October,2024
This year’s South Gippsland Dairy and Farming Expo was ahuge success, with people coming from right across the region for the two-day event. Attendees saw the latest in farming innovation, and heard from industry experts in Korumburra.
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-PAGE 18
Photo: Katrina Brandon
Philip HOPKINS
THE German technology and manufacturing giant,Siemens,isgearing up to take part in ahuge electricity terminal and green hydrogen project in South Gippsland that would take power from the extensive wind farms planned offshoreinBass Strait.
The company described theproject as “supporting the once-in-a lifetime” energy transition in Gippsland.
Amassive parcel of land has been set aside on the Gippsland coast to house the electricity terminal and ahydrogen plant that would processthe power fromthe wind farms.
The idea is that when excess generation occurs, it would provide alow-cost solution for producing green hydrogen.
The companysays electricity accounts for about 70 per cent of the costs to produce green hydrogen today. The hydrogen could be used to help decarbonisehard-to-abate sectors such as transport in Gippsland.
The ExecutiveGeneralManager for Hydrogen at Siemens, Andrew McCluskey, said hydrogen was one part of the future for the region,which he described as “exciting”.
“There will be billions of dollars’ worth of economic opportunitiesassociated with the offshore wind farms coming onshore,” he told Gippsland Farmer
Mr McCluskey said the project signalled acontinuation of its very long involvement with the Latrobe Valley.
“Over acenturyago, in 1911, Siemens’ consulting engineersadvised the state of Victoria that the Latrobe Valley in Gippsland should be the state’s electricity hub, including advising Sir John Monash on generation,” he said.
“Our technology has supported provided energy to the state since the beginning, but now it’s time to support the energy transition –that’s offshorewind, battery storage, hydrogen, low emissions transport and more.Asthe largest industrial software,
automation and electrification company, our technology can play asubstantive role in supporting the next stage of the region.”
Mr McCluskey said in Germany, the town of Wunsiedel was an example of aregion redefining itselfinthe energy transition with an independent energy system based exclusively on renewables and hydrogen.
“Wunsiedel,inBavaria, produces 100 per cent carbon-neutral power and heat, and has created jobs and posterity. The German townfeatures almost the entireSiemens portfolio, ranging from digital software to mediumand lowvoltage equipment, automation and controls, and arange of smart infrastructuretechnologies, including firealarms and extinguishing systems, charging infrastructure, andmore,” he said.
The Gippsland project –the terminal project, the hydrogen facility -had yet to be confirmed by VicGrid, but Siemens was keen to partner with developers to provide “best-in-class” technology, he said.
VicGridisnow finalising the route for the 75 kilometres of transmission lines that will link electricity from the onshoreterminal to the power grid in the Latrobe Valley, and negotiating with affected farmers and landowners.
Mr McCluskey said the proposed hydrogen plant aimed to produce agreen molecule at low cost.
“Thereisapotential 26 gigawatts of generation offshore. At times the full 26GW will not be required by the grid. Excess wind energy can potentially be used to charge large-scale energy storage systemsand to create green hydrogen instead of being switched offorsold to the grid for low and even negative costs,” he said.
“The stored energy thengives flexibility and stability and can be used for transport, even generating power on demand through afuel cell or gas turbines that arerunning on 100 per cent hydrogen. This technology is available today.”
Continued -Page3
Philip HOPKINS and Stefan BRADLEY
EXPERIENCED bushfire fightersand experts in Gippslandhavestrongly criticised thestategovernment’s cuts to bushfireservices throughout the state.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is preparing to cut 208 stafffromits Bushfireand Forest Services Group across 99 regional sites.
Staffconsultation documents show that 118 of the 208 job cuts will come from the BFS Group sforest fireoperations staff, who arescattered across regional Victoria, especiallyinthe state’s east. All up, the Bushfire and Forest Services Group’s staff numbersare to be cut from 1925 to 1717.
The secretary of the Howitt Society, Garry Squires, said concerns about the cutbacks related to the reduced staff capacityfor first attack and ongoing firesuppression operations.
“Thereare also concerns that capacity will be reduced for key preventative works such as the fuel reduction burning program. It also appears that key remaining staffwill be required to take on broader geographic responsibilities and hence decision making will become moreremote at aregional level rather than by local staff,” he told Gippsland Farmer
“So much for local control and decision making.”
Mr Squires, aforestry expert with decades of experience, said the cutswould have several implications. There would bean immediate loss of local jobs, particularly in Gippsland on top of the timberindustry job losses.Orbost, Omeo, Heyfield, Bairnsdale, Yarram,Corryong and othertownshave already been hit by the Allan government’s termination of nativetimberharvesting on January 1thisyear, which forced many workers to find jobs elsewhere. Orbost has already lost timber harvesting and milljobs, as well as seven VicForests staffwho have taken redundancies.
Mr Squires said the cuts would result in alossofexperience, less capability to fill fire control roles with local personnel and loss of morelocal jobs over time as positions arefilled in other parts of the region rather than in local towns.
“This is acontinuation of the centralisation which has been happening within DEECA and former agencies for anumber of years,”hesaid.
Gippsland East Nationals MP,Tim Bull, said “on the cusp of summer, with fuel
loads at record levels,the government is cutting fireoperations staff”.
“Weare going to burnagain, so we need better resourcenot less. This is terrible news,” he said.
Mr Bull said communities had been hit by the ridiculous decision to close the native timber industry, and now the government planned to cut morejobs.
“The lack of fuel reduction burning has allowed fuel loadstohit very dangerous levels again, and it has left us very vulnerable, which indicates they learned nothing from the 2019/20 fires,” he said.
“But on top of that, the government’s response is to make cuts to those who are theretoprotect us.”
TheWeekly Times said thecuts appear to have been triggered by budgetary pressure resulting from DEECA absorbing the VicForests operationsand forestry staff, plus taking on some of the former native timberharvestand haulage contractors and their heavy machinery.
DEECA’sconsultation document states “since the transfer of firefunctions and peoplefromParksVictoria, BFSis now located at 99 regional work centres across regional Victoria. The government’s commitment toend nativetimberharvesting has changed our work programs”.
The EnvironmentMinister,Steve Dimopoulos, told The Weekly Times that “DEECA’sBushfire and Forest Services Group is consultingwith staff about a proposed new model that will delivervalue for Victorians and ensure we have the right people working on the right things –including making sureour communities cancontinue to enjoy thegreat outdoors while protecting whatweall love about the bush”.
“Wewill maintain astrong regional presence across Victoria and focus our skilled staffonaforest and firemanagement program that delivers for local communities. The proposal is the subject of consultation
with staffasDEECA finalises the model,” he said.
In theinterim, theWeekly Timesalso reportedthat17 former native timber harvest and haulagecrews, who entered into state government contracts on July 1 to undertake forest and firemanagement works, had been sitting idle –while being paid 70 per cent of their monthly rate.
The Weekly Times said muchof the holdupwas due to the failureofgovernment to undertake planning and survey work beforefuel reduction burns and fire breaks being cleared. The government has had morethan 16 months to prepare, after the Treasurer,Tim Pallas, announced in May last yearthat native timber harvesting would end early this year
Contractors maintain it will take Forest FireManagementVictoriamonthstoget surveys of frogs, gliders and other species completed as well as cultural heritage assessments.
AMAN from Lake Bunga near Lakes
Entrance has facedthe Wonthaggi Magistrates’Courtfor illegally hunting Hog Deer on private property in Yanakie near Wilsons Promontory.
The manwas ordered to pay atotal of $826 in court fines and was placed on adiversion program with conditions of good behaviour and to complete ahunting education course.
The Game Management Authority’s (GMA)
Director of Compliance and Intelligence, Zac Powell, said the man was investigated following areport of illegal hunting made to the GMA.
“The man was allegedly observed illegally spotlighting and shooting aHog Deer on privateproperty without permissionbefore sunrise,” Mr Powell said.
“He had also not applied for,obtained or attached tags to the deer “Illegally spotlighting deeratnightis
From Page 1
MR McCluskey said therewas many technological and energy opportunities in Gippsland.
These included offshore wind, the terminal, battery energy storage, the waste-to-energy plant in the Latrobe Valley and even sustainable aviation fuel.
However,hydrogen alone was not the ‘silver bullet’.
“A hydrogenindustrywill be part of acomplimentary mix of outcomes,” Mr McCluskey said -a catalyst, for example, for akelp industrythat could be developed offshorearound these new offshorewind turbines.
This could help with carbon offsets.
“Kelp helps reduce pollution by absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogenand phosphorous. Kelp forests also reduce coastalerosion by actingasnatural coastal buffers by dissipating wave energy,” he said.
Mr McCluskey said, “if we produce enoughhydrogen atlow enough cost by harnessing excess wind energy, we
canstartexportingittocountries like Japan and Korea”.
In September,the federal government launched Australia’s new national hydrogen strategy and signed anew bilateral auction agreement with Germany under the H2Global mechanism for $660 million of shares investmentinAustralia hydrogen projects.
“Rotterdam will bethe funnel for Europe, which has a 40 per cent deficit in their hydrogen needs today, let alone if theyneeditalsofor powergeneration and transport. Global demand for hydrogen is expected to grow by 63 per cent by 2030. Energy consumption is projected to triple by 2050,” he said.
Mr McCluskey said Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley wererich with resources, with great potential to contributetothis growing global demand for acleaner energy future.
“Gippsland was instrumental in electrifying the state of Victoria,” he said it was now “in the box seat”.
dangerous and can putcommunities, properties and livestock at risk.
“Hunters must obtain apair of Hog Deer tags beforethey hunt Hog Deer and present all harvested deer to achecking station within 24 hours of being taken.
