Dairy direct gippsland aug 2016 (low res)

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Country News PUBLICATION

GIPPSLAND Issue 11, August 2016

Life-time education for herd manager » page 12

Hands-on for this nutritionist » page 20

Top cell count performers » page 19

Running a lean business » page 16

Supporting each other A strong and united voice is important for the dairy industry.

In my role as GippsDairy chair, I’ve been are automatically signed on as a member, speaking with a lot of farmers about the which means only a fraction of Australian current situation in the dairy industry. dairy farmers are currently backing the representatives of their own industry.

One of the regular points of discussion is about who is representing the interests of We need a strong and united voice when farmers when it comes to milk contracts lobbying politicians or when negotiating and pricing. on behalf of dairy farmers. The only way I’m surprised how often Dairy Australia to build that strength is through farmer comes in for criticism for “failing” to support. intervene in this area when it is not DA’s When it comes to asking ‘who is fighting role to lobby politicians or try to influence on behalf of farmers?’ the answer is ‘we are’. the farm-gate milk price.

Every one of us who signs up to support Dairy Australia is there to build the industry UDV and ADF is putting more power in by investing in dairy research, development the hands of dairy farmers when it comes to and extension, promoting dairy as a healthy important decisions being made. and sustainable product and gaining and While it’s vital to have UDV and ADF maintaining access to export markets. looking after the big picture issues, it’s also Everything Dairy Australia does is geared important that farmers are looking after towards better outcomes for levy payers. their own business.

The role of advocating for Gippsland Keeping focused on the things you can dairy farmers is taken up by Australian control in your business is critical during Dairy Farmers (ADF) and the United difficult times. Give the GippsDairy office Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV). a call on 5624 3900 and organise a Taking Both ADF and UDV work hard to Stock visit for your farm. Taking Stock is represent the dairy industry. The ADF and an ideal starting point for developing a UDV rely on farmers to sign up as members, business plan and a great way to check how both for the financial well-being of the organisations and their ability to lobby with your business is travelling.

— Graeme Nicoll strength of numbers behind them.

Just being a dairy farmer does not mean you GippsDairy chairman

contents News..........................................................5 Rural remenations...................................6 New battle in the war on liver fluke.....8 Processors announce prices...................8 Mystery illness hits calves.....................9 Season outlook.......................................10 Nurturing a successful herd ................12 Repairing an injured hoof....................15 Running a leaner dairy business.........16 Bringing out the best ............................17 A winning formula................................19 Finding a dairy future in Australia......20 Keep calm and carry on........................21 Early abortion in cattle ........................23 Making the most of your pastures......25 Help is available in tough times..........26 Consider your bobby calf options........28 Staying focused on the big picture .....30 Increasing rate of genetic gain............33 Confidence levels take a dive...............34

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Cover: Michelle and Michael Axford on their Outtrim farm.

Editor Geoff Adams editor@countrynews.com.au Writers Danny Buttler, Emma Carinci and Geoff Adams Graphic designers Teresa Crifo, Steph Bell, Brendan Cain, Alysha Bathman and Bella Considine Advertising James MacGibbon james.macgibbon@ countrynews.com.au Published by Country News PO Box 204, Shepparton, Victoria 3632 (03) 5831 2312 www.countrynews.com.au Printed by Edge Print

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Are you reading someone else’s copy of Dairy Direct?

If you are dairy farming and want to make sure you get your own copy phone GippsDairy on 5624 3900.

Please call as well, if you are getting more than you need.

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AUGUST 2016

Reminders for August Pasture management • Begin planning for silage you may cut in late September or October.

• Consider fertiliser applications with nitrogen included as part of your annual program where conditions are suitable.

• It might still be cold enough to get profitable responses to gibberellic acid. If so, and you need the feed, consider using it.

• If wet conditions are prevailing, take the opportunity to repair pugging damage with a roller.

• Don’t forget to manage your milking support area (out blocks) as they can produce valuable feed to be made into silage for feeding later or to feed young stock well.

Cows • Spring-calving cows are susceptible to metabolic disorder (milk fever) around calving and early lactation. This is best avoided with good transition cow management feeding; details are available on the Dairy Australia website.

• Early lactation acidosis is an issue in most herds in Gippsland, especially in heifers, and should be managed with additives in concentrates fed to cows and additional fibre in the diet if fibre levels are low. Check cows are chewing their cud, and inspect cow manure for signs of cows with low fibre diets.

• Allow the cows time to walk at their own pace to the dairy. This will reduce the possibility of lameness. Lame cows should not go with the herd, as walking will make them worse. A close paddock and good feeding will give them the best chance of recovery.

• Plan your spring joining after you have reviewed the results of your autumn joining. Planning the calving date and pattern is done with joining dates and synchronisation, and cow type for farm and system is done with semen choice.

Calves/heifers • Jersey calves should be at least 75 kg liveweight and Friesian calves 100 kg at weaning.

Calves should be eating at least 1 kg of concentrates, straw, and drinking fresh water prior to weaning off milk. The energy in the concentrate and fibre in the straw, plus water, helps in the early development of calves’ rumens, thus allowing for early weaning. For more information on calf rearing see http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Animal-management/ Animal-welfare/Calf-welfare/Rearing-healthy-calves-manual.aspx • Prepare the yearling heifers ready for joining at 15 months. If possible weigh them to check suitability for joining and growth rates. If they are not ideal joining weight, review your young stock rearing process.

• Prepare bulls for joining. Get them tested before you get them working, and ensure you have enough bull power (enough bulls for your expected cows on heat after AI). For more information on joining cows visit http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Animal-management/ Fertility/ Irrigation • Keep a close watch on soil moisture and irrigate if required (especially spray systems) as early irrigation can improve pasture production for the next three months.

• Check drains and spinier cuts; drainage is important to get pastures growing early in spring.

• Ensure all channels are clean to allow free movement of water.

• If you get a few dry days, it’s a good opportunity to empty the irrigation water re-use dam onto a dry well-draining paddock. This will allow storage capacity in the re-use system to capture water and nutrient run-off when spring rainfall events occur.

dairy news GippsDairy board looking for new members Diverse range of skills sought in new directors.

People motivated to enhance the Gippsland dairy industry are encouraged apply for a position on the GippsDairy board.

Selection criteria include the ability to commit the time required, networks and technical knowledge of dairy farming, or other skills needed by the board.

Diversity is important to the GippsDairy board.

Successful candidates will be offered training from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Applications are due

by Monday, August 22.

Short-listed applicants will be interviewed by an independent selection panel at Warragul in midSeptember.

Successful candidates will attend an induction session and be invited to attend the board meeting in October.

For a copy of the position description, phone 5624 3900, email executiveassistant@gippsdairy. com.au or visit www. gippsdairy.com.au

Another Jessica takes top award

Sometimes they don’t want to move. John Gardiner from Gippsland has a hard time moving

The 2016 National Herd one of the big girls around the ring.

Development Winter Fair has been deemed a success by the Australian Dairy Herd by the organising committee despite Improvement Scheme in its May it being held during one of the 2016 evaluations. toughest periods in dairying history.

ADHIS general manager Daniel While cattle numbers were down, Abernethy said Jessica 11 typified the quality was definitely high, the sort of cow that many dairy with senior judge Eddie Bue farmers aspired to breed. saying he was more than impressed by the line-up of cattle, and the Reserve Senior Champion was organisation of the event. taken out by Elmar Goldwyn Jessica, owned by Elmar Holsteins.

Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 11 (EX91) took out the top BPI award Organiser Stu Modra said he was at the Winter Fair, continuing the pleased with the event. dominance of the Jessica cow family “Our numbers may have been down bred by the Hore family at Leitchville. this year but that’s just a reflection Of all female animals entered in the of the tough times. We still had very fair, Jessica 11 had the top Balanced similar exhibitor numbers, they just Performance Index (BPI) calculated bought less cattle,” Mr Modra said.

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Rural Rumenations with KATIE MACAULAY

Columnist Katie MacAulay lives in South Gippsland, and has been married to a dairy farmer long enough to appreciate the smell of good silage. She loves chooks, enjoys stacking hay bales with the tractor and wonders why the lawn grows twice as quickly as the grass in the paddocks.

Trimming the fat When the farm budget is done, the family feed budget also comes under scrutiny.

Hubby is one of those rare people who likes creating budgets. He says he enjoys the challenge of balancing each area of our business expenditure and “getting it right.”

Normally, he disappears into his office for hours and apart from the occasional groan and the tapping of his calculator keys, there is silence until he emerges triumphant.

However, with the current dairy industry outlook less appealing than a thunderstorm at an outdoor wedding, we’ve decided that Hubby’s customary trim of our costs needs to be more of a slash and burn.

Where to start?

After a long examination of each area, we decided that we needed to cut our fertiliser, AI and feed costs.

We don’t put on large amounts of nitrogen but Hubby is a fan of super and potash. Most years after our autumn application, the dry paddocks look like they have dandruff. Maybe I could send him to Fertilizers Anonymous?

Although who knows what new habits he might pick up? The last thing we need is the fertiliser savings to be channelled into a new obsession.

Hmm, scrap that idea. The time it would take to drive to FA meetings would be better spent looking at bull catalogues.

We’ve always sought good semen for our girls but now we can’t afford to be fussy. This year it’s goodbye Fabio, hello Homer Simpson.

Doh! Regardless of which bulls we choose, mouths still need to be fed. Homer Simpson’s voracious appetite would fit in quite well around here.

Hubby and I both agree that feed costs need to be heavily pruned — there was too much fat in the system. The only problem was that while I thought bovine feed costs needed cutting, Hubby had his eye on my grocery expenditure.

“You spend this much on food? No wonder the budget’s tight.”

“Well, you eat it. What do you suggest we cut out?”

Junior piped up from his corner of the couch, “broccoli, silverbeet, …”

Hubby joined in — “kidney beans, lentils, grainy bread …”

“Healthy food is an investment in our future,” I argued.

“Besides, it’s not those foods that are responsible.

It’s the chocolate biscuits, cakes and readymade desserts. Maybe we could cut them?”

They stared at me aghast. Hubby mumbled something about reviewing the bovine menu before we made any radical changes.

Our slash-and-burn was a sobering experience but amongst all the hard decisions, something was clear. We all agreed that our ice-cream expenditure was not negotiable. Not only do we want to support the dairy industry, but Hubby insists that for peak efficiency, he needs to be maintained in condition score 5.

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Focused on improvement The latest round of Focus Farms has been announced, with yet another interesting mix of dairy businesses being selected.

This year’s farms range from a large scale operation at Fish Creek, to a share-farming arrangement at Jindivick and a farming family with an eye on the future at Won Wron. This will be the 14th year of Focus Farms,

Graeme, Jenny and Shaun Cope

Kerrs Rd, Fish Creek 404 hectares milking area 750 mainly Friesians For the Cope family, being Focus Farmers is all about running a better business.

Graeme and Jenny bought the farm eight years ago and, with son Shaun, have converted a beef property into a dairy operation including a 50 stand rotary.

With more than 400 hectares and a couple of turnout blocks, the Cope property is sure to attract plenty of interest from farmers looking to expand their own operations.

With Graeme and Jenny taking a winter break away from the farm, Shaun explained why the family was keen to get involved with the project.

“Dad wanted to learn new things that could help improve the farm,” he said.

“We are always trying to improve. To make things easier and to make things work better.”

Shaun said they have been regulars at field days in the past, but the family has been busy setting up the farm in recent years.

“We have been really busy, just trying to get this farm up and going, but last year we started to get to Focus Farms again and started to get back into that side of things,” he said.

“I think having that support group will help improve us. Other people do things in different ways and they can point out things that we could be doing better.”

which aims to improve the operating surplus of each farm business through improved understanding of operational costs and by maximising home-grown feed and reducing fixed costs. Each Focus Farm has access to an experienced farm consultant as facilitator, as well as a support group made up of farmers and service providers. The project is jointly funded by GippsDairy and Dairy Australia through the Dairy Service Levy. Dates for the first Focus Farm field days will be announced shortly.

Brenton Ziero and Steve Ronalds

Main Jindivick Rd, Jindivick 182 hectares milking area 480 mainly Jerseys Brenton Ziero has viewed a Focus Farm from within the support group and he liked what he saw.

The Jindivick farmer, who sharefarms on a 37 per cent agreement with business owner Steve Ronalds, said he enjoyed the way the operating methods of Drouin South Focus Farmer Sean Allen were constantly put under scrutiny.

“It was good to have that chance every month to grill Sean. And he was good, he was willing to give things a go,” he said.

Unlike the Allen Focus Farm, during which Sean was self-building his own rotary milking shed, Brenton said the Ronalds’ property is a well-established farm that can concentrate on fine tuning an existing business model “I reckon I’m farming at six and a half to seven out of ten. I hope to get it to ten,” he said.

The willingness to learn and improve was a key to Brenton and Steve being selected in the latest round of Focus Farms.

With Steve working off farm at Burra Foods, Brenton does the bulk of the on-farm labour.

He believes the herd is travelling well, but there’s still room for improvement, especially in feeding.

“One of our goals is to put more grass down cows’ throats,” he said.

“We would also like to grow bigger heifers, look at staffing and work towards having some more time off for myself.”

“You’re always learning, especially in this job. Every time you get out of bed you learn something new. If you don’t there’s something wrong.”

Paul and Lisa Mumford

Greigs Creek Rd, Won Wron 193 hectres miking area 395 Jerseys Paul and Lisa Mumford want to use their time as Focus Farmers to develop the next generation of dairy farmers in the district.

The Won Wron couple were given the opportunity to build their own dairy business when they took over from Paul’s parents in the 1990s.

They now want to help young farmers build their own futures in the industry.

Part of their motivation for applying to be Focus Farmers was to develop the skills of their own employee Damien Becker as well as other young people in the industry.

“The transfer of knowledge is perhaps the most important goal,” Paul said.

“I hope that through the Focus Farm, local young people in the industry will have the ability to understand complex businesses so they can put their own knowledge and skills into action.”

“It would assist Damien to develop his general farm duties from evaluating pasture consumption, nutrition and many other skills on a daily basis, while understanding the ongoing seasonal effects of farm performance and taxation implications.”

Paul and Lisa also want to use the Focus Farm period to further explore genetics, kikuya control and stocking rates.

“Is there a relationship between high genetic animals and farm profitability?

How do farmers tackle the encroaching problem of kikuya onto productive pastures? Is a split calving pattern the correct system for this business?” are among the questions to be asked during the two years Focus Farm.

dairy news

New battle in the war on liver fluke Existing drugs are failing to control the scourge of liver fluke in cattle, a parasitic disease that reduces productivity of Australian dairy herds by up to 10 per cent.

Now, a $340 000 collaborative research effort by La Trobe University and Agriculture Victoria is developing a new approach to dealing with the problem.

The work has just been funded by the Gardiner Foundation and Dairy Australia.

Recent studies by the joint research team found the liver fluke parasite had developed widespread resistance against triclabendazole, the most common drug used to combat it.

