Dairy direct gippsland december 2016 (low res) by McPherson Media Group

PUBLICATION

GIPPSLAND Issue 13, December 2016

Leveraging the network » page 20

Wrestling with the ‘black dog’ » page 14

What the factories had to say about price » page 18

Bottling Jerseys » page 17

Starting the conversation contents Humble ‘mo’ helps break the ice. I never would have thought a few centimetres of facial hair could make such a difference to the way people talked to me. Last month, I grew a moustache as part of GippsDairy’s effort to support the Movember men’s health initiative. Many people had a laugh at the expense of my mo — and rightly so — but of more significance was the conservations it started about an issue that should be close to all our hearts. Mental health is a huge and growing issue among men — and dairy farmers are certainly no exception. We often work under highly stressful conditions with long hours and financial pressures considered to be part of the job. GippsDairy chose to raise funds for mental health and suicide prevention because we believe many men are suffering in silence, with too many of them never finding a way out. I was inspired to get involved after watching the ABC’s Man Up series, which explored attitudes to masculinity and what it means to be an Aussie bloke. It was a great series that I would recommend everyone — but especially those raising boys — should have a look at.

Starting the conversation �� 3

One of the recurring messages of Man Up was how opening up to each other makes a hell of a difference to the way we feel and the way we behave. Just the simple act of talking (and listening) can break down barriers and give people the chance to take a crushing weight off their shoulders. For many blokes, conversations about how we are feeling can be difficult to have. I know I was brought up in an era when men would rarely talk about their personal problems — and we were a lot worse off for it. They weren’t necessarily the good old days. If the past month taught me anything, it was that times have changed and for the better. My silly mo has started some important conversations that I hope will continue now that normal facial hair service has been resumed. We have too much to lose by staying quiet and so much to gain by simply starting to talk. With Christmas fast approaching I hope all Gippsland dairy cows can enjoy a summer full of green grass and the dairy farmers can find some time through the festive season to relax with family and friends. — Graeme Nicoll GippsDairy chair

I’m waiting until the cows come home �� 5 UDV welcomes inquiry �� 6 All on board with GippsDairy �� 8 Rubbish can be toxic to cattle �� 9 Cheesemaker counts her blessings �� 10 Finding a new confidence in the future �� 12 Don’t be afraid to ask for help �� 14 Controlling effluent odour �� 16 Farmers take control of their destiny �� 17 Processors assess outlook for milk prices �� 18 Rising to meet every challenge �� 20 Grants can help ease burden �� 24 New boss for co-operative �� 25 Less is more in milking �� 26 Delving into dairy DNA �� 28 Suggestions for improvement �� 29

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Reminders for December

Cover: Peter Collins Story page 20

Editor Geoff Adams editor@countrynews.com.au Writers Danny Buttler, Emma Carinci, Rodney Woods and Geoff Adams Graphic designer Brendan Cain 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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DECEMBER 2016

Grazing • December is a difficult month to predict, at some stage during the month it typically dries out and pasture growth rates slow from spring growth rates to summer growth rates. This is determined by rainfall and temperature. • If pasture is still growing well due to rainfall pastures should be managed on a rotation that grows three leaves and allows cows to graze to an acceptable residual. • Keep checking for any signs of pest attack on brassica crops like turnips or rape and spray if necessary with an appropriate insecticide. Remember to adhere to any withhold periods. Pest damage tends to be more of a problem with water or nitrogen stressed crops so, if possible irrigating with dairy effluent, post crop emergence, may help to reduce this. • If you are grazing crops, watch for Photosensitivity in your cows. At the first sign take the individual affected cows off the crop and treat them as well as provide shade. Stock • Check young stock and dairy cows for any signs of pink eye and treat early; use of vaccinations can assist in prevention. • Calves need a diet of at least 10 MJ/kg DM energy and 13 per cent crude protein to continue growing. Summer pasture alone may not supply the required energy and protein and you may need to add supplement to maintain growth. • For spring calving herds, consider whether you have enough bull power. Visit the InCalf information on the Dairy Australia website: www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Animals-feed-

and-environment/Fertility/Bulls-power-up. aspx • Plan managing heat stress on the farm. Understand the drivers of heat stress using the Cool Cows booklet that is available at www.dairyaustralia.com.au and search for ‘cool cows’. Feed • Watch for signs of competition between cows for feed as pasture declines in the diet, culling some cows may be an option if they have a limited future in the herd provided you have enough replacements for next year to return to target cow numbers. • Feed cows as well as possible while keeping an eye on the budget. Margin per cow or per ha is important in a low milk price year, although cows need to be kept in good enough condition to be able to milk well in the following season. • Watch for any signs of hay heating as a result of green or wet hay being baled. This can be checked regularly using a crow bar inserted into the bales. Don’t store damp or heating hay in the shed. • Wrapped silage bales should be checked regularly for any holes in the plastic and patched straight away with the correct type of tape (i.e. light tape on light plastic wrap and dark tape on dark plastic wrap). Clean and dry the surface and let the stretch come out of the patch before applying to form the best possible seal. • Now is a good time to control blackberry if you have any issues with it. You can also spray the sides of your laneways now to avoid grass building up on the sides of the laneways.

Reminders for January Pastures • Plan your autumn application of fertiliser in advance and investigate the cost of various options. Include dairy effluent applications in the fertiliser plan and ensure you apply it in a way that keeps it on the farm. For more information on using effluent in your fertiliser plan refer to http://fertsmart. dairyingfortomorrow.com.au/ • Monitor any crops that you have planted for pests and manage the crop for best feed utilisation by cows or young stock. Timing of crop grazing should ensure the paddock can be planted back to pasture at the optimum time in addition to feeding cows well. Remember the biggest advantage of planting a crop is improving future productivity of the pasture. • During grazing, once the pasture on the farm has reached to the best residual consider using stand-off paddocks to protect pastures from over grazing. • Confirm areas of the farm that would benefit from over sowing or renovation, plan the best approach and timing for success. This should back up what you saw in late spring with pasture performance, another look at the

pastures should be planned for March as in hot dry summers pastures can thin out. • If hay has not yet been cut take your first opportunity to cut it before the yield is reduced by hot and dry conditions. If hay has already been cut, watch for any signs of hay heating as a result of green or wet hay being baled. This can be checked regularly using a crow bar pushed into the bales. • Regularly monitor wrapped silage bales for the presence of holes and repair as soon as possible with tape that has a matching colour to the bales to give it the best chance to stick to the bale. Stock • Be on the lookout for the effects of mycotoxins such as facial eczema (looks similar to photosensitisation), affecting exposed areas of pale skin. If facial eczema is suspected contact a veterinary practitioner for advice on prevention or treatment. Information is available on the Dairy Australia website http://www. dairyaustralia.com.au/Animal-management/ Animal-health/Facial-Eczema-Monitoring. aspx

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.