“Those who break the law face significant fines and penalties including prosecution, having equipment confiscated and Game and FirearmsLicences cancelled. In some cases, offenders may face jail terms.”
Hunters and the public areurgedto report illegal hunting to the GMA through its website at gma.vic.gov.au or by calling 136 186.
If an urgent response is required, call000
The GMA assesses all reportsof illegal behaviour and works closely with its partner agencies to conduct enforcement and compliance operations across Victoria.
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GIPPSLANDfarmer Jeremy Rich failed recently in his attempt to have his conviction and sentence overturned in the County Court of Victoria.
Mr Rich was appealing against his 2022 conviction on 16 charges, including one of aggravated cruelty, following the death of numerous sheep in his care.
In 2022, the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court heardthe charges related to alarge outbreak of flystrike and gastrointestinal parasitisminaflock of morethan2300 sheep at Mr Rich’s property between March and April 2020.
AgricultureVictoria officers attended the property in early March 2020 in response to acomplaint concerning sick and dying sheep.
Officers attended afurther nine separate occasions and issued several Notices to Comply.
Over this time, numerous sheep with flystrikewereobserved, three werehumanely euthanised by officers and 41 recently deceased sheep wererecorded.
Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager, DanielBode, saiddespite receiving numerous Notices to Comply, no action was taken by Mr Rich.
Asignificant number of sheep died and wereeither scavenged, partially eaten, removed or buried in alarge pit.
Following this Contested Hearing in the Magistrates’ Court in 2022, Mr Rich was convicted and fined $50,000.00, plus costs of $4005, and a10-year disqualification order was imposed.
The matter was reheardonappeal in the County Court in 2024.
Mr Rich was convicted on 13 charges, fined$50,000 and orderedtopay additional costs of $40,386 to the Department for the running of the appeal. The court also re-imposed the 10-year disqualification order
Mr Bode said the weight of the 10-year disqualification order is substantial and will ensurethat animals areprotectedfrom further pain and suffering.
"Itsends avery clear message that those whocontinually commit offences against animals should not havethe privilege and opportunity to carefor them in the future,"
Mr Bode said.
"Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfarebreaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputationasa humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers. "This is areminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian government or our community.’
Anyone wishing to make aspecific complaint regarding livestock welfarecan phone AgricultureVictoria on 136 186 or email aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au
AMAN is settobe handed ajail sentence after pleadingguilty to acharge relating to the death of agirl in afarm buggy crash at Rosedale three years ago.
DamienGavin Gibson 36, attended the Latrobe Valley County Court in person lastmonth (September 9) after pleading guilty to culpable driving causing death.
Gibson took his five children, another girl and aboy on ajoy ride during abarbecue with family friends at his Rosedale farmonSeptember 11, 2021.
The six-year-old girl, Olivia Stevens,was thrown from the allterrain vehicle when it hit arut in the ground and rolled. Olivia was crushed under the vehicle's roll barsand died while being flown to the Royal Children's Hospital.
TheABC reported that
Olivia Stevens wassix years and nine months old when she wastragically killed during aplaydate on September 11,2021, on a property in Rosedale.
Photo: Contributed
the court heardthe vehicle was in two-wheel drive mode when it rolled after its wheels became caught in arut.The court was also told that none of the seven children on board werewearing helmets or seatbelts and that the buggy was only designed to seat four people.
In court, Olivia's mother
Yana Stevens spoke ofthe trauma the family experienced when learning of Olivia's death.
"I didn't know pain like this existed and somehow you just don't die from it," Ms Stevens read from her victim impact statement. Gibson's defence lawyer Peter Morrissey SC told the court his client wanted to read an apology letter to the family in court,but after discussion with the prosecution, it was determined Ms Stevens didn't want it read out.
In February, Gibson chose to revoke his bail, to begin serving alikely prison term. The charge of culpabledriving causingdeath carries a mandatory jail termin Victoria.
Judge Richar d Maidment adjourned sentencing to the Melbourne County Court later this year
THE prosecution in Greg Lyn y n’s case is cal a ling for alifesentence tobehandeddown w on the former Jetstar a pilot.
Aplea hear a ingwas hear a din i the Supreme Court r of Victoria last month (September 12) before Mr Lyn y n’s sentencing is set to commence. The hear a ing was scheduled for twodays, but it was completed in one.
On Mar a ch 20, 2020, campers Car a ol Clay and Russell Hillwent missing,an a dtheir bodies were later found near a Dar a go on November 30, 2021. In June 2024, the jury r found Mr Lyn y nguilty t of the murder ofCar a ol Clay, an a dnot guilty t of the murder of Russell Hill af a ter afive-week tri r al in the Supreme Court r
The courthad previ v ouslyheard Mr Lynn’s plan a stoappeal a the jury r ’s guilty t verdict for the murder of Ms Clay.
Among those in i the public gallery r was Ms Clay’s twodaughters andMrHill’s wi w fe andchildren.
Startingproceedings was Crown w prosecutor Dan a iel Porceddu, who reaffirmed to the court r that the murders were“cold-blooded and cal a lous.”
Mr Porceddu also ar a gued thatMrLynn had killed Ms Clay to cover up the murder of Mr Hill. Victim impact statements werehear a dbyMs Clay’s daughter Emma Davi v es, Ms Clay’s sister Jillian Walker,and Ms Clay’s friend Alison Abbott.
Mr Porceddu followedthe vi v ctim impact statements calling for Mr Lyn y ntobeserv r ed wi w th a life sentence -the max a imumpenal a ty for murder
This was rebutted by Mr Lyn y n’s defence bar ari r ster,Dermot Dan a n, KC, who maintai a ned Mr Lyn y n’s innocence of murder
“This can a not be acase that fal a ls into the worst category r ,” Mr Dan a nsaid.
The defence ackn k owledged Ms Clay’s exceptional contribution to the community t ,which was followed later in thehear a ingwi w th thedefence telling the court r about the background of Mr Lynn, including his career andthe stepshe had to tak a eto become acommercial pilot, as well as his chari r ty work,church attendance,
child fosteri r ng, and gaining the custody of his children after his first wife died, which brought him “credit” according to Mr Dann
The defence stated that they remained troubled by the guilty jury verdict and how it could possibly be an unsafe result Mr Dan a nreiterated the fact that there is only Mr Lyn y n’s version
“Your honour has to sentence this man on the basis that there is no motive that’s been established,” Mr Dann told the court
Mr Dan a nraised further concern over the guilty verdict labelling it as “precarious” due to the lack of motive and the split verdict.
Mr Lyn y n has been in protection since he was assaulted in prison, from where he was shif i ted from a protected prisoner into isolation
Mr Lyn y n made a fresh apology to the families of the campers, knowing that they wi w ll “likely be rejected The apologiesweresummarised and read by Mr Dan a n.Th T eprosecution will get instructions from Ms Clay’s family on their views to the apology g letter before sentencing
Justice Croucher adjourned the case for sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday October 18 from 10 30am Mr Lynn will be reman a ded in custody until that date
Philip HOPKINS
LATROBE City Councillor Graeme Middlemiss, introducing last month’s meeting in Morwell on nuclear energy for the Latrobe Valley, had aclear message: ‘I’m not heretosupport nuclear power,I’m here to listen’.
Cr Middlemiss said the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council had told him that the unions did not support nuclear energy for theLatrobe Valley. Neither did the Labor Party, of whichhe is along-standing member
“I’m bornand bred in the Valley; Ilove the Valley, but am very disappointed at how the Valley is going backwards, and howthat will accelerate,” he said.
“The realityis, weacceptAustraliawill decarbonise,willreduce greenhousegas
emissions, and is now demanding biodiversity. We have no chance of opposing that; we will lose coal mines and power stations and have lost half thepaper industry.
Enormous amounts of jobs will go in the future. The Latrobe Valley and the Hunter arebearing adisproportionate load of this decarbonisation,” he said.
“Does anybody care? We haven’tseen anything by either major party of job replacement here. The job loss has been horrendous and will accelerate.
“Weneedtolisten toevery opportunity that is offered to us. I’m not saying we have to take that opportunity, but we need to listen. We canmake up our mind whether it’s good for us or not. Talking about these things has to be good for our community.
“I’m sick and tired about loud voices from
Melbourne screaming, ‘No coal, no nukes, no battery factory’ and those voicesare being echoed by people hereinthe Valley.”
Cr Middlemiss said he was sick to death of “press release job opportunities”. Past promisesall hadfailed: abarramundi businessfor 180 jobs and the 500 jobs for electric vehicles. The latest was offshore wind to produce green hydrogen here, but the richest man in Australia had now decided “it’s about 40 years away”, so offshorewind was not an opportunity.
“Wedohave opportunities, but green forces have bullied government. The Japanesehave offered to spend $2.3 billion in the Valley to make hydrogen from brown coal. That involves geo-sequestrationof emissions -noemissions into the atmosphere-all into emptyoil fields of Bass Strait. All the research is being done by CarbonNet,” he said.
Cr Middlemisssaidanothercompany wanted to make 600 tonnes ayear of urea, afertiliser,frombrown coal.
“The CSIRO have checked their process -itiszeroemissions, yet they cannot get permission to use brown coal. The Japanese arelooking at hundreds of jobs and have amine keeping them going. We can’t get those offthe ground because everybody is scaredof theword‘coal’. We’veaccepted open cycle power stations,they’llclose; thereare alternative use of brown coal, but doesn’t look as if they will get offthe ground,” he said.