“With a failing drug, we need a new approach to manage the parasite, particularly in relation to drug-resistant strains, as well as better methods to assess the amount of infection in cattle,” co-lead researcher Terry Spithill said.

He said it was important to find the infective stage of the parasite in the environment — in water, pastures and soil — as this would allow better on-farm management of the problem.

“Our aim is to trial a fluke control system based on environmentally integrated parasite management on affected farms, rather than just relying

on a chemical drench,” Professor Spithill said.

“Once we establish such techniques to identify the parasite on farms, we plan to roll out an on-farm control program so dairy industry groups can start to implement it in 2018.”

The project follows more than two years’ research by the team into liver fluke in the irrigation zones of Victoria.

“We found widespread liver fluke parasite infestation, with up to 73 per cent of herds infected in the Macalister irrigation zone in Gippsland alone,” Prof Spithill said.

The project is a new collaboration led by Prof Spithill and Travis Beddoe from La Trobe University and Grant Rawlin from Agriculture Victoria. It is being carried out at the Centre for AgriBioscience, AgriBio, on La Trobe’s Melbourne campus in Bundoora.

Other members of the research team are Chris Hosking, PhD student Jane Kelley and two Honours students, Jaclyn Swan and Genevieve Williamson.

The project has also been supported by the Victorian Cattle Compensation Fund, the Federal Department of Agriculture, Dairy Australia, Agriculture Victoria and La Trobe University.

Processors announce prices Milk processors have announced their opening prices for the 2016–17 season.

Murray Goulburn: Net opening farm gate milk price of $4.31/ kg milk solids after application of the Milk Supply Support Package repayment, and forecast for whole-of-year of $4.80.

Fonterra: Opening average of $4.75 and forecast closing of $5.

Tatura Milk: Opening price of $5.

ACM: Opening price of $5.30.

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter: Opening price of $4.80.

Burra Foods: Opening price of $4.40-$4.60.

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AUGUST 2016

Mystery illness hits calves The cause of disease is not yet known, however investigations are continuing.

Mystery still surrounds a potentially fatal including northern Victoria. illness affecting weaned calves, however recent research is getting closer to At this point, it can only determining the cause of the problem. be confirmed that the illness is not one of the Earlier this year DEDJTR animal health major exotic diseases. officers cautioned farmers to be on the Dr Charles Milne. Photo: Libby Price lookout for the disease, which includes “We’ve ruled out all major symptoms of weight loss and diarrhoea. exotic diseases like foot and mouth diseases,” Dr Milne said.

In-depth investigations into the illness have than seasonality and weather conditions. been conducted since its discovery, however Information from DEDJTR earlier this year “The only reason it is seasonal is it does occur the cause remains unidentified. stated that another symptom was ulcers in in young calves, so it occurs in times of year the mouth and throat region, however this “Progress has been made but we’re not in a when calving occurs,” Dr Milne said. position to definitively say what the cause is,” has since been disproved.

The disease could pose significant problems district veterinary officer Charles Milne said. “It’s important we get that message out that it for farmers and Dr Milne encouraged them is not about ulceration in the mouth.”

“Since February we’ve received two reports, to report any signs of the illness so animal Animal health officers are undertaking which brings the total to 10 (cases) in the health staff could conduct more research. intensive sampling on sick calves, and full last three years.”

Without knowing the cause, there was post-mortems on dead calves.

Dr Milne said affected calves were dairy no indication of whether the disease was “We are looking for all possible causes … it breeds, and the mortality rate of the disease contagious, Dr Milne said. could be anything from a chemical toxin was 10 per cent.

For more information, contact your through to plant toxins.” private veterinary practitioner or your local Reported cases have come from the three The disease reflects calving seasons rather DEDJTR animal health officer. major dairying regions across the state,

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Season outlook A financially challenging season is expected, but farmers have the tools to manage. producers would need to use the next Australian dairy producers entered the Quarterly has forecast prices to rise modestly current global price downturn “well upward price cycle to strengthen their in the first half of 2017. prepared” with sufficient equity levels, business structures, Mr Harvey said.

“We are finally starting to see the taps of putting them in good stead to weather the “This may see farmers adopt a business global supply turn off, as farmers around current storm, according to an industry strategy focused around reducing debt and the world adjust production in the face of report released in July. rebuilding equity, rather than chasing the continued lower prices,” Mr Harevy said.

The report, Oceania Dairy — Let’s Debt profit margin in the upswing,” he said.

“We all know that current low prices are Serious by agribusiness banking specialist The report said global market dynamics had not sustainable, and this supply response Rabobank, said the 2016–17 season would finally caught up with Australia, despite together with stable demand growth in the be financially challenging, with milk prices dairy processors continuing to invest in US and Europe is expected to see exportable for many export-orientated producers likely value-adding strategies. surpluses dramatically reduce.” to remain below breakeven.

“Value-add may well be the sweet spot for the The report said while medium-term Despite this, the report said much of the Australian dairy sector, though the reality is that confidence would be shaken by the late industry would be in a position to source not all milk can be moved into these channels season price reductions, Australian dairy working capital and manage the cycle, and much of this higher-value output is still farmers have headed “into these storm thanks to Australian farmers learning from bound for global markets,” Mr Harvey said. clouds in better shape” than in past previous cycles the importance of generating downturns.

He said with the 2016–17 season to remain cash buffers and appropriate gearing levels to extremely challenging for dairy, there was set Mr Harvey said during recent years southern help manage volatility. to be a significant focus on cost control. region farmers in Australia had enjoyed Report co-author Rabobank senior dairy periods of improved farm profitability, “While this season will also be invariably analyst Michael Harvey said in recent leading to reduced debt levels and difficult, producers are making on-farm years many dairy producers had taken the investments in productivity initiatives, also adjustments to downgrade their feed opportunity of improved farm profitability aided by historically low interest rates. requirements, cull less productive stock to pay down debt, rather than expand their and defer their repairs and maintenance business.

He said while lower currencies were helping schedules.” to ease pricing pressure on imported inputs, With equity likely to be eroded during the cost of production would rise again in While there is not much upside for prices this downturn as farmers accessed working capital to manage the challenging conditions, in the 2016–17 season, Rabobank’s Dairy the long term.

LELY CENTER GIPPSLAND IS WELCOMED INTO THE LELY FAMILY Eli Dairy Center Pty Ltd situated in Warragul is the newest edition in to the Lely Center family, servicing the Gippsland region. Owner Greg Cole says, “We are very excited to have been given this opportunity to work with one of the world’s best and leading robotic milking companies, we couldn’t be happier with the choice to join Lely Australia”.

Eli Dairy Center has now teamed up with Lely Australia to become the leading dairy automated robotic milking suppliers within the Gippsland region. Alexander van der Lely, CEO of Lely Group was in Australia recently during the time of the opening and welcomed them into the Lely family.

The decision to align with Lely came after much deliberation, “We have been looking at robots for many years, Lely came at a great time for us and I think it is a beautiful fit in our business. We are very passionate about the dairy industry and Lely’s range of dairy products will complement our business very well. We are excited to see our business expand and the future growth we will have after making this decision”, says Greg.

Back Row: Lely National Sales Manager David Allan, Country Manager Mark Smyth, Retiring General Manager Clive Edwards, Eli Innovations Engineer Nils Netzer. Front Row: Eli Dairy Center Owner Greg Cole, Lely Group CEO Alexander van der Lely.

Photographer: Bryan Petts-Jones, Gippsland Farmer

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Kathy Bury

Nurturing a

successful herd When even the new heifers walk happily into the milking shed, Kathy Bury knows she is doing her job.

