IfIlookon my plate and there’s only one thing on it — that’s not healthy. If I see lots of different stuff on it, that’s healthy. “It’s the same with a paddock.”

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“These days we never sow anything as a monoculture or even with two different types; it’s always multiples.

South Australia

Mappers in &

The trials are following usual farmer practice with pasture cages added to each site. Karrinjeet and Brian decided to change what they grow almost a decade ago. “We were having to re-sow more of the farm each autumn because the rye-grass pastures were not surviving summers and Brian noticed we had wind erosion happening between the plants,” Karrinjeet said.

The initial trial started earlier this year and a second two-year trial began in June after addi tional Future Drought Fund support was secured.

4 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 Farm Mapping Services have been mapping farms since 1997.

The Future Drought Fund project will focus on the ability of the pasture species to provide home-grown feed during dry periods. Assoc Prof Suter’s research is looking into whether alternative pasture systems such as multi-species pastures can build and keep deeper soil carbon and be sustainable.

“It was our initial response to the changing climate,” she said. “It was climate change that was causing erosion between the plants and it was climate change causing the lack of persistence of tradi tional“Rye-grasspastures.is very shallow rooting. We put in different things; we use tillage radish now on heavier ground because it sends down a tuber that cracks open the soil and the drainage improves out of sight.”

NEWS

Tasmania, Victoria

The comparisons will include areas such as nitrogen storage, carbon storage, soil health parameters, microbial assessments and differ ences in root growth.

The Crossley farm has introduced multi-species pastures in response to changing climate, and reaped the benefits.

Karrinjeet Singh-Mahil and Brian Schuler say they might not be in business today if they had not shifted to multi-species pastures. Associate Professor Helen Suter’s research is looking into whether alternative pasture systems such as multi-species pastures can build and keep deeper soil carbon and be sustainable.

Mr Groves wants all levels of government to give more attention to the housing shortage, although he acknowledged it would not be easy to increase supply given the lack of labour and buildingFarmingmaterials.groups said the worker shortfall would only worsen later in the year during the crucial harvest period.

The latest RAI figures point to 83,300 job vacancies in regional Australia in June, although the tally is a slight dip on the number of jobs advertised in May.

IT’S MILKING time at Rob Miller’s farm on the south coast of NSW, but a shortage of staff means fewer cows are making the slow walk to the dairy. The area surrounding his Milton farm includes a string of coastal towns that have gone through a property boom since the COVID-19 pandemic heralded a once-in-a-life time exodus to the regions. “One of the biggest issues that we face in a really nice place, rents have gone up ... and therefore if you’re looking for staff to work in your business you can’t find them,” Mr Miller said. “We’ve lost four full-time staff, so that’s over 400 cows we’ve had to remove from the herd because we don’t have the staff.” For the fifth-generation dairy farmer, his frustration is exacerbated by the knowledge that he’s getting the highest price he’s ever received for milk. His July contract included a 25 per cent increase on last year’s prices. “I’ve never had it better in the sense of income coming into the farm, it’s really real ly positive — but I need staff, I can’t do it by myself.”Normally, Mr Miller would advertise out of the area for workers, but he said because of the housing shortage there was little point. “I’ve lost some good young staff, because what I was paying them wasn’t enough to be able to rent and live here on the south coast anymore.”The59-year-old said the accommodation shortage was in part due to the lingering impact of the Black Summer bushfires.

With the official jobless rate dropping to 3.5 per cent in June — the lowest since 1974 — there are almost the same number of job vacancies as there are people seeking work.

More than 100 homes were razed when fire tore through the nearby Conjola area on New Year’s Eve in 2019. But Mr Miller said things got worse during the pandemic as people moved to the region from Sydney and Canberra, driving up demand. Similar problems with housing affordability are playing out across the country, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia, although rental vacancy rates in regions along the east coast are particularly low. Institute president Hayden Groves said the housing shortage was part of a “vicious cycle” creating economic issues nationwide. "We’ve got vacancy rates in Ballarat and Bendigo as low as point one of one per cent ... that is a savage shortage of rental stock in those regional areas," he said. “In the last two years, in all jurisdictions around Australia, there’s been a shortening of supply in available rental stock.

The difficulty for employers in filling roles has been identified as one of the biggest impediments to further regional growth. Bendigo Bank head economist David Robertson said with demand for workers across the country at a record high, many regional businesses had been left struggling for staff.

Mr Robertson wants to see more social and affordable housing built and said the Federal Government could incentivise state and local governments to increase that supply. Back in Milton, some short-term relief may be on the way as local real estate agents report a recent bump in property listings. For Mr Miller it’s simple: more staff means milking more cows and a better bottom line.

RAI chief executive Liz Ritchie said regional areas were experiencing a moment unequalled in the country’s history. “In the decade to 2020, (regional) popula tion grew by an average of 76,500 people per annum,” she said. “A life in the regions is now more attractive than ever before.” But she said the surge in popularity for regional living brought with it “growing pains” that needed to be addressed, with jobs and housing two of the significant areas the insti tute has been targeting.

National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson agreed the labour shortage was being exacerbated by the lack of accommoda tion for rural workers. “Farm businesses need two main types of accommodation — permanent housing options for skilled, long-term workers, who often also have families, and temporary housing for seasonal workers,” she said. “Just like other businesses, housing availability and affordability is connect ed to farmers’ ability to attract and retain employees.”Datafrom independent think tank the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) highlights the scale of the labour shortage in regional areas.

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“I’ve given all my staff major pay rises this year just to keep them,” he said. “We need young people to come into the dairy industry. It’s a physical game, and there fore it’s crucial to have that accommodation for them.”

House shortage hits workers

Milton dairy farmer Rob Miller says the shortage of housing in the area has meant he’s lost staff. (AAP Image/Liv Casben)

“Demand is exceeding supply for proper ty, for rental property, for labour in general,” he“You’resaid. seeing regional dwelling prices rising at the same time that capital city prices are fall ing, and that’s the best evidence that demand for property is even higher in regional Australia than the capitals.”

“Previous city dwellers are now taking up those [regional] homes and not leaving much for the locals.”

He said a lack of migrant workers and stu dents, combined with a shortage of people on other working visas, was putting extra strain on an already stretched labour force as the regional economy outperforms capital cities.

NEWS

6 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

Luncheon committee chair Simone Renyard and WestVic Dairy chair Jacqui Suares. Linda Whiting, Michelle Barake and Lili Ravelo. Dairy News Australia is published by Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the staff, management or directors of Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd.

BY RICK BAYNE

WestVic Dairy luncheon committee with guest speaker Pip Courtney (front in pink).

There was another turnout lunch.

“We’re really excited that more and more young people are coming and bringing babies and bringing their mums with them as well.” Simone said it was important that women socialise and take a break from the farm.

Dairy News Australia welcomes contributions from stakeholders in the dairy industry, and particularly from organisations wishing to advance the industry. Contributions and photos can be sent to: editor@dairynewsaustralia.com.au Letters to the editor on topical issues are also welcome. Letters should be concise and carry the name and town address of the author, as well as a contact phone number, not for publication.

“We’re treating ourselves to a break. “Many of us will still have to go home and milk or pick the kids up from school so we don’t have a full day off, but we can cherish a few hours where we catch up and have some laughs.”Thetheme ‘Telling Stories’ was chosen to recognise the role of women in the local dairy industry, with a panel — dairy farmers Elizabeth Clarke and Val Crawford, and Bernadette Wurlod from Keeayang Maar Vineyard — sharing their experiences and thoughts on the important role women have in farming, keeping family together and the community.

“We want to honour the women who have gone before us in the dairy industry and listen to and learn from what they’ve got to tell us,” Simone“We’resaid.all in there together and let’s keep moving forward.”

for this year’s

MORE THAN 320 south-west Victorian dairy farming women have enjoyed a day off the farm at the region’s biggest event specifically forWithwomen.adirection that no jeans or work boots were allowed, the women heard from ABC Landline presenter Pip Courtney and a panel of local farming women on the theme ‘Telling Stories’.TheSouth West Dairy Ladies Luncheon on August 17 marked a return to a full function for the first time since 2019, after the 2020 event was cancelled due to COVID-19 and separate smaller capacity events were held in Colac and Warrnambool in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions.Luncheon committee chair Simone Renyard said the event was an opportunity for women to network, have a day off and have a bit of fun "It has a following now and we don’t even have to advertise it," Simone said. “It has been going for so many years that women know about it and know they are going to have a good time.” Simone said the event at the Deakin University Warrnambool campus attracted women of all ages from across the region.

Ladies enjoy their lunch

Advertising Max Hyde 0408 558 938 max.hyde@dairynewsaustralia.com.au Editor Fiona Lloyd (03) 5820 3254 editor@dairynewsaustralia.com.au Regional editor news@dairynewsaustralia.com.au Publisher Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd Printed by Newsprinters Pty Ltd Head Office 7940 Goulburn Valley Highway Shepparton, VIC 3630 Phone (03) 5831 2312 Postal address PO Box 204 Shepparton, Victoria 3632 Australia

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Jen Howe with Remy, Karen Howe and Rachel Vick. Anna Kenna, Amanda Heard, Maree Armistead and Therese Moloney.

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GREG COLE entertained the idea of doing a community leadership pro gram for 15 years before “the timing feltInright”.hindsight, he said “prioritising time” for Gippsland Community Leadership Program (GCLP) would have been valuable while growing businesses, parenting and commu nityHowever,volunteering.heis equally grateful at 52 years old for his leadership development and networking within the 2021-22 GCLP cohort. “I am now a more measured and considered leader,” Greg, who was sponsored by Gardiner Foundation, said. “I would recommend the course to any potential and current leader. It’s a great program for anyone who wants to make a difference in their community.”Gregsaid his passion for Gippsland, helping unlock its poten tial and securing the future of agri business for generations to come, was his motivation to do the course. “There were so many highlights. One of the biggest was building friendships with 26 people (aged 22 to late 50s) who were like-minded in wanting to develop leadership skills. “I expanded my network of people and organisations beyond my patch of Gippsland, while becoming a better leader for my staff, family and community.”Amongthe tangible outcomes for Greg was transferring the program’s session on the ‘Above and Below the Line’ pyramid into his everyday life — and implementing it as a business policy. Heartbreak to hope Another highlight of the region al leadership program was Greg’s syndicate’s community project Heartbreak to Hope — a published collection of East Gippslanders’ sto ries in the wake of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 restrictions. Greg’s syndicate — dubbed ‘Keeping Up With The Jones’ after 2017 GCLP alumnus and men tal health advocate Sallie Jones of Gippsland Jersey — collated and edited the 150-page fundraising book. The five-member group raised $45,000 to print 1000 copies, with all proceeds from sales ($75 each) supporting mental health services at Bush Nursing Centres in East Gippsland.Designed and printed by a local business, the book features heart breaking and soul-warming recollec tions of the region’s 2016-19 drought, 2019-20 bushfires and the impact of COVID-19 on recovery. “When COVID hit in March 2020, not long after the fires, our commu nities were separated and hadn’t had a chance to get together and tell their stories,” Greg said. “Heartbreak to Hope gave people a chance to get things off their chest. Some of the feedback we’ve been getting has been amazing.” On receiving their copy, one story teller said: “Beyond the fundraising effort ... It’s allowed people to say their piece, from their perspective, without interruption, and outside of the kinds of echo chambers that can form after big and challenging events.“Sofor me, to read others’ sto ries, even those who are in more of an official capacity, has helped me to get a broader sense of what was happening at the time and why it impacted me the way it did. Beyond that, why other people responded the way they did.” Perhaps the “profound” legacy of Heartbreak to Hope means the “time was right” for Greg to finally join the“ThereGCLP. were some amazing sto ries,” he said. “I didn’t expect the outcome or the feeling it created. I’m really proud we did this project.” To apply for a place in a Gardinersponsored Community Leadership Program in 2023, visit: https://www. gardinerfoundation.com.au/rla ɋ For more information or to order a copy of Heartbreak to Hope, visit: tel.comhttps://heartbreaktohope.bigcar-

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Greg Cole with the book Heartbreak to Hope he helped collate as part of his time with the Gippsland Community Leadership Program.