I’m waiting until the cows come home Don’t stress — he’s just off to fix the pump before he goes into town. All professions have their own jargon. Dairy farmers are no exception. In my early years of marriage, I misunderstood much of what Hubby said. To save others from making the same mistakes, I have compiled an explanation of popular phrases. Temporary fix: Permanent sub-standard fix. Will still be like that in 20 years. Back in five minutes. Just got to fix the pump: Six hours and $1500 later. I need you to stand in the gateway for a few minutes while I shift the heifers: A muddy job that takes hours and involves lunging and sprint work while being yelled at. (But unlike Boot Camp, it’s free.) The busy season: Starts with calving, then includes joining, silage, crop, hay, autumn sowing and finishes with drying off.

Quiet half of the year: The hour after Christmas lunch when Hubby sits around and complains that he ate too much. Holiday weather: The weather is too cold and nasty to do anything else. Free time: Belongs in the same category as Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. Family time: Quality time spent together covering the silage stack, herd testing, cutting firewood or chasing cows. One day: A frequent response to my requests/complaints. See ‘Free time’. It was cheap: So cheap that we have to postpone the house renovations to our next good season. Gardening: Involves a chainsaw, front-end loader and glyphosate. It’s not cold: It’s freezing.

Public holiday: Same as every other day but more expensive. Guaranteed machinery breakdown. I’m going to town: He hasn’t got time to go to the supermarket or the pharmacy. Thanks for calling but I don’t need anything from town: Not until you’re nearly home with ice-cream in the boot. It’s just a scratch: The wound requires stitches and a tetanus shot. Don’t stress. It’ll be right: It’s a disaster. Panic! But occasionally it works the other way. I was moaning that I’d be changing nappies until the cows came home. Junior gave me a pointed look. “You mean Tinkerbell will be toilet trained in two hours’ time?”

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UDV welcomes inquiry Key areas identified for ACCC investigation. The dairy industry will be investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission throughout most of 2017 after its terms of reference were officially released early in November. The issues paper identified six areas to be addressed throughout the inquiry. They are: • The level of competition between processors for the acquisition of milk. • Concerns about unfair contract terms. • Transparency, price signals and how farm gate milk prices are set and communicated to producers. • Domestic retail markets, including the impact of $1/litre private label milk by major supermarkets. • Options for and barriers to selling into export markets. • Key factors influencing the profitability of dairy farms. The inquiry and its terms have been welcomed by the UDV as an important part of reforming the dairy industry. “Understanding the influences that contributed to this year’s industry chaos is important in ensuring we don’t ever repeat

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the milk crisis,” UDV president Adam Jenkins said. “It’s an opportunity to put the spotlight on inefficiencies throughout supply chain — from the farm gate to retail sector — and to look at price signalling and

transparency in export markets.” The inquiry has welcomed feedback from dairy farmers through a series of public and private forums recently. The ACCC will provide its final report to the Treasurer by November 1 next year.

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All on board with GippsDairy Two new directors welcomed at annual general meeting. “I’ve got some skills and abilities that I and extension programs, as well as farm Jindivick farm business management thought would be able to help farmers on the consulting. consultant Dan Armstrong and Maffra board make decisions if they were looking for veterinarian Richard Shephard were “This combination will bring a unique other ways of looking at issues and problems,” appointed to the GippsDairy board at insight to GippsDairy and will help broaden he said. October’s annual general meeting. the knowledge base available to the board,” “I’ve got a breadth of experience and I think Mr Nicoll said. The meeting at Kardella South also saw I’m pretty good at understanding how Fish Creek dairy farmer Graeme Nicoll Mr Armstrong, who runs his own consulting farmers combine all their resources to make and Hallora dairy farmer Grant Williams business specialising in farm business money.” management, said providing analytics reappointed as chair and deputy chair Mr Nicoll thanked the two departing for individual farmers and at an industry respectively, with Korumburra dairy farmer directors, Iain Stewart from Stratford level would help him contribute to the Sinead De Gooyer appointed as secretary. development of GippsDairy programs. and Inverloch’s Edwin Vandenberg, for the Mr Nicoll said both of the new directors were time and effort they dedicated to GippsDairy. “I have fairly broad experience in the research, well respected throughout development and extension area, so I will Mr Nicoll said during his two board terms, Gippsland, having spent decades building be able to contribute in terms of project Mr Stewart brought with him the farmer outstanding reputations in the dairy industry. development, delivery and evaluation,” he knowledge and business expertise that had “Adding Dan to the board will provide said. made him such a valuable contributor to opportunities to further develop farm systems the local community around Maffra and “I’ve worked in the dairy industry for about management, which is particularly crucial in 20 years and it’s been a great industry to work Sale, as well as being a respected voice in the the current economic climate,” Mr Nicoll irrigation sector. in, so I thought this might be an opportunity said. to give something back.” He said Mr Vandenberg brought his skills “He will also be able to provide the expertise from business to the Gippsland dairy For Dr Shephard, working as a clinical vet, to develop programs aimed at building industry, with his work in helping farmers farm management consultant and, most wealth within the industry.” through the water shortages of 2015–16 recently, an industry level consultant, made the GippsDairy board the right fit at the right showing the energy and intelligence he Dr Shephard has combined a veterinary brought to the board over the past two years. time. career with his involvement with research

New GippsDairy directors Richard Shephard and Dan Armstrong (centre), with GippsDairy chair Graeme Nicoll (left) and regional manager Allan Cameron before the 2016 AGM at Kardella South.

Won Wron Focus Farmers Lisa and Paul Mumford catch up with GippsDairy regional extension officer Louise Sundermann and Binginwarri dairy farmer Aaron Thomas at the AGM.

Ellinbank dairy farmers Kath and Ron Paynter (left and right) welcome new GippsDairy director Richard Shephard, from Maffra, to the AGM.

At the GippsDairy AGM were Koonwarra dairy farmers Shawn and Tracey Hollingworth with GippsDairy director Sinead De Gooyer and Dumbalk North dairy farmer Damian Murphy.