As the herd and operations manager on Brendan Cunningham’s Nar Nar Goon farm, Kathy Bury has plenty on her daily schedule.

But looking after the cows always seems to be at the top of her list.

The emphasis on herd quality is supported

by Mr Cunningham, who Ms Bury said had a great rapport with the animals, making the farm a good place to work.

With the owner, staff and animals seemingly all on the same page, the daily grind of milking is just that little bit easier.

“It’s very relaxed,” Ms Bury said.

12

AUGUST 2016

“We don’t even have a backing gate. Our cows just naturally come in to be milked.

“Even with our heifers who have never been milked before, we rarely have one who kicks.”

While calving, rearing, record keeping, AI joining, administration, budgeting, staff and training are all part of Ms Bury’s job, the animal side of things is her main interest.

Having once run her own dairy farm, she is now content to work as an employee, albeit one with some “skin in the game” when it comes to the herd.

On her 80 ha Pakenham South property, Ms

Bury can indulge her passion for breeding.

“I own a portion of the herd in Brendan’s business, so I grow out my own heifers and also have other heifers on agistment,” she said.

“I have a really keen interest in the genetics side of it, and having your own cows keeps you really focused and motivated.”

When it comes to breeding, Ms Bury knows what she is looking for and what suits the property that the cows will be living on.

“I did a Diploma of Ag and I studied the breeding component of that and I found

Kathy Bury with her employer and mentor Brendan Cunningham at his Nar Nar Goon property.

“I have a really keen interest in the genetics side … and having your own cows keeps you really focused and motivated.”

that really interesting, so I’ve taken on more of a role where I’ve researched the bulls and I’ve strived to get a certain type of animal that suits the farm and what we do,” she said.

“Our cattle tend to have to walk a fair distance so we have quite a bit of emphasis on good legs and longevity. Fertility is very high on our list as well as calving ease, so the cows are able to bounce back after calving.”

One thing Ms Bury doesn’t look for in the genes is temperament. Her theory — which is backed up by on-farm results — is that nurture trumps nature when it comes to cow behaviour.

“I know animals are scored on temperament (but) we find that we very rarely have an animal with a bad temperament,” she said.

“I put that down to just a lot of handling and we don’t have anyone on the farm that doesn’t have similar values to us.”

Ms Bury has no desire to ever again run her own dairy farm; instead, she enjoys the lifestyle of working with dairy cows without the pressure of running a farm business.

“When I bought my farm I was totally new to it, so it’s been a learning process from there,” she said.

“Brendan has been a bit of a mentor to me and I’ve been able to grow in the role. I’m really happy with where it’s at.

“I don’t aspire to have my own farm again. I like working as part of a team and it’s an exciting place to work with the growth that

will be happening.”

Not that she is standing still in her role. Ms Bury is constantly advancing her knowledge of animals and animal health.

“We look after them the best we can because at the end of the day they work very hard with you to make your income,” she said.

“We feed them the best feed we can and keep them warm and sheltered — all those things are really important. If we look after them, they look after us.

“I also really like the veterinary side of it.

“I spend a lot of time learning about different problems cows can have, and that’s where the breeding side of it comes in too. I don’t think you can ever know enough.’’

AUGUST 2016

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from Tarwin Veterinary Clinic

Repairing an injured hoof Prevention is better than cure, but quick action must be taken when problems occur.

This is a brief look at a very broad topic, but let’s go over some of the important things we know about lameness. Broadly speaking, an average lameness costs about $220 based on culling risk, reduced fertility, milk drop and vet bills.

More lameness cases occur in the outer claw of the back foot because of increased weight, wear and abrasion on this claw.

Acting early on lameness is important. Don’t wait until you have a few to get the vet out.

A cow treated the day she becomes lame will drop one per cent in milk production, but can drop 20 per cent after three days without treatment.

Early intervention can stop infected abscesses from getting into joints inside the foot, which are difficult to treat and carry a higher risk of culling.

Seek a veterinary opinion if there is red skin or ulceration around the heel or above the claws, or if there is a bad smell between the toes and several animals become affected at the same time, because there may be an infectious agent responsible.

Ensure that your staff members are patient and don’t rush the herd when moving cows, especially through ‘choke’ points.

Cows should be able to see the ground in

To manage lameness, your hoof kit might front of them to place their feet carefully and avoid sharp objects on the track, thus include: reducing the risk of claw injury. Creating • Sharp hoof knives. Old hoof knives smooth flow through the shed and reducing can quickly be made sharp using cheap time spent twisting and turning on concrete diamond carbide steels now available from will minimises wear on the feet. big-name hardware stores.

Cost benefit analysis into rubber flooring for • Angle grinders with ‘flap’ discs have less areas where sharp turns are required is worth tendency to gouge than stone discs, and considering. are better at removing a thin surface layer so you can examine a clean white area of Diet can also affect lameness. Mild rumen acidosis from too much concentrate with sole. inadequate fibre can cause laminitis, leading • Hoof testers, which are important for to white line disease, ulcers and bruising. determining where the pain/lesion is located, as are adhesive blocks for the This might not be seen until six to eight non-lame claw. weeks after the acidosis has occurred. An • The claw hoof gauge from Demotec is adequate fibre to starch ratio is imperative a cheap, clever, German-designed guide and the use of buffers and ionophores can that is worth a look for those who do their reduce rumen acidosis. Transition feeding own feet trimming. can also help to reduce acidosis in fresh cows.

Look after tracks and laneways, especially At the turn of summer, before the ground the entrance and exit to the yard. Where gets wet, consider measures such as possible, reduce choke points along the track trimming long feet, and baths, or wetted that lead to bunching. Woodchips, old hay, carpet, with copper sulphate or formalin and discarded carpet can serve as cheap and solutions to harden the claws and disinfect quick fixes to eroded, stony or washed out feet. areas until longer-term measures can be put These are not as effective when conditions in place. become muddy, because the baths get — Will Bullock contaminated with dirt which dilutes the Tarwin Veterinary Clinic chemicals, requiring regular top-ups.

AUGUST 2016

15

Running a leaner

dairy business Bryce, Jessica, Paul, Lisa and Chloe Mumford on their Won Wron farm.

Tight times demand a more economical way to run the farm.

Paul Mumford has a passion for genetics and combined to punch a hole in the budget that he could drive a tractor through. an award-winning stud, but in the current climate the price he is willing to pay for a “Early budgets indicate I have a hole of straw of semen has fallen considerably. $200 000, but that is before fully analysing the business,” Mr Mumford said.

Lowering his AI bills from $28 to $12$15 per cow was one of the first decisions “That is just with taking the easy not-sohe made when the new milk price reality important figures out of expenditure.” dawned.

Apart from the 320 ha home farm at Won “It’s very little in the big scheme of things, Wron, the Mumfords own another 85 ha you are only looking at $10-$15 000 in farm at Binginwarri, which is managed by savings there, but it’s one small part in an Aaron Thomas. equation where we have to analyse every “Early numbers show that the true milk cost,” Mr Mumford said. price for this property is $4.21 and $4.16 He doesn’t like to take the cheaper option for at the other property, which reflects milk his Gelbeado Park Jersey Stud, but cutting composition, flattened protein as well as back on AI expenses was a no-brainer when calving period because of the milk curve,” the milk price and tough seasonal conditions Mr Mumford said.

“Our price is higher at this farm because we have a flatter milk curve, whereas the other farm is lower because it has a spring milk curve.”

The calving pattern is being scrutinised to ensure it is maximising every dollar that can be made from the milk yield.

“We are looking at whether we are on the correct calving interval,” Mr Mumford said.