8 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWS

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TEACHER-TURNED-DAIRY

FARMER Russell Moyle had a baptism of fire when he decided to pursue his lifelong dream to milkThecows.former physical education teacher grew up on a wheat and sheep property in Victoria’s MalleeOnceregion.some family connections to dairying were discovered, he felt this explained his longheld hankering for a vocation in dairy. Russell then convinced his wife, Cherie, that it was a good idea to buy a small property in Gippsland, where he combined his teach ing career with relief milking, raising heifers for export and — finally — building his own small dairy.Hestocked the property with some chopper cows he bought, and used their milk to raise heifer calves he had also bought in. Then, Russell decided he was deadly serious After that first season, Russell made some telling changes, one of which was to introduce a lead feed to his close-to-calving cows. He used traditional lead feed initially, but after two years felt the response hadn’t been conclusive enough for him. He switched to Australian Probiotic Solutions’ lead feed called Super Start, say ing it was fractionally more expensive but fed for a shorter time. And the results have been significant. Lead feed statistics telling In 2020 on the traditional lead feed, Russell calved in 103 cows. He assisted 20 (19 per cent), had 10 with milk fever (9.7 per cent), one confirmed case of ketosis (one per cent) and 12 dirty cows (12 per cent). In 2021 on APS’s BioPro SuperStart, he had

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Six-week in-calf rate improves The South-West Dairy Ltd supplier says anoth er early positive is his joining percentages.

“It’s still too many empty, but on a rundown of those problem cows, 37 per cent were 200810 born, 15 per cent were cows that had had issues in the past — three of them I had carried over, and they have done it again — and there was one who had cycled a dozen times. “There was another 15 per cent that calved really late, in early August, and I start joining on August 1.” In line with Russell’s commitment to lowcost farming, last season his herd averaged 494kg of milk solids, feeding one tonne of grain per cow. He’s on track this year to average 500kg MS on 800kg of grain per cow.

“If they are doing their own bodyweight in milk solids for the year, I think you’ve done pretty well, when you’re a grass feeder and a seasonal farmer.”

“It’s harder to judge the impact of the BioPro, because the impact is more subtle, but the first thing I did notice was that there was no undigested material in their faeces — particularly grain — and the starches from the silage.“We’ve had two friendly seasons, but the cows are looking fantastic. “The other thing I noticed straight away since introducing the BioPro, was that when I let the cows out on the grass while I’m cleaning up at the dairy after milking, is by the time I go down to feed them their silage they’re already all sitting down chewing their cud. “That cud chewing was very noticeable — I’d say 70 to 80 per cent of them. “They tell me when cows are chewing their cud, they are making their most milk, so I’m really happy about that.”

// 11 DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022

“The BioPro is harder to gauge, but while milk prices are good, I’ll keep using it and see whether my fertility rates continue to improve over time.”

Calving was Russell’s first eye-opening experience.

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“I feel there has been a dramatic improve ment in my herd’s health at calving. “What I observed on the probiotics is that the cows are full of energy. They literally lie down, calve, and stand straight back up. I saw that time after time. “I’d often go out in the morning and the calf would be there, and up drinking. In the past I’d instead find a downer cow that I had to deal with before I did anything else.” Russell said the investment had been worth it. “In terms of the savings of not having to treat downer cows or call the vet, that is signif icant because that soon becomes very expen sive. And, you can have mastitis issues to go along with that. “The other thing is the value of your time. I’m a one-person operation, so if I’m treating cows I’m falling behind with other jobs. “In my opinion, the Super Start sets your cows up for the whole season. They are com ing in ready to milk, they’re not coming in just trying to survive.” In other management changes, Russell now doesn’t fully milk cows out in the first 24 hours post-calving to ease the calcium drawdown on their“I’msystems.reallycomfortable doing that now and I do think that has had an impact on the herd post-calving, too.” BioPro added to in-shed feeding Russell then began considering the poten tial benefits of extending his probiotic use to include an in-feed direct-fed microbial, BioPro, for the milking herd all season. The BioPro probiotics (including trace minerals) are made from a unique combination of 11 powerful biological compounds, five selected strains of probiotic bacteria and a specific strain of active live dry yeast — Saccharomyces cerevisiae — which stimulates cellulose-digesting bacteria, thus improving fibre digestibility and rumen development.Theprobiotic bacteria are micro-encapsulat ed, to reach the lower gastrointestinal tract for improved immune function and the competi tive exclusion of pathogens. Finally, a blend of five digestive enzymes in BioPro supports feed breakdown, allowing more surface area for microbes to work on. “I normally feed 700 to 800kg of grain, but it was a very wet and cold year last season, so I did feed a bit more,” Russell said.

Russell dries off mid-March and starts calv ing May 1. He AIs for six weeks and uses a bull for six “I’veweeks.hadan absolutely fantastic AI joining this year, which I hadn’t had in the past. “Because I have an older herd, fertility can be more of a challenge. Last year, out of 101 cows we had 47 that got in-calf to AI at six weeks [46 per cent]. This year, out of 116 cows I had 72 in-calf at six weeks [62 per cent ].

Continuing to monitor Russell said he would continue to monitor his probiotic decision. “If you are going to change something, you kind of have to keep track of it. “My feeling is that the lead feed is an absolute ly thumbs up, because the cows just don’t have calving problems and they hit the dairy running.

Biosecurity plan launched

AUSTRALIA IS now armed with a formal biosecurity strategy amid what the Federal Government warns is a heightened threat posed by climate change. Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt says the blueprint will provide clear direction to ensure the nation can meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond. “One of the reasons we face this ever grow ing threat of exotic pests and disease is our changing climate,” he said while launching the plan at the National Press Club in Canberra on August 9. “Our farmers are on the front line of climate change, experiencing the harsh cycle of extreme drought and extreme rainfall.” As such, they were part of the solution rather than the problem, Senator Watt said. “For years, regional Australia, and agricul ture in particular, has been described in some quarters as a handbrake on climate action,” he“Thatsaid. is simply not true.” Further, he pledged to be “the minister that works with industry, with workers and rural communities to tackle climate change, to reduce emissions, to build resilience”. Agriculture’s major challenges included the threat of foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease, which had earlier this year spread to Indonesia, along with varroa mite and xylella, Senator Watt told his audience.

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“So this ‘national first’ has been none of the doing of the current government.”

Mr Littleproud also took a swipe at Senator Watt’s announcement of an additional $10 million for a million foot and mouth vaccines along with technical support for Indonesia.

Invasive Species Council chief executive officer Andrew Cox said the spirit of collab oration that helped create the strategy would be fundamental to withstanding looming challenges.

“A serious biosecurity breach could unravel our plan to become Australia’s next $100 billion industry.

Vets for Climate Action’s Dr Helen ScottOrr, who is also a former inspector-general of biosecurity, said it was important climate change risks were factored into the plan as they increased the likelihood of more disease.

“This strategy couldn’t come at a more critical time,” she said. “Australia is under siege from a litany of serious pests and diseases.

“They are yet to administer a single one of them,” he said.

Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt launching the new biosecurity plan. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

“A single breach could devastate our economy, our food system and our natural environment.”

He said the strategy, which had been in development for the past year, was the strongest biosecurity response in the nation’s history and a first. However the Opposition quickly took him to task over the claim. “The previous coalition government started work on this strategy in October 2021 and effectively completed it before the federal election in May this year,” Nationals leader David Littleproud said.

The launch of the biosecurity strategy follows the announcement of a new taskforce aiming to ensure Australia can respond quickly to threats, which is due to report to govern ment next Nationalmonth.Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson said the plan would be critical in protecting the nation’s farms.

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The Sustainability Index ranks bulls according to their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase milk production while also considering other vital profitability traits. The Sustainability Index is one of many tools dairy farmers can use to achieve the industry’s commitment of a 30 per cent reduction in the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions on-farm byDataGene’s2030.

DataGene’s Peter Thurn says the new Sustainability Index is highly correlated with the Balanced Performance Index.

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“Like any index, you can add a range of other traits to assist you to breed the type of cow you want in your herd.

AUSTRALIAN DAIRY farmers can now use breeding to help reduce their farm’s greenhouse gas DataGeneemissions.hasintroduced a new standalone breeding index called the Sustainability Index, included in its August release of Australian Breeding Values. This third Australian breeding index will fast-track genetic gain for greenhouse gas emission intensity reduction.

“Higher milk production from longer-lived, more feed-efficient cows means more milk per tonne of “Reducingcarbon.emissions intensity is a more practical approach as it does not diminish productivity, whereas a gross approach could lead to less productive and ultimately less profitable cows.” He said to fast-track genetic gain for lower greenhouse gas emissions, breed replacements from animals that rank high on the Sustainability Index.

“A good way to do this is to use DataGene’s Good Bulls App or DataVat (datavat.com.au).” For more information, contact 1800 841 848, abv@datagene.com.au or www.datagene.com.auReadmore:ABVfeature, pages 24 to 30.

Peter Thurn said breeding for reduced greenhouse gas emission intensity didn’t mean compromising on other traits that underpin on-farm profitability. “The Sustainability Index is highly correlated with the Balanced Performance Index; the top bulls on one, will be highly ranked on the other,” he said. “It’s just a difference in weighting, and with the Sustainability Index the weighting of Feed Saved and Survival has tripled compared to the“LookingBPI. at it from a financial perspective, the trade-off in BPI over the next 25 years — if you select on the Sustainability Index instead — is about $1 a year for Holsteins and it’s even less for ThereJerseys.”aretwo ways to tackle greenhouse gas emissions on a dairy farm — reduce the total or gross emissions, or reduce the emission intensity. The Sustainability Index focuses on reducing emission intensity, that is, decreasing the amount of carbon emitted relative to milk production.Thisiscalculated by dividing the amount of carbon emitted by the amount of milk produced.

“The reduction in emission intensity is achieved through a combination of dilution and increased efficiency, ” Mr Thurn said.

Cut emissions with genetics

“When I first got interested in dairying and the industry it was a teacher at my high school who encouraged me to stick at it and I went from milking to showing at the Melbourne Royal and then getting interested in genetics.

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Dylan, 30, a National Herd Development south-west sales representative and breeding adviser, was presented with his award following the NHIA annual general meeting held in Camperdown, Victoria. “I think it’s really important that the herd improvement industry invests in young people and focuses on encouraging and bringing the next generation through,” Dylan said. “It’s an honour to be recognised by the industry, particularly by people who have been around for a long time. I couldn’t be happier.”National Herd Development’s Maree Condon, who presented Dylan with the award, said his passion for the breeding side of the industry and doing the right thing by his customers were two standout qualities that led to him being nominated. “Dylan was a town boy with a love of animals who took an agricultural course and led him to the dairying side of the industry and artificial insemination,” she said. “He’s a great example to other young people coming up through the industry.” Dylan started working at National Herd Development in 2018 and has focused on the sales side of the business most recently. He will use the $2500 NHIA prize to further develop his management skills.

DYLAN JEWELL from Hawkesdale, Victoria, has been recognised by the National Herd Improvement Association of Australia, winning its Young Achiever Award.

“I know I’m working in the right industry and I’m here for the long haul,” he said. “I might be a young achiever but I’m also getting older so a management course should help set me up for the next stage of my career.

“If you’ve got a passion for cows, the HI [herd improvement] industry is a great place to build a NHIA’scareer.”Young Achiever Award nominations for this year close on November 30. Further information is available at: https://www.nhia.org.au/nhia-awards

Young achiever wins award

National Herd Development’s Maree Condon and Phil Wren, Dylan Jewell, NHD chair Paul Weller and NHD director Con Glennen.

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BY DANEKA HILL SONIA CHANDLER has been raising calves for 30 years and swears by the feed supple ment a great product, and it’s a big thing for me to say that,” Sonia said. “I’ve been doing this a long time, seen a lot of products and a lot of them are BS.”

“It’sMylo.just

The herd is mainly Holsteins, but there is a line of Brown Swiss cows among the black-and-Sonia Chandler with some three-week-old

Currently Sonia is the calf rearing manager on a 950-head Undera dairy farm run by Goulburn Valley Creamery, in northern Victoria. She also rears calves off a nearby 250-head dairy.“I receive 700 heifer calves a year,” Sonia“Thesaid.farm calves six times a year, which means we have the calves in and out fairly quickly because the whole calving shed gets pulled down and cleaned between each batch.”

The calves are ready to be weaned at nine weeks, allowing the farm to raise more batches of calves and redo the calf shed before the next calving.Early weaning is one advantage of using the Mylo feed supplement, Sonia said. “It improves everything. We use very few antibiotics — next to nothing — we’ve got very good mortality rates and the calves wean earlier simply because they’re healthy, bigger and doing really well.” Sonia buys the supplement from GTS Home Timber and Hardware in Tongala. Mylo is a liquid feed supplement designed for dairy cattle by Queensland-based ag-biotech company Terragen. The supplement contains live microorganisms suspended in a mix of water andThemolasses.supplement can either be fed diluted in milk or mixed with feed rations. calves

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The portable fences are taken away and scrubbed, the used bedding is scooped out and replaced with new bedding, the concrete ground pressure washed. Sonia’s calving shed’s death rate is less than two per cent — an incredible rate, especially for a farm with Cryptosporidium parvum linger ing in the pastures.