In thenextdecadeto2035, theValley wouldhave lost all the high-value jobs, which would lead to job losses in the retail and service trade. With an ageing population, possible jobs werein“God’s waiting room -nursing homes”. Nuclear? “Thereis an overwhelming demandfor jobs hereand thereisnothing on the horizon,” he said.
Cr Middlemiss said Latrobe’s population, previously similar to Ballarat and Bendigo, had progressively shrunk since 1991.
By 2051, Ballarat was expected to grow
by 39,000 to 118,000, Bendigo by 42,000 to 124,000, while the Valley would grow by just 2990 to 78,000. Similarly with state government housing projectionsto 2051 -Ballarat by 46,900, Bendigo by 37,500, even Warragul/Drouin by 24,700 and the Valley at only 12,300.
“Weshould listen to every proposal that comes our way. Give these people afair hearing and then make up our minds as acommunity,” he said.
“I’m sick to death of other people making up their minds for us. We need to make up our minds. Have alisten to the nuclear guys. I’m not advocating, but have alisten, haveanopenmindaboutproposals for our future.”
SOUTH Gippsland farmer Rowen Foote likes his dairy shelter so much that he’s built asecond one and is planning athird.
Rowen, who farms with his brother Chris and family near Fish Creek, built asmall Dairy SheltersAustraliastructurein2019 for rearing calves on automatic milking feeders.
Last year,the brothers added asecond largershelter for their calvingcowsand now they’re planningathirdtoprovide protection for growing calves.
The Foote family milks 900 Holsteincows on 688 hectares, rearing their own calves and Friesian and Angusbulls. The herd produces an average 10,000 litres for 720 kg/Ms.
The family has been farming in South Gippsland for the past 120 years, moving from the hills of Korumburra to Fish Creek about 20 years ago.
“The Korumburra farmwas quite steep and it was hardtoexpand,” Rowen said.
“Chris and Iboth wanted to come back to the farmand we took the opportunity to sell up and move down to Fish Creek whereit’s alot flatter and with moreroom to expand.”
Since moving further south, the farmhas grown from600 to 900 milkers as more land was acquired. The family has also been through succession planning with Rowen andChris taking over management from their parents John and Maryan.
Rowen says the Fish Creek area is good for dairyfarming, withfertile andrelatively flat land and areliable rainfall averaging 950mmayear
“We’vebeen very fortunate,”Rowen said.
“The past 18 months have been really goodhere. Other partsofthe state have beenreally dry but we’vebeen lucky to keep getting rain.”
But that rain can also cause problems.
“Before the shelter,our biggest challenge calving in steel sheds in winterwas that they stayed very wet,” Rowen said.
“The farmcan get incredibly wet.”
The first Dairy Shelters Australia structurehelped to address that.
“Werearall our own calves and Friesian and Angus bullsand we needed more room,” Rowen said.
“The shelterdoubledour capacity to house the cows and the pens stayed dry. It was a lot easier because it stays so warmand dry and the calves thrivedinthat environment. It was noticeable that they weregrowing better and stronger
“Wewereattracted to the shelters because
we liked the idea of the sun being able to come through and dry the pens out.”
They built asecond shelter in 2023 for calving, freeing up paddocks and avoiding muddy births in bad weather
“Weused to calve them in asacrifice paddock and you’d end up with three sacrifice paddocks and cows up to their bellies in mud walking intothe hay feeders and around the troughs. You’d be out thereat midnight picking up calves so they weren’t lying in mud and exposed to the elements.”
The stock and the farmers embraced the
new shelter,which carries many benefits.
“The calveshave been alot stronger and healthier and the cows alot happier because they’renot out in the elements,” Rowen said.
The family has asplit calving system in February-Marchand June-August. For the summer calving, cows aregiven the choice of grazing in the paddocks or coming in to the shelter
“Typically, when we’d pick them up in the morning, all the un-calved cows would be waiting at the gate and the cows that had calved would be in the shelter,” Rowen said.
“When they calve, they prefer to be in the shelter.That proves the point for us.”
Over winter,the cows have access to the paddock but when it’s really wet Rowen and Chris just shutthe gatesand keep them in the shelters.
“They’rehappy with that,” Rowen said.
“We’ve got hay rings and they come to the dairy every day to get grain and lead feed.”
The second dairy shelter is 2200 square metres, double the size of the first shelter and triple the previous calf shed.
“Ithas adeepwoodchipbaseand we run scarifier rippers through every day for cleaning,” Rowen said.
“It’s pretty quickand easy and it’s incredible how dry it is.”
Rowen and Chrisare planning athird shelter within the next few years.
“We’rehappy with the investment because it makes it so much easier.We’d liketo put in athirdone for calves that areoutside to give them some moreshelter
“From acow health and cow management perspective, it’s certainly good. We’revery happy with it. We don’t know how we coped before.”
Dairy Shelters Australia shelters are manufactured in Bendigo using aunique and patented clear roof, deep litter design.
For more information, go to https:// dairysheltersaustralia.com.au/ or https:// www.facebook.com/dairysheltersaustralia/
VLOCITYtrains arenow runningonall rail services betweenBairnsdaleand Melbourne.
The remaining two locomotive-hauled classic fleet services on the Bairnsdale line have been retired, making way for new modernand efficient VLocity trains.
Bairnsdale line servicesstop at Rosedale, Sale and Stratfordstations.
The state government invested $31 million to expand the stabling facility at Bairnsdale to house two three-carriage VLocity trains overnight, which has enabled this change.
Anew timetable has also been introduced, with the firstand last services now stopping in Trafalgar,Yarragon, Longwarry, Bunyip, Tynong and Nar Nar Goon.
Work is underwayonthe latest order to build 23 VLocity trains, with the first two new trains already hitting the tracks since August.
With the regional farecap, passengers can now travelbetweenBairnsdale and Melbourne for $10.60 -asignificant saving for travellers who previouslypaid up to $39.40 for aone-way full farejourney.
Public and Active Transport Minister GabrielleWilliams saidthe government was investing in moremodernand reliable VLocity trainstoimprove regional journeys, and now passengers along the Bairnsdale Line can enjoy them on everyservice.
"Communities along this corridor will also benefit from moretraveloptions, with moreservices stopping at stationsincluding Longwarry, Yarragonand Trafalgar," she said.
Member for EasternVictoria Tom McIntosh said the government was delivering abetter train service for Gippsland, with modernand reliable VLocitytrains running on all services, and cheaperfares sothatpassengers canget to wherethey needed to go.
The Rail Futures Institute, which advocates for sustainable rail solutions for public transport and freight industries,
claimed the government was progressively downgrading the quality of Victorian longer distance train services.
"What areclaimedasimprovements to these services are in reality reductions in the quality of service being offered," the institute stated in amedia release.
"The morerecent VLocity trains have hard seats which aremost uncomfortable for other than short distance trips."
While Albury line trains areanexception,beingespecially modifiedVLocity trains with comfortable seats and other facilitiesfor longerdistance travel, the last loco hauled inter city train with first class reclining seats and on-board catering has been withdrawn from the evening service to, and morning service from Bairnsdale.
"Pity the poor passengers arriving into Bairnsdale on V/Line long distance coaches from Canberra and the Sapphire Coast who aretransferring to Melbourne bound trains at Bairnsdale. Nothing to eat or drink for anotherfour hours," the institute stated.
"VLocity trains have limited space for luggage, the previous luggage check-in service has been abandoned and bicycles arenow only allowed on board at the conductor's discretion. Additionally, instead of taking advantage of higher allowable train speeds for VLocity trains west of Traralgon (160 kilometres per hour instead of 115km/h) which would have shaved around 12 minutes off all trips for travellers beyond Traralgon, sixextra stops arebeing added at smaller intermediate stations so that all Bairnsdale trains will now stop at all stationsbetween Pakenham and Bairnsdale.
"Longer distance V/Line Inter City services arethus being progressively downgraded, not improved as the government claims."
"Longerdistance intercity travellersto Warrnambool, Swan Hill,Albury and Bairnsdalehave alimited numberofdaily train services to select from and deserve much better."
GIPPSLAND motorists arebeing urged to remain vigilant and be alert when approaching levelcrossings following a number of recent incidents, wherevehicles have damaged boom gates in the region.
Trains returned to the line in mid-June after weeks of significant works as part of the Gippsland Line Upgrade.
Since trains have returned, boom gates at level crossingsinMoe,Morwell, Nar Nar Goon, Stratfordand Traralgonoperating to warndrivers of approaching trains -have been struck and damaged by vehicles.
Since January 2022, therehas been 10 reported incidents of aboomgatebeing damaged by avehiclealong the Gippsland Line, with five of these incidents occurring since late June.
Over the past three years, therehas been
14 collisions between avehicle and train on the V/Line network, and 90 reported nearmissesinvolving trains and vehicles, including 14 on the Gippsland Line.
V/Line’s Regional ManagerEast, Tim Pianta, saiditwas important for motorists to be alert at level crossings.
“Safety is our number one priority and we urgemotoriststoalwaysobeythe warning signs at acrossing becausetrains can comefromeitherdirection at any time,” he said
“Nomatter what timeofthe dayornight it is, or how well you know the area, you shouldalways watch outfor trainsata rail crossing and obey the signs and signals.
“Trains can’t swerve or stop quickly so motoristsneed to remain vigilantat all times.”
Katrina BRANDON
JUST afarmer,some people say. They arethe ones putting food on our tables.
But, theyare peoplewho arespending multiple hoursa dayworking just to make the bareminimum.
The recentlyreleased film, Just a Farmer, serves as apowerful tool to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by farmers.
