Dairy direct gippsland february 2016 (low res)

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Country News PUBLICATION

GIPPSLAND Issue 8, February 2016

From ER to AI » page 14

New farm ownership deal » page 10 A waste revolution » page 24

Pasture planning for autumn » page 35

contents Look after number one Sometimes we need to put ourselves first in order to get the best out of our life and our lifestyle.

For many Gippsland dairy farmers, the summer holiday season has been anything but relaxing.

While neighbours and friends have been chasing waves, fish or golf balls, those who are struggling with difficult seasonal conditions have been busy chasing feed and water supplies.

No-one in the industry is asking for sympathy. We all understand it’s a tough game sometimes, just as we appreciate that life on the farm is rewarding when things are going well.

It’s important, however, that we take the time to consider the personal cost of a hard season for farming families.

Stress, whether it is financial, physical or emotional, will eventually take its toll if nothing is done to relieve it.

We know that stress on cows will affect their performance, so we go to great lengths to formulate the correct

with your family might just diets for optimal output in the milk shed. How many be the recharge needed to of us put the same level of keep things on track and in thought into our own diets? perspective.

Farmers put in the time and For those who reckon effort to regularly service neighbours or friends might vital machinery to ensure be feeling the pinch during that it won’t break down summer, make sure you when a job needs to be done. drop around or give them a How many of us take care of call so that they know there our own physical and mental is someone they can have a health in the same way? chat to. If you can talk them The middle of a harsh spell into a morning’s fishing, all might not seem to be the the better. time to be talking about Gippsland dairy farmers such things; but if not now, are very good at looking when? after their animals and their Just a chat with the family pastures, but sometimes to plan some time away in we can forget about the a couple of months could industry’s greatest asset — us! be just the light at the end While it’s been a rocky start of the tunnel that you need; to 2016 for many in the it’s a kind of finishing line so region, we need to look after you can have a break before ourselves and those around getting back to the business us to make sure we’re all in of farming. good condition for the rest You might not be able of the year and many years to have that fortnight in beyond.

Queensland you’ve been — Graeme Nicoll dreaming about, but a few days on our local beaches GippsDairy chairman

GippsDairy Region

4

Keeping romance alive among the cows

5

Dairy news

6

Animal health

8

Milking it

9

A new way into farm ownership

10

First Aussie to take on Jerseys

11

The way of the future

12

Local dairy on the menu

13

Nursing a dairy ambition

14

Top dollar for top stock

17

Breaking records

17

Champion of champions

18

Strong performance

18

Taking a quantum leap in breeding

20

Beware heat stress

21

Dairy prepares for bushfire season 23 Loving the dairy life

24

Farmers flock to dry times sessions 26 Drilling down into water issues

28

Flow-on effects from river restoration

30

Growing as a farmer

33

Pasture planning for autumn

35

Is your farm ready for extreme weather conditions?

36

AI is way to go

37

Keeping business on track

39

Rod Hancock – For Gippsland 0455 071 711 Or your Territory Manager: Tania Guaran: 0417 396 637 For Sth NSW, Nth VIC & Gippsland

Contact your local Anipro Distributor and start supplementing your herd with Anipro, the supplement of choice of astute dairy producers.

FEBRUARY 2016

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Reminders for February and March Hay and silage stocks • Check your levels of hay and silage and do your sums on potential hay and silage use for the balance of the year. Allow for milking cows, dry cows and young stock. Think about the potential to use alternatives if you don’t have required levels of hay and silage for animals.

Fertiliser • March is a good time to apply fertiliser to pasture in preparation for the autumn break.

• Superphosphate and muriate of potash do not require rain to release into a soil; rainfall after an application increases the risk of nutrient loss.

• Dairy effluent is a good alternative to traditional fertiliser on areas of the farm. When applying dairy effluent be careful not to have any run-off or to overload soils with nitrogen and potassium. This will also empty effluent ponds to maximise capacity for the wetter months of the year.

Pasture renovation and over-sowing • All soils that are sown should be soil tested to determine any limiting factors for plant growth and develop a plan to improve or maintain the soils and pastures on the farm.

• March is an ideal time for checking the farm for pasture density and making some decisions on what areas of the farm, if any, need renovation or over-sowing.