GippsDairy leaders The GippsDairy board for the next two years comprises: Chair Graeme Nicoll (dairy farmer, Fish Creek), deputy chair Grant Williams (dairy farmer, Hallora), secretary Sinead De Gooyer (dairy farmer, Korumburra), Joanne Bills (food market analyst, Fitzroy), Lauren Finger (dairy farmer, Yannathan), Ross Anderson (dairy farmer, Denison), Brad Missen (dairy farmer, Denison), Brian Gannon (agribusiness manager, Leongatha), Richard Shephard (veterinarian, Maffra), Dan Armstrong (farm business management consultant, Jindivick) and executive officer/regional manager Allan Cameron. 8

DECEMBER 2016

animal health Rubbish can be toxic to cattle

Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer, Agriculture Victoria

Prevention is far better than cure when it comes to lead contamination. Do you have a farm rubbish tip or a shed with forgotten unlabelled products? Land managers need to be aware this forgotten rubbish could be toxic to their livestock. Something as simple as a discarded lead battery could lead to the death of livestock and the contamination of others. Cattle in particular are skilful at discovering rubbish that can result in lead poisoning, so always check before releasing stock into new areas. Prevent situations that permit cattle to lick or digest material such as old batteries, flaking lead paint or sump oil. Often the first sign of lead poisoning is finding dead livestock. When lead-affected animals are observed they show signs of central nervous system damage such as blindness and unresponsiveness. Prevention is always better than cure, therefore the removal of all possible sources of lead is essential. However, this doesn’t help livestock that are clinically affected, for

Protect livestock from accidental poisoning.

which the prognosis is dire. Livestock that have been exposed to lead must not be slaughtered for human consumption until it is confirmed they comply with meat food standards. This can involve costly testing and a considerable period of slaughter restrictions as unacceptable lead levels can persist for many months. While checking for lead

poisoning hazards, consider other potential livestock poisoning risks. Ensuring that stock remains isolated from these hazards will reduce the risk of loss from accidental poisonings as well as keeping them contaminant-free. For further advice contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary or animal health Officer.

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Kaye Courtney with her Bassine Speciality Cheeses range on the family dairy farm at Bass.

Cheesemaker counts her blessings Farmers tap into the passing tourist trade by processing their own milk. When you live on a dairy farm next to one of Australia’s busiest tourist roads, you can either complain about the noise or make the most of the passing traffic. Legendairy farmer Kaye Courtney could always see the potential customer base that went right past the front door of her family’s dairy farm on the South Gippsland Hwy near Phillip Island, but it wasn’t until she fell in love with cheesemaking that she was able to take advantage of it. “To be truthful, it was the noisiest dairy farm that I’ve ever been on. They are usually such peaceful places, but when I first got here in 2006 they were doing road duplication and we were under the helicopter flight path for Bass Strait,” Ms Courtney said. “But that has turned around to our benefit, because we front such a busy tourist route, the traffic can come right in.” And come right in they do. From a hobby that Ms Courtney hoped would earn enough to replace her time on the dairy farm, Bassine Specialty Cheeses has grown into a small business success story that is value-adding to the local economy. 10

DECEMBER 2016

Milk produced by Ms Courtney’s partner, second generation dairy farmer Glen Bisognin and his son Luke, is used to produce a variety of soft chesses, creams and even their own brand of milk. Much of their trade is based around the tourist traffic passing through the tiny town of Bass, about an hour-and-a-half south-east of Melbourne. With a herd size of only 150 cows — down by 50 because of last season’s dry conditions — the farm is smaller than the average dairy business. But what they lack in quantity of milk, they make up for in quality. The 57-year-old believes their Friesian herd produces milk that is intrinsic to the cheesemaking process. “It’s extremely important, the milk is makeor-break from a cheese quality point of view,” Ms Courtney said. “Luke is doing a really good job producing high quality milk and that quality really comes through in the cheese. “We also bottle some of our own milk here and once people have tasted it, they are hooked.

“We handle the milk as gently as possible. We only pasteurise, we don’t homogenise, which leaves an old-fashioned type of milk where the cream rises to the top.” Ms Courtney’s passion for cheese started when she was gifted a cheesemaking course in 2002. Starting as a hobby to be shared with family and friends, it morphed into the current thriving business about five years ago. While Bassine Specialty Cheeses is now making money and is an important part of the farm finances, it’s the love of cheese that drives the business, rather than a desire for profits. “There’s a lot of art to it and there’s a lot of science behind it as well,” Ms Courtney said. “It’s also a very nurturing job, you are looking after what the cheesemakers call their ‘little babies’. We look after them and we nurture them along, which is what is so rewarding about it. “The more love and attention you give the cheese, the better the outcome.” • For more Legendairy stories, go to: legendairy.com.au

Last year’s Tour participants with a picturesque Tasmanian backdrop.

Tassie Tour to Inspire FORMER participants in the Don Campbell Memorial Study Tour have urged young farmers to apply for next year’s tour to be held in March. Don Campbell was a Yannathan dairy farmer and inaugural Chair of GippsDairy who was killed in a vehicle accident in 1998. At the time of his death, Don was organising a Tasmanian study tour, which was subsequently named in his honour. Current GippsDairy Chair and Fish Creek dairy farmer Graeme Nicoll, who was on the inaugural tour, said it was an experience that changed his life. “It was really significant in encouraging me to get out and look broader and wider than just Gippsland and also helped me develop networks across Gippsland,” he said. At the time of the Tasmania tour, Graeme was working for wages on the family farm. The experience of seeing different farming methods helped to open his mind and strengthen his resolve to implement on-farm strategies. “I was looking at changing some things and it helped me confirm the path of that direction and gave me the ability to back up my thoughts and implement them.”

Binginwarri dairy farmer Aaron Thomas went on the 2010 tour and, three years later, was running his own farm. Aaron credits the tour with “sparking him up” and helping him to realise that there were great opportunities to be had in the dairy industry. “I’ll never forget a comment when we were at one of the farms owned by Paul Lambert and he just said ‘If I could get the staff, I would keep buying more farms’. I was just thinking ‘whoaa!’ who talks like that,” he said. Aaron said young farmers, whose experience might be limited to one or two farms, benefit from being exposed to different farming systems. “I think it’s critical that people see other options. There’s always the traditional and then there’s the other way,” he said. “Look at the industry now, you really have to be able to think outside the box.” Next year’s tour, which is organised by the Young Dairy Network, will head back to north east Tasmania in March to study a variety of different farming systems. YDN Gippsland co-ordinator Irene Baker, who will be leading the tour, encouraged young farmers to apply for the small number of available places.