Gippsland Jersey hosted two free screenings of Just aFarmer at Lardner Park.The start of the film shows a happy family of four on alarge cattle and sheep farmbefore disaster strikes and the overwhelming stress of the farmgets to the father
Thefilm’s narrative, initially jumping between different aspects of the family’s lives, eventuallysettles into arhythm, showcasing the mother’s resilience as shenavigatesher new strugglesand the importanceofseeking help when needed.
After the movie, Gippsland Jersey’s owner Sallie Jones shared that not only is the film relatable to farmers in the area, but that mental health in farmers as people is crucial.
While thereare acres of land between farmers, she urged the crowd to reach servicesifthey everneedtotalkto someone if they arestruggling.
For more informationonJust aFarmer andfor mental health providers, go to https://www.justafarmermovie.com/
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Formorethan 40 years Gippsland Farmer has reported on arange of Agricultural industryissues includingDairy, Beef,Horticulture, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, Organic farming and Viticulture.
Gippsland Farmer also features Gippsland sport,latest machinery updates, alivestock market report and major Rural events including Farm World and East Gippsland Field days
Gippsland Farmer is the most directly penetrating cost effective medium for advertisers to reachtheir target market everymonth.
AGRICULTURE Victoria has arangeof online tools available to assist farmers in assessing the volume of water in their dams and how long that water may last.
AgricultureVictoria LandManagement Extension Officer,Clem Sturmfels said assessinghow much water thereis in a dam can be difficultdue to adam’s odd shape and formulas used to measure their volume.
"Farmdams generally hold less water than expected and in adry year,it’s important farmers have agood understanding of how much water is left in their dams and plan accordingly," he said.
"The volume of adam is closely related to its length and width. Astable, well-built dam has gently sloping sides which nearly meet in the middle of the dam’s base.
with enough water to carry approximately 200sheep or 20 cattle for one year
"Many dams rely on aregular top-up of water during autumn or spring, however this year has seendry seasonal conditions, making the chance of atop-up less likely due to depleted soil moistureand less runoff."
AgricultureVictoria has several tools to help farmers calculate dam volumes based on shape, length, width and depth, including the FarmWater Calculator and the Summer Water Calculator.
The Summer Water Calculator alsohelps to calculate how long theremainingwater may last.
The depth of adam can be measured using adepth sounder or fishing line measuring device.
Gippsland Farmer is produced and published by Latrobe Valley Express partnership and printed by Express Print based in Morwell Victoria. 15,200 copies each month direct to RuralGippsland
"For example, arectangular dam measuring 33 metres by 22m has adepth of approximately 3m and volume of approximately 1million litres or 1megalitre.A triangular shaped dam with similar measurements has avolume of approximately half this amount.
"Evaporation will cause aloss of around 60 per cent of this volume, leaving the dam
A‘how to’ video formaking and using the fishing line measuringdevice can be accessedonthe Agriculture Victoria website: Measuring the depth of your dam.
Information on preparing your farmfor dry seasonal conditions can be found on the AgricultureVictoria website at agriculture.vic.gov.au
Forall advertisingenquiries please contact Janeen Brown
Direct Line: (03) 5135 4403
Email: bookings@lvexpress.com.au
Paula Hansen
Direct Line: (03) 5135 4437
Email: phansen@lvexpress.com.au
Address: 21 George Street,Morwell, Victoria 3840
GIPPSLAND SouthernHealthService's Hillside Lodge in Korumburra will receive anew Men's Shed.
This comes thanks to the success of a local op-shop.
The Friends of HillsideLodgeop-shop donated $260,000 to build the new Men’s Shed at the aged carefacility.
The donation is the largest in the Friends of Hillside Lodge’s 20-year history and will leave apermanent reminder of the group’s work.
While the Friends group donates up to $50,000 ayear to Hillside Lodge, founder Anne Millar said she wanted abig one-off contribution to make adifferencein the lives of residents.
“Wewanted to do something permanent that would have lasting benefits,” she said.
GSHS Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Jason O’Reillysaid the Men’s Shed would be a great project providingavaluableoutlet for the aged careresidents.
“Wewill be getting Hillside Lodgeresidents to help withthe fit out of the siteand
working out how best to use the facility,”
Mr O’Reilly said.
The shed project hascouncil approval and contracts have been let.
The shed itself will cost about $160,000 and the project will also include new fencing, sliding gates and paving work on the rotunda and barbecue area.
“Weare very thankful to the Friends of Hillside Lodge for their donation to make this very worthwhile project areality,” Mr O’Reilly said.
The Friends of Hillside Lodge Op Shop is at 36-40 Commercial Street, Korumburra.
Mrs Millar launched the Friends group about 20 years ago and continues to lead acoregroup of about 10 volunteers in running the op-shop.
The group’s first big project was the establishment of theHillside Leisure Centre, which was partly funded by a bequest but also supported by $120,000 donated by the Friends for furniture and other fittings. It continues to seek support from the community to make the op-shop asuccess.
GIPPSLAND Water has movedtosafeguardakey piece of Moe’s water network by plantingmorethan 8000 native trees and shrubs along Tanjil River near Tanjil South.
The project will reduce long-term pump operatingcosts by improvingwater quality.
Gippsland Water ManagingDirector, Sarah Cumming, said it would reduce the risk of damage to Tanjil River pump station, whichsupplies Moe water treatment plant.
“Improvingthe resilience of our assets and protecting themfromharmhelps ensurewecan continue to provide safe and reliable services for our customers well into the future,” Ms Cumming said.
“The benefits of this projectare twofold. By increasing the number of trees and shrubs along the riverbank, we’renot only reducing our long-termoperating costs butimproving the healthofthe waterway andsurrounding land as well
"Root systems play an important role in holding soil together on riverbanks and reducing the risk of erosion.
“Without this support,sedimentand large debris can fall away and travel down the river into our pump systems, causing blockages.
“This is not uncommon at Tanjil River pump station and it can make it more costly to run.”
Ms Cumming acknowledged the surrounding landholders for their support.
"Locals generously allowed us to access the site, install livestock exclusion fencing and undertake regular meetings with them throughout the planning process," she said.
“This assistance was really important in helping us to get the jobdone and we’regrateful for their cooperation.”
Seven different native trees and shrubswereplanted, including the
critically endangered Strzelecki gum,the Australian blackwood and silver wattles Planting natives, such as the threatenedStrzelecki gum,supports the growth of other plants and can attract native birds and animals which further enhances biodiversity.
The Tanjil River pumpstation isa key part of Moe’s water network and can transfer up to 24 megalitres of raw water to the Moe water treatment plant each day.
Gippsland Water will continue to monitor the site’s progress in the coming years and undertakeregular pest and weed management.
To findout moreabout Gippsland Water’s role in biodiversity, visit www. gippswater.com.au/biodiversity
RESEARCHERS have unsparingly laid out theuncomfortable paradox experienced by women who marry into intergenerational family farming businesses.
On one hand,researchers from the Universityof New England (UNE) found, the “dreaded daughter-in-law” is essential for thecontinuationofthe family farm
On the other,she may be also seen as the biggest threat to its continuation -“…the most dangerous animal on the farm”, as one interviewee put it.
Ateam of five UNE researchers, led by agender equality researcher,DrLucie Newsome,havepublished their investigation into family farmdaughters-in-law online at Science Direct.
In an analysis based on interviews with 22 farmsuccessionprofessionals, the researchers noted that in particular,the older, landholding generation in farming families can be highly defensive against attempts by daughters-in-law to undertake any role other than the dutiful farmer’s wife.
Farming families have commonly been resistant to the prospect of adaughterin-lawchanging established ways of doing things onthe farm, or worse, makinga claimonthe farmasset in the eventof divorce.
The rising value of farmland, and growing reliance on the farmasaformofsuperannuation, has raised the stakes on asmooth intergenerational transfer of assets.
By association, rising values have also raisedexpectationsthat daughters-inlaw will conformtofamily expectations andnot rock the boat.But squashing adaughter-in-law’s contribution into a narrow, preconceivedrole can also be a missed opportunity.
One intervieweetoldthe researchers: “A lot of these girls have sacrificed alot and …are whip-smart and actually could contribute enormously to these businesses being moresuccessfulif(the older generation would) just put fear aside, be clear about what they’refrightened of, deal with it, and move on.”
The researchers concluded that changing gender norms and legal rights, and the economic destabilisation of family farming, should encourage reconsideration of the daughter-in-law’s role on the farm.
They wrote: “…defensive mechanisms to isolate and devaluethe role of the daughterin-lawinreproducing the family farmmay be counterproductive. In attempting to preserve the status quo of gender relations, family farmbusinesses arefailing to preparefor achanging business and social environment.”
The report noted that young daughtersin-law under pressuremight find relief as they age into the family enterprise.
“Astheyage, women’s agency in relation to menand other women in thefamily maystrengthen.As women’s tenurein the farmfamily increases, her influence and authority strengthens as she moves from daughter-in-law to matriarch.”
But Dr Newsomehopesthat in future, suchresolutions arenot delayed. She hopes that instead, therewill be growing recognition ofthe needfor “openand continuous succession planningdiscussions that recognise the contributions of all family members”.
Beef Central
AVISIBLE property number can save a person’s life
Paramedics areasking Victorians to make suretheir property numbers are visible from the street to help crews find their property quickly in an emergency.
Visible property numbersare crucial when emergency services need to find a location quickly,and bytakingsimple steps to ensureitcan be seen from the street, it could save alifeoraloved one’s life.Ideally,property numbers should be reflective to ensurethey can be seen during both day and night.
Ambulance Victoria’sActing Executive Director Regional Operations,Michael Georgiou,saidVictorian paramedics sometimesrespond to properties with inaccurate,unclear,ormissingproperty numbers.