– If pastures have root mats, consider working the paddocks up and allowing some time for the root mat to rot before sowing the new pasture, or plan a summer crop in this paddock for next year.

– If pastures are just thin and have no root mat, over-sowing with a seed drill is a good option.

• Consider the type and variety of seed to put in the ground.

Where rye-grass is concerned it’s good to try to simplify the process using three categories for seed types: – Perennial — Permanent pasture (sow after you have dealt with any soil issues in the paddock such as drainage or root mat issues).

– Short rotation — Two- to three-year varieties that tend to establish with vigour after being well sown and can last two to three years when conditions and management allow. These are great plants for developing paddocks that may need to be sprayed out in the future while increasing productivity in the short term.

– Annual — One-year varieties (May to November) that are very vigorous after sowing, are strong winter performers but will not produce once they have gone to seed in spring.

Stock • Be on the lookout for facial eczema (looks similar to photosensitisation), showing exposed areas of pale skin.

• Plan your transition diet for autumn-calving cows. The aims are to prevent milk fever, ensure the cows’ energy requirements are met, and introduce grain to the diet if a high level of grain is being fed in the milking herd. A properly formulated lead feed ration or the use of anionic salts in the water troughs should be considered. Learn more at www.dairyaustralia.com.au in the feeding and nutrition section.

Young stock • Monitor the replacement heifers’ growth. They need feeds containing a minimum of 10 MJ/kg DM and 13 per cent crude protein to grow adequately. When feeding them consider silage, hay and grain as options.

Irrigation • As the weather cools, match your irrigation intervals with evaporation and plant demands. This will maximise water use and plant production. Having soil moisture at levels that are freely available to plants will significantly improve pasture growth rates.

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FEBRUARY 2016

Editor Geoff Adams editor@countrynews.com.au Writers Danny Buttler and Geoff Adams Graphic designers Teresa Lagozzino, Brendan Cain, Alysha Bathman and Bella Considine

Cover: Aaron Thomas from Binginwarri.

Story page 14

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

Country News Reaching Australia’s richest agricultural region

Supported by:

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.

GippsDairy Region • Profitability has been widespread, enabling on-farm investment on more than half the farms in the region. The proportion anticipating doing so over the coming year is one of the lowest nationally however, but this may be due to lack of need rather than lack of finances.

• Dairy farmers in the region are some of the most loyal suppliers nationally, with only six per cent recently changing companies supplied and a low four per cent considering doing so.

• Survey results suggest there has been a slight increase in the number of cows being milked in Gippsland but production levels have grown. Intentions for the future are similar.

• Conversations about the long-term viability of the industry have more likely been positive than negative and most dairy farmers are encouraging others to remain in the industry.

— Dairy Australia Situation and Outlook,2015.

Rural Rumenations

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.

with KATIE MACAULAY

Keeping romance alive among the cows Valentine’s Day is a non-event in our household. While I would have preferred something more stylish, I soon realised how thoughtful he Between looking after two small kids and had been. The gumboots became my most running a farm, the only time we have a candlelit dinner is when the power goes off. If I worn footwear as I slopped through the mud, followed Hubby across paddocks, into the dairy want flowers, I grow them myself. and calving pad and stood by leaky troughs, all But it wasn’t always that way. When Hubby in an attempt to have some ‘quality time’ with was planning our first date, a fellow ‘milk my workaholic husband. extraction technician’ advised him, “not to start One of our first nights out as a married with too high a standard because otherwise couple was on a moonlit summer’s night. The there’s no room to improve over the years”. neighbour to our turn-out paddock had called.

Hubby ignored him and took me to the best restaurant in town. I was most impressed.

“Fancy going for a drive?” Hubby asked me. I After our wonderfully romantic winter wedding nodded enthusiastically. It was a lovely night to go out. I grabbed my trusty gumboots and and honeymoon (coincidentally when the jumped in the ute. cows were dry), Hubby offered to take me shoe shopping. I should have been suspicious An hour later, I was seriously questioning when I noticed he was still wearing his farm my decision. I’d been bitten by mosquitoes, clothes and Akubra. We took the work ute to scratched by tangles of blackberry bushes and the trading store where he gifted me a pair of tripped up by old fencing wires and logs while gumboots. No glass slippers for this Cinderella! being yelled at by Hubby. And we still hadn’t

caught the missing cow.