“If you are a young farmer who wants to expand your horizons within the dairy industry, then please apply,” she said. “This is an opportunity to further your career, so we want people who will be engaged and focused on getting as much as they can out their time in Tasmania.” Aaron Thomas said the tour changed his way of thinking.

The five-day tour is supported by GippsDairy, Dairy Australia, Dairy SA and the UDV, which helps cap costs at $165 (including flights, accommodation and some meals) for each participant. For application forms email irene@gippsdairy.com.au or phone the GippsDairy office on 5624 3900. Applications close on 23 December.

Graeme Nicoll encouraged young farmers to consider the benefits of the Don Campbell Memorial Study tour.

Finding a new confidence in the future Taking Stock program allows farmers to fine tune their business in tough times. After a tough end to the previous season, 2016–17 has started well for Darryl and Trudi Hammond. July, August and September were good months for making milk. However, October’s figures were impacted by delays with calving among the 420 Friesian and Friesian crosses. “This season’s kicking on, we are feeding them more grass and less grain; last season there wasn’t a lot of grass so we had to push the grain,” Mr Hammond said. The Hammonds’ Buln Buln property has 186 ‘effective’ hectares and a further 70 ha of off-farm turn-out blocks. Although there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution for the dairy industry, Mr Hammond is confident their farm is reaching its potential. To achieve maximum productivity he advocates the use of consultants and discussion groups to challenge on-farm systems. He also strongly advises the use of Dairy Australia’s Taking Stock program to get a better grasp of their individual situations. A flow-on from Tactics for Tight Times, Taking Stock was developed for farmers to use in conjunction with their advisers. Mr Hammond reckons it is an excellent program for farmers. Originally a spreadsheet, it is now a comprehensive process that creates an action plan after review of all aspects of the farm operation. It has been well received; more than 2500 farm businesses have participated

Darryl Hammond checks the operation.

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Darryl and Trudi Hammond are confident with their decision making.

Scheduled maintenance of the robots ensures reliability.

in a Taking Stock session. For some farmers “It would be great if funding was it is the first time they’ve had a consultant on made available for another round of consultations, say six months the farm. down the track, to follow up on the Mr Hammond said Taking Stock lets initial review. Then maybe another somebody with a strong economic in a year, to monitor outcomes and background come onto the farm, go through market changes. the spreadsheet and say “we can break even if “People need to revisit their we tweak the system”. budgets and more farmers should “It’s a way to remove the scare factor and be encouraged to have the initial provide some light at the end of the tunnel,” consultation.” he said. Robust analysis of this year’s figures Step one of Taking Stock is defining a was particularly important. farmer’s support team. The Hammonds use About 18 months ago the Hammonds feed, AI and pasture consultants. They sat down with regular consultant Andrew Wood were confronted by the need to upgrade their shed. They used input and discussed their system. from an Automated Milking System They are members of a Gippsland-based discussion group to support the decision to business-focused discussion group, facilitated install six robots. This is the first full year by Fiona Smith, so they already knew where since their introduction. they stood. Mrs Hammond said talking to people who “We just wanted to manoeuvre the numbers used robots was essential in the decision relating to cows moving forward. Taking making process. Stock gave us extra time to achieve this,” “We were advised about the dos and don’ts Mr Hammond said. and were warned not to push the system, Through Taking Stock, the Hammonds were though we’ve learned we can milk a lot more able to get an extra financial consultation cows with the robots than we first thought,” for the year. One outcome was the decision she said. to sell an under-utilised power harrow. The Benefits of automation have included money was spent on a tipper crush to reduce quieter cows, reduction of labour and more labour inputs. flexibility for the operation. Veterinary bills have halved. They also used the opportunity to review feed input costs and make adjustments to Predictions from the AMS discussion group the planned feeding program. They switched proved correct: power bills increased by 25 some of the grain from wheat to barley to per cent and maintenance costs are 10 per take advantage of price fluctuations. cent higher. But the reduction in labour costs offset these figures. Mr Hammond looks to the future of Taking The Hammonds now employ a person Stock.

for two, four-hour days a week. They are training him to run the farm during scheduled holidays. Mr Hammond said the robots were “almost like an airplane; you’re disappointed if they break down”. Service and maintenance are based on the number of milkings and regular visual inspection of the equipment to check for unusual wear and tear. There are fewer surprises these days. “Taking Stock hasn’t actually saved me money but I know within three per cent what my figures are going to be,” Mr Hammond said. “This certainty allows me to go to bed at night feeling comfortable with the system and the decision making process. We run a moderate stocking rate with moderate grain input so that we can manoeuvre either way, depending on circumstances. “Even with the current prices I know that we are here for the long term.” DECEMBER 2016

Mental health on the farm

Paul checking the farm.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help Depression can be managed if you know how, advises someone who lives with it every day. Paul Kent loves dairy farming. Every morning he beats the alarm out of bed and attacks the day with an energy that a man half his age would be jealous of. He is passionate about dairying, loves his cows, loves growing grass and adores his children. He also suffers from depression and isn’t afraid to ask for help when he needs it. He has learned to look for the warning signs and he tries very hard to avoid any issues that can trigger a depressive episode. When depression first crept up on Mr Kent he had no idea what was wrong with him. At the time he was managing a Murray Goulburn store and trying to help his customers through the drought in the mid-2000s. “My depression just came on me,” he said. “I woke up one morning and struggled to get out of bed. I got to the office and couldn’t stop crying — at the time I had a good job, was earning good money, I had my marriage and family. “Things were pretty good really but over the years I have since learned there is no answers as to why, all I know is it comes and goes and I am lucky enough to now be aware of the signs. 14

DECEMBER 2016

“I can go along for 12 months and be absolutely fine and then it just turns up out of the blue.” Like many of us, Mr Kent has had his share of trying times — a failed marriage, children to look after, a dairy farm to run and throw in a three-year battle with lymphoma. He has certainly had his share of ups and downs. But he says when you have stared death in the face, you can do either of two things. “I have a zest for life and I wake up every morning excited about getting up. You can’t live your life on ifs, buts and maybes.” Mr Kent suffered from his latest depressive episode in September, which prompted him to post a short video on showsome#dairylove. He was overwhelmed by the response as people privately messaged him. “I had over 25 inboxes from random people and it was more blokes then women, which made me feel really good. “I guess if by talking out about my depression I can help at least one person then I am happy about that. The best piece of advice I can give is don’t be proud to ask for help and head to the doctors’. “They can pick things up straight away and while it is good to talk to your mates, they might not be the best person to help, if they are telling you what you want

to hear as opposed to what you actually need to hear, and there is a big difference there. “It’s also easy to turn to alcohol but that is certainly not the solution.” Mr Kent has been home on the family dairy farm for the past seven years and while he is well aware of the impact of the milk price on the state’s farmers, he said this year had been particularly good for him. “From a farm point of view it’s never been better. The milk price has put pressure on things but production is up 10 to 15 per cent and I am milking less cows and I have never cut as much silage or had as much grass as I have had this season, so for me that wasn’t the catalyst. It was a personal issue.” To maintain his mental health, Mr Kent tries to take time away from the farm, even if it is only for a simple walk along the beach near his Woolamai farm on Phillip Island. But perhaps most importantly, if he needs help, he knows to ask for it. “Your health is important and if you are not feeling right, go see a doctor, talk to someone and ask for help. I know I did and it probably saved me.” •If you or anyone you know is in need of help, please phone Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention line on 131 114.