“Our crews also often see trees and shrubs blocking the view of property numbers which can significantly delay their response and ability to get to the patient who may need life-saving treatment,” he said.
“Time is of the essence in an emergency, and we’re asking the community to do their part in ensuring they can be easily
located if they find themselves needing our help.”
Properties including houses, apartment buildings, farms and commercial buildings should be clearly numbered so that they can be easily located by Ambulance Victoria crews or other emergency services.
“Take awalk or drive past your property to test the visibility of your property number -ifyou can’t see it, we can’t either,” Mr Georgiou said.
“Those on farmland shouldmake sure that not only your home has the number visible, but also ensurethe direction from the main road is well marked and signposted.
“Wewant to get to you as quickly as possible and having your home clearly markedwitha number makesa massive difference in our response and the patient’s outcome.”
Whenever possible, send someone outside to wavethe ambulancedown and take first responders directly to the patient.
For moreinformation, visit the AV websiteat ambulance.vic. gov.au/community/education/ make-your-property-numbers-visible
Katrina BRANDON
THE South Gippsland Dairy and Farming Expo was held earlier last month at the Korumburra Showgrounds, celebrating its 25th expo
The two-day event saw panel sessions, livedemonstrations andmorethan100 exhibitors.
The event’s coreobjective is to supply a one-stop-shop to local dairy farmers that is relevant, well-delivered and continues.
“Events likethese arecrucial for supportingthe industry,” arepresentative from the expo said.
“Weknow that the dairy industry is akey driver of economics in SouthGippsland and it contributes millions of dollars to the local community, as well as being a major employer in the region both directly and indirectly supporting our opportunities.”
On the first day, 80 people showed up to
the Matt Harms on-farmconsultingsession, This is Your Life, which featured Mr Harms askingthree farmers about their experience in farming.Those farmers were Colin Gray, aNilma farmer who became paralysed from the neck down after an on-farm incident; Chloe Brown, who moved from farming to podcasting to share on-farmstories; and Ancret Shipton from Bega and Nar Nar Goon, who lost herhusband to cancer and had been the primary worker on the farm, leaving her to be amother and afarmer on her own.
“Although we had some very challenging weather,the eventcontinued, with over 110 exhibitors displaying their products and services to the dairyindustry,” an expo spokesperson said.
“Weare really happy that we wereable to celebrate the 25 years celebration.”
The Gippsland Farmer newspaperhas played apivotal role in the success of TTMI across Gippsland. As atrusted dealer of tractors and farm machinery, we have come to rely on the newspaper’s extensive reach, professional services, and exceptional customer careto effectively promote our products and connect with the Gippsland farming community.
The Gippsland Farmer has been instrumental in helpingusshowcaseour offerings into our key market demographic. With their comprehensive coverage of all things agricultural, the newspaper has provided us with apowerful platform to reach farmers, growers, and industry professionals throughout the region. Their commitment to delivering high-qualitycontent and relevant news has created areceptive and informed readership, giving our advertising efforts even more impact
Paula, our advertising consultant and remarkable member of The Gippsland Farmer team, has been an invaluable asset in our advertising journey. Paula’s exceptional professionalism, attention to detail, and regular reminders about advertisingdeadlines have ensured all our promotional campaigns run seamlessly.Her dedication to providing a personalised experience and exceptional customer service has made everyinteraction with The Gippsland Farmer an absolute pleasure
Supple(5)
‘Not on your–!’ (5)
Locallaw enforcer(7)
Recommence(6)
Common greeting question (3,3,3)
Indecency(8)
Green(7) 20 Preparingwriting for publication(7)
Endaphone call (4,2) 23 Indisposed (5) 24 Egyptian capital(5)
Moreover,I am grateful for Paula’s consideration of TTMI for special advertising features and promotions.She hasgoneabove and beyond to provide us with opportunities to highlight our business and offerings in unique and creative ways. Her keen understanding of our industry and unwavering support havetruly made a difference in the visibilityand success of our advertising efforts.
Iwould highly recommend The Gippsland Farmer newspaper to any business in the agricultural sector seeking effective advertising solutions. The newspaper’s wide readership, informative content,and exceptional customer caremakeitanideal platform to connect with the farming communitythroughout Gippsland. We look forwardtoacontinued partnership p p with The Gippsland Farmer,confident in the knowledge that our advertising needs areinthe best of hands.
Living in remote Australia is both ablessing and aburden
No one understands this more thanthe dedicated Wellbeing Support officers at RFCS Gippsland.
RFCS Gippslandisnot just an organisation, they areatrustedcommunity support network -one that hasbeenatyou and your neighbor’sdiningtablessince1986.
RFCSGippsland is anot forprofit agency supporting rural communitiesinsouth eastern Victoria with financialcounselling, and more recently wellbeingtohelprecoverand manage throughnaturaldisasters andindustry downturns.
Theirunique wellnessprogram for farmers and their families providescritical health and wellbeing supportleading the effortto addressthe individual needs of theirclients, creating positivehealthoutcomes and ways to overcomeuniquechallenges faced within remoteand ruralcommunities
Their success in delivering wellness to farmingcommunities is due to thereferral pathways and relationships with other support agencies that work alongside farmers; promotingand attendingvarious trainingand socialevents to ensurethe connectedness of remotecommunities.
Throughthese connections, farmers getto learn aboutRFCS Gippslandfromtrusted sources andcommunity members.
So, when afarmerneedsassistance with financial or personal wellbeing, they know where to find them.
Many times, their teamhaveencountered shortages of mental healthservices in their local area; oftennot able to take on new clients or havelengthywaittimes.
Lackofaccess or waitingfor an appointment often creates additional stress.
The RFCSprogram allowsthe team to spend timewith farmersand their families in their homewherethey arecomfortable.
Beinginvitedtothe kitchentable,talking face to face, helps them connectwith and get adeeperunderstandingoftheirclient’s situation.
The Wellbeing Support officers usebehavioural activation modelswhich movesaway from one’sfeelings to focus on behaviourand environment.
When apersonimprovestheirhabits,goals actions,and livingconditions, their overall wellbeing improves too.
Themajority of RFCS Gippslandclients first seek support duetofeeling stressed about their financial situation,but oftenthis is the symptomnot the causeoftheir distress
Someofthe waystheyassist:
Connectindividualswiththeir communities. Access mainstream services such as My Aged Care
Provideconnectionstolocal resources for basic needs assistance.
Referrals to otherprofessional health services
Referrals forfinancialorlegal assistance
Identify unhelpful habitsand build new beneficial ones
Assist withidentifying personal goals; providing mentoring support while working towards achieving them.
Be the safeand confidential personthey canconfide in
The RFCS teampridethemselves on the knowledge that their clientsleave their wellnessprogram feelingmoreconfident in their ability to manage life’sstressors.
Client progress is monitored using asimple model, andthisisregularly communicated to
demonstrate improvement or areasoffocus. They alsofollowupwiththeir clientssix months after exitingthe program for ‘check in’, with themajorityofclients managing more effectively
At this point clients haveoften taken the opportunitytoinform their peers of theRFCS servicesand the success theyhave had with their wellness program.
Maybe youcould join in their successtoo?
RFCSGippslandoffer free and confidential assistancetohelp youget backontrack withboth personal wellbeingand financial wellbeing.
If youare struggling emotionally and financially (or knowsomeone whois),protect them and yourselfbyreferringtothe free confidential services of RFCS Gippsland.
The specialisedrural financial supportteam willworkonimprovingyour finances whilst a dedicated wellnesssupportofficer willfocus on you.
Call 1300 045 747orvisit rfcsgippsland.org. au/wellbeing to find outmore.
Philip HOPKINS
RON Brown is acommitted environmentalist, and also afrustrated and occasionally an angry man.
He has spent morethan 40 years revegetating his South Gippsland property back to abeautiful bush block lush with biodiversity and native animal life.
While his own property –now sold to another owner –isnot under threat, he fears that such restored land will become rarer as society’s demands for timber could overwhelm South Gippsland’s landscape. His land is now under acovenant with Trust for Nature, which permanently protects and conserves such private land.
His fears wereprompted by news that Hancock Victorian Plantations (HVP) had planted morethan one million softwood seedlings in Gippslandunder the Gippsland Plantation Investment Program. GRIP envisages planting up to 16 milliontrees overthe next decadeina $240million program jointly funded by HVP and the state government.
It is designed to create asoftwood timber resourceto replace the native hardwood forest industry that was closed by the state government this year
“I’m not against industry,” Mr Brown told Gippsland Farmer.“It’s just aquestion of balance.”
Mr Brown has been an environmentalist ever since growing up in England after the war,when he and his brother discovered the ‘Blue Bell’ woods near their home. This small remnant of woodlands was glorious in spring, displaying acarpetofbrilliant blue. Subsequent attempts to buy poor quality land in England “to put something back” failed due to the high price of land. However,inAustralia in 1978, he could buy asmall propertyfor the price ofhis London home. That land was in the ‘Turtons Creek’ area in South Gippsland –and Mr Brown was abletostart realising his dream.
Much of the land had that bare, denuded look of many parts of the Strzelecki Ranges, the forest cut down by pioneers who wanted the land for agriculture.
“The land in question was very steep and badly degraded, clearly much hand work would be involved,” he wrote in aletter to the Mirboo North Times in July this year
“The acreage was particularly interesting and valuablebecause thereexisted 50 acres of natural, unspoilt bush still remaining in one corner and regrowth native trees could be seen in groups around the land.