Despite an inky black sky full of diamond-like stars and a giant, ivory moon above me, the evening no longer seemed quite so romantic.

These days, there are no more moonlit adventures when the cows get out because someone needs to stay home with the kids. (At least that’s what I tell Hubby!)

I’ve revamped my romance expectations and embraced the reality of dairy farming. A dependable, reliable spouse who shares my life views beats a Casanova holding a bouquet of 12 long-stemmed roses any day. Even if I do have to share him with the cows.

We still have dates. They are just planned differently. Tomorrow we are off to VicRoads to register the fuel trailer then we’ll visit the agronomist. Afterwards, we’ll indulge in a long lunch at our favourite café.

Maybe romance isn’t dead, after all.

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dairy news New formula for success

The new Blackmores tin.

Blackmores and Bega work together to produce new infant formula. pharmacies so A new variety of infant formula, developed mums have quality

by Blackmores and Bega, is now on advice from a Australian shelves. trusted healthcare “We’ve developed three Australian-made professional,” Ms products, formulated with the highest Holgate said. quality premium ingredients and based on The product release the combined expertise of Blackmores and will be an important additional source for Bega’s subsidiary Tatura,” Blackmores’ chief the Australian infant nutrition market. executive officer Christine Holgate said.

The two companies announced a partnership “We are conscious of the supply challenges in this category and the Blackmores and Tatura to develop and manufacture nutritional teams will work together to help ensure the foods, including infant formula, last year. continued supply of this range.”

The product has been developed at the The products will not only supply the local Tatura factory. market but also the considerable export Australian pharmacies will be the first opportunity in Asia, including China. to receive delivery of the new formulas, Bega’s executive chairman Barry Irvin said with the products also to be sold through established retailers in Asia including Alibaba most production of the new product would be set aside for domestic consumption.

Group’s Tmall Global.

Federal Trade and Investment Minister “Our initial focus is supplying Australian

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FEBRUARY 2016

Andrew Robb attended the official launch at the Blackmores campus.

“Asia’s growing middle class is becoming increasingly health-conscious; when you combine this with their preference for our clean, green, quality products, the collaboration between these two iconic Australian brands certainly creates enormous opportunity well into the future,” Mr Robb said.

He noted the high demand for Australian health products in Asia was a burgeoning export opportunity for Australia.

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The heavy duty, one-piece gate is made to last with a 50 mm pneumatic ram and 20 mm shaft.

With the increase in herd sizes these gates can be mounted higher in the bale for clearance of large cows and milking operators.

Entry and exit gates can be operated through a solenoid control box with a red cord for exit and a blue cord for entry right through the full length of the pit.

Other options are a hand lever for gate controls.

If you have existing entry and exit pendulum gates they can be upgraded with our air-ram kits. This includes a heavy duty 50 mm pneumatic ram with a 20 mm shaft. Either a solenoid control box with a cord or hand lever operation an air compressor is required.

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Automatic Feed Systems for Herringbone and Rotary Dairies HERRINGBONE

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ROTARY FEED HEADS

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animal health

from Maffra Veterinary Centre

Facial eczema a symptom of underlying problem Cows showing skin lesions are likely already suffering liver damage.

Facial eczema (FE) can have substantial impacts on the productivity, health and welfare of dairy cattle as seen in outbreaks across Gippsland between January and April 2011.

FE occurs as a result of ingestion of the sporidesmin toxin, produced by the fungus Pithomyces chartarum which grows mainly on rye grasses. The spores are absorbed across the gastrointestinal tract and cause damage to the liver, bladder and mammary gland.

Despite its name, FE is not a skin disease.

Photosensitisation of the skin occurs secondary to liver and bile duct blockage, typically two weeks after ingestion.

Therefore in outbreak situations, the majority of affected animals may have little or no obvious skin lesions and it is liver damage that causes the greatest economic impact.