“Are we able to move our calving period to maximise profitability? Not so much milk volume, but profitability is more the key.

“We need to think about how to do a whole lot of things a whole lot smarter.”

Cow numbers are also being questioned, with the normal peak of about 420 milkers likely to be dropped down below the 400

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Bringing out the best

Paul Mumford is thinking hard about every aspect of his dairy business.

mark. It’s about making sure the cows are producing from the paddock, not from the silo or hay shed.

“It’s imperative this year that we grow as much home-grown fodder as possible to not only replenish our reserves but to feed the cows in a low milk price year,” Mr Mumford said.

“I don’t want to pick up the phone and order that truck load of hay. I think that last kilogram of product that you buy in is the most expensive kilogram you can ever feed.

“It’s giving you the feel-good factor of the cows looking nice and shiny and seeming nice and happy chewing the cud, but this year we can’t afford to do that.”

Mr Mumford also knows that he can’t afford to ignore calls or cut off communication with banks or creditors.

With his wife Lisa doing the bookwork and Mr Mumford having a background in banking, they know the importance of being upfront and honest when it comes to finances.

“Our bank manager is our partner and we have a great working relationship. We need him as much as he needs us,” Mr Mumford said.

“Put the trust in them because they need to know they can trust their clients. Don’t try to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes or it will get really ugly.”

It’s a stressful time, but Mr Mumford feels like they know where they stand and what it will take to keep moving forward.

“It’s a hiccup. Finding out the milk price was good in that we now know where it is set. Now our job is to engineer a business that can get through that milk price.”

There’s more than one silver lining in the dark clouds floating over Paul and Lisa Mumford’s farm at Won Wron.

As they struggle to balance the books in a tough year, the Mumfords have seen the best of their family and are taking the chance to improve every aspect of their farm business.

With a $200 000 hole in this year’s budget, it’s a hard way to do it, but they are getting help from a heartening and unexpected quarter.

Their daughter Jessica, who works part-time while at university, has dipped into her savings to help the cash-flow on the family farm.

Jessica’s contribution isn’t likely to put the business back in the black, but her gesture is a boost to both finances and morale.

“We are borrowing money off the children and that’s not pretty (but) I don’t think we are unlike other farmers,” Mr Mumford said.

For Jessica, the loan is a small way she can help while her parents grapple with economic forces out of their control.

“The loan doesn’t bother me and I know they are going through some tough times,” she said.

“Other than working here, we can’t do much.

So it makes us feel good to help out. We’re very family orientated.”

When long-term well respected farmers are borrowing money from their children, it shows how deeply the milk price cuts are biting into dairy businesses.

While the Mumfords examine every detail of the farm operation looking for cost-saving measures, they can at least see the benefits that a re-assessment of the business will bring.

For those who can make it through the current downturn — and the Mumfords fully realise not everyone will — there will be benefits in regard to long-term management practices.

“This year is going to make us all better farmers,” Mr Mumford said.

“It will make us fully aware of what the cost of production is and will force us back onto a grass-based system.’’

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AUGUST 2016

19

Michelle and Michael Axford on a cold Outtrim day in July.

Finding a dairy future in Australia Canadian embraces the industry’s ups and downs in Gippsland.

Dairy farms in Canada and South Gippsland are very different businesses — and the climate is just the start of it.

The Ontario farm that Michelle Axford grew up on is reasonably large for a family farm, with 90 milkers living under cover yearround.

But it’s the economics of the Canadian dairy market where the biggest difference to the Australian industry can be seen.

A quota system restricts production and the ability to increase farm size. On the flip side of that is a milk price that most Australian dairy farmers can only dream of.

“Production per cow is terrific, they can feed cows really well and they have a very high milk price in the order of 83 cents per litre,” Mrs Axford said.

“That’s driven by Canada not importing or exporting anything, so what is produced in Canada is consumed in Canada.

“It’s a high milk price, but it’s high for a fortunate few. If you don’t happen to be the 20

AUGUST 2016

son or daughter of a dairy farmer, and you don’t inherit quota, the chances of you being able to start a dairy farm are very limited.”

With two of her brothers taking over the family quota, Mrs Axford had little or no chance of getting into dairy farming in Canada. But a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (with Honours) and a Masters in Ruminant Nutrition ensured she was able to stay in the world of farming.

Meeting future husband Michael during his farmer exchange to Canada in the mid-1990s started a global romance that has ended up in a marriage, two children (Andrea and Chris) and life on the Axford family dairy farm at Outtrim, south of Korumburra.

While Mr Axford does the bulk of the farm work, Mrs Axford does the bookwork, helps out during calving and puts her years in academia to good use as extension and education manager for the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme.

It’s a role she is passionate about and one she believes can make a real difference to farm profitability.

“We help farmers build more profitable herds through the use of better genetics,” she said.

“It is absolutely clear that every extra unit of genetic merit you add into your herd is really meaningful in terms of kilos of milk solids produced and the longevity of the cow.

“If we have cows that are producing more for longer, that is a profitable system to set up.

It’s crystal clear that this stuff works.”

While Mrs Axford believes the science behind the genetic program stacks up, she also realises improvement can only come once farmers buy into it.

“Our job is to tell as many people as we can about it and to help make the decisions on their farms easier,” she said.

“It’s about having a more profitable cow and a more fertile cow, so we overall have less waste on our farm.”

Keep calm and carry on “If we have cows that are producing more for longer, that is a profitable system to set up.’’ says Michelle Axford.

When the first round of milk price bad news came in April, Michael and Michelle Axford kept calm and carried on.

The Outtrim farmers, who milk 255 mainly Holsteins on 142 home hectares, were as disappointed as anyone else in the industry, but knew that rash decisions were not going to provide any relief.

“The first thing we did was not panic, because we have had price drops before,” Mr Axford said.

Michael, Michelle, Andrea and Chris Axford with extended family during a trip to Ontario.

“I wasn’t going to race out and cut the grain off or something stupid like that.

price was at the front of their minds.

Having bought and leased more land during the previous 12 months, the Axfords’ fodder supplies stretched out into April, which was longer than for many other farmers in the district.

From the day the fodder ran out, it was a matter of calculating budgets to get through until spring.

Already having a handle on price of production meant the Axfords were well placed to know exactly where they stood in a financial sense.

“When the news came the first thing we did was sit down “We’re in Matt Harms’ and write out a monthly discussion group, so every income estimation and the month you are working out budget we did was on $4.60, what your feed costs to return which wasn’t pretty — and ratio is,” Mr Axford said. that included Michelle’s “We’ve been getting pellets income,” he said. through Ridleys and, through “But since then we have that, we’ve been able to dropped $70 a tonne on have their nutritionist come our grain price going from through a couple of times a pellets to grain mix as well as year. a few other things we have “That means you are sitting When the news came through down and double checking what you are feeding, how from Murray Goulburn in much it is costing and what late April, Mr Axford may your return is for that feed have been one of the few cost.” farmers with bigger issues to worry about.

Mr Axford said long-term His already low water reserves data collection had also helped to keep them focused were cut off that day by a on what they did well and blocked pipe which took where they could improve. some effort to get flowing again. As he said, milk price “We’ve been doing the Dairy doesn’t really matter if the Farm Monitor Project for cows can’t find a drink. lots of years, so we get a good handle on a yearly basis on Once the short-term where we are spending too problems had been solved, the issue of how to deal with much and where we have a lower than expected milk saved money.” tweaked.”

Michael concentrates on the animal husbandry and Michelle manages the books.

“Every unit of genetic merit you add into your herd is really meaningful in terms of milk and the longevity of the cow,” Michelle said.