“Otherplant speciessuch as native orchards wereshown to exist. Thatarea is rich with birdand animal life and aslab waterfall complements the scene.”
Four decades of hardwork and struggle withshire authority andgovernment
departments then followed,with no public financial assistance available to restore his property.
“Public authorities so easily ignorethe importance of beauty for beauty’s sake, the need to protect wildlife corridors and water ways even the public needs for recreation,” he wrote.
“I havespent the best years of my life trying to makea difference but now I think failureismylegacy. The project is not complete and my concerns about the ‘TurtonsCreek’areawiththe trees, the river and the waterfalls, was simply, time wasted.”
ATrust for Natureconservation covenant, such as the one over Mr Brown’s land, is designed to allay Mr Brown’s fears. It is a voluntary legal agreement made between a private landholder and Trust for Natureto permanently protect and conserve private land with natural, cultural or scientific values. Trustfor Natureis always on the lookout for similar agreements with landowners.
Conservation covenants areentered into underthe Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972and registered on title, making them legally binding forever –even when the property is sold or passed on to new owners. Landowners who have a conservation covenant continue to own the land and be responsible for its management.
Trust for Natureprovides ongoing support through its stewardship program; conservation and land management experts work with the owner to develop aland management plan, which will guide owners on how they can maintain and improve their land for native animal and plant species.
HVP Plantations makesclear thatforestry is its business, but sustainability goes hand-in-hand with economics. HVP owns and manages 240,000hectaresofland across Victoria. About 170,000 ha of this is plantations focusing ontimber production, and 48,0000 ha of native forest and other vegetation for conservation.
“Our sustainable practices, across both production and conservationareas, adhere to internationally recognised certifications for responsible forestmanagement,”a company spokeswoman told Gippsland Farmer
HVP said it had beenplanting Radiata Pine as the primary crop species for more than adecade.
“Radiata Pine is our preferred species due to its fast growth,versatility, and strong demand, especially in theVictoriantimber industry. It is widely used in house framing, flooring,furnitureand packaging,” the spokeswoman said.
In HVP’s conservation areas, HVP partners with environmental organisations and leads various community environmental projects. These initiatives include habitat restoration, revegetation, firemanagement, and research.
“HVP’s environmental stewardship supports avariety of flora and fauna, from orchids and koalas, to Gippsland’s giant earthworms,” she said, withwaterfall sites
in the Strzeleckis protected from invasive species encroachment.
“In Gippsland, we work closelywith organisations like Trust for Nature, Landcare, catchment management authorities, government departmentsand universities.”
The Cores &Linksprogram in the Strzelecki Ranges represents alarge and long-termcommitment, HVP says Extensive work between HVP, community and environmental groups led to the government program in 2008.
Cores &Linkswillculminate in 8000 hectares of forest transferringtopublic ownership. The area includes fourareas of key native vegetation and plantation (the Cores) joined by corridors of land (the Links), whichare also amixtureofplantation and native vegetation.
Taken together, the Cores & Links area provides a contiguous vegetated land area extendingfromTarra-Bulga National Park in the east to Gunyah-Gunyah Rainforest Reserve in the west.
Areas already transferred under Cores & Links havebecome part of theBrataualung Forest Park, with moretofollow as plantations within the agreement boundary are harvested and revegetated to native forest.
In additiontothe 8000 hectares within Cores &Links, HVP continues to manage 15,000 hectaresof native forest in the Strzeleckis.
“Managing these 15,000 hectares for conservationvalues provides furtherhabitat connectivity across thelandscape,”the spokeswoman said.
“HVP remains committed to sustainably managing our estate,fulfilling our responsibilities to the environment,supporting our communities, and ensuring the responsible production of timber.”
InAugust 2024 Victoria saw widespread above average temperatures and was the warmest August on record.
Mean maximum temperatures for August wereverymuchabove average (top 10 percent of all Augusts since 1910) for Victoria.
On 25 August, some sites had their highest August temperatureonrecord.
The spring outlook continues to show an increased likelihood of unusually high maximum temperatures.
With this in mind, fireauthorities are advising communities of the potential for an early starttothe fireseason, if warm and dryconditions continue to dryout fuels towards summer
Double check that spark arrestors on machineryare working and efficient. Make surechainsaws arefreefrom faults.
Have water fireextinguishers or knapsack spray pumps (minimum 9 litres) available that can be carried by any person using farmequipment or machinery.
Have asafety strategy in place for storing and monitoring hay -purchase amoisturemetreifnecessary.
Make surehay is fully cured before baling.
If you have private firefighting equipment, conduct a‘refresher’ session with family and employees to make sureeveryone can use it.
Make surethatthereare no gaps between the cladding and the ground or slab of your sheds to prevent embers getting inside.
Make sureyourpropertynameor number is clearly visible so emergency services can identify it easily when approaching the entrance.
Check access tracks around your property
Consider if access for firetrucks can be improved by clearing vegetation, signposting dead ends or creating turning circles.
Make surewater supplies around your property areclearly marked in case emergency services need to access them.
FireDanger Ratings areagood way to decide when to leave.
They arenot aweather forecast –they tell you how dangerous afirewould be if one started.
As the ratings increase, so does the risk of afast moving and uncontrollable fire.
If you plan to stay and defend abuilding during abushfire, take steps to establish awater supply of at least 10,000 litres (independent of the mains supply).
Create aheavily grazed area where stock can be moved during abushfire situation.
Conduct astocktake of feed, animals and fencing beforethe fireseason and keep acopyofrecords offyour property
John Hales, Aussie Pumps’ Chief engineer,shares some of his experience to help farmers and homeowners make informed choices when it comes to buying afirepump. The lightweight portable high pressure firepump is aparticularly Australian innovation.
One of the reasons Aussie Pumps sell these pumps all over the worldis because of our experience tackling bushfires in our beautiful but vulnerable environment.
Today,atleast one high pressurefire pump is found on most rural properties.
An essential partofafarmer’stoolbox; they serve as utility pumps used for yard and crate wash down, water transfer, even sheep jetting, as well as firefighting duties.
Even on the outskirts of our large cities, property owners areaware of the danger of living in beautiful bushland.
This storyprovides some advice, for farmers and those Urban Interface dwellers, on choosing the correct fire pump!
The first decision to be made well ahead of any bushfireemergency is whether to stay and protect the property or plan to leave early
If choosing the first option preparation is vital, including selecting areliable, premium pump that is right for the application.
It may be mounted on afiretrailer for mobile protection or installed under the house to feed asprinkler system.
Consider purchasing morethanone pump if you need to protect alarge area and of course it’salways wise to have a back-up pump for emergencies.
When Aussie Pumps decided to design afirepump for the Australian market we weren’tpreparedtocompromise on quality or performance.
We design and build products as if we’re going to use them ourselves.
The result was the Honda powered Aussie FireChief, now regarded as the best lightweight portable firepump in the world.
When comparing single impeller pumps, use the published performance curves. You’ll find that the Aussie FireChief will outperformall others at the duty point on the curve, whereitcounts.
For example, our single impeller Aussie FireChief produces 100 litres per minute flow at 63m head.
In the case of Davey pumps, according to performance curves, their single impeller delivers 100 lpm at around 55 metres head.
Onga performance is much the same performance.
So, with the same Honda engine, a model GX160 5.5hp, the Aussie Fire Chief outperforms its competitors.
The Aussie FireChief comes standard with abig 2” flanged suction port.
That portcan also be changed out to a 3” version when moreflow is required.
Its flanged design makes it easy to remove to give access to the check valve, without having to take the whole body apart.
Best of all, the 2” suction port, compared to apump with 1½” inlet, means you get 25 per cent morewater into the pump!
Morewater in means morewater out.
We also value add features that improve functionality like metal caps and chains on the three-way outlet, not plastic, a carryhandle and skids that add stability
Apartfromchecking performance and the exterior of the pump, it’snice to get a look inside.
When you open up an Aussie FireChief, you find abig 7” impeller,beautifully engineered and balanced to provide the best possible performance. Most importantly,itdoesn’toverload the engine at any point on the curve!
The engine has been perfectly matched to the impeller diameter and approved by Honda for this application.
It’sthe superb hydraulic design of the impeller that delivers the 25 per cent morehead than its competitors.
Some brands offer additional ports on the outlet and customers maybelieve that they can operate up to five hoses simultaneously
However,it’sthe pump design and inlet portsize that determines its capability The moredischarge hoses added, the less water each will deliver
With its 2” inlet, the Aussie FireChief can be used effectively with either two 1” hoses simultaneously,tomaximise the area covered, or asingle 1½” hose if moreflow is important.
At Aussie Pumps, we decided to standardise on Honda engines on our pump range years ago. We tried other brands but foundthat
the Honda quality,performance and aftermarket supportwas the verybest. The major reason is simple, ‘they start first time, everytime!’
In afireemergency this is critical.
Farmers and residents know they can rely on Honda and can be assured that they have aHonda ServiceCentreclose by
When we introduced afive year warranty on our Aussie FireChief 20 years ago, everybody said it would send us bankrupt.
Hereweare 30 years on and we constantly receive feedback fromusers telling us that they think our product is the best they have ever had.
The Aussie FireChief is the only fire pump with afive year warranty
Make sureyou get the best advice as to what pump best suits your application and most ofall, don’tcompromise when it comes to protecting your property, livestock or family
Unfortunately,priceisnot areliable indication of quality
Some brands charge excessively for their name while others aretoo cheap and youhave to ask yourself why? We often hear from users who have bought thirdworld pumps that have failed prematurely
This is not anapplication whereitmakes sense to save afew hundredbucks. Aussie Pumps has aband of loyal Gold Distributors throughout the state that are primed to assist.