Raising healthier

“When the mother cow comes into the dairy, she has to be really clean and then she’s put on a test bucket so she’s caught individually. “From the test bucket it comes to me, I put it in a white bucket, test it and it goes into a coolroom.”

Crypto generally sets in between the ages of seven days and four weeks. It can wipe out large numbers of calves.

Crypto makes calves violently ill and will usually kill them after days of watery diarrhoea weakening the calf. Sonia said the trick to beating crypto was to expect it from day one. “The Mylo certainly helps, but farmers have got to expect they are going to get it [crypto] and manage it. As soon as a calf steps into the shed, I’m preparing them for it.

“In two-and-a-half years, I’ve only lost one calf to crypto, and that was the first one who got it.”

Fighting crypto Any farmer who has faced Cryptosporidium par vum won’t be forgetting its name in a hurry. Crypto is a one-celled organism that lives in the intestine lining of cows. The organism is shed by the dam through her manure and calves quickly become infect ed by spending time in the pasture and nursing from a dirty udder.

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The farm will even freeze high-quality colos trum for later use. “Our cows are vaccinated against a host of things, so their colostrum has a lot of antibod ies,” Sonia “Recentlysaid.we got a set of new cows in who hadn’t been as vaccinated, they calved the next week and I fed those calves colostrum from our cows that’d been frozen to give them those extra antibodies.”

Sonia Chandler has been working in the dairy industry for more than 30 years. The calves normally consume the feed supplement through their milk. It’s 10ml per calf per day. Sonia Chandler runs a once-perday feeding system.

It’s also certified for use on organic farms by the NASAA. “I have them on it from day one,” Sonia said. “It makes them a healthier calf because their gut is working better. It’s 10ml per calf per day until“Theweaned.firsttime I used it, I was working on another farm. I’d heard about it from someone and I said to the boss ‘let’s give it a try’ and there was a such a massive difference from one day to the next.” Sonia said the supplement had a sweet smell, but actually tasted like vinegar. “It’s got great ease-of-use. A lot of these sup plement products are powders and you need to mix and measure them in. With Mylo I just walk along and squirt it into their milk as I’m feeding.”Shesaid feeding Mylo, colostrum manage ment and deep cleaning all contributed to excellent calf health and growth.

Sonia said crypto was managed by strength ening the calves as much as possible in their first 10 days. This is done through colostrum feeding, using the Mylo supplement and ad lib milk (let ting calves drink as much as they want). “We measure our colostrum here with a refractometer. It tests the colostrum and if it’s 22 or above we use it,” Sonia said. “The higher the number, the thicker the colostrum and generally the better it is.” Refractometers are used to estimate colos trum IgG (immunoglobulin G).

Help with tertiary studies

“The scholarship helped relieve the pressure when you’re exposed to the industry’s ups and downs,” Matt said. “It meant I didn’t have to do part-time work and could focus on my studies, which paid off.”

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Tertiary scholarship applications are now open. To be eligible, students must start their first year of full-time tertiary study in 2023 on campus and due to study commitments need to relocate from home. Applications must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, November 21. For more information and to apply, visit: www.gardinerfoundation.com.au/ts Completed applications must be submitted to: scholarships@gardinerfoundation. com.au

SHORTSDAIRY

“I’m extremely happy that I went to Longerenong. It gave me practical skills that made me ready to work.” But the course might not have happened without the scholarship. “It was a massive help because it paid for my accommodation, which was six hours from home,” Carley said. Matt DeCicco, who grew up on a dairy farm at Merrigum in northern Victoria, received the Bill Pyle Gardiner Tertiary Scholarship in 2013.

The 100 per cent Australian-owned and independent dairy producer’s win is based on feedback from thousands of consumers surveyed on taste, freshness, packaging design and value forNinety-sevenmoney. per cent of consumers said they would recommend Riverina Fresh to others.

STUDENTS FROM Victorian dairy communities who plan to start their tertiary studies in 2023 can now apply for a Gardiner Foundation scholarship.Gardiner Foundation is offering seven tertiary scholarships to students starting full-time study in 2023. Each scholarship offers $10,000 a year for up to three years of a scholar’s chosen university or TAFE course. The tertiary scholarships are named in recognition of services to the dairy industry by Niel Black, Shirley Harlock, Jakob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir. Carley Einsiedel was the Bill Pyle Gardiner Foundation Tertiary Scholarship recipient in 2019. The scholarship paid for her accommodation while she completed her Diploma of Agronomy and Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management at Longerenong Agricultural College.“Icould have done an ag science course at university, but I wasn’t 100 per cent sure about being an agronomist and wanted to learn more about the field,” Carley said.

Good year for Riverina Fresh Wagga Wagga-based Riverina Fresh, which is celebrating its centenary, has for the second year in a row received the Finder Retail Award for the TopRated Fresh Milk Brand in Australia.

Riverina Fresh has raked in a swag of awards during its centenary year.

It’s been a year of awards for Riverina Fresh, with gold medals also received at the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW 2022 Sydney Royal Awards and 2022 Dairy Industry Association NSW Awards. Rumin8 on this Sentient Impact Group CEO Oliver Yates and Perth businesswoman Samantha Tough have been appointed to Australian climate technology companyRumin8Rumin8.ispioneering a pharmaceutical process to create feed additives that radically reduce enteric methane emissions from livestock. Prior to Sentient, Mr Yates was the inaugural CEO of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Australia’s $10 billion Green Bank, having previously spent more than 20 years with Macquarie Bank as an executive director.MsTough is currently Pro ViceChancellor Industry Engagement at the University of Western Australia as well as chair of Horizon Power, a Clean Energy Finance Corporation director, National Energy Selection Panel chair and a director with Fluence and Mineral Carbonation.

Emissions targets Gradually, more dairy companies are aligning their climate ambitions with the Science Based Targets initiative.

In 2021, DFA continued its integration of the Dean Foods assets, while both Fonterra and FrieslandCampina disposed of non-core assets. If you can’t beat them Rabobank said with numerous product launches, dairy alt ernatives — including beverages, yoghurts, frozen desserts, cheese and hybrid products — have become more common in the product portfolio of top 20 companies, making it more difficult to extract pure dairy revenues.

As a result, the designation of ‘dairy’ is also becoming much more blurred.

To date, eight of the top 20 companies have made a public commitment to (some of) the SBTi targets or have targets that are considered aligned with SBTi.

Year of movers

FARMERS FEELING OPTIMISTIC

THE COMBINED turnover of the global dairy top 20 companies has jumped by 9.3 per cent in US dollar terms, following the prior year’s decline of 0.1 per cent, according to Rabobank analysis.Merger and acquisition activity by top 20 companies remained relatively stable in 2021 but dropped in the first half of 2022.Supported by the recovery in food service channels after the initial COVID-19 pandemic and continued strong retail channel sales, dairy demand firmed globally, Rabobank’s Richard Scheper“Combinedsaid. with lower-than-anticipated milk production growth in the main export ing regions and exceptionally strong Chinese import demand, dairy product prices rallied to elevated levels in 2021.” Mr Scheper said this year’s ranking was  characterised by “the movers and the shakers”.“Bothturnover growth and strategic activi ties were more significant than in recent years, causing movement in the ranking. “Strategic repositioning and marketing activities, for example, resulted in the entry of Froneri and the departure of Kraft Heinz in the ranking.”Thesecond half of the leader board remained crowded with less financial separation between the companies, he said. The four global cooperative giants are bunched in the sub-top of this year’s ranking. Each is facing some degree of limitation for organic growth in their domestic market.

The future in agriculture is looking bright, according to a new report that found 77 per cent of producers are optimistic about farming. The Westpac intergenerational farming study released on August 11 surveyed 405 farmers across Australia, comparing the perspectives of younger farmers to their olderThecounterparts.reportfound 74 per cent of farmers believe there are either many or unlimited opportunities ahead for younger generations in their family. The report broke it down further to conclude 78 per cent of younger farmers see many or unlimited opportunities compared to 70 per cent of older farmers.“Ourresearch shows strong sentiment and opportunities for farmers of all generations,” Westpac's Peta Ward said. According to the survey, as a result of changes over the past 10 years, 72 per cent of farmers have adopted new farming practices, while 71 per cent said they have increased profitability in the farm. “We’re seeing farmers continue to up-skill and invest in both technology and machinery to help improve efficiencies and work smarter," Ms Ward said. “We are experiencing strong demand for credit, not only for purchasing farm land but for equipment and property improvements.“Socombined with high levels of savings during the pandemic, farmers and industry confidence is sky high.” The report also examined which states and territories experienced the larg est increases in physical farm size over the past decade, as well as the highest increase in profitability across the same period.South Australia led the charge for farm size, with 82 per cent of farmers reporting the largest increase in physical farm over the past 10 years, compared to 60 per cent in Ninety-fourNSW. per cent of Tasmanian farmers experienced the highest increase in profitability across the same period, 88 per cent in the Northern Territory and 81 per cent in Queensland. The farmers were surveyed between February and March with the study sample drawn from a data base of more than 80,000 family producers.

The next generation of farmers think the future is looking bright, according to a recent report.

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“Looking forward to next year, we expect another strong year for combined global dairy top 20 turnover as the underlying dairy com modity prices hit record or near-record levels around the globe on the back of the war in Ukraine and escalating inflation,” Mr Scheper said.“However, weaker global dairy demand in the second half of 2022 is anticipated due the combination of COVID-related lockdowns, inflation impacting consumers’ purchasing power, and other economic headwinds.”

Freedom herd ies the coop

THE NORTHERN Victorian Lancaster-based Freedom Dairies herd of more than 600 cows has officially been dispersed. The cows averaged around $2775 and the top price was $4750 for a cow who ended up sellingAuctioneerlocally. Brian Leslie said there was extreme interest in the younger cows.

Attendees were treated to another great Brian Leslie phrase, when he told the crowd the cows had “skins on them like racehorses”.“Ifyouare in the business of milking cows, what a good time to buy,” Mr Leslie told the bidders right before the auction began. “Because if you buy in spring when there is heaps of feed around — who knows what prices you will be paying.” The herd was dispersed because Freedom Dairies is transitioning into a beef feedlotting operation.

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Lots 24 and 26. Prices jumped between $3200 and $3600 for the top cows and $1800 to $2000 for the smaller ones. The Freedom Dairies herd has been dispersed across two sales, in Echuca and Shepparton.

“There was a hell of a lot of people online and buyers from NSW, all parts of northern Victoria and Gippsland,” Mr Leslie said. A significant crowd of buyers showed up in person to the final dispersal sale at Shepparton Regional Saleyards on August 12. The first dispersal occurred at Echuca Saleyards on August 5.

BY DANEKA HILL

“Since starting on the Jefo Dairy Solutions, we have reduced issues around calving. The cows are heathier and there is a huge improvement in fertility . I recommend these products for every farm.”

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NORCO IS one the food and baking brands that have joined forces for #PlateForAMate 2022, a campaign that aims to remind Australians of the power of shared meals to bolster mental health. Products from the key brands — which also includes Green’s Baking, Delite Mandarins, Humpty Doo Barramundi, Three Threes Condiments and Our Cow — are brought to life in short films by acclaimed chefs and Australian icons who love to cook. The videos transport Australians into the private kitchens of Manu and Clarissa Feildel, Orazio D'Elia, Jason Roberts, Diana Chan, Sarah Todd, Tom Walton, presenter James Tobin, former AFL player and anti-racism advocate Adam Goodes, s inger-songwriter Dami Im and comedian DilrukViewersJayasinha.arealso urged to donate to the Black Dog Institute. This year the focus is on supporting the mental health of regional and rural commu nities, such as farmers, and people devastat ed by recent natural disasters. Budding home cooks can learn to cook nourishing recipes specifically designed to be shared with loved ones, while hearing personal anecdotes, insights and memories about the chefs’ and icons’ lives and love of “Mentalfood. illness is so prevalent so it’s imperative we have continued conversa tions about it,” Manu Feildel said. “For me, the relationship between food and wellness is inseparable so I am very excited to be involved in this project.”Natural disasters are highlighting region al Australia’s mental health crisis. While 20 per cent of Australians will expe rience a mental illness each year, 68 per cent of Australians living in rural and remote areas have experienced de pression and anxiety during the past two years. This over-representation is exac erbated by 26 per cent of these patients having to wait four to six weeks to access support.“Weare so pleased that #PlateForAMate is aligning with us and has prioritised deliv ering mental health training in regional and rural communities through the Black Dog Institute,” Black Dog Institute’s Sarah Connor said. This new offering by the Black Dog Institute to provide mental health training in remote communities is in response to findings that there are currently 2.5 million Australians that could benefit from low-in tensity mental health services. “We know that preventative measures and catching signs early are key to help and that’s why we offer mental health training programs in locations where support may be limited,” Sarah said. In 2021, #PlateForAMate raised $160,000 to combat rising food insecurity as a result of COVID-19.