AUGUST 2016

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Early abortion in cattle Recognising that early abortion is a problem in your herd can be a challenge.

District veterinary officer Dr Jeff Cave.

In some cases, early abortion can appear as an unexpectedly high rate of repeated returns to service, often with prolonged intervals.

Agriculture Victoria’s district veterinary officer Dr Jeff Cave said it was worth remembering that a low rate of abortions was observed on all farms and three to five abortions per 100 pregnancies per year was considered normal.

“Two of the most common causes of early abortion in cattle in Australia are the sexually transmitted diseases trichomoniasis and vibriosis,” Dr Cave said.

“

Two of the most common causes of early abortion in cattle in Australia are the sexually transmitted diseases trichomoniasis and vibriosis . . .

“

Dr Jeff Cave

A protozoon known as Trichomonas foetus causes trichomoniasis which is transmitted during breeding from infected bulls to susceptible cows.

Older bulls were more likely to be infected and remain infected than virgin or young bulls, Dr Cave said.

Infections may result in abortion during the first five months of pregnancy.

Control of trichomoniasis within known

infected herds is to begin artificial insemination, or to cull older bulls and only use young, clean bulls on heifers.

Even a switch in bull breeding to artificial insemination for six months will greatly reduce the effects of trichomoniasis.

Vibriosis is caused by a bacterium known as Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis.

Infected bulls spread the disease during breeding and there are usually no clinical signs of disease in infected cows.

Dr Cave said the primary sign of the disease was early abortion resulting in repeat breedings with a prolonged service interval.

When vibriosis is first introduced into a

herd, cows in all age groups are affected; however once it is established in a herd, vibriosis usually only affects the younger cows and heifers.

Control of vibriosis is through artificial insemination or vaccination.

Veterinarians can make a diagnosis of both of these diseases by checking the sheath of suspected infected bulls.

For further information, contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Local Land Services.

— Dr Jeff Cave, DEDJTR district veterinary officer AUGUST 2016

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Making the most of your pastures Small changes in grazing management can reap big benefits.

In the current tight times many dairy farmers will be focusing on gaining the best return from their investments using the resources they have available. One investment most farmers have already made is sowing pastures. The management of these pastures will impact the return on this investment. Two things that can increase this return are grazing management and nitrogen.

Many farmers have heard about leaf stage grazing, however it is important to get the basics right, especially in tight times, as small changes can result in big benefits.

The aim of good grazing management is to balance the requirements of the pasture and herd. Deferring grazing between the two- to three-leaf stage allows pasture to reach its potential production. By the twoleaf stage the tiller has restored its energy reserves required to regrow after the last grazing. Allowing the tiller to reach the three-leaf stage before grazing can be a bonus as the third leaf is an extra 30–40 per cent

larger than the second leaf — though if we go beyond this the first leaf begins to die, increasing wastage.

In spring you may reach canopy closure before the two-leaf stage. If this occurs, graze before or on canopy closure, because leaving it past canopy closure will lead to death and decay, thus increasing wastage. Canopy closure is the point when no light is able to reach the bottom of the canopy and can be identified when we are no longer able to see the ground through the canopy of the plant.

Aim to leave a post-grazing residual of 4–6 cm between clumps, because this is where the tiller stores its energy or ‘fuel’ to re-grow. Grazing below 4 cm will reduce the amount of energy reserves available, resulting in smaller tillers, slower regrowth and less pasture at the next grazing, while grazing above 6 cm has no benefit to growth and increases pasture wastage.

With low temperatures and short day length during winter, leaf appearance rate slows.

This means the rotation length needs to be lengthened so the pastures continue to reach the two- to three-leaf stage target. As we head into spring our days become warmer and longer, accelerating leaf appearance rate and resulting in a shortening rotation.

Remember to keep an eye on the leaf stage of the pasture you are offering to the herd each day to see if you are reaching your target leaf stage and not shortening your rotation too soon while maintaining post-grazing residuals.

Remember, lengthening or shortening rotation length is about reaching the desired leaf stage. Post-grazing residuals are a measure of supplementary feeding level with higher residuals indicating over-feeding and low residuals indicating under-feeding.

Nitrogen fertiliser is useful and, used strategically, can boost pasture production and fill feed gaps. When making decisions, base them on the potential response rate in conjunction with your feed budget and feed >> Continued on page 26 AUGUST 2016

25

requirements. Ensuring the extra pasture grown is consumed will maximise the return on this investment.

The use of nitrogen does not increase the rate of leaf appearance but increases the size of the leaf, increasing the volume of feed available to be grazed. This can lead to the occurrence of canopy closure before the three-leaf stage is reached, particularly in tetraploid varieties. It is best to graze at the point of canopy closure than to allow death and decay to occur which will lead to feed wastage.

The cooler temperatures in late winter result in a lower response to nitrogen than in spring or autumn, though this does not mean it is not cost-effective. Often during winter supplement feed prices are higher and quality feed is scarcer, making nitrogen a viable option. If soil temperatures drop below 4°C response rates will be very low. A table of responses you could expect can be found under the tools tab at http://www. nitrogen.unimelb.edu.au/Index.htm

“

The use of nitrogen does not increase the rate of leaf appearance but increases the size of the leaf, increasing the volume of feed available to be grazed.

Website guides dairy farmers to support and advice.

26

AUGUST 2016

Nitrogen should be applied two to three days either side of grazing at a rate of 25 to 50 kg N/ha (about 50 to 100 kg urea/ha) to allow the plant to fully utilise the nitrogen for growth. Applying earlier than three days before grazing increases the risk of nitrates and reduces the potential response from the nitrogen applied. Applying less than 25 kg N/ha often results in unpredictable responses, while applying above 50 kg N/ha can result in a reduced response per kilogram of nitrogen applied. Combining this with grazing at the two- to three-leaf stage will maximise pasture growth.

Urea continues to be the cheapest source A tool available to help calculate this point of nitrogen. There is no difference in the for your situation is the Dairy Nitrogen response rates of different forms of nitrogen (for example, urea verses DAP) unless there Fertiliser Advisor: http://vro.agriculture.vic. is another nutritional deficiency. The best gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/nitrogenresponse will come from those paddocks advisor with few other limiting factors. Paddocks — Sarah Brown, with better species composition, high density, dairy extension officer, good fertility (P, K and S) and limited weeds with no waterlogging will respond best.

Agriculture Victoria, Tatura

Help is available in tough times Agriculture Victoria is working with a number of organisations to support dairy farmers through the current challenging economic and seasonal conditions.

Increased support is being provided to help farmers make decisions, including through: • Dairy Australia’s Tactics for Tight Times and Taking Stock programs, which provide specialist one-to-one farm business support.

• The Rural Financial Counselling Service, which provides free financial counselling to farmers experiencing financial hardship.

Increased support is also

“

>> Continued from page 25

focusing on ensuring the health and wellbeing of farmers and communities, including through: • The Look Over the Farm Gate program, which is providing extra community wellbeing workshops and community events.

• Mental Health First Aid Training, which is giving the community valuable information about mental health issues and where to get help for themselves, their friends or family.

• Lifeline on 131 114 • beyondblue on 1300 224 636 For more information about the support that is available, phone 136 186 or visit www. dairyfarmercentral.com.au

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Consider your bobby calf options A review of practices could save you money in the long term.

In light of the current tight times, now is a good time to review all on-farm decisions and ask whether they are best for business.

How bobby calves are managed is one such area to consider. Do you have the facilities and time to do the job well, or is it an added source of stress? Could you bring in a little more income by doing things differently?