Cows affected by FE may have initial transient diarrhoea followed by a sudden drop in milk production. This is followed by skin irritation, restlessness, shade seeking, weight loss, large sheets of skin sloughing and occasionally

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FEBRUARY 2016

blood-stained urine and jaundice.

Weather conditions favorable for the growth of P. chartarum occur in late summer and autumn (generally January — May) when periods of rain or high humidity occur with high night-time minimum temperatures.

In response to the major 2011 outbreaks of FE, Dairy Australia initiated a program to measure pasture fungal spore counts on 24 sentinel farms across Gippsland.

Spore counting begins in January each year and a general alert to farmers is issued if spore counts rise to dangerous levels. In such situations, farmers are strongly advised to consider monitoring their own spore counts and start feeding zinc oxide supplements to their herd.

Spore counting services are currently offered by the West Gippsland Veterinary Centre, Tarwin Veterinary Group, Yarram Veterinary Centre and the Maffra Veterinary Centre. These clinics will be able to provide additional information on the method for collecting pasture samples for spore counting.

Farmers can find more information and keep

track of local pasture spore counts at the Dairy Australia facial eczema pasture spore monitoring page at www.dairyaustralia. com.au/facialeczema There are various control and prevention strategies for facial eczema. In Australia, the inclusion of zinc oxide in feed is the most widespread prevention strategy.

Zinc works by forming a complex with sporidesmin which limits its ability to cause oxidative damage. The desired dietary intake of elemental zinc is 20 mg/kg live weight/day and should start two to three weeks before pastures become toxic.

However, an important risk with this strategy is the potential for zinc toxicity because the amount of zinc required to prevent FE is close to the level that is likely to cause toxic effects.

Therefore, it is imperative that the correct procedures are followed and farmers work closely with their stock feed suppliers, vet and nutrition advisor to ensure their preventative programs are effective and safe.

— Dr Stephanie Bullen Maffra Veterinary Centre

Milking it

The cows milked the competition for all it was worth at IDW this year.

Jersey between two friends: Zali Deenen, 14, and Brianna Weaver, 14, both of Leongatha, pictured during International Dairy Week at Tatura in January.

The International Dairy Week ABS Australia/Ridley All Breeds National Youth Show had some stand-out achievers this year.

Young people aged between eight and 21 years took to the show ring to display their heifers.

The IDW Grand Champion Heifer went to Renee Anderson from Yarroweyah with Sun Vale Redliner Wonka-RED. Katie Anderson from Yarroweyah took the win for the Junior Champion, Senior Leader; and Ashleigh Van Leeuwen won Junior Champion, Junior Leader.

Brady Hore from Leitchville won Senior Champion In-Milk Heifer, Senior Leader; the Junior Leader was won by Renee Anderson.

The Senior Champion Handler was won by Jaclyn Lindsay from Wauchope; Intermediate was won by Zoe Hayes; and in the Junior division, Sarah Lloyd took the win.

IDW Judge Brad Gavenlock from Tallygaroopna said the competition level was high this year.

“There were a lot of really nice heifers this year,” he said.

“They were really strong and there were lots of kids involved.

“It was great to see.”

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• 95% lasered on Moira sandy soils, very well laid out, good laneways.

• 18 aside swingover dairy with inbale feeding and 200 cow yard.

• GMW delivery share in place. Cat A drainage. S&D bore supplying farm, house, dairy. 13 meg deep lead bore licence.

• Sown to 75% permanent pasture with the balance in Italian Rye. • Currently running a 125 cow dairy herd, could grow Lucerne or would be a fantastic horse property. $535,000. Call Les 0458 646 318.

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• Very good 34 bale rotary dairy with inbale feeding, auto cup removers, auto wash, near new 15,000 litre vat, ample grain storage and 220 cow flood wash yard.

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• Four bedroom family home and a three bedroom cottage.

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A new way into farm

ownership FarmPath leads farmers from leasing to owning their own properties.

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FEBRUARY 2016

consultants to check out the deal and had been through a rigorous selection process.

“They went through us pretty thoroughly.

You have to have a track record and some ability. We sat down and worked through it.”

He said the process started in July and was completed just before Christmas.

“There was a fair bit of double-checking I think because we were the first.

“This may not be for everybody, but it seems like a good way to get into farm ownership.