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In recent years, the family has used many ABS high genomic and proven sires to further their health and sustainability breeding goals.One of these has been top Holstein proven sire Jeronimo P. “His [Jeronimo P’s] daughters are travelling well — they come into the dairy well and are very quiet, easy to manage and we have more Jeronimo P calves this year,” Stuart said.

“A bull like Ellis PP, there’s no question that he’s one of the best bulls on the market — polled or not,” Stuart said. “When you have bulls with an index like that, it’s a pretty simple choice.” Milking a herd of 700, including Holsteins and three-way-cross cows, Stuart and Jacqui run a family operation including children Carmen, Leila and Angus — with Angus working in the business alongside his parents.

Stuart and Angus Tracy use breeding as a tool to improve the sustainability of their family’s Victorian dairy farm and have progeny bred from high ranking Sustainability Index sires sold by ABS Australia.

WHEN IT comes to breeding dairy cows, Stuart and Jacqui Tracy focus on health and profit.The dairy farmers from Waratah Bay, in Victoria’s Gippsland region, believe these breeding objectives are at the heart of sustain able farming and assist in their overall goals to improve their farm for the next generation and reduce their carbon footprint.

“We initially chose to use him because he was a high-index young genomic sire with strong health traits.

So, when the couple found out that many of their “no-fuss” and “fertile” cows and heifers are daughters of some of the highest ranked sires on the new Australian Sustainability Index, they weren’t surprised. One of these high SI sires is DG Charley. Charley is also the maternal grand sire of Australia’s number 18 Australian Breeding Value genomic Holstein female, bred by Stuart and“WhenJacqui.we first decided to use Charley it was because he was a high indexing bull inter nationally and had the positive fertility and health traits we were looking for,” Stuart said. “He also didn’t have any major flaws through his type profile and was moderately sized. “Now we have many of his daughters on their third calf, they continue to get in calf and have been testing quite high on our herd’s genomic index.” The Tracys also have heifers sired by other high ranking SI sires such as Knowhow, Spock, Hamlet, Seville and the Charley sons Howler andPolledDurable.Holstein sire TTM Ellis PP is also prominent in their breeding program, as Stuart and Jacqui concentrate on addressing potential animal welfare challenges through genetics.

“The fact he is still at the top, it is good to see we made the right choices using him in our breedingAmongprogram.”theircrossbred herd, top ABS Red sire Onstad P proved his fertility by siring near ly 22 per cent of the autumn-born heifers, while popular Jersey sire Gelbeado Park Woodside has been used in the crossbred heifer breeding program this year. The Tracys use genomics and Australian Breeding Values to rank their herd according to the Health Weighted Index (HWI) and the bottom 30 per cent are joined to ABS Beef InFocus to reduce bobby calves and diversify their“There’sincome.certainly demand for first-cross beef out of dairy cattle at the moment,” Stuart“There’ssaid. a margin to be gained by using beef and rearing them.”

Breeding for a better future

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Looking ahead, Tim is hopeful that start ing to address farm business emissions now could open additional, and perhaps premium, markets for their milk in the future. He said it was also something he, Marie and their equity partners valued. “We will have the ability to hold our heads high and say ‘yes, we know we have emissions, and we are actively addressing those emis sions’,” he said. “For my wife and I and our business part ners, it is important for all of us to be able to say when talking to connections with no expo sure to the dairy industry, that ‘yes, we are dairy farmers, and this is what we are doing’.”

Tim and Marie Humphris will use DataGene’s new Sustainability Index as an additional tool to reduce their farm’s emissions intensity.

Tim and Marie Humphris milk 550 cows on a farm which includes a Melbourne-based equity partner.They were inspired to calculate their farm’s emissions as part of a recent grant application. Reducing their cows wasn’t an option to address their gross (or total) emissions, so Tim and Marie started to look at what they could do to reduce the farm’s emissions intensity. Emissions intensity is calculated by dividing the amount of carbon emitted by the amount of milk Dilutionproduced.iscentral to reducing emissions intensity — decreasing the amount of carbon emitted relative to milk production.

// 25 DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES bpi holstein 260x186 ad aug22.indd 1 16/8/2022 3:03 pm

“Navigating through that, it’s where breed ing becomes important.

Index to help cut emissions

“It’s possible to breed for mastitis resistance and breed for production, so I think that’s where our breeding is going to have a real impact on our emissions.”

TIM HUMPHRIS was convinced the green house gas emissions from his south-west Victorian dairy farm would be dominated by diesel consumption and power usage. To say it was a real eye opener was an understatement when he learnt his herd of 550 cows contributed to more than 50 per cent of emissions.“Youlook at the classic comments, that you hear around, such as ‘it would be safer to be locked in a garage with a cow, rather than with a running car’,” the Nirranda South dairy farm er “Butjoked.whether we think it’s fair or just, I don’t think — at the end of the day — it really matters.“Westill need to face up to the fact that we need to address it, change our mindset, to reach consumer expectations.”

For Tim and Marie, this requires a focus on animal efficiency. “We have to make sure every animal is pro ductive,” Tim said. “But the conflict comes in when the ideal cow — one that lasts a long time and produces a lot of milk — that’s good for business, is contradic tory to keeping a young herd, something con sidered best for animal welfare and combating challenges such as poor fertility and lameness.

“By breeding a cow that survives longer, we can reduce our emissions and also lower our replacement rate,” he said. “So, it’s a combination of management overlaid with genetics that’s going to drive the change.”Timand Marie haven’t settled on clear emis sions reduction targets yet, rather the couple want to concentrate on incremental change, working towards a “philosophical target” of reducing emissions intensity while navigating this new business concept. In addition to breeding, they have earmarked other business changes to address their emis sions output, such as solar power, reducing effluent production in the dairy and using genomics to select the best animals to breed to high Sustainability Index bulls.

Tim and Marie will use DataGene’s new Sustainability Index as an additional breeding tool to reduce their farm’s emissions intensity. They believe “the building blocks” of the Sustainability Index address the need for a combination of animal longevity and produc tion to reduce emissions intensity. But Tim is realistic about what breeding, alone, can achieve.

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 26 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES August 2022 Australian Breeding Values The latest Datagene results have revealed the top herds by BPI, top cow ABVs and top active bulls in the country. See some of the results over the following pages. For full results, visit datagene.com.au Indices Production TraitsSurvival ConformationTraits Workability DaughterFertility ResistanceMastitis RankBull ID Bull Name Source BPI$ BPIRel HWISI ASI ASIRel DtrsNo. HerdsNo. Survival Rel TypeOver MamSyst TypeRel MilkSpd TempLike Rel FertDtr Rel ResistMas Rel 1 29HO18698 ABS JERONIMO-P-ET ABS 515 91 503 762 214 98 516 49 112 79 99 98 96 106104106 95 111 95 107 99 2 29HO17500 DG CHARLEY ABS 459 85 495 943 170 92 70 14 110 79 105 103 84 98 104105 87 113 87 106 94 3 SUPERPOWEREMU BANKS SUPERPOWER GAC 434 80 410 878 246 89 62 19 108 67 106 103 78 101 102 104 81 110 79 103 89 4 CBCONTENDERMR SUPER CONTENDER SXT 412 93 417 728 126 99 643 107 114 96 105100 9797 103 104 96 110 98 108 99 5 7HO13811 TELSTAR SSI ALLTM SANDOR-ET WWS 410 89 397 818 212 96 195 33 108 77 99 100 94 100 101 104 94 110 92 105 96 6 0200HO10777 WESTCOAST PERSEUS SEM 410 91 417 819 209 98 556 63 108 80 97 102 96 102 101 104 93 111 95 101 99 7 7HO12993 COOKIECUTTER HUMBLENKIND-ET WWS 400 85 445 762 129 91 64 15110 75 98 108 90 102102 104 89 111 85 106 91 8 0200HO10867 PROGENESIS KRISTOFF SEM 398 88 373 833 174 97 219 38 109 72 104108 87 100 103 105 87 106 88 107 96 9 29HO18093 BRABANTDALE DRAKE-ET ABS 387 89 339 687 161 96 146 20109 88 105 103 90 104104105 88 102 93 106 95 10 29HO18703 DE-SU 14136 GENESIS-ET ABS 385 82 361 733 155 92 85 19 111 69 101 105 84 106104104 81 107 71 103 92 Indices Production TraitsSurvival ConformationTraits Workability DaughterFertility ResistanceMastitis RankBull ID Bull Name Source BPI$ BPIRel HWISI ASI ASIRel DtrsNo. HerdsNo. Survival Rel TypeOver MamSyst TypeRel MilkSpd TempLike Rel FertDtr Rel ResistMas Rel 1 ARBCYGNET BEAULANDS SWANNIES - ET GAC 301 87 295 702 167 97 126 42 106 85 99 103 82 105 102 105 89 107 91 99 95 2 VIKRCAPRI VR POIKOLAN CIGAR CAPRI VIK 290 85 263 624 152 96 179 24 106 83 99 107 65 102 101 102 93 103 93 103 96 3 ARBLINDT BEAULANDS LINDT GAC 279 83 212 667 199 96 118 36 107 77 99 104 62 100 102 104 90 100 89 102 94 4 AXBBLACKWOOD BLACKWOOD PARK BLACKWOOD AXB 227 86 184 751 169 98 215 19 103 85 98 104 76 100104104 84 99 95 101 97 5 ARBSCAREBEAR JOHVILLE PARK SCAREBEAR GAC 208 92 210 543 133 99 635 88 105 96 92 9595 102 101103 98 104 98 9999 Indices Production Traits Survival ConformationTraits Workability DaughterFertility ResistanceMastitis RankBull ID Bull Name Source BPI$ BPIRel HWISI ASI ASIRel DtrsNo. HerdsNo. CntryDtrsNo.1st Survival Rel TypeOver MamSyst TypeRel MilkSpd TempLike Rel FertDtr Rel ResistMas Rel 1 7GU00472 WALNUT RIDGE PRINCE CHARMING GAC152 49 147 297 60 47 105 101* 46 9898 55 101* 102* 104* 47 101 36 107 72 2 GUACTION BROOKLEIGH BQ ACTION SEM 118 83 200 219 -37 92 77 14 107 83 101 99 82 102 103 104 71 108 87 101 92 3 AUSFAYSBOO KOOKABURRA FAYS BOO 112 80 121 334 44 95 118 36 107 84 99 96 52 102 100 103 70 102 91 9994 4 0200GU08184 GOLDEN GATE PRADA KAKADU SEM 94 63 92 164 50 81 31 15 101 43 101 100 36 97 100 102 45 103 60 103 80 5 CROSBYBEAR SUNNY VALLEY YBEAR CROSBY AGR 78 74 45207105 87 47 12 101 68 94 92 63 9898 99 60 101 75 102 86 Indices Production Traits Survival Workability DaughterFertility ResistanceMastitis RankBull ID Bull Name Source BPI $ BPIRel HWISI ASI ASIRel DtrsNo. HerdsNo. Survival Rel MilkSpd TempLike Rel FertDtr Rel ResistMas Rel 1 93SBJ03 HERCULES GGI 233 41 171 676 199 47 19 6 102 43 100 98 101 48 101 50 102 77 2 GGHEGALLHEGALL GGI 170 70 100 441 178 95 146 28 98 65 100 97 101 81 99 75 103 95 3 ASSAY ASSAY GGI 154 58 100 406 119 86 39 10 102 37 101101 105 41 98 45 102 83 4 GGPAYLENGPAYLENG GGI 152 44 119 434 130 50 37 7 103 43 100 99 105 64 102 52 99 83 5 GGPAYSSLIPAYSSLI GGI 126 68 100315 68 9494 29 104 58 103 99 107 72 100 68 102 92 Indices Production TraitsSurvival ConformationTraits Workability DaughterFertility ResistanceMastitis RankBull ID BPI $ BPIRel HWISI ASI ASIRel DtrsNo. HerdsNo. vivalSur Rel TypeOver MamSyst TypeRel MilkSpd TempLike Rel FertDtr Rel MasResist Rel ResistMas Rel 1 DOUGGAN WHITE STAR DOUGLAS GAC 395 95 326 882 254 98 399 44 107 77 101 100 93 103 102 104 94 102 94 104 98 2 DOBSON WHITE STAR DOORMAN GAC 358 92 298 757 199 96 187 43 107 71 104106 83 104107106 92 100 90 102 96 3 INVINCIBLE LOXLEIGH HATMAN VINCE 5963 GAC 338 89 218 708228 95 138 36 106 67 110107 74 102 105107 89 96 89 103 94 4 ASKN BROOKBORA VALENTINO ASKN GAC 294 94 263 694 104 97 233 49 115 82 108106 89 102 104107 91 99 92 101 97 5 7JE01344 WILSONVIEW IF MATT WWS 287 98 244 55480 99 620 97 111 94 106107 96 102 104104 96 98 97 107 99 6 7J1219 DUTCH HOLLOW OLIVER P GAC 277 99 246 646 85 99 867 107 113 97 107 111 98 100105106 98 101 98 102 99 7 0200JE10001 RIVER VALLEY CIRCUS CRAZE SEM 270 92 276 483 42 96 160 30 111 76 108108 91 101 105106 90 103 91 106 95 8 ALGERNON BROADLIN HILUX GAC 263 95 239 614 142 97 206 46 111 89 106110 85 102 99 103 94 104 95 9997 9 7JE05032 RIVER VALLEY VICTORIOUS WWS 261 88 181 558 140 91 72 22 107 73 103 109 83 101103 105 82 98 84 102 91 10 CSCBALENTI KAARMONA BALENTI ABS 253 90 212 532 134 93 107 25 110 77 104106 82 101 105106 89 99 85 99 93 Good Bulls Guide for Holstein — Balanced Performance Index — Australian Proven Good Bulls Guide for Red Breeds — Balanced Performance Index (BPI) — Aust Proven Only Good Bulls Guide for Guernsey — Balanced Performance Index Good Bulls Guide for Brown Swiss — Balanced Performance Index — Aust Proven Only Good Bulls Guide for Jersey — Balanced Performance Index (BPI) — Australian Proven Only 26 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022

4Q1181E KATH A &

Top 5 Illawara herds HerdNationalID Herd Owner CowsCurr. No.