They notonly stock and sell Aussie premium firepumps, but have experience in pump selection, andcan supportthe product through its life with sparesand service.
For further assistance on selecting and setting up your pump, Aussie produce, freeofcharge, aBushfireSurvival Guide. It’savailable from all Aussie Gold Distributors or itcan be downloaded from the Aussie Pump website.
Talk to your local Aussie Pump dealer or call the Aussie Pump team.
Find your local dealer online at aussiepumps.com.au.
Philip HOPKINS AND Stefan BRADLEY
Experienced bushfirefighters and experts in Gippsland have strongly criticised the state government’scutstobushfireservices throughout the state.
The Department of Energy,Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is preparing to cut 208 stafffromits Bushfireand Forest Services Group across 99 regional sites.
Staffconsultation documents show that 118 of the 208 job cuts will come from the BFS Group’sforest fireoperations staff, who arescattered across regional Victoria, especially in the state’seast. All up, the Bushfireand Forest Services Group’sstaffnumbers aretobecut from 1925 to 1717.
The secretaryofthe Howitt Society, GarrySquires, said concerns about the cutbacks related to the reduced staff capacity for first attack and ongoing fire suppression operations.
“Thereare also concerns that capacity will be reduced for key preventative works such as the fuel reduction burning program.
It also appears that key remainingstaff will be required to take on broader geographic responsibilities and hence decision making will become more remote at aregional level rather than by local staff,” he told Gippsland Farmer
“So much for local control and decision making.”
Mr Squires, aforestryexpertwith decades of experience, said the cuts would have several implications.
Therewould be an immediate loss of local jobs, particularly in Gippsland on top of the timber industryjob losses.
Orbost, Omeo, Heyfield, Bairnsdale, Yarram, Corryong and other towns have already been hit by the Allan government’stermination of native timber harvesting on January1this year, which forced many workers to find jobs elsewhere.
Orbost has already lost timber harvesting and mill jobs, as well as seven VicForests staffwho have taken redundancies.
Mr Squires said the cuts would result in aloss of experience, less capability to fill firecontrol roles with local personnel and loss of morelocal jobs over time as positions arefilled in other parts of the region rather than in local towns.
“This is acontinuation of the centralisation which has been happening within DEECA and former agencies for a number of years,” he said.
Gippsland East Nationals MP,Tim Bull, said “on the cusp of summer,with fuel loads at recordlevels, the government is cutting fireoperations staff.
We aregoing to burnagain, so we need better resource not less.
This is terrible news.”
Mr Bull said communities had been hit by the ridiculous decision to close the native timber industry, and now the government planned to cut morejobs.
“The lack of fuel reduction burning has allowed fuel loads to hit verydangerous levels again, and it has left us very vulnerable, which indicates they learned nothing from the 2019-20 fires,” he said.
“But on top of that, the government’s response is to make cuts to those who arethere to protect us.”
The Weekly Times said the cuts appear to have been triggered by budgetary pressureresulting from DEECA absorbing the VicForests operations and forestrystaff, plus taking on some of the former native timber harvest and haulage contractors and their heavy machinery.
DEECA’s consultation document states “since the transfer of firefunctions and people from Parks Victoria, BFS is now located at 99 regional work centres across regional Victoria.
The government’scommitment to end native timber harvesting has changed our work programs”.
The Environment Minister,Steve Dimopoulos, told The Weekly Times that “DEECA’s Bushfireand Forest Services Group is consulting with staffabout a proposed new model that will deliver value for Victorians and ensurewe have the right people working on the
right things –including making sureour communities can continue toenjoy the great outdoors while protecting what we all love about the bush”.
“Wewill maintain astrong regional presence across Victoria and focus our skilled staffonaforest and fire management program that delivers for local communities.
The proposal is the subject of consultation with staffasDEECA finalises the model,” he said.
In the interim, the Weekly Times also reported that 17 former native timber harvest and haulage crews, who entered into Victorian Government contracts on July 1toundertake forest and fire management works, had been sitting idle –while being paid 70 per cent of their monthly rate.
The Weekly Times said much of the holdup was duetothe failureof government to undertake planning and survey work beforefuel reduction burns and firebreaks being cleared.
The government has had morethan 16 months to prepare, afterthe Treasurer, Tim Pallas, announced in May last year that native timber harvesting would end early this year
Contractors maintain it will take Forest FireManagement Victoria months to get surveys of frogs, gliders and other species completed as well as cultural heritage assessments.
Farmers investheavilyintheir calf rearingprocesses, with the goalofweaningstrong, healthy calves that go on to be greatmilkers
However,all too oftentheysee calves take astep backwards at weaning, and data suggeststhis can negatively aff f ect their future milkproduction, and survival in themilking herd.
Weaning shouldbea process,stepping downthe milk intake over 1-2weeks (ideallylower daily volume… avoid skip aday weaning)
Thisarticle willfocus on otherkeys,and misconceptions to avoid.
The first common misconceptionwhen it comesto weaning is that thecalfisnow afully functioning ruminant, and can surviveand thrive on aforage diet
Nothing couldbefurther from the truth.
The calfreallyisn’t ready to liveoff f forage alone until approximately 200kg.
Dairycalves arenot like beef calves that stay on the cow andare typically much heavier than this when they areweaned
It is still fine to wean calves earlier like mostdairy operations currently do,justrememberthe importantrole that grain/concentratesupplementation playsthroughuntil this weightisachieved.
ConsiderVolatile FattyAcids(VFA’s–energysource) produced in the rumen,the developingrumen wants propionateand butyrate, to grow and develop the papillae on therumen wall.
Foragespredominantly ferment to acetate, which the immaturerumen cannot yet absorborprocess, and the accumulation of excess VFA, can lead to the eventual production of lactate,whichthencausesdamagetothe young rumen
Grainpromotes propionate, and some butyrate, which aremorebeneficial to rumen development
Some forage is essential, toomuchcan risk detrimental eff f ects
The right typeofforage willbediscussed alittle later in the article
1.5-2kg/d of concentrate… even more if thecalvesare older/bigger
Lastmonth’s articleexplainedwhy DryMatter Intake (DMI) wasimportant in the liquidphaseofcalf feeding. Maintaining DMI is equallycritical through weaning. At theProviCo CalfForum held earlier this year, Californianvet Dr Elizabeth Coxwas quoted as saying, “RespiratoryDisease post-weaning is largely dueto changes(drops) in thecalf’sDMI throughthisperiod”. It thereforefollows that themoregraintheyare eating at thecommencement of weaning, themoretheywill consumepost-weaning, andgoodDMI is maintained through theprocess
ConsideringDMI is so important, youshould also considerthe wayyou feed calves throughthis period. In intensive dairysystems,farmers must consider the amountoffeedbunkspacerequired percow to ensure cowsconsumeasmuch feed as possible.
While the spacerequired is less forcalves,itisjustas importantthatall calves have access to feed at the same time.
Calfgroupshavepecking orders too,and dominant calvescan prevent othersinthe group accessingfeed if spaceislimited (can every calf in thegroup feed at yourlick-feeders at onceorare troughs abetter option until calves arebigger?)
So, back to forage Somesimple rulesofthumb:
Avoidfermented feeds,theyare typically full of lactic acid, and theyoungrumen can’t handle it Chop yourforages.5cm is agoodtarget length and ideally, mix it with thepellets/grainifpossible at around 10-15 percent
Good quality,leafypasturehay is best, lowNDF cereal hay is also fine,as both areeasilydigestible, but encourageearly cud-chewing.
Avoidstraw and lucerne hay as the stem is poorly digestibletothe youngrumen,and it takesup valuable space (at 8 weeks there is only about 4L of space)
grain/mueslistarter youcan get, and as much as they willeat)
Fresh,clean waterfromday 1, as thereare well proven correlations between drinkingwaterand grain starter intakes (calves roughly drink4times their solidsintake as water… theyneed it for digestion).
The other keytothe plan is to balancethe stress events, and trytokeep 2weeks between onestressevent and thenext.
Common stress events throughthe calf rearing process canbe:
Vaccination
De-budding
Tagging
Groupchange
Pen/paddockmovement
Feed change
Andof courseWEANING
Thinkofthis as your calf rearing infrastructuredevelops
Am Idecreasing theneedfor amovementorgroup change,ormakingthe challengeharder?
Canyou wean in small groupsthenholdfor 2weeks beforemoving into abiggergroup?
Build aschedule andasmuchas possible,stick to it
Finally, it’s hardtobuildagauge from yeartoyear on how eff f ective yourcalfprogramis, especiallywhen seeing consistent diff f erences betweenspring and autumn calvings.
New technologies may be thekey to providing an objective measure for weaningsuccess.
RespiratoryUltrasound is anew veterinary technique used in NorthAmerica and Europe to scorecalvesat around 4-5 months of agefor their lung health
The lung is the growthlimiting organinthe first yearof acalf’s life, so any challengeis often expressedinthe lung, so the lungs areagreat indicator of how youhave managedyourcalfhealth.
Another common misconception is the amount of grain/ concentrate the calf needs
For years, is has been said all they need is to be eating 1kg of concentrate and they can be weaned
While you can wean them at this rate, the data clearly suggests it is not in the best interests of the calf
Data suggests calves should typically be consuming
The other big key to successful weaning is have a plan from birth
Great weaning programs start from birth
Colostrum management and hygiene when calves first enter the program and an early focus on DMI through both the liquid and solid phases (remember >1 5 percent bodyweight as milk DMI, and the best textural
Vets from The VetGroup and APIAM in Victoria have been trained in these techniques so it may be worth considering?