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A sludge trap is often the first stage for an effluent system.

Desludging needs to be carried out regularly.

Controlling effluent odour There are steps you can take to reduce ‘that smell’ on your farm. With farm and herd sizes increasing during recent years, so too has the requirement for larger effluent ponds. This concentrates odour in larger areas than in the past. Odour emissions are usually produced due to an incomplete anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in manure. When manure moisture content exceeds about 30 per cent, anaerobic conditions begin to prevail and odour is generated. In addition to moisture content, the warmer the temperature, the greater is the bacterial action resulting in faster rates of decomposition and thereby increased production of odour. Odour is carried by the prevailing wind and becomes increasingly dispersed over distance. On a hot, windy day, this dispersion is more rapid than on a cold, calm, cloudless day or night. In narrow, deep valleys odour tends to be confined and last longer, a consideration for a new dairy siting. Around the dairy area, sources of odour are effluent ponds, solids separation systems, manure stock piles, feed pads, loafing areas and laneways and areas where manure (or silage) has become intermingled in mud. Silage and stacks of spoiled silage or grain, storage areas for wet by-products, spilled feed, manure outside the washed areas such as yard entry and exit, around the sump and solids trap also contribute to “that smell”. The siting of new dairy developments can take into account distance to neighbours (and likely future town/city growth), directions of the prevailing winds and 16

DECEMBER 2016

topography as being the most important factors to avoid potential issues. However, existing farms are locked in — so good management and regular maintenance should be foremost in mind to minimise issues and to maintain good relationships with nearby residents. • Carry out de-sludging, manure spreading and effluent application when odour impacts can be minimised such as when prevailing winds blow away from neighbouring properties. • Spread sludge and effluent onto a paddock about to be cultivated or direct drilled with a spring-sown or summer crop. • Consider using effluent carts, which can inject effluent into the soil and reduce odour, versus dropping on the soil surface. • Provide advanced warning or negotiate with neighbours so as not to interfere with their weekend activities. • Try to design or modify existing areas to avoid wet manure building up in the first place as it will produce odour while it decomposes. • Place a board or three around the top of the sump wall or nib wall on the entry laneway to the yard to minimise mess being dropped outside these areas. • Design or modify laneways leading to the dairy to allow regular washing or scraping. Integrate the laneway and concreted feed pads into the effluent collection system, although this might not always be possible due to topographical barriers. If possible, ensure water can drain away from stockpiled solids and manure to the effluent system, because ponded water

becomes anaerobic with potential for odour production. Waste feed and manure from feedpads/ laneways should be stored in triangularshaped windrows to shed rainfall and reduce the likelihood of creating anaerobic conditions within the pile. New ponds, especially if constructed leading into the cooler months, will take some time for the decomposing bacteria to build up in numbers, often producing odour until they do. ‘Seeding’ effluent from another active pond will enhance the activity of the ponds. Sludge is comprised of either completely or partially digested organic matter, which settles out in the anaerobic pond. The process of de-sludging will stir up the bottom solids and can be highly odorous, so work with the wind in your favour. Avoid shock loading a pond, because this can upset or kill off the manure-decomposing bacteria and organic breakdown will reduce or stop. This occurs when either a large-volume or a high-strength effluent is discharged into the pond on a single occasion such as spoiled milk or a large amount of feed pad scrapings is dumped into the pond. Trees should not be established near ponds as roots may damage pond embankments or liners. However, trees in a shelter belt can absorb some of the odorous compounds. Shelterbelts also create turbulence that disperses the odour upwards, particularly under stable night-time conditions. – Agriculture Victoria

Farmers take control of their destiny Plenty of interest in Jersey-only milk brand. Gippsland Jersey wants dairy farmers to get a fair price for their milk at the farm gate. Co-founders Sallie Jones and Steve Ronalds have created a Gippsland farmer-owned milk brand they hope can raise awareness about fairer pricing for dairy farmers and bring some respect back into the industry. Ms Jones and Mr Ronalds launched the farmer-owned milk brand in September and sales have gained momentum since then. Mr Ronalds, a fourth-generation Jindivick dairy farmer, has been friends with Ms Jones for years and the two decided to join forces to create the brand using milk from Mr Ronalds’ Jersey herd. “With large debts and big commitments, we decided not to run at a loss, and instead thought we’d value-add to our own milk rather than be dictated to by the milk companies,” Mr Ronalds said.

Ms Jones has industry experience as the daughter of an East Gippsland dairy farmer who diversified his dairy farm in the early 1980s to create Riviera Ice Cream Co at Lakes Entrance. Apart from being farmer-owned, Gippsland Jersey’s point of difference is that it uses 100 per cent Jersey milk. The partners said there was strong demand for the high fat premium milk in the coffee industry. It’s a long road ahead for Ms Jones and Mr Ronalds as they establish a distribution network and compete with much bigger companies who have better economies of scale.

Sallie Jones shows off the Gippsland Jersey product. Sales figures are climbing.

They’re up for the challenge and are convinced the public will support farmerowned brands as consumers want to know more about the products they buy and where they originate. For more information go to www.gippslandjersey.com.au and follow Gippsland Jersey’s journey on Facebook and Instagram.

DECEMBER 2016

Processors assess outlook for milk prices

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Murray Goulburn moved to $4.83/kg, Fonterra lifted its price to $5.10/kg while Bega Cheese and Warrnambool Cheese & Butter have moved to $5/kg. On these pages we summarise what the companies had to say about the milk price and the outlook.

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Major processors bumped up the farm gate milk prices in October, but for varying reasons.