CowsGenomic GroupAge RankBPI HWI RankSI Rank ABV BPI $ HWI SIASI kgProt %Prot LMilk kgFat Fat % 4A1868T WILLIAMS GP & RC 210 2,190 9T 1 1 4 17 1 39 12 2 0.06 -59 -2 0.00 461760F TUHAN MICHAEL 54 487 9T 2 5 1 14 -17 72 21 5 -0.04 262 9 -0.04 4A1843C MANUEL SR & LP 44 348 9T 3 3 3 13 -1 44 52

4K0081F PERKINS

Top 5 Herd Owner CowsCurr. No. Cows CowsGenomic GroupAge RankBPI HWI RankSI Rank ABV BPI $ HWI SIASI kgProt %Prot LMilk kgFat Fat % N00555U GRAHAM, RW & BC 419 2,478 1110 9T 1 1 1 199 159 449 131 19 0.18 349 21 0.09 4I0025F HOEY DM & L 53 194 99 9T 2 6 2 178 132 416 133 18 0.20 280 21 0.13 9T 3 4 169 143393 11015 0.19 182 0.09 646 9T 4 2 372 104 13 0.17 16815 0.12 9T 5 8 5 164 127 382 118 16 0.19 21717 0.11 Cows -0.05 -0.03 9T 2 5 0 -43 5 -5 0.00 -188 10 0.26 9T 5 6 2 4 -18 -0.06 236 5 -0.08 HWI SIASI kgProt %Prot LMilk kgFat Fat % S00376B CLEGGETT LF & JM 293 2,130 9T 1 2 1 80 72 186 51 6 0.06 130 10 0.11 460005P GALLUS MR I 78 774 9T 2 1 2 71 109 77 7 -3 0.12 -258 -1 0.25 T41OHFD Smith J 49 131 9T 3 3 5 31 66 18 -22-2 -0.01 -63 -6 -0.08 W00137V COLIN GILBERT 46 185 9T 4 6 3 24 24 61 21 -0.03 59 2 -0.01 1,076 9T 5 5 4 20 33 42 -3 0 -0.01 24 0 -0.02 No. Cows CowsGenomic GroupAge RankBPI HWI RankSI Rank ABV BPI $ HWI SIASI kgProt %Prot LMilk kgFat Fat % & SM. 827 9T 1 1 1 83 70 208 66 10 0.11 229 10 -0.02 BEN 91 891 9T 2 2 2 69 56 192 47 10 0.08 230 4 -0.17 RAY 35 92 9T 3 3 3 54 36 143 52 8 0.12 128 7 0.02 C 30 89 9T 4 4 4 44 34 83 29 2 0.10 -29 6 0.16 S 352 9T 5 5 5 37 31 79 29 3 0.13 -25 3 0.09 //

51 73

N00021N CLARK PARTNERSHIP 78

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES // 27 Top 10 Holstein herds HerdNationalID Herd Owner CowsCurr. No. Cows CowsGenomic GroupAge RankBPI HWI RankSI Rank ABV BPI $ HWI SIASI kgProt %Prot LMilk kgFat Fat % 850441U DICKSON BJ & JL 709 5,085 3966 9T 1 2 1 296 272 550 15016 0.23139280.31 8M0171R WINTER BL 120 287 252 9T 2 1 5 281 289 485 98 11 0.13 137 200.20 C01125S SPRUNT RG 102 790 467 9T 3 4 2 271 245524 12316 0.13 341 25 0.16 W00248F KITCHEN FARMS 391 2,762 808 9T 4 3 4 262 251 494 117 15 0.14 274 22 0.15 C00155U HOGG AL & JM 160 1,344 674 9T 5 35 3 253 195 497 174 19 0.29 134 29 0.33 T62SIAI IRELAND JARED & COURTNEY 150 1,153 1021 9T 6 5 8 247 244 460 10012 0.16 15816 0.13 4A3216P LISTER CRAIG A 310 2,534 1112 9T 7 10 7 245 231 478 12016 0.15 290 22 0.15 540597R ANDERSON BG & JM 224 1,780 425 9T 8 8 9 243 239 45910012 0.15 17117 0.15 850550V PEKIN JG & KM 309 1,974 675 9T 9 13 10 242 221 449 125 14 0.18 147 23 0.25 240108T HENRY TW & TC 415 3,356982 9T 10 23 6 240 207 483 145 17 0.21 22525 0.22 Top 10 Jersey herds HerdNationalID Herd Owner CowsCurr. No. Cows CowsGenomic GroupAge RankBPI HWI RankSI Rank ABV BPI $ HWI SIASI kgProt %Prot LMilk kgFat Fat % 850588C GLENNEN C & CO 379 3,392 1410 9T 1 1 2 225 171 489 152 18 0.26 159 24 0.30 850441U DICKSON BJ & JL 30 683 30 9T 2 2 3 204 161 448 11516 0.13 298 19 0.06 C00859H BACON RLG & SL. 259 2,398 843 9T 2 3 1 204152 492 94 17 -0.03 523 19 -0.18 C00527M SPRUNT GC & RG 272 1,106 694 9T 4 6 4 179 135 426 94 15 0.05 377 16 -0.08 SL0017E THOMPSON MICHAELA 30 32 3 9T 5 18 5 178 117 421 12816 0.17 239 22 0.18 D80928G ANDERSON RG & KL 231 2,022 720 9T 6 5 10 177 143 379 76 10 0.08181 13 0.07 260037W BALNAGEITH JERSEY STUD 190 1,642 62 9T 6 7 6 177 131 417 12215 0.15 248 22 0.16 4A1535V COCKERELL JR & MA 169 2,098 597 9T 8 4 7 172 146 413 66 13 -0.06 464 14 -0.21 540119D BOYD G & E NO 2 123 374 303 9T 9 12 19 165 123 342 99 11 0.19 63 16 0.24 240699A HOEY DM & L 149 1,272 464 9T 9 23 12 165 112 368 11914 0.22 107 18 0.24

Australian Red Breed herds HerdNationalID

159 5

540557N LEPPIN T & L 158 1,995

C01047A GOVETT

4

3

4K0080C BROWN E & FISICARO

27 DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022

12

140

S00355T BRAELEE PASTORAL CO 33 1,152

656233A CLARK RD & VD 39 78 90

Top 5 Guernsey herds HerdNationalID Herd Owner CowsCurr. No. Cows CowsGenomic GroupAge RankBPI

RankSI Rank ABV BPI $ HWI

D80352T RILEY S & LM AND COCKSEDGE PS 88 208 138

177

Q00203D CHELMONTE FARMING 40 1,643

B21285J BALFOUR PE

Top 5 Brown Swiss herds HerdNationalID Herd Owner CowsCurr.

7 165 147

14

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 28 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES 260 mmXXXXXXXWX186 mm H Top Holstein females with ABV(g)s on Balanced Performance Index Long Name Owner Indices Production Conformation Survival Fertility ResistanceMastitis Workability FeedSaved Heat BPI $ BPI Rel HWI SI ASI ASI Rel Overall Type Mam Syst Type Rel Survival Rel Dtr Fert Fert Rel Mas Resist Mas Rel Milk Spd Like Temp Work Rel Feed Saved FS Rel Heat Tol HT Rel 4517 DELANEY EJ, DA & AE 548 64 557 844 238 77 105 102 60 113 49 115 48 106 64 102 105 101 62 -78 42 91 38 21013 Lillico JM & V 530 65 560 890 177 76 101101 61 113 53 115 53 110 68 105104 103 66 -26 42 95 38 4498 DELANEY EJ, DA & AE 529 64 594 840 187 77 103103 59 112 49 118 48 106 63 103 104 103 61 30 41 99 38 CARENDA MAGIC BALL VISKA KITCHEN FARMS 526 64 548 841 204 76 102 100 60 112 49 114 47 108 64 103 105 103 62 4 42 97 38 ILLAWAMBRA RIVER SLEEPY 3950-CNF-DP PARRISH, TJ & LR 524 64 558904 231 76 97 93 60 109 51 116 49 110 65 102102 99 62 31 41 97 38 24071 DAIRYINGDONOVANSCO. 520 65 583 797 141 77 104 102 61 111 52 117 51 115 66 100 103 102 63 -26 42 98 38 4392 DELANEY EJ, DA & AE 51865 519 786 227 77 100100 59 110 50 114 48 108 65 104104 102 62 -76 42 96 38 EMU BANKS CENTREPIECEKARAT13075 E DICKSON BJ & JL 51865 607 754 140 76 105108 61 111 51 119 49 109 66 100105104 64 -2 42 98 38 ROCKSOLIDILLAWAMBRAPRIDE 4217 PARRISH, TJ & LR 510 65 527 902 180 77 101 107 61 112 51 112 49 111 65 103 105 103 63 -45 42 94 38 EMU BANKS KARAT TIFFANY 12952 DICKSON BJ & JL 508 65 581 832 148 76 103 109 61 111 52 116 50 109 66 101 106104 64 56 42 100 38 Top Jersey females with ABV(g)s on Balanced Performance Index (BPI) Long Name Owner Indices Production Conformation Survival Fertility ResistanceMastitis Workability FeedSaved Heat BPI $ BPI Rel HWI SI ASI ASI Rel Overall Type Mam Syst Type Rel Survival Rel Dtr Fert Fert Rel Mas Resist Mas Rel Milk Spd Like Temp Work Rel Feed Saved FS Rel Heat Tol HT Rel 5835 HOFFMANN, MR 389 71 327 803 204 78 104 103 62 109 53 101 58 109 67 102 103 100 67 8 34 91 38 6238 PARISH P,D & L 369 67 373 731 99 77 106 111 55 112 49 105 49 108 58 101 105105 60 -1 31 97 38 6712 GLENNEN C & CO 367 61 334 653187 72 9997 44 107 38 109 39 105 52 100105104 50 -69 26 96 38 5813 HOFFMANN, MR 364 70 332 760 174 78 102102 61 111 51 102 56 106 66 102 103 99 65 31 33 95 38 BROADLIN ILAGAY 3791 BROAD LL & LM 348 71 302 754 152 78 109108 64 109 59 100 59 106 68 103 105104 67 5 34 95 38 6692-DPF-BLF GLENNEN C & CO 348 64 284 567 143 75 102 103 50 107 44 102 44 111 56 102 103 102 56-63 29 95 38 6738 GLENNEN C & CO 347 64 302 714 175 74 108109 52 111 45 103 45 99 54 103 106105 53 -19 29 94 38 KAARMONA ALDRIN IMPISH 3 SPRUNT GC & RG 347 70 240 687 206 78 110112 57 109 54 98 56 99 67 103 106104 63 -58 32 95 38 KINGS VILLE MARIE 84 ANDERSON RG & KL 343 65 310 623 169 75 105107 52 108 44 103 42 103 57 103 106 103 56 0 30 95 38 WALLACEDALE MATTS 3RD MADGE WALLACE L & M 342 72 324 607 86 78 105108 65 112 61 103 62 107 69 104105105 69 -36 35 97 38 28 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 1800 ABS BULL | www.absglobal.com/au | ABS.AU.Info@genusplc.com More days in milk Beef InFocus™ offers short gestation options, meaning you can tighten up your joining season. Your dairy cows will have more time to recover, more days in milk, and your late calving cows will have a better chance of getting back in calf. Beef InFocus also offers superior growth rates. Not only do you get the benefits of short gestation, but you also get calves that are easy to feed and put weight on quickly, so you can sell them earlier. FertilityRWD CalvingEase Stillbirth GestationLengthCalving Gestation with short gestation dairy beef Beef from dairy farmer story:

rulebullsAussie“ThegreatpositiveisthatAustralianbullsareprovidingsomeoftheworld’sleadinggeneticsatthemoment,sotherehasneverbeenabettertimetomarketourJerseystotheworld.” – Glen Barrett // 29 DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES Phone:

Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett.