Younger people with a herd and wanting to get their own place could find it’s a good idea.”

From when he first started share farming Graeme has wanted to achieve farm ownership, but the past two decades have been a tough journey.The family moved to the Goulburn Valley in 1993, only to have to work through major floods. The global financial slump followed with a cut in dairy prices and then came the millennium drought.

“The year we bought the herd was the year the milk price dropped,” Mr Hooker said.

He said there had been times when they could have walked away, but the end goal of getting their own place and the interest of his son, had kept him going.

The family will be moving to a 200 ha home block — carrying capacity of about 400 cows with a 60-stand rotary dairy and concrete feed pad, on March 1.

A major impediment to farm ownership has been getting the 40 per cent equity the financial institutions have required.

Graeme is planning to meet that requirement through this financing arrangement.

Mr Fitzpatrick said the fund had $50 million to invest in 2016 and was offering talented dairy farmers the next step to farm ownership. The initial farms purchased have been in Gippsland and the Western District but the fund is looking for expressions of interest from farmers in all dairying regions of south-east Australia.

“

This may not be for everybody, but it seems like a good way to get into farm ownership . . .

Graeme Hooker

“

A new farm ownership program has opened up an opportunity for a Gippsland family.

Graeme Hooker and wife Dianne, and son Steven, have signed up with FarmPath in a move that will hopefully enable the family to secure farm ownership, a long-held dream of Graeme’s.

They will soon move from their leased farm near Fish Creek, to near Simpson in the Western District, after successfully applying for the FarmPath program, developed by CowBank.

Mr Hooker has been farming in Victoria and NSW since 1982 and more recently has been running a 280-cow farm on a five-year lease.

He has moved from farm management and share farming and into leasing and hopes his next move will put him in a position to buy his own property.

Under the FarmPath deal, he will lease a farm which is owned by a trust. He will hold units in the trust and progressively, over eight years, buy further units until he has sufficient equity to qualify for a standard bank loan, enabling him to buy the property.

FarmPath has been developed by CowBank, which specialises in herd leasing.

CowBank’s Luke Fitzpatrick said the business had secured two properties, in the Western District and Gippsland, and was now looking for more eligible farmers who owned a dairy herd of 300 or more with plant and equipment and who had a good track record in managing a dairy farm.

Mr Hooker said they had engaged their own

Under the program, an approved dairy farmer finds a suitable farm, the farm is upgraded to optimise production, and then the lease is entered into.

Another farming couple, partnering with FarmPath to purchase a 160 ha dairy farm near Leongatha, have been dairy farming for more than 20 years as farm managers, sharefarmers and most recently as lessees.

First Aussie to take on Jerseys Robert Anderson is the first Australian to judge the National Jersey Show at International Dairy Week.

“

When he is not milking his herd of 220 cows at his Gippsland dairy farm, Mr Anderson keeps his hands full preparing It’s been different for his cattle for showing or judging at dairy me this year ... It’s an competitions.

Up until this year, Mr Anderson had been honour to be asked to a competitor at IDW however he said judge, I couldn’t say it was good to experience being on the other side of the fence. no.

“It’s been different for me this year … it’s Robert Anderson an honour to be asked to judge, I couldn’t say no,” Mr Anderson said.

“It’s such a prestigious event.”

A fourth generation dairy farmer, Mr Showing is in Mr Anderson’s blood and Anderson’s family has worked with Jersey the 1886 Royal Melbourne Show marked cattle since the 1800s.

At the age of 16, Mr Anderson established his family’s first-ever show.

Kings Ville Jerseys and now, with his wife “It’s a big tradition in the family.”

Kerrie and three daughters, milks 210 Mr Anderson has a wealth of experience Jerseys, as well as 10 Holsteins. in judging and IDW director Brian Leslie

said he could not think of anyone better for the job.

“I’ve judged at all the major shows like the state show in NSW, I’ve judged twice in New Zealand and all the major Royal shows (in Australia),” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson thanked his wife and children for accepting his decision to judge at IDW and was also grateful to have such good assistance on his farm.

“I have a very reliable relief milker who allowed me to get here today.”