BEGA CHEESE “Bega Cheese Ltd did not follow this action, rebalancing of supply and demand; we are as we believe that making such changes so seeing an improvement in global commodity “A price adjustment for our company and our late in the year simply passed hardship to prices with analysts predicting further farmers has occurred (as is always the case) at improvement over the next 12 to 18 months. another part of the total supply chain that the beginning of this financial year; the farm was least able to adjust at short notice. gate milk price is now more reflective of the “During the year the industry experienced “Our overall milk supply has continued to severe upheaval due to some competitors market, albeit that it is a very challenging expand, and despite unfavourable weather retrospectively decreasing milk prices to one for all dairy farmers. conditions over the summer period, the farmer producers following a drawn-out “Farm gate milk pricing around the world is company was able to increase its milk intake period of misalignment between Australian now generally below the cost of production, to 656 million litres, being a 3.8 per cent manufacturing milk price and global growth in milk volume over the prior year.” commodity prices. consequently we are beginning to see a Executive chairman Barry Irvin:

FONTERRA AUSTRALIA Managing director René Dedoncker: “Fonterra Australia told suppliers in October it had increased its average farm gate milk price to $5.10/kg of milk solids and increased its forecast closing price for the season to $5.20/kg. “This revised price reflected strengthening global dairy prices. “Although the global market remains volatile, since the beginning of the season, global

milk supply has continued to decline significantly while demand has remained relatively stable. “We have seen positive movement in GlobalDairyTrade auction prices through August and September, with a 26 per cent increase in the GDT price index since July, although the strong Australian dollar has offset some of the commodity market gains. “Fonterra’s better position can also be

attributed to: • The outer shell of the new cheese facility at Stanhope has been built, and new equipment is moving in. • The joint venture with Beingmate at Darnum, had started producing nutritionals for Bellamy’s Organics. • Expanded cheese capacity at Wynyard and butter coolroom capacity at Cobden. • The divestment of the Wagga Wagga business.”

MURRAY GOULBURN from every perspective to deliver further Interim chief executive officer David production cycle, we may see an extended Mallinson: efficiencies and cost savings. period of above average production in the coming months. “Two step-ups will take Murray Goulburn’s “Dairy Australia’s Situation & Outlook weighted average available financial Year Report for October stated: “We will continue to review this FY17 farm 2016–17 farm gate milk price to $4.86/kg gate milk price, particularly where the Preliminary data for the season to August of milk solids and our full-year forecast to an reflects a nine per cent drop for the first downside risk posed by the current extremely estimated $4.95/kg MS. wet conditions is concerned. two months of 2016–17. The south-eastern “These step-ups follow the completion of the states are most heavily affected and will likely “In response to a global oversupply of review of the Milk Supply Support Package. see further pressure from the ongoing wet dairy products, we are committed to conditions and floods. Victoria, Tasmania “Key to the recovery and growth of your manufacturing the highest possible value and South Australia all saw milk production co-operative is continuing to pay a strong products. We are ensuring our operations fall by more than 10 per cent for this period. competitive milk price. reflect the domestic and international market “We will continue to review our business “Due to the delay in the traditional peak milk and tightly managing our costs.” 18

DECEMBER 2016

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Peter and Kerrie Collins with their children Stuart and Jess on their Buffalo property. 20

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Peter Collins has about 12 ha of chicory with 20 ha more planned.

There is an emphasis on pastures, but supplementary feeding is also used.

Young gun makes the most of his opportunities. Three years ago Paul Hannigan, a farmer at Fish Creek, hosted a Tactics for Tight Times event. Peter Collins, from nearby Buffalo, was unable to attend due to an injury. Both farmers had been involved in the Young Dairy Development program and had seen the benefits of networking. Over the phone that night, the pair identified the need for a local discussion group. Young Guns was born and within a day nine farmers had joined the group. GippsDairy and Dairy Australia could see the merit in the concept so they swiftly provided sponsorship. Many of the original Young Guns have gone on to bigger and better things: moving from management to ownership or increasing the size or number of properties they own. There is a social aspect to the group, although its main purpose is to provide peer support and challenge the decision making of individual farmers. “For example, you might ask about other

people’s mating programs and work out what “It was hard to justify carrying the empties,” is best for your property,” Mr Collins said. Mr Collins said. Today there are 17 members of the group Mr and Mrs Collins believe in budgeting which also receives sponsorship from the and using cost-benefit analysis to get the best ANZ Bank, Southern Stock Feeds and results. Brown’s Fertilisers. While most farmers only have an annual Mr Collins and his wife Kerrie jointly budget, they update their cash flow budget manage their 230 ha Gippsland property, two or three times a month. This pro-active with Mrs Collins doing most of the approach allows them to take advantage of accounting. changes in circumstances. They have a son Stuart and a daughter Jess, For instance, this year they are feeding barley with one more on the way at the time of this and the grain budget has been reduced from interview. 1.6 tonne/head/year to 1.2 tonne, which They run a 400-head mixed herd of Friesians, could be further reduced. A particularly good season has enabled a reduction of grain Jerseys and crossbreds across two farms from 40 tonnes to 6 tonnes for October as that are two-and-a-half minutes apart by there is more home-grown feed available. car. Managing two herds has provided a challenge that has increased their logistic Mr Collins is also working more hours but management skills. he cautions that you can’t reduce the budget for things like AI or herd testing. Any shortThere are long-term plans to increase the herd to 560 milkers, but low milk prices and term gain will be outweighed by the impact high chopper prices caused the young couple two or three years down the track. There are to hold back for a while. some things that can’t be sacrificed. >> Continued on page 23 DECEMBER 2016

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>> Continued from page 21 “You’d be better off going ‘interest only’ for a short period to get a similar short-term reduction in costs,” he said. Another part of the plan is to keep payments to suppliers within terms. Maintaining a good relationship enables them to get better deals. Mr and Mrs Collins return the favour with prompt payments and keep suppliers updated. Cost-effective alternative pasture is also part of the plan. They have 12 ha of established chicory with a further 20 ha to be planted this year. Ducks have taken more than their share of the chicory, although there’s also a ‘sacrifice’ paddock of extremely healthy looking turnips to fill the void. Since the milk price dropped, the cost of major inputs such as grain and urea has also decreased. This year they have been maximising efficiency by using contractors to ensure things are done to schedule. An example of this is using a contractor to spread fertiliser weekly. This may add $50/ tonne to the cost but it’s done exactly when needed so it pays off later through increased productivity. “None of this, ‘Oh, I didn’t get a chance this

The family runs a mixed herd.

week, we’ll skip this round of fertiliser and wait til next time’,” Mr Collins said. He believes farmers need a strong voice in the industry and the community. As a supplier forum delegate for the Bonlac Supply Company, he facilitates a two-way conversation, updating and informing farmers while providing feedback to Fonterra. Mr Collins is a great advocate for

strengthening management through collegial decision making. As well as being a forum delegate and a Young Gun, he is a member of a Westbury-based discussion group that has existed for more than 30 years. Asked about the future of the dairy industry, he replied: “Wherever there’s pasture there’s a future. Particularly in Gippsland where there is plenty of rain.”