3888 www.genaust.com.au August 2022 ABV;s Positioned in the TOP 1% of the breed for BPI, Type and Udder rankings on the Good Bulls Guide following the August 2022 ABV release. Bred by two-times Master Breeder, Carenda Farms in Western Ausatralia, VARLEY descends from one of the leading cow families amongst the Holstein breed. Talk to your Genetics Australia representative today about securing this bull for your spring mating’s. Our August Catalogues are landing on farm soon! SISTER TO VARLEY’S DAM, CARENDA COLT45 VERENE EX90 THE NEXT GENERATION from a two-time Master Breeder herd CARENDA VARLEY Pemberton x Superhero BPI + 491 | HWI +452 | C/Ease +104 Type +110 | Mammary +110 | A22 Carenda Ella Vanish EX4E Carenda Rudolph Venice VG87 Carenda Igniter Verna EX90 Carenda Reginald Verra VG88 Carenda Superhero Verlo GP84 2yrs Carenda VARLEY

positive is that Australian bulls are providing some of the world’s leading genetics at the moment, so there has never been a better time to market our Jerseys to the world,” Mr Barrett said. The top Jersey herd in the August ABVs was Con and Michelle Glennen’s White Star Jerseys from Noorat in south-west Victoria, with a BPI of 225, up 18 on the April score. The top five was rounded out by Bryan and Jo Dickson’s Emu Banks Jerseys, the Bacon family’s Brookbora Jerseys, Rohan and Graham Sprunt’s Kaarmona Jerseys and Michaela Thompson’s Heartland Jerseys. Mr Barrett also welcomed the new Sustainability Index, which he said would help to drive on-farm sustainability through genetics. (03) 5367

YOUNG AUSTRALIAN genomic bulls dominated in the August ABVs, as global demand grows for Aussie Jerseys. Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said 15 of the top 20 young genomic bulls in the DataGene August update were Australian.“That’sa strong indicator of the strength of Australian bulls and supports feedback that importing AI companies are struggling to find bulls that are rating well in Australia,” Mr Barrett said. “With growing global demand for Aussie bulls, we are seeing more companies looking at domestic Jersey bulls.” The top five young genomic bulls are Pickle with a Balanced Performance Index of 408, followed by Roulette (396) , CSCJamieo (380), Butler (375) and CSCWoodside (372) — all Australian bulls. The top Australian proven bulls are also dominated by domestic bulls — Douggan (BPI 395), Dobson (358), Invincible (338) and Askn (294), followed by import Matt (287). The Australian dominance is timely, with Jersey Australia leading a joint trade site at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, in the United States in October. The site will also include Holstein Australia, Genetics Australia, AgriGene and Central Sires Co-op, with support from National Herd Improvement Association of Australia.“Thegreat

An increase of nearly 20 per cent was recorded for the Jersey reference population thanks to the addition of more than 3000 genotypes. This is one of the biggest single data boosts the national reference population has ever recorded and is a result of ‘catch-up’ following delays in tail hair collection in milking herds and processing due to COVID-19 and weather events.Normally this information would be added to the reference herd gradually.

All the tail hair samples were extracted from Ginfo herds. Ginfo is Australia’s national reference herd for genetic information. It includes commercial dairy herds with excellent records and has a total of more than 80,000 cows, including Holstein, Jersey, Australian Reds and crossbreds.

“What this extra data does, is it gives farmers greater con dence ... this con dence can be applied to decisions around joining an animal to sexed, conventional or beef semen. Extra data means increased reliability.”

– Peter Thurn BREEDING VALUES

30 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 AUSTRALIAN

boostdataExtra

Peter Thurn said improved Australian Breeding Values stability and accuracy would be helpful to farmers using genomics to inform management decisions.

“I see dairy farmers extracting the most value from this extra data when it comes to making those marginal decisions — the ones that aren’t as obvious,” he said.

“For example, selecting heifers for export. If you want to sell 40, there’s always going to be 30 or so that are obvious, but those last 10 can be harder to select. “What this extra data does, is it gives farmers greater confidence that those last 10 are the correct heifers to choose.

“Outside of export, this confidence can be applied to decisions around joining an animal to sexed, conventional or beef semen. Extra data means increased reliability.”

In the past month, DataGene has added more than 8000 genotypes to the Australian Holstein reference population, lifting the data pool by almost 14 per cent.

DataGene has added genotypic information from about 11,000 dairy animals to the nation’s reference population to increase the reliability and stability of Australia’s genomic breeding values.

AUSTRALIA’S DAIRY breeding values are more reliable than ever thanks to a huge boost to the nation’s reference herd. DataGene has added genotypic information from about 11,000 dairy animals to the nation’s reference population to increase the reliability and stability of Australia’s genomic breeding values.Fordairy farmers making crucial breeding decisions — such as the use of sexed or beef genetics — this additional data will provide further reassurance and confidence in Australia’s geneticDataGene’sindices.

FORAGE BRASSICAS are ideal crops for producing an abundance of high-quality feed for maintaining high milk production or fin ishing stock to target weights over late spring andButsummer.trialwork has shown that not all forage brassicas are created equal, with many varieties not living up to expectations. Pillar forage brassica from Cropmark Seeds is high-yielding, palatable and produces high-quality forage, supporting high animal performance and liveweight gain potential. Pillar forage brassica is a leafy, giant type that can be grazed multiple times in the right conditions.Pillarisalso able to handle tough conditions once established, making it a versatile crop for finishing lambs when other pastures are losing quality and dry matter yield. It can be established in autumn or late winter/early spring, depending on your feed requirements and environment. Establish Pillar when soil temperatures are consistently above 12°C into a free-draining paddock that has been sprayed out and culti vated to promote rapid establishment. Sow at a rate of 3 to 4kg/ha at 10mm depth. Once the crop has reached maturity in 10 to 12 weeks, animals can be transitioned onto the crop.Forbest dry matter yield results, rotational grazing is recommended.

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Late winter to spring sowings are an ide al preparation for next autumn’s pasture renovation program, with a wide variety of in-crop weed control options available. Pillar forage brassica can be used over many different farming areas. Crops have successfully been used from cereal cropping zones to high rainfall regions. Pillar can yield up to 12 tonnes of quality dry matter per hectare under good growing condi tions and rotational grazing management, with up to four to five grazings. In lower rainfall regions with lower yields, Pillar will still produce a high-quality crop that is a cost-effective alternative to poor-quality summer pastures. If you need high-quality feed to maintain high levels of milk production over late spring, summer or to finish young stock, Pillar could be the crop for you. Contact your local Cropmark Seeds repre sentative to discuss your spring, summer and autumn feed requirements. Specific advice is recommended to ensure correct suitability and grazing management so you get the best results on your farm. ɋ For further information, visit: Cropmark-Seeds/Pillar-forage-rapecropmarkseeds.com/Forage-Products-from-https://www.

Choose the right brassica

Pillar forage brassica is a leafy, giant type that can be grazed multiple times in the right conditions.

IN THE past five years, as many as 96 per cent of dairy farmers have sown new pastures, forages or crops. With the release of Dairy Australia’s 2022 Forage Value Index tables, farmers can now be confident in selecting cultivars that would be most successful in their region and most profitable for their farm. The 2022 FVI tables use data from the Pasture Trial Network to rank perennial, annu al and Italian rye-grass cultivars according to profitability.Thetables make an easy to understand, accurate and independent assessment of the potential economic value of perennial, annual and Italian rye-grass cultivars under Australian conditions.TheFVIratings system is based on world’s best practice and was developed in close consultation with farmers, the seed industry and fully quali fied, internationally recognised experts. It helps farmers and advisers make more informed decisions when selecting rye-grass cultivars to help farmers increase pasture productivity at key times of the year and, ultimately, farm profitability. Up until 2021, the FVI was limited to perennial rye-grass but now includes tables for annual and Italian varieties. Another new addition this year are tables and economic values for annual and Italian ryegrass cultivars for the north and south regions of NSW. ɋ For more information on FVI, and to access the latest tables, visit: dairyaustralia.com. au/FVI to pick cultivars

Dairy Australia’s 2022 Forage Value Index tables mean farmers can now be confident in selecting cultivars that would be most successful in their region and most profitable for their farm.

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Use data

Drought tools get update

FMC Australasia Pty Ltd Phone: 1800 066 www.fmccrop.com.au355

“The Australian Government recognises that the favourable seasons we’ve seen in many parts of regional and rural Australia recently won’t last forever,” Senator Watt said. “That’s why innovative digital tools for farmers, like DR.SAT and CSA, are essential to prepare for the return of dry conditions and the changing climate, and the agricultur al industry’s goal of $100 billion in farm gate production by 2030. “Together these two tools provide a strategic overview of climatic conditions on individual farms, and their resilience to them — now, and in the “Theyfuture.are complemented by other Future Drought Fund programs which support farmers and communities to respond appropriately to what the information tells them. “This includes building the capacity of farmers to plan for and manage drought and climate risks, and support to adopt farming practices that improve resilience.

“It’s pleasing to see DR.SAT now has e nvironmental resilience assessments for more commodities and regions and that new commodities have been added to CSA.

ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. FMC and Exirel ® are trademarks™ of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. © 2022 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 07/22.

Control pests in Forage brassicas to increase yields

Conditions may be good at the moment, but they won’t last forever, which is why the DR.SAT and CSA platforms have been upgraded to give more farmers a clearer picture of climate trends likely to impact them.

“This follows engagement with users across eight pilot regions to ensure the platforms pr ovide practical and relevant information to help build farmers’ climate adaptability.“DR.SAT now includes soil moisture pro jections across Australia and CSA includes information about extreme years. “This adds to the tools’ existing forecasts for temperature, rainfall, heat and frost risk, plus seasonal forecasting and information specific to a range of commodities.” Climate Services for Agriculture: https://climateservicesforag.indraweb.io/ Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool: https://www.drsat.com.au/

TWO ONLINE tools that provide farmers with crucial drought and climate information specific to their farms have been upgraded fol lowing consultation across eight agricultural regions.Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said additions to the DR.SAT and CSA plat forms would give more farmers and agricultur al businesses a clearer picture of climate trends likely to impact them.

34 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 PASTURE IMPROVEMENT

Caring for your crop at key times will help maximise yields and ensure your livestock get the most from the Forage brassica crops. Exirel ® uses clever chemistry to protect forage brassicas from destructive pests like Cabbage white butterfly, Centre grub, Diamondback moth, Native budworm, Soybean looper and Grey cabbage aphid. It’s also gentle on key beneficial insects. Visit www.fmccrop.com.au for more information.

He said Exirel allowed a better balance between pests and their natural enemies for more efficient and effective pest management. It also has a low-use rate, with a 10-litre con tainer treating more than 66 hectares of area. “It has low impact to mammals, birds and fish, algae and aquatic plants. PPE require ments are limited to gloves and cotton over alls,” Mr Posteraro said “With its good margin of safety, it’s an excel lent choice for applicators. Workers entering the field can do so after the spray has dried.”

PILLAR MULTI-GRAZE FORAGE RAPE 4TH GRAZING

For a high yielding, multi-graze forage rape, it is hard to go past Pillar forage rape.

“Apply when insects or damage first appear and before a build-up of pest numbers. There is an option to apply two applications per season and back-to back sprays work particularly well. “Exirel works particularly well because it has translaminar and locally systemic action mean ing it will move through the leaf and target pests in hard-to-reach places. “We would expect between 10 and 14 days residual activity from Exirel, although growers often see longer periods between pest issues.”

FMC says says the registration of Exirel is a great positive for Australian forage brassica growers wanting to keep their crops clean and maximise yields. technical enquiries contact your local Cropmark Seeds agronomist. Victoria, Northern NSW, QLD: Adam Sheedy – 0428 132 096 Western Districts, SA, Tasmania: Bruce Hume – 0427 607 375 Northern Victoria, Southern NSW: Sven Koljo – 0429 375 452

Very fast establishing Very high yield potential Very good re-growth potential Good disease resistance Can be sown in spring or autumn Suitable for sheep, cattle and deer

CHALLENGES WITH caterpillar and aphid pests in brassicas have long been an issue with growers trying to keep their crop clean and healthy in the lead-up to grazing.