Although it was a tough job given the quality of the cattle competing, Mr Anderson enjoyed judging.

Nonetheless, he hoped to get back into showing at next year’s IDW. “We have a great time showing and have a lot of friends around,” he said.

“It’s a great week.”

“

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Nuffield scholar and West Gippsland dairy farmer Aubrey Pellett believes robotics and new technology — beyond anything currently seen in Australia — can improve the productivity, profitability and lifestyle of dairy farmers across Australia.

In addressing agriculture’s perennial question of how to make more from less, he says technology, data and research need to be given priority.

Mr Pellett’s 2014 Nuffield Scholarship allowed him to investigate how to improve productivity for Australian pasture-based dairy farming.

His recently released report outlines the findings from his two-year scholarship, which included travel to the Philippines, China, Canada, United States, Netherlands, France, Ireland, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom and New Zealand to investigate how to improve productivity for Australian pasture-based dairy farming.

“Recently, robotic rotary milking systems have been introduced overseas that can significantly boost labour productivity. Their high system capacity is well suited to Australia’s pasturebased grazing systems, allowing one supervisor to milk 500 cows in a batch fashion,” he said.

“What’s so appealing is that adoption of this technology would require minimal farm or production system change, while providing physical relief and rich information at the cow level.

“Robotics tailored to the dairy farm environment have the potential to offset the big challenges facing Australia’s dairy industry, namely increasing farm and herd sizes, scarcity of labour, and complex production systems.”

Mr Pellett said the increasing use of other technologies overseas linked into a robotic batch

milking system, sometimes called ‘precision dairy’, could provide additional productivity benefits such as increased pasture and animal yield, and reduced costs through better targeted inputs.

“Scientists are also developing algorithms to identify the link between a cow’s behaviour and subsequent animal health and fertility events.

“Sensors, soon to come onto the market, are at what I call the first iPhone stage, with lots of development and capability to come, but they are a good example of the burgeoning technology Australian farmers can investigate.”

Mr Pellett said the capacity to capture and analyse farm data also provided the opportunity to consolidate this information into a data co-op, owned by farmers.

The 2014 Nuffield Scholar says his research shows there is great opportunity for the Australian industry to refocus research and development activities, taking the lead from other countries.

“My research findings backed my early thinking that by focusing on annual profit, our industry can tend to lose the opportunity to build longerterm productivity gains into our businesses.

“For Australia to enjoy full benefits, investment needs to be made to ensure the nature of our grazing system is considered, perhaps through collaboration with other grazing-focused countries.

“For a variety of reasons, dairy as an industry has really failed to achieve the growth margins it might otherwise have had,” he said.

Nuffield Australia provides opportunities to Australian primary producers and managers to travel the globe investigating a research topic important to them and Australian agriculture.

Local dairy on the menu Culinary creations feature the best of South Gippsland’s dairy products. because it’s part of Meeniyan is a small town with a big reputation as a foodie destination — and its living in a dairy community. local dairy products are at the heart of its thriving restaurant and café culture.

“We think it is better quality and The South Gippsland village, which was named the Legendairy capital of Gippsland we are all about the low food miles, for 2015, is surrounded by farms that so the closer we export their ‘clean and green’ dairy are to where the products around the globe. product is made But it’s right in their own backyard that then the better for dairy farmers are seeing just what can be everybody,” Ms created with their world-class produce.

Jones said.

A quick look at the menus in the main “We use heaps of street eateries shows this is a true dairy milk and, since the town at heart.

For Marty Thomas, starting his Moo’s at Meeniyan restaurant six years ago was an opportunity to create a menu based as much as possible around local produce — with dairy the cornerstone of his culinary creations.

“It was my passion to use local produce and the area already had a name for it,” Mr Thomas said.

“Locally produced ingredients are very important to me so when I started, I went out to find as much information as I could about local dairy produce.

“Over the years we have been able to get in contact with more and more producers and the dairy industry is obviously a very big part of the local food industry.”

It’s the same story at the Meeniyan Store where Felicity Jones has created a niche business based on making the most of what she can grow in her café kitchen garden and source from the district’s many farmers.