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Grants can help ease burden UDV urges dairy farmers to take advantage of infrastructure funding. The UDV has encouraged dairy farmers to use the Victorian Government’s new development grants to ease some of the burden caused by the current milk price crisis. The Victorian Government has announced grants of up to $5000 for eligible farm businesses to invest in improving on-farm infrastructure. “We appreciate the efforts of the State Government in offering direct support to

dairy farmers and their communities when it’s most needed,” UDV president Adam Jenkins said. “There’s still a lot of work needed to restore confidence in the dairy industry and our communities and the grants might not be a lot of money in the long-term, but this is a welcome step in the right direction.” The development grants will remain open until June 30 next year, or until the program funds are fully allocated, and can be used for

irrigation, equipment upgrades and other farm infrastructure. Mr Jenkins said the UDV had played a key role in getting the grants package across the line and praised the government for consulting farmers and other industry stakeholders to identify key areas of support. Farmers can check their eligibility for the grants by phoning Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or by visiting: www. ruralfinance.com.au/Industry-programs

The grant guidelines encourage applicants to base potential infrastructure improvements on current business plans:

Infrastructure activities include, but are not limited to, the following : • Reticulated water systems using water troughs for stock. • Irrigation system upgrades. • Permanent repairs to fixed infrastructure (for example, irrigation pumps). • Permanent milk vat upgrades (for example, electronics). • Initiating or upgrading information and knowledge management systems (for

example, software packages). • Farm development to improve efficiencies to farm production systems (for example, sensor equipment). • Fodder storages and systems (for example, silos, silage bunkers and hay sheds). • Re-fencing to better match property layout with land capability. • Addition of shelter belts and associated fencing. • Reclamation of degraded areas (for

example, laneway upgrades, repairs or expansion) to deliver lasting benefits directly linked to productivity and profitability. • Feeding system upgrades (for example, feed pads or feed troughs). • Pasture improvements and renovation (for example, associated seed, fertiliser and chemical costs). • Improving manure and effluent management systems.

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Mark Kebbell is Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative’s new executive officer.

New boss for co-operative Industry outsider will bring a fresh perspective. Dairy Farmers Milk Cooperative has appointed Mark Kebbell as its new executive officer. He has a background in the automotive industry. The co-operative has about 350 members in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia, and has a longterm agreement with one of the biggest dairy players in Australia, Lion Dairy & Drinks. All DFMC milk supply goes to Lion. “Coming from outside dairy, Mark will look at our industry in a new way and challenge

our traditional thought processes,” co-operative chairman Duncan McInnes said. “Our core purpose is to look after our farmers by providing value, security and guidance to enable them to maintain and grow their dairy businesses. “Mark’s experience negotiating with big business will be invaluable in ensuring DFMC has a strong say in their future, and gets the best results for our members.” Mr Kebbell replaces longstanding executive officer Greg Griffiths. DECEMBER 2016

Pakenham farmers Matt and Jacinta Maddison brought baby Amelia along for the once-a-day milking forum at Yannathan.

Less is more in milking The opportunity for a close-up look at a oncea-day milking operation attracted farmers from across Gippsland and Victoria to Yannathan in November. The Young Dairy Network/GippsDairy event was held at Simon and Lauren Finger’s Yannathan property, which is one of three once-a-day operations that are part of the farm business. About 40 people turned out in bright sunshine to delve into the finances of a business model that has obvious attractions to every farmer who spends every morning and evening in the dairy shed. With about 650 cows spread over three farms, the Fingers had plenty of knowledge For Mr Finger, the answer is yes, but it’s a to share on the pros and cons of once-a-day different way of making money than most milking. dairy farmers are used to. “People are definitely interested in what we “You can get more cows in calf, so what’s are doing and what’s happening,” the cost of not having to have so many Mr Finger said. replacements? We’ve also had a lot more The question everyone asks about once-a-day livestock gain, so how do you put a value on having extra animals? milking is: can you make a dollar doing it? 26

DECEMBER 2016

GippsDairy regional extension officer Louise Sundermann with once-a-day milkers Simon and Lauren Finger.

“And there’s the sustainability aspect where we don’t have to cull so many cows, we never use peak power for cooling and use half as many chemicals. “It doesn’t generate as much cash but we’ve grown more assets, we’ve got more livestock gain and that sort of thing. So some of the extra income we’ve gained has gone into

kilos to half a tonne now.” Of course, the other big question around once-a-day milking is: how much does it improve the lifestyle of dairy farmers? For Simon and Lauren — and their three children — the answer can be seen at the dinner table each night. “It’s funny because the oldest says: ‘Gee, you do a lot of milking, Dad’. But compared to what I was doing when he was younger, he sees a lot more of me now,” Mr Finger said. “I’m there at dinner time every night. And even not having to manage so many people reduces time and stress. “Our business has been going for 10 years and we’ve gone pretty hard at it, so this has given us time to have a bit of a breather, spend more time with the children and have an Listening to the outline on once-a-day milking. assessment of where we want to go.” The interest in the topic was best illustrated but I would say it’s more towards the 30 per growing more young livestock.” by dairy farmers Matt and Mario cent in solids. Other considerations have been better use Demase, who travelled from Katandra in the of land area, lower labour costs and reduced “But saying that, it was a particularly Goulburn Valley to learn more about the input levels that help offset the inevitable milking system. challenging season last year and we feel there drop in production. is a lot of room for improvement as both “It’s not done very much back at home, so we people and cows get used to the new system. “There definitely is a production difference thought we’d like to get someone’s view on and it’s probably a little bit more than I why they are doing it,” Matt said. “You also have to remember that with onceexpected,” Mr Finger said. a-day you don’t have the same level of inputs. Mario’s explanation of why they were there With twice-a-day we’re feeding up to two “We had heard that you might drop 30 per was even simpler: “It sounds a lot better than cent in milk and about 20 per cent in solids, twice-a-day.” tonnes, whereas we’d be lucky to feed 400

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Genomics is offering a wider range of bulls.