Dairy farmers have several options for dealing with bobby calves so it is worth taking the time to ask whether you have chosen the option that is best for you.

A bobby calf is a calf that is less than 30 days old, weighs less than 80 kg and is not accompanied by its mother. Typically they are dairy breed, male calves.

Bobby calves need to be given the same standard of care as every other calf on the farm. If you are not able to provide this standard of care, then humane euthanasia at birth by a trained operator using a firearm or a captive bolt is the best option.

Captive bolts are inexpensive, readily available, not subject to firearm regulations (except in WA and Tasmania) and safer to have around the farm than a firearm. The NCDE runs small group accredited training 28

AUGUST 2016

in ‘Euthanasia of Livestock’ and your Dairy Australia Regional Development Program may be able to set up a course in your area if there is enough interest.

Euthanasing calves is not a task that everyone wants to do, so you need to discuss with your staff if they are comfortable to carry out this responsible job. It is also worth asking your local herd improvement company if they offer a euthanasia service.

If you choose to rear or sell your calves, good on-farm management is essential. Some people choose to rear their bobby calves onfarm for veal or dairy beef. With the current good season and strong livestock prices, rearing might be a good option if you have surplus feed and the time and facilities to get calves through to weaning economically.

They will be worth much more at three to four months than they are at five days old, but you need to consider the cost of rearing which will include milk, feed, labour and associated health costs.

If rearing calves yourself is not an option, you might be able to find someone locally who will rear them. Many calf rearers prefer to have weaned calves, in which case you will

need the space, time and milk to get them through to weaning. Advanced calf rearing systems that get the calves to weaning in less than eight weeks could be an attractive option.

If you are lucky enough to find a calf rearer who will take unweaned calves, they can leave your farm as soon as possible (as long as they are travelling direct to the calf rearer’s property). However, the calf rearer is going to want calves that are going to thrive, so you need to make sure that bobby calves get sufficient good-quality colostrum in the first 12 hours of life and you will need to be especially careful transporting very young calves.

Calf rearers tend to prefer beef crossbred or Holstein-type calves, so selling to a calf rearer might not be an option if you have Jersey calves.

Calves that are sold to a calf buyer for consignment to an abattoir might have a long journey ahead of them, and farmers have a responsibility to ensure that they are properly prepared. While they remain on the farm they need to be cared for as well as any other calf, which means colostrum, clean

and dry bedding, access to water at all times, and gentle handling.

They need to be fed within six hours of leaving the farm and must be fit for transport. This means they must be at least five days old, strong and healthy. These responsibilities and others are described in the Australian Animal Welfare Standards for Land Transport of Livestock. Under the Livestock Management Act (2010), anyone involved in the livestock transport process must comply with these standards.

It is often less stressful for calves to be sold direct to the buyer with the aim of transporting calves for the shortest possible time or distance.

Ultimately, making a considered decision about how to best manage bobby calves and ensuring that you follow best practices is good for calf welfare, it’s good for you and your business, and it’s good for the industry.

For more information, you can contact NCDE to find out about calf rearing courses available in your region.

The Dairy Australia website has a wealth of resources: just visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au and search for `bobby’ to see what is available.

In particular, the Rearing Healthy Calves manual is available from Murray Dairy or online at the Dairy Australia website.

Or phone Sarah Chaplin on 0439 275 896 or by email at sarah. chaplin@ecodev.vic.gov.au — Dr Sarah Chaplin, Agriculture Victoria development specialist, animal performance

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29

Cindy, Dan and Lexi Knee catch up with Focus Farm facilitator Matt Hall at the Toora North field day.

Staying focused on the big picture A support group’s input has helped a farm business weather the vagaries of the dairy industry.

There’s no shortage of hills and valleys on Dan and Cindy Knee’s dairy farm — and there’s been plenty of ups and downs during their two years as Focus Farmers.

The Toora North couple has just completed its time under the Focus Farm microscope and has been riding a roller coaster of events for the entire two years.

Focus Farms are funded by GippsDairy and Dairy Australia using dairy service levy funds and provide an experienced farm consultant as a facilitator as well as a support group made up of fellow farmers and local service providers.

A bumper first year was followed by the poor spring of 2015 and the subsequent milk price fall. Add in the birth of their daughter Lexi and another baby on the way and it’s been a big 24 months for the Knees.

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AUGUST 2016

The couple took over the lease of the property from Dan’s parents, Bruce and Rae, at the start of the Focus Farm period.

Since then, the Knees have purchased an additional 43 ha to create an effective milking area of 187 ha on which they currently milk 420 cows.

Focus farm facilitator Matt Hall said the Focus Farm period had provided an invaluable insight into a farming operation in good and bad times.

“Their first year was a reasonable to good milk price and a good season to go with it, and they made a significant cash surplus — everything went right,” he said.

“The next year the milk price opened at $5.60, which was a very workable price, which would have meant a cash surplus of around $130 000, but then we got one of

the most difficult springs that I have ever seen, which brought a number of challenges around trying to get enough silage and planting additional crops, some of which failed because of the dry conditions.

“In the end it resulted in a negative cash flow of around $50 000.”

While the tough season and reduced milk price has tested many farmers, Mr Hall said the Knees should be commended for keeping one eye on their long-term goal of owning the farm in 10 years, while being able to adjust their farm business plan to suit current conditions.

“The key insight that I have had from this Focus Farm is that you can plan all you like, but things out of your control can ultimately determine the outcome,” he said.

“Dan and Cindy employed a lot of tactics that

Pakenham dairy farmer Steve Moore, who came all the way to the Toora North Focus Farm field day, with Alltech’s Jake Frecklington and Hazel Park dairy farmer Troy Allott.

Bruce Knee and Burra Foods’ Reno Tomaino at the Focus Farm field day.

Tom Wyatt from Landmark Foster caught up with Toora dairy farmer Wendy Whelan and DEDJTR’s David Shambrook at the Toora North Focus Farm.

GippsDairy extension officer Donna Gibson with Gardiner Foundation’s Aaron Gosling and Mirboo North Focus Farmer Bruce Manintveld at the Toora North field day.

they had to, but I still don’t think they ever forgot the big picture.

“Tactics are for the short term and they can sometimes lead you a little bit away from your long-term goal, but they have not forgotten their main goal which is to buy the farm in 10 years, which is still very possible.”

Speaking at their final Focus Farm field day, the Knees said despite the challenges that had confronted them, they felt more confident in running their business than they did two years ago.

At the Toora North Focus Farm field day were Scott Benton from Toora, Binginwarri’s Trent Crawford, Hedley’s Luke and Tate Jenkins, and Russell Mann from Rabobank.

“We’re a bit more confident in what we are doing,” Mrs Knee said. support group for sharing their knowledge, “Even having the support group supporting “It’s certainly helped me, because I started experience and time during a busy couple of fresh two years ago and I’ve learnt a lot about our ideas has been really helpful.” years.’’

GippsDairy extension co-ordinator Tony finances in that time.”

Platt said the Knee Focus Farm had offered The remaining Focus Farm field days will be For Mr Knee, developing his farm skills an insight into a young farming couple and held at Bruce Manintveld and Fiona Baker’s has gone hand in hand with improving his how they dealt with two very different years. farm at Mirboo North on Thursday, August business acumen. He said the Focus Farm “For all those following this Focus 11; and at Tim and Grit Cashin’s farm at experience had helped him make better and Farm — and we had very strong turnouts at more confident decisions.