Exirel for forage brassicas is available at local distributors.

FMC’s Leandro Posteraro said the registra tion of Exirel was a great positive for Australian forage brassica growers wanting to keep their crops clean and maximise yields. “Exirel controls a wide range of caterpillar pests and also has activity on grey cabbage aphid, so is a cross-spectrum option for both chewing and sucking insects,” he said. Exirel works on the muscle function of the pest so the insect stops feeding very quickly  for almost immediate protection of theMrplant.Posteraro said growers should regularly scout their paddocks to monitor for caterpillar eggs and larvae or aphid numbers.

Eastern

Higher yielding multi-graze forage rape

Pillar is a new, fast establishing, giant type rape, with very good winter hardiness and excellent re-growth ability, enabling multiple grazings potential. Pillar is palatable and can be used for all livestock types and farming systems.

New weapon in pest battle

“This means the friendly bugs that pollinate or feed on pests are not wiped out. They can stay in the crop to help control the next gener ation of pests.”

// 35 DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 PASTURE IMPROVEMENT For

Left unchecked, pests can quickly turn a healthy paddock into one with leaves riddled with holes, seriously affecting the quality and quantity of the feed.

PILLAR IS AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL SEED MERCHANT OR FARM MERCHANDISE OUTLET further information please contact Cropmark Seeds Australia. Freephone: 1800 889 039 Freefax: 1800 889 037 www.cropmarkseeds.com

For

He said a key benefit of Exirel was it had little to no effect on key beneficial insects.

Mr Posteraro said beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and parasitoid wasps feed on aphids and caterpillars. “Damsel bugs also target caterpillars and hoverflies eat aphids. “Growers can use a highly effective insecticide for caterpillars and aphids and leave the beneficial insects in the crop to continue their good work.”

In the past, growers have relied on more broad-spectrum insecticides to try to control the different pests. This option wipes out key beneficial insects and has also led to some pests becoming resistant to the chemical. Agricultural company FMC recently released Exirel insecticide to the Australian forage bras sica market as a control option for cabbage white butterfly, centre grub, diamondback moth, native budworm, soybean looper and grey cabbage aphid.

BENEFITS: Leafy, giant-type multi-graze forage rape

ɋ

“However, beyond 50kg nitrogen/ha, there is a tipping point at which a positive economic outcome is unlikely.

Mr Menhenett said when it came to nitro gen, there were numerous considerations prior to application to ensure best management practice and economic and environmental outcomes.“Urea,the most common fertiliser product, is prone to volatilisation in conditions where limited moisture has dissolved but not moved the urea into the soil.” Ms Miller agreed, and said considerations of timing, pasture species and cultivars were also important as there were variations in seasonal dry matter growth rates.

“If there’s no moisture, there will also be no growth. But on the flip side, apply nitrogen to waterlogged pastures and the fertiliser will be lost as gaseous nitrogen oxide,” she said.

Mr Menhenett presented webinar partic ipants with a feed cost calculator to demon strate the ROI for an application of nitrogen using varying input cost scenarios. “Calculations consider the weight of dry matter, response rate achieved and the input cost,” he said. “Moisture, pasture composition and density, soil fertility and grazing management, applica tion rate and the product used can all influ ence the dry matter response and the return on nitrogen application.” “The best dry matter response will be to applications of between 25kg and 50kg nitrogen/ha. In this range, dry matter will accumulate as nitrogen rate increases.

NOW IS the time for livestock producers to consider targeted nitrogen fertiliser applica tions to boost pasture growth and provide a higher return on their investment. With high hay and grain prices continuing to present challenges for supplement feeding, producers are considering the potential for tar geted fertiliser application by boosting pasture growth as a main feed source. This was a key theme in a recent Southern Farming System webinar that asked the ques tion: At what price is there a place for bagged nitrogen in pastures? At this webinar, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers technical agronomist Lee Menhenett pre sented information about the nitrogen needs of pasture, how to minimise risk and make the most of an application, while considering potential agronomic and economic returns.

Hit the target with nitrogen Incitec Pivot Fertilisers

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“Additionally, not all pastures will be respon sive. Nutrient deficiencies or acidity might hold back growth, or the species may not have the propensity to grow in winter. “And timing needs to be considered so that the application is made well ahead of when the feed is needed.” The feed cost calculator is available along with other presentation materials from the webinar on the Southern Farming Systems website. technical agronomist Lee Menhenett.

“Each individual needs to consider their situation, input costs, response rate and con version rate, to find that point.”

“Very few producers will be able to rely sole ly on pasture, hay or grain to feed their stock,” Mr Menhenett said. “To get through any feed gaps, they can sup plement their pasture with hay or grain, or use fertiliser to boost their pasture dry matter. “The whole farm feedbase needs to be considered to identify when pasture growth doesn’t match animal demand. “This way, producers can supplement their pastures with nitrogen so that they aren’t exposed during periods of high-cost grain or haySouthernsupplements.”Farming Systems’ Lisa Miller encourages producers to compare the return on investment from applying nitrogen to pas tures with buying hay or grain. “Producers need to consider whether they’re expecting a shortfall of available win ter feed, and if they are, they need to know how to calculate what the likely responses to nitrogen will be, weighed against the pro posed cost of an alternative feed supplement,” Ms Miller said. “With current fertiliser prices, for example, you will need to get a response of at least 8kg of dry matter for every kilogram of nitrogen applied. The typical response of nitrogen appli cation is between an extra 5kg to 25kg DM/ha for every 1kg of nitrogen applied.”

Safety always comes first Regardless of the type of disinfectant used, always read the label carefully, store correctly, and wear appropriate personal protective equip ment when handling and applying. Similarly, protect livestock where possible from harmful exposure such as inhalation or ingestion. Take a holistic approach Disinfectants do not replace cleaning, and will not ‘clean dirt’. All organic material including soil and dried manure must be removed prior to disinfection. This means all equipment should be washed thoroughly with detergent and water, and allowed to dry prior to disinfectant application. If faced with an outbreak situation, disinfec tants alone are unlikely to control the pathogen. Seeking veterinary advice is recommended.

Alcohols Such as methylated spirits, Glen20. Effective against bacteria and fungi. Fastacting, rapid evaporation, leaves no residues but can swell or harden rubber and plastics, and is flammable. Inactivated by organic mat ter. Ideal as part of teat cleaning protocols pri or to administering treatment.

Such as navel and teat dips. Traditionally used as antiseptics and disinfec tants but are less effective in the presence of organic debris, limiting their use as a disinfec tant for surfaces but making them ideal as teat and navel dips when mixed to the appropriate concentration. Generally less toxic than other disinfectants but can stain clothes and some surfaces.

Chlorine-based compounds Such as household bleach. Eliminate most viruses, bacteria, moulds and algae but not bacterial spores. Good disinfec tants on clean surfaces and are more active in warm water. Can irritate the skin and damage clothing, rubber goods and some metals.

Alkalis Such as caustic soda. Alters pH, corrosive to metals, environmen tal hazard and can cause severe burns to skin and mucous membranes. Variable efficacy depending on temperature and surrounding pH. Effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi (including spores). Lime has a positive drying effect and rais es surface pH, which helps inhibit bacterial growth. However, there is little evidence to suggest that lime reduces the number of patho gens and it should still be used in conjunction with a suitable disinfectant.

Chlorine-based disinfectants are generally compatible with soaps but should never be mixed with acids. They are ideal for disinfect ing feeding equipment which has already been cleaned with soapy water. In calf sheds, a disinfectant needs to be effective against pathogenic viruses, bacteria and protozoa such as Cryptosporidium parvum Many disinfectants are effective against virus es and bacteria but the oocysts (eggs) from Cryptosporidium parvum are very stable and relatively resistant to chlorine-based disinfec tants. This results in crypto often recurring year after year. Speak with your veterinarian to discuss holistic options for the control of crypto.

Slow-acting but effective against bacteria, some viruses and fungi. Non-corrosive, but inac tivated by organic material, hard water, soap and detergents. An irritant, with carcinogenic potential and is an environmental hazard.

How can I find out more?

Choose the appropriate disinfectant for the equipment.

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Iodophors compounds)(iodine-based

Quaternary compoundsammonium

T he Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) issues permits to allow minor use of registered and unregis tered agvet chemical products for use as dis infectants for treatment of equipment, fabric and surfaces in certain situations, such as this permit for use in case of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease: PER83649.PDFhttps://permits.apvma.gov.au/

Phenols Such as Dettol. Generally active against bacteria, some viruses and fungi but not bacterial spores. Good activ ity in the presence of some organic material but are ineffective against rotavirus, which can limit their use in calf sheds.

BY LUCY PATHOGENSCOLLINS(BACTERIA, fungi, protozoa, viruses and worms) are everywhere — in soil and water, animals and humans. The purpose of disinfection is to decrease pathogen numbers and prevent disease transmission.Butasweknow, different areas across the farm are prone to different pathogens, and not all disinfectants are effective in all situations or across all surfaces. As such, it’s important to make the right dis infectant choice for each situation to ensure you maximise your chance of preventing the spread of pathogens across your farm and further.Firstly, it’s important to think about what needsCommondisinfecting.things requiring disinfection include livestock housing, milking equipment, feeding equipment, stock handling equipment, animal care equipment (including hoof knives and calving kit), people (hands and clothing), and sometimes the animals themselves (teats andManynavels).disinfectants are used for varying pur poses on dairy farms. Some are more suitable for housing facilities and others for feeding equipment.Itisimportant to know which disinfectant is suitable for what purpose and which mixing rates are safe to use and when.

Such as Pine O Cleen. Effective against many bacteria and some viruses, but not moulds or bacterial spores. Older quaternary ammonium compounds are effective on clean surfaces but newer quater nary ammonium compounds can retain activity in the presence of some organic material. They are generally used for the disinfection of milk ing machine equipment.

Before registering a disinfectant product, APVMA evaluates relevant efficacy studies to ensure label claims are accurate. For more information, visit https://apvma.gov.au/ node/1026

ɋ Lucy Collins is completing her Dairy Residency with The University of Melbourne. She works as an on-farm veterinarian for Apiam Animal Health, and dairy farms with her husband in south-west Victoria. She is a 2021 Nuffield Scholar supported by Gardiner Dairy Foundation. Comments, feedback and suggestions can be sent to: lucy.collins@apiam.com.au

Oxidising agents Such as Virkon-S. Effective against many bacteria, a broad range of viruses, fungi and bacterial spores. Relatively stable in the presence of organic material and are commonly and effectively used to disinfect surfaces. Can cause moderate skin irritation and damage some metals.

Aldehydes Such as formaldehyde.

Don’t mess with disinfectants

DURING THE past five years the agricul tural industry has seen a significant uptake in side-by-side vehicles, as farmers choose them as a safer and versatile alternative over a quadHowever,bike.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and each individual should follow manufacturers’ rec ommendations to wear both a seatbelt and a helmet when travelling in a side-by-side vehicle.“Putting a seatbelt on should become a hab it. It takes less than two seconds and could cost you your life if you don’t,” Mr Gavrielatos said. Support is available with free training and safetyEligiblerebates.farmers and their workers can attend free side-by-side vehicle and quad bike training courses through Tocal College. Both courses are nationally accredited and are designed to help improve operators’ safety skills, hazard and risk identification, and vehi cle maintenance skills.

The training is tailored for both experi enced and inexperienced farmers, with a focus on navigating dangerous situations, difficult terrain and “Everyoneobstacles.willget something out of the training and participants will go home with a free helmet,” Mr Gavrielatos said. If you own or operate a farm in NSW, or work on one, you may also be eligible for a safetyFarmrebate.owners can receive up to $2000 for the purchase of a side-by-side vehicle, helmets, quad bike roll bars and drones. Farm workers can receive up to $90 for the purchase of a helmet. ɋ For more information on side-by-side vehicle safety, free training and rebates visit safework.nsw.gov.au or call 131 050.

“Without a seatbelt to keep you secured in your seat, there is a high risk that you could sustain a fatal or serious blunt force trauma injury from being thrown out of the vehi cle, hitting your head on the steel frame of the roll cage or being thrown through the windscreen.”

the NSW Government is con cerned with the number of serious injuries and deaths being reported as both operators and passengers fail to wear the vehicle’s inbuilt lifesaving feature — a seatbelt. Since 2017, 14 people have been killed in side-by-side vehicle incidents in NSW. A seat belt was not worn in all 14 fatalities. Roll-over, ejection and collision have caused death and serious injuries to side-by-side driv ers and passengers ranging from experienced operators to young workers, farm visitors and children aged under 16. A roll-over protective structure, also known as a roll cage, is designed to protect the driver and any passengers from being crushed by the vehicle if it However,rolls.this may be giving farmers and vehicle operators a false sense of security. “The roll cage alone simply cannot protect you or your passengers in a roll-over if you are not wearing your seatbelt,” Safework NSW’s Andrew Gavrielatos said. Roll-over incidents are not the only cause of serious injury and death, with reports of occupants being ejected from the vehicle. “Like in any moving vehicle, the force of inertia from turning, braking or collision is very strong,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

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“You do not need to be travelling at a high speed for a change in motion to propel a driver or passenger, causing injury.