Delving into dairy DNA Ease of testing and lower costs help boost numbers of animals being genotyped. The number of dairy animals DNA confident in using young genomic bulls over their herds and it has given them a wider tested — or genotyped — in Australia has choice of bulls. Young genomic bulls make escalated in the four years since commercial up almost two-thirds of bulls in the latest list services became available, particularly in recent years with improvements in reliability, of top 100 bulls for Balanced Performance Index. lower costs and greater understanding of the various ways results can be used to improve “Thanks to genomics, we now have a wider genetic gain. range of bulls from different countries and companies, that are profitable and have Michelle Axford from the Australian Dairy strengths in different traits,” Mrs Axford said. Herd Improvement Scheme said the number of females tested in 2015–16 was double Female genotypes the number tested the previous year, and the The drop in the cost of standard genomic number of bulls was up 50 per cent. testing from $90 four years ago to $50 today “The reliability of a genotype for a calf is has made it more affordable for dairy farmers now equivalent to a bull with 35 daughters to genotype some or all of their herds. or a cow with eight lactations of data,” Female genotypes can be used for a variety of Mrs Axford said. purposes. “This improved level of confidence is having Having heifer calves genotyped gives farmers a profound effect on genetic improvement in the option to save on rearing costs by the Australian dairy herd. Genotyping is now selecting those with the highest genetic merit a standard practice by bull companies and to keep and selling the surplus at a younger female genotypes are having an increasing age. Alternatively, some people keep all role for herd management.” heifer calves but used sexed semen over those of highest genetic merit and a beef breed Bull genotypes over the others. Improvements in the reliabilities of bull genotypes has seen dairy farmers increasingly Both approaches speed up genetic gain by 28

DECEMBER 2016

breeding replacements from the herd’s top genetics. Genotyping includes a parentage verification process which is helpful to ensure the accuracy of records and sort out mismatched calves. Stud breeders use this for pedigree records and registering embryo transfer calves. They are also increasingly using genomic results in the marketing of elite animals. To get started, dairy farmers commonly begin by genotyping each group of heifer calves which means the bulk of the herd is done within five years.

“

The reliability of a genotype for a calf is now equivalent to a bull with 35 daughters or a cow with eight lactations of data. Michelle Axford

”

Suggestions for improvement Submissions to industry inquiry highlight areas that need to be addressed. The nation’s dairy farmers continue to suffer in the aftermath of the dairy crisis that struck earlier this year — but they were given some encouragement with the announcement of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s inquiry into the dairy industry. As part of the inquiry, Walcha Dairy and Notman Pasture Seeds owner Peter Notman made a submission highlighting key areas which needed to be addressed throughout the inquiry. Mr Notman argued for major supermarket Cassandra Ashwell milking cattle at Timber Creek Holsteins in Patho. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong. retailers like Coles, Woolworths and ALDI to end $1/litre milk in order to sustain our largest dairy exporters, the Australian citing a quote by Fonterra’s chief executive Australia’s $13 billion dairy industry. Government, Austrade and overseas Theo Spierings in May this year which networks to ensure we make the most of our Abolishing cheap milk would serve to create indicated that New Zealand shareholders export opportunities.” successful outcomes for supermarkets, were the processor’s priority. consumers, the food production industry To illustrate the export potential, “(Woolworths) continues to support Anchor and, of course, the dairy farmers, he said. Mr Notman referred to an online Chinese milk (owned by Fonterra) which will drive shopping website, JD.com, having revenue Introducing a star rating system of products millions of dollars back into the pockets of $28.9 billion in 2015 and a current 4.9 was one of Mr Notman’s other suggestions of New Zealand shareholders — leaving per cent shareholding in Murray Goulburn. as this would help consumers better evaluate Australian farmers on the back foot with this their choices when purchasing dairy foods Mr Notman said major processors could deal,” Mr Notman wrote in his submission. by making them fully aware of the extent to learn from smaller, privately-owned Export opportunity was Mr Notman’s which products are Australian owned and processors who had successful outcomes final point and he said the Australian dairy produced. through embracing export and had industry needed to embrace export. subsequently been able to offer their Mr Notman also argued that consumers “We need a concerted joint effort between suppliers a higher price per kilogram. should stop supporting Fonterra’s products,

NEW

Versatility Plus!

Hustler Super Combi EX is the most versatile feedout wagon on the market! The inbuilt bale loading system easily handles all bale types, square & round, plus all types of direct loaded loose fodder such as silage etc.

• Tilting elevator, up to 1.6m wide • Positive drive cross conveyor, minimal maintenance & won’t stretch or derail • In-cab elecronic joystick control When you want a high capacity, versatile & reliable feed out wagon, make sure you choose Hustler.

LEONGATHA 82-84 Yarragon Road

(03) 5662 4044

TOORADIN 79-83 South Gippsland Highway www.gendore.com.au

Keeping Gippsland growing!

(03) 5998 3216

WARRAGUL 180 Queens Street

(03) 5622 3875

DECEMBER 2016

IMADGINATION_17167_D/D

Rethinking the Everyday

South Gippsland Dairy Expo

South Gippsland Dairy Expo organiser Strzelecki Lions Club waived the $10 entrance charge to help out the community. Attendance was “about the same” as previous years, the club said. Denis Kasey, Will Paterson, Phillip Ould, Graeme Lancey, Cliff Wallace and Bill Loughridge took turns on the gate and patrolling the grounds. They are some of the many volunteers whose time and effort make the annual expo such a success. Originally held in Poowong, the event moved to the larger venue at Korumburra a few years ago. The team also helps organise the Loch Market.

Julian Bentley of Dairyking: “Using technology to make dairy farming more profitable, enjoyable and sustainable.” 30

DECEMBER 2016

Vanessa and Graeme Hill (far right) supervise Ainsley Logan on the CAT simulator, while Kevin, Alan and Mark Dowling provide encouragement. The Hill family, from Poowong, has been involved in earthmoving and civil construction since the early 1950s.

After the sun came out in Korumburra, Kevin Sheehan from Warragul and Colin Young from Darnum discussed their options with Muck Runner’s Tom Paltridge.

Nathan Fenby, Travis Twite and Julian Bentley enjoy the Gippsland sunshine. “It’s been a very good field day. People are much more positive than they were two months ago,” Mr Bentley said. So the neighbours know it’s a dairy?

Darryl Light of Drouin South and Graham Wood of Glen Forbes discuss robotics and technology. Mr Light can monitor the operation of his robotic dairy via mobile phone alerts. “Milking, putting the cups on, is the bit that wears you out and ties you down; taking that out of the equation frees you up to do other things.” DECEMBER 2016