Leongatha South on Friday, August 19. all the field days — this has been a fascinating “We are definitely better business people,” look at what it takes to build a dairy business The final Focus Farm field days will include he said. information from the Tactics for Tight Times and how to deal with the obstacles that are program, with an emphasis on winter and “There’s been a few things that people have often in the way,” he said. “GippsDairy spring management strategies, as well as suggested, like chicory and other crops, that would like to thank Dan and Cindy for opening up their farm business, and the we have tried that have worked really well. financial planning for 2016-17.

AUGUST 2016

31

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Increasing rate of genetic gain A combination of technologies is reaping rewards for farmers.

“Hopefully the end result is high quality Because of this, Dr Woodward said The use of reproductive technologies such as sexed semen and embryo transfer embryos that are almost certainly female,” artificial insemination and sexed semen in commercial dairy herds is not a new she said. was preferred to embryo transfer; but now, phenomenon, however significant refinement operators were becoming more skilled and Dr Woodward said by combining this and advancement means that combining experiencing much more consistent results, technology with genomics, breeders could these technologies alongside genomic often comparable to those achieved using identify and focus on genetically superior testing could be a cost-effective approach to conventional semen. heifers, harvesting top quality embryos increasing the rate of genetic gain.

“I believe the quality of the sexed semen being from those individuals, thereby fast-tracking Multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) used is better than it was when sexed semen genetic gains. involves producing multiple embryos from a was first available.”

Results between herds would vary due to single animal, thereby amplifying desirable biological factors.

With MOET, sexed semen is still used, genetics, increasing reproductive rate and however the embryo is flushed out for use on In collaboration with the Australian Dairy decreasing the generation interval — both other animals.

Herd Improvement Scheme’s ImProving key drivers of genetic gain.

In terms of cost-effectiveness, MOET has the Herds project, the study will be conducted Dr Lindsay Moore, of Dr R.L Moore & ability to create more embryos per procedure. in herds across the Gippsland area in 2016 Associates in South Gippsland, is currently and will specifically use 12-to-15-month-old conducting a field study of the cost benefit of The trial started several months ago, and maiden heifers. while there are no firm numbers yet, Dr using sexed semen and MOET in heifers.

Heifers in the trial groups will likely undergo Woodward said Dr Moore had found some Combining these technologies could offer one or two MOET cycles before being impressive results. benefits to the dairy farmer including the mated to calve naturally.

The trial has included up to seven farms and reduction of birth rate of bull calves as well Dr Moore aims to include at least 10 farms 25–30 animals, however it is hoped that up as production of high index embryos as a in the study, which will yield important data to 100 animals may be included. saleable commodity to the wider commercial regarding the factors affecting success in dairy industry.

At this point, Dr Woodward said the trial terms of embryo yields. was achieving a high incidence of usable Veterinarian and assistant to Dr Moore, Kate female embryos. On one farm, seven animals For more information and to be included in Woodward, said in the past the use of sexed the trial, contact Dr R.L Moore & Associates have been included in the trial; flushing semen in MOET programs was limited and these animals produced 39 embryos of which through the website at even discouraged due to variable and often poor results.

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33

Calendar of events Focus Farm Open Days (Light lunch provided) Location: Mirboo North Focus Farm, 790 Boolarra-Mirboo North Rd, Mirboo North Date: Thursday, August 11, 2016 Time: 11 am to 2 pm RSVP: GippsDairy, phone 03 5624 3900 Location: Leongatha South Focus Farm, Cashins Rd, Leongatha South Date: Thursday, August 18, 2016 Time: 11 am to 2 pm RSVP: GippsDairy, phone 03 5624 3900 These final focus farm open days will present the findings for the past two years of the project.

The open days will: • Review performance over the two seasons.

• Present key learnings in relation to production, financials, young stock rearing, animal health and overall business management.

Please contact GippsDairy for updates.

Phone: (03) 5624 3900.

Email: executiveassistant@gippsdairy.com.au

• Take into account the impact of opening milk price and present a cash flow to work within those constraints.

• Focus on winter spring feed management.

Tactics for Tight Times — On Farm Days Preparing for 2016–17 Location: Paul and Louise Shearer, Nyora Consultant: Matt Harms, ONFARM Consulting Date: Thursday, August 4, 2016 Time: 11 am to 2 pm (lunch included) RSVP: GippsDairy, phone 03 5624 3900 Location: TBA, Meeniyan Consultant: Matt Harms, ONFARM Consulting Date: Thursday, August 25, 2016 Time: 11 am to 2 pm (lunch included) RSVP: GippsDairy, phone 03 5624 3900

Location: TBA, MID Consultant: Matt Harms, ONFARM Consulting Date: Thursday, September 15, 2016 Time: 11 am to 2 pm (lunch included) RSVP: GippsDairy, phone 03 5624 3900 • Managing a low milk price season.

• Calculation of break-even milk price.

• Trimming costs across the business.

• Communication with lenders.

• Winter/spring feed planning.

• Buying feed based on quality and value.

• Managing herd health and welfare.

• Government assistance for farmers.

• Looking after yourself and your people.

Stepping Up Stepping Back Facilitated by John Mulvany Location: Federation Training, Leongatha Date: Thursday, September 1, 2016 Time: 9.45 am to 3 pm RSVP: GippsDairy, phone 03 5624 3900

Confidence levels take a dive Challenging, dry season likely to lead to losses for some.

The short-term to medium-term future looks industry has now dropped below 50 per cent. terms of 2015–16 profit expectations. particularly tough for dairy farmers in the Dairy Australia senior analyst John Droppert Mr Droppert said overall, margins had southern export-focused states of Victoria, been significantly tighter through 2015–16, said underlying tension across the industry Tasmania and South Australia, according to squeezed by higher costs and lower income. in the export-focused states had been analysis by Dairy Australia. amplified and brought to the surface by the “Recovery in the global market remains Following a challenging and dry season recent milk price cuts. unlikely until 2017, which will see cash many farmers in south-eastern Australia flow challenges through spring presenting a “The survey highlighted confidence in the are staring down the barrel of significant future of the industry is lower across Victoria significant hurdle for many farms.” financial losses. than it has been for the past few years,” Mr Mr Droppert said Victorian dairy farmers This has come about due to farm gate price Droppert said. were now more concerned about farm gate cuts by some processors and expectations of milk price than they had been for some time.

“Since then, late-season cuts to farm gate a much lower opening price for 2016–17. prices have caused a significant further “In the survey’s 12-year history, the national As a result, confidence levels for southern trend in farmer sentiment showed a close decline in sentiment across most regions, farmers have plummeted. relationship with farm gate prices. which follow-up research is currently attempting to quantify.”

As part of Dairy Australia’s Situation and “Statistical analysis suggests that prices Outlook June 2016 report released last week, Dairy Australia analysis shows farmers across account for more than 80 per cent of the the National Dairy Farmer Survey is carried variability in farmer positivity about the Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania face out to gauge behaviour and attitudes of future of the dairy industry.” income losses of more than $150 000 in a farmers across Australia. number of cases, based on the late-season At the time of the National Dairy Farmer changes to farm gate milk prices by some At the time of the 2016 survey, conducted Survey, availability and/or price of irrigation processors. in February and March, the proportion of water was expected to present a challenge for farmers feeling positive about the future of 75 per cent of Murray Dairy respondents.

Even prior to the recent price the industry dropped from 74 per cent last announcements, Victorian farmers in the More than half (58 per cent) nominated it as year to 67 per cent.

Murray Dairy (58 per cent) and WestVic (52 their “greatest” challenge going forward and 48 per cent expected it to be an issue for the per cent) regions as well as those in Dairy A recent supplementary survey suggests the coming months. number of farmers feeling positive about the Tas (60 per cent) were most pessimistic in 34

AUGUST 2016

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