Like the liquid phase, the key to successful weaning is to ensure calves avoid a drop in DMI, and that means the right feed available at all times, in conjunction with clean fresh water and minimal stress or additional changes
Plan for it, then work the plan
NEW research from Meat &Livestock
Australia (MLA) has shown metropolitan Australians who areknowledgeable about the redmeat industry arelikely to be eating morered meat.
The latestCommunity Sentiment Research surveyed1501 Australians aged 18-64 who live in the five main capital cities in Australia. It is conducted each year to inform MLA’s investments in community communication and marketing to drive better understanding of redmeat production and nutritional benefits for everyday Australians.
According to the group manager –community communicationsand events at MLA,Samantha Jamieson, the research indicates apositive perception of the Australian beef andlamb industries by metropolitan people.
better perceptionsabout theindustryhave been seen again in this year’s survey,” Ms Jamieson said.
“Community perceptions of the industry remain steady, with 63 per cent having a positive perception of the beef industry and 60 percenthaving asimilarperception of the lamb industry,” Ms Jamieson said.
“A further 27per cent –29 percenthave no concerns, with the remaining 16 per cent -18 per cent either not knowing or having some level of concern, the lowest level over the past three years, and similar to levels over the past decade.
“Notably, most Australians see the red meat industryasvitaltothe Australian economy and job creation,especially in regional areas. Seventy-one per cent of thosesurveyed also have confidence in Australian beef and lamb producers to provide safe, nutritiousand sustainable food.
“For Australianswho have knowledge about the industry,72per centsay that they believeAustralian cattle areraised humanely, whichcomparesto 55 per centofmetroAustralians without that knowledge.
“A similar trend applies for the environment. Asunderstandingofthe industry increases, so does the sentiment that people believe producers carefor the environment.
“This demonstrates that the moreyou know aboutthe industry, the moreyou like about it, which is encouraging to see. It highlights the importance of community engagement and educational investments through initiatives like Australian Good Meat, school educational resources, the Red MeatAmbassador program,and working with social mediainfluencers,” Ms Jamieson said.
“Nearly two-thirdsof Australiansalso say that they trust the redmeat industry to do what is right, and farmers aretrusted nearly as much as engineers, teachers and scientists.
“The research demonstrates Australians’ positive perceptions andunderstanding about the important role redmeat producers play in feeding the nation.”
The high level of trustinthe redmeat industry centres around education and knowledge of the Australian beef and lamb industries.While athirdof Australians considerthemselves knowledgeable about the industry,overhalf want to learnmore. In addition, 73 per centthink children should be learning about the industry in school.
“Importantly, the correlation between higherlevelsofindustryknowledgeand
“One of the big recent influencer trends is around health, wherethereisagrowing understanding of the importanceofprotein.
“MLA continues to play abig role in arming social influencers with right information and language to have an engaging discussion with the community.”
The community is interested in learning moreabout animal welfare(45 per cent), nutrition benefits (40 per cent), carbon neutrality(39 per cent) and environment initiatives (35 per cent)
Sustainability alsorankedasa key consideration for metroAustralians, with 91 per cent citing it as important to them, and 56per cent sayingthat theywould think morepositively about the redmeat industryknowing that the industryhas an ambition to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero.
CATTLE Australia (CA) has slammed the growing list of environmental nongovernmental organisations determined to cherry-pick science or create their own for the purpose of attacking Australia’s beef industry.
CA's chief executive, Dr Chris Parker, said the current campaign by eNGOs was further proof these groups have no interest in engaging with the sector or broadening their understanding of the science that accurately reflects the important role of Australian beef production.
“Creating outrage is fundamental to the business model of these groups; that’s how they get money from donors. We understand they need to have an enemy to create this outrage however the cattle industry is not thatenemy,” Dr Parker said.
“We’ve tried engaging with these groups, howeverthey’ve made it clear to us, and the supplychain, it is their wayorthe highway.
Dr Parker said the Australian beef industryplays an importantrole in food and nutritional security, contributes to the resilience of communities and nation, and as custodians of morethan 50 per cent of the country’s land mass, is proud to play apart in ensuring the sustainability and prosperity of the environment for generations to come.
“It is disappointing to see, yet again, eNGOs aremoreinterested in peddling idealismsand misinformationthan engaging in sensible and respectful discussions that will genuinely lead to greater outcomes for landscapes, animals, biodiversity, food security and communities throughout Australia and across the globe,” he said.
Dr Parker said alook at Australia’s vegetation management regulations,whichare some of the strictest in the world, showed evidence of the industry’s commitment to the environment.
Katrina BRANDON
CALF health was the subject of aworkshop held by ProDairy and Gippsland Veterinary Hospital at the Macalister Demonstration FarminRiverslea (near Maffra).
Speaking at the eventwas localvet Dr Katherine Snell, who covered awide range of topics, including the importance of colostrum, its definition,common calf illnesses, treatments, and signs to watch for in calves and colostrum.
She addressed the diverse reasons acalf can fall ill, aiming to reassurethe 30 to 40 farmers present.
“Calf-rearing is not one size fits all. Often, it is pieces of apuzzle that we put together to ensurewehave healthy calves,” she said First, colostrum. Dr Snell told the group that colostrumwas one of the most important factorsinraising acalf, which is crucial in the first 24 hours of life.
Colostrum is the first milk produced in the udder after the calf is born. It harbours immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help the calves build immunity to illnesses later in life. According to Dr Snell, many factors affect the quality of the colostrum, such as whether the cow was leaking beforecalving, the length of the dry period, and how much the cow produces. Milk from the second to eighth milking, or “colostrum” after the first milk, is considered transition milk, which isn’t as critical as the first milking.
“The problem is that these antibodies or immunoglobulins arehighly trained and specific for certain disease types. They know their target and arevery good at finding it, but if something else comes in, they have no idea what to do with it,” she said.
“It is really important for calves to receive these immunoglobulins becausethey have no immune defence when they areborn.
“Colostrum helps protect calves from diseases in the first six weeks of life. From birth, calves start to make their immunoglobulins, but it takes four to six weeks to
become fully developed, fully functional and in sufficient amounts to actually combat diseases.”
According to Dr Snell, goodcolostrum managementinthe first 24 hours helps leadcalves to healthier lives, produce moremilk, significant weight gains, feed conversion efficiency, and almost half the veterinary costs compared with an animal without sufficient colostrum. She also told the group thatina study, about50per cent of calves on farms weren’t receiving enough colostrum.
Farmers can manage their colostrum well by using the four-Q system of quickly, quality, quantity, and squeaky clean.
‘Quickly’ is the most important factor in colostrummanagement andthe one that farmers have the most control over.About 12 hours after birth, acalf can only absorb five per cent of the antibodies delivered to it. At best, acalf will only absorb 40 per cent of the antibodies provided for them. While theabsorption decreases over time, what they don’t absorb will sit in the guts, which will still provide protection.
Visually looking at colostrum, you can’t distinguishbetweenpoor and good quality concentrations of antibodies within the colostrum.An oldercow might not
necessarily have the best quality colostrum. Youmight find that the well-vaccinated heifer has an exceptional colostrum quality. Dr Snell recommended that farmers use a Brix Refractometer to measurethe levels of colostrum and to keep poor (measuring below 22 on the Brix Refractometer) and good quality(measuring above 22 on the Brix Refractometer) in two different buckets. Quality also depends on how long after milking you will use the milk. It is best to use the colostrum as soon as you can, as its immunoglobulin levels drop the older it gets.
“Most salmonella/ecoli outbreaks that we (vets)comeacross,wefind the most common cause of contamination is cups that have gone on dirty teets because there arebits of poo on the ends and it pulls into the milk harvesting facility, and it brews away in the milk,” Dr Snell said.
Ideally, milk should be stored in stainless steel buckets with lids, as plastic buckets can harbourbacteria. Asurplus amount of milk can be stored in afridge for two days or in a‘Perfect Udder Bag’ in the freezer for up to 12 months.
How much colostrum do you feed your calves? ‘Quantity’ depends on ‘quality’, according to Dr Snell. If you feed poorquality colostrum, you must feed more
than you wouldwith high-quality so that the calf reaches the same amount of immunoglobulins.
She said: “For example, you have a 40-kilogramcalf fed within four hours of birth.Poor quality colostrum: Youneed two-by-three-litrefeeds in the first 24 hours. Good quality colostrum: We onlyneed twoby-two feeds within the first 24 hours.”
Like all food-based sectors, it is essential to keep your equipment and environment “squeaky” clean to prevent the introduction of bacterial spores into the colostrum. According to Dr Snell, bacteria love fats, protein, and energy, which is what colostrum is made of. Bacteria also doubles in numbers every 20 minutes at 20 degrees within abucket of milk, making the speed andcleanliness of the colostrumand colostrum storage essential.
Hygienic collection via clean cups, clean, dry teets, andgood, cleanstorage can reduce contamination risks. While cleaningyourequipment,Dr Snell recommends alukewarmrinse, then ahot wash and household bleach with thorough scrubbing, and then either an air dry or alukewarm rinse again.
Dr Snell told the group to “Hotel quarantineyour calves” when they have sick calves and to reduce the spread of illness. Some common illnesses that Dr Knell discussed in the workshop included scours, respiratoryillnesses(Rotavirus and Coronavirus),naval ill, andjointill, and what to look out for in calves to know when they aresick.
She said to keep an eye on behavioural and physical changes in the calf so that you can help prevent further illness if the calf isn’t acting like itself or isolating. Check if the calf is alright and showing any signs of disease.
Featuresthat often help catch sickness in cows include ears, eyes, nose and tail.