She uses locally produced milk because she thinks it makes better food and drinks and

“

Trulli Pizza owners Francesco Laera and Rhia Nix have built a booming business Over the years we combining quality fresh ingredients and flavours inspired by Mr Laera’s home town have been able to get in southern Italy. in contact with more Local blue cheese or buffalo milk cheese can be found atop some of Trulli’s pizzas, and more producers while world famous Berrys Creek cheeses and the dairy industry are an integral part of their antipasto platters. is obviously a very big For Mr Laera, who grew up on a small part of the local food dairy farm where his mother still makes her own cheese, sourcing dairy products locally industry. is a no-brainer — especially when their Marty Thomas restaurant is based in South Gippsland.

“I truly believe it should be one of the most word got out that we are using local milk, famous dairy regions in the world,” he said. we find a lot of the locals will come in and The Berrys Creek cheesemakers are regular buy it, because they like to support the diners at Trulli, as are many others from region.” the dairy industry who love to enjoy their And it’s not just locals who are enjoying own products in a local restaurant.

South Gippsland produce in Meeniyan.

For Mr Thomas, serving the people who The town has become a popular make his ingredients is what true local destination for the thousands of tourists food is all about. who flock to South Gippsland’s coastal “The dairy industry is not only a very big areas each year. part of my business, they make up a large “I think that’s the number one reason percentage of my customers as well,” he people stop here now,” Ms Jones said. said.

“The art culture has always been here, but “They look after me just like I try to look the foodie culture is definitely growing. We after them.” get a lot of tourists coming in.”

“

From a smooth latte featuring local milk to pizzas topped with sumptuous regional cheeses or rich dessert creations that tempt the most disciplined dieter, Meeniyan is a town that fully embraces its local dairy culture.

Francesco Laera, Felicity Jones and Marty Thomas relish life in Meeniyan, Gippsland.

FEBRUARY 2016

13

Morningside Stud has an impressive herd of Jersey cows.

Nursing a dairy ambition Desire to escape city leads nurse to new career in dairy farming.

These days, an emergency for Aaron Thomas is a broken pump in the dairy shed at milking time.

Not so long ago, it was car accident injuries, stab wounds and critically ill people.

As an emergency nurse at Melbourne’s Alfred hospital, Mr Thomas was at the sharp end of life’s misery, dealing with the tragedy and sadness that comes with critical medical situations.

Helping save lives on a daily basis was stimulating and rewarding, but the lure of country life proved too much for the then 20-something nurse.

“It was a bit of an eye-opener,” Mr Thomas said of his time at The Alfred.

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FEBRUARY 2016

“The experience was awesome. I certainly don’t regret it — I don’t regret anything — but I just needed a change in lifestyle.

“I hated Melbourne. I used to call it the concrete jungle.”

Growing up around Yarram where his late mother Cathy ran a caravan park and cooked at the local hospital, Mr Thomas was familiar with dairy farming, but had no family connection with the industry.

A job at a large commercial farm was his introduction to dairy farming, but he felt he needed to be more than just a worker if he was to make a career out of cows.

It was when he took up a job offer at the Won Wron farm of Paula and Lisa Mumford

in 2006 that his life started heading in a direction that now sees him managing a farm partnership with an ever-growing herd to his name.

“I had a basic knowledge when I started — I could fix fences, milk cows and drive a tractor — but Paul and Lisa really pushed me down the path of bigger and better things with a business management role,” he said.

“I started there pretty green and worked my way up. When I left the home farm, I knew every aspect of the business.”

Three years ago, Mr Thomas and his wife Vanessa entered into a partnership arrangement with the Mumfords on a Binginwarri farm bought by the Won Wron couple.

impact on his career and personal The younger couple bought a herd with the help of the development.

Mumfords and are paying it back “I started with Paula and Lisa from salary deductions over the when I was in my early 20s, so I next five years. grew up as a farmer and person After that time, the plan is to when I was with them,” he said. move to a 50/50 split or for the “I had a lot of stuff happening at Thomases to start leasing. that time, but they just kept me It’s an arrangement that allows level-headed and kept pushing Mr Thomas to run his own show, me forward, and it all worked out while still having the financial well.” support and experience of an The Binginwarri property is established farming family behind 133 ha with 220 cows, comprising him.