BALING NET wrap and twine containing less plastic will be hitting the Australian market this year, as trials of more environmentally friendly crop packaging products continue. And in a national first, there will be a limited amount of silage film containing recycled content available this fodder harvest. This new range of Tama net wrap, silage film and twine are the results of years of trials in Australia and New Zealand and global innovation.“Tamahas been working hard to decrease the carbon footprint of its products without sacrificing quality and consistency — the important on-farm profit drivers,” Tama regional technical manager Darrell Butler said. “Tama products with significantly less plastic have been sold for years here and in overseas markets, it’s just been a matter of making sure they work under Australian conditions. “That’s why we conduct extensive trials in Australia, so we know we are not only offering ground-breaking products, but we also know they will work for local farmers in our unforgiving environment.”

Twine Limited lots of the new generation twine will also be available this season. This thinner twine has longer spools and contains less plastic than other twine varieties.

In Australian trials, it took only 8.3 hours, TamaNet Royal using 2.5 wraps per bale. This compared to 13.3 hours to wrap the same number of bales four times per bale using other net Rutherglenwrap.contractor Jack Wood trialled the TamaNet Royal at the end of last season and was pleasantly surprised how fast he could bale with it and is planning to use it again this“Ityear.was a lot quicker, getting more bales

Baling twine for the planet

“There was no disadvantage to using the thinner twine as trials have proven it to be a much more consistent knotting product with minimal breakages and slips,” Mr Butler said.

“There was also less need to get out and change the roll because we were getting more bales out of a roll of net.”

Silage film Tested in New Zealand, the Australian industry will also have a chance to use the first silage wrap containing a minimum of 30 per cent post-consumer recycled plastic. Called TRIOWRAP loop, the recycled content reduces the carbon footprint of the silage wrap by 29 per cent. After a small trial in Australia in 2020 and a larger trial in New Zealand earlier this year, Mr Butler said “the plastic stood-up to the local conditions and ran through baler wrappers well”.

Tama regional technical manager Darrell Butler trialling Tama’s new generation twines.

Net wrap New to the Australian commercial market this year TamaNet Royal enables farmers and contractors to bale high density cereal crops and complete heavy-duty baling with less bale wraps.“Each bale wrapped with TamaNet Royal traditional four wraps,” Mr Butler said. This means there’s up to 45 per cent less plastic used for each bale, or up to 1km less plastic for every 100 bales. “There’s cost savings too, up to 34 per cent less expense per bale,” Mr Butler said. “The savings come from baling faster, you get more bales per day, using less fuel and there’s less maintenance.”

// 39 DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Tested locally, TamaNet Royal is an evolution of Tama’s existing lightweight wrap range which has been in the Australian market for years, Mr Butler said. He said Tama’s net wrap already contained less plastic than competitor wraps, and its lighter weight meant reduced machinery fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

ADF has been advocating for the importance of shoring up Australia’s fertiliser production directly to Ms Plibersek and has lobbied for exploration and development of fertiliser pro duction in Australia.

Perth-based Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers agreed not to begin ground distur bance works for its planned urea production plant, following claims from some Traditional Owners that the plant could accelerate degra dation of the rock art. However, Ms Plibersek decided not to grant their request for an emergency pause on the project — made under section 9 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act — because it was not supported by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, the legally constituted and dem ocratically elected representative organisation that safeguards First Nations culture in the BurrupMurujugaarea. had agreed with Perdaman on the appropriate cultural treatment of five rock art sites.“ADF acknowledges the cooperation of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and the consultation by Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers in achieving an outcome that is positive for dairy farmers,” Mr Gladigau said.

ADF supported the previous government’s pre-election decision to award major proj ect status to the urea fertiliser project in the Pilbara.

Fertiliser prices are more than double their pre-pandemic level. The fluctuating price of natural gas — a key input in urea production — means urea prices are on a roller-coaster with no end to the volatility in sight for the dairy industry, Australia’s fourth largest agricultural industry.

ADF says Ms Plibersek’s decision supports fertiliser manufacturing in Australia — which helps dairy farmers deal with soaring costs of farm inputs and preserves ancient rock art by First Nations people on the Burrup peninsula.“Wecongratulate Minister Plibersek on finding a path forward,” ADF president Rick Gladigau“Developmentsaid. of the site can now proceed having already received approval from the rel evant state “Australiaauthorities.musturgently expand domestic urea production to secure supply and stabilise fertiliser“Pricesprices.have skyrocketed due to COVID disruptions, including higher shipping costs, as well as several geopolitical challenges, including fertiliser supply restrictions out of China and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

Dairy farmers rely on fertilisers, including urea, to produce pasture and fodder to feed their cows and produce milk.

40 // DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2022 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

AUSTRALIAN DAIRY Farmers has welcomed a decision by Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek not to halt development of a $4.5 billion urea fertiliser production plant in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

Australian dairying is a $13 billion farm, man ufacturing and export industry that employs 43,000 Australians and feeds millions every day.

Development of a urea fertiliser production plant in WA is good news says Australian Dairy Farmers.

Fertiliser decision welcomed

FOLLOWING RECENT detections of foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease overseas, biosecurity has hit the headlines, with national and state biosecurity measures front and Whethercentre.itbe a dairy farm, a hobby cattle herd, a pet alpaca or even just an irrigation paddock, biosecurity management and farm biosecurity planning can help protect your property from biosecurity threats. Biosecurity risks increase when livestock, people, vehicles, equipment and supplies are brought onto a property, moved around the property or leave the property. A biosecurity management plan is a document that outlines the processes you have in place to reduce the risk of disease, pests or weeds impacting your property. While developing your plan, the following practices can be quickly enacted now on your property:Request National Vendor Declarations (NVD) and animal health statements. Ask questions about animal health, vaccinations, disease and treatment history. Ensure your Property Identification Code (PIC) details are up-to-date, and livestock movements are uploaded on the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) database. PICs are free to get or update your PIC on the Agriculture Victoria website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/PIC

Isolate livestock moving on to your property from others, using a yard or holding paddock. This allows time to empty the gut and enables you to monitor for signs of disease or sickness. Supply footwear or personal protective equipment (PPE) for farm workers and ensure footwear is left on-farm reducing risk of Havecontamination.spareboots and overalls for visitors and contractors and keep a record of people entering the property including their contact details, areas visited and previous contact of farm Provideanimals.anarea for washing with a wash tub, scrubbing brush and disinfectant to clean boots or equipment. Any household or general detergent is also fine. Manage feral, pest animals and weeds by storing feed securely, cleaning spilled feed and keeping areas around buildings and production areas clear of long grass and clutter. Prevent nose-to-nose contact between your livestock and other animals. This can be achieved by not grazing boundary paddocks while neighbouring livestock are grazing the adjacent paddock, or by planting shelterbelts along boundaries. Allow only essential people into areas with young stock. Have a separate set of farm clothing/boots to wear around young stock and clean them regularly. Match frequency of inspections to periods of higher risk, such as calving or lambing, increased insect and feral animal activity, and after rain events or natural disasters.

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Agriculture Victoria is hosting a number of biosecurity planning workshops and webinars over the next few months. Visit agriculture. vic.gov.au/events for details. For more information, visit the biosecurity page on the Agriculture Victoria website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity and for information and resources about foot and mouth disease, visit: agriculture.vic.gov. au/fmd – Agriculture Victoria dairy industry development officer Richard Smith

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FARMERS WANTING to make the switch to renewables as an energy source are facing too many hurdles, a conference has been told. Hundreds of producers and industry experts met on August 18 at the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference in Albury to discuss how Australia’s growing energy needs can beThemet.head of an Australian company which specialises in turning organic waste into renew able natural gas said she was “astounded” by a lack of government support for her sector. Elizabeth Lewis-Gray, chair of Gaia EnviroTech, said there needed to be a more co-ordinated approach between state and fed eral governments for the biofuels industry. She complained Australia was lagging behind the rest of the world. “In Europe it would be common to use agricultural waste and food waste and other organic waste ... to power the town,” she told the“Aroundaudience.the world, in Europe and the US in particular, biogas is produced to heat whole towns.”Shesaid by using her company’s technolo gy, one small Victorian dairy farm was able to convert enough animal effluent to power 36 homes.“Nothing is waste, everything is an opportunity.”Victorianmixed crop farmer Steven Hobbs told the conference he set up his own biodies el plant for less than a hundred dollars and turned mustard seed oil into biofuel to power his farm vehicles. But he became frustrated with a complicated and costly taxation system. The farmer from Kaniva in western Victoria said it wasn’t viable to continue producing bio fuel because he had to meet the same excise and regulatory obligations as big fuel compa nies such as Shell and BP. “It became uneconomical to meet the test ing requirements for the volumes of fuel I was producing ... You have to have a certain level of production capacity to cover the compliance costs,” Mr Hobbs said. He said the system didn’t accommodate farmers producing biofuels. “There is no mechanism to put a value on the fact that you are using a carbon-neutral fuel, whereas if you burn a fossil fuel, like diesel or petrol, you’re actually creating or releasing stored carbon. “As a farmer you have the capacity to grow your own energy to be used on your farm, which can give you energy security, and oth er benefits to go with it, including carbon neutrality.”Australia was behind other parts of the world in this field, and should be looking to places like the United Kingdom on how to treat smaller producers, Mr Hobbs said. “In the UK they’ve struggled with these same issues. The UK government just said look if you produce less than 2500 litres a year ... they’re not worried.” Conference organiser Karin Stark said farmers faced many hurdles when wanting to make the switch to renewables. “There are still some barriers to farmers using renewables, such as a really high upfront capital cost. Some tech just isn’t there as well,” Ms Stark Farmerssaid.for Climate Action’s Fiona Davis said an increasing number of producers were turning to alternative energy sources.“Weare seeing more and more farmers look to renewables on farm as a way to keep costs down in the face of the electricity crisis,” Ms Davis said. She said renewables needed to be more “accessible” to those farmers trying to reduce their carbon footprint.

Producers want to move to renewable energy, attendees of the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference in Albury heard, but find hurdles such as cost, red tape and lack of government support make it difficult.

Hurdles to using renewables

Available in 5 models. Tow and Fert. There is one for your farm. DEMO MAXIMISE PROFITS FROM THE HIGH MILK PAYOUT Reduce your urea, apply multiple products in one-pass, including small seeds, and grow more grass with a Tow and Fert. BOOK A FREE A Tow and Fert is a SMART BUSINESS INVESTMENT Image shows spraying with a Tow and Fert Multi 4000 on Josh Stephens farm in Camperdown, Victoria www.towandfert.com.au Multi 500 Multi 1000 Multi 1200 Multi 2800 Multi 4000 We have been able to reduce our synthetic N to almost nothing and we are not tied into a high input system. With the cost of urea now, it’s a really good cost to avoid. Owen Billing, Dairy Farmer Tow and Fert Multi 1200 Owner “ “ I think getting a Tow and Fert was probably the game changer in our farm business and contracting. I think the Tow and Fert and foliar spray is the way of the future. Josh Stephens, Dairy Farmer/Contractor Tow and Fert Multi4000 Owner “ “ NEWSTUDIESCASEONLINE NOW

www.allflex.com.au | 1300 138 247 * Allflex® Livestock Monitoring Systems are a range of products sold by Intervet Australia Pty. Ltd, trading as MSD Animal Health. The Allflex® Livestock Intelligence Extended Payment Plan is only available where a new Allflex® Livestock Monitoring system, which includes neck or tag monitoring devices, application plans and system software licenses, is purchased and installed on a dairy farm in Australia. To be eligible for the Extended Payment Plan, customers must apply for, and be approved to open, a direct account with Intervet Australia Pty Ltd. Credit checks will be conducted. ® Registered trademarks. Copyright © 2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. At Allflex, we’re all about making things easier for dairy farmers. That’s why we’ve developed 24 months extended payment terms* for our dairy monitoring systems. Now you don’t have to wait to experience the huge difference that accurate and timely data can make to your business and your family. INTRODUCING THE ALLFLEX® DAIRY MONITORING EXTENDED PAYMENT PLAN 24 orsmartChoicegreaterpaymentinterestmonthsfreetermsforflexibility.ofeartagssmartcollars. A range of family.two-leggedtimetominuteUp-to-the-friendly.Mobilealldashboardsdataforfarmtypes.deviceinsightsgiveyoumorewithyour