90 per cent Jerseys with a few Asked how crucial the Mumfords crossbreeds “to make up the have been in helping him to numbers”. develop equity in the industry, Mr The 32-year-old joins all his cows Thomas was blunt. to Jerseys, but he has no intention “I wouldn’t have had a hope in hell of turning Morningside Stud into without them,” he said. a full-blown registered breeding He’s equally forthright about their establishment just yet. >> Continued on page 16

This summer turnip crop was a calculated risk that paid off for Aaron.

FEBRUARY 2016

15

Aaron Thomas’ favourite aspect of dairy farming is working with his animals.

The dairy shed is a twice-a-day destination for Aaron.

<< Continued from page 15

“

I weigh everything up, whether it’s personal or lifestyle, and we don’t compromise the lifestyle we have.

“

Aaron Thomas

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FEBRUARY 2016

For the time being, he just wants quality cows who can keep the milk coming into the vat with a minimum of fuss.

“They have to be sound, I do not tolerate poor temperament, and they have to have really good udders,” he said.

“For me and the business where we are at right now, I can’t justify registering every cow.”

On a property that Mr Thomas said could “grow a tonne of grass”, making the most of the high rainfall and strong fertility is a priority.

Developing some neglected hill paddocks is

the next step for the farm business, but an even higher priority is always at the back of the Thomases’ minds.

Spending quality time with daughters Breanna, Lexi and Evie is important to the couple.

“I weigh everything up, whether it’s personal or lifestyle, and we don’t compromise the lifestyle we have,” Mr Thomas said.

“If I want to sit down for an hour and do something with the kids, I do it and I don’t look at my watch.

“If I milk at five o’clock — big deal.’’

Top dollar for top stock Holsteins sold to $15 000 in the premier auction held in conjunction with International Dairy Week.

The top-priced Holstein, Linsand Goldwyn Louisville, went for $15 500.

Not yet six months old, the impressive young calf was sold to Struan Trading of Jancourt East in the Western District.

Dairy Livestock Services managing director Scott Lord, said 164 prospective buyers had registered for the 2016 Holstein sale, the exact same number as registered prospective buyers to the 2015 sale.

A lot of the competition came from NSW, Victoria’s west, and Gippsland.

Other high prices included: • Lightning Ridge GC Adeen — $10 100; • Mario Park Red Hot Kiwi — $10 100; • Fraserlee Jordan Frosty — $10 000; • Fleyas Doorman Lorel — $7000.

Average price: $5935.29.

Top-selling cow Linsand Goldwyn Louisville with handler Charlie Lloyd.

Breaking records Mrs Malcolm was thrilled with the success and was especially grateful to Erin Ferguson and Andrew Cullen for preparing the cow for the show.

“They created one of the best days of my life, they did — it was a very special day for me,” Mrs Malcolm said.

After her first show Paringa Fever Opa already has an impressive resume, winning two other competitions including the Three Years In-Milk, which Mrs Malcolm described as a strong class, and the Intermediate Champion Holstein.

RAB00116-11331

IDW grand champion Holstein Paringa Fever Opa with handler Cam Bawden.

It was a big day for young cow Paringa Fever Opa at not only her first ever International Dairy Week, but her first ever show.

The three-year-old cow, owned by Pam Malcolm of Invergordon, took out the champion best udder in the Holstein section, the IDW grand champion Holstein and intermediate champion in the interbreed class.

Paringa Fever Opa was Mrs Malcolm’s only entry at IDW 2016 and has set a record as the first intermediate to win grand champion in the Holstein exhibit.

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Champion of all champions Todd Wilson with his family-owned Jersey cow, Shirlinn Icy Eve, which took out the RASV Interbreed.

Jersey cow Shirlinn Icy Eve was retired two years ago but the Wilson family brought her back just one last time for IDW 2016 — and the decision paid off.

Shirlinn Icy Eve won the Grand Champion Jersey and best udder in the Jersey competition, and was also the RASV Interbreed Champion, presented for the first time as part of International Dairy Week.

The nine-year-old cow, which has had seven calves, is part of the Wilson family’s Shirlinn Jersey Stud Tamworth in NSW. Shirley Wilson started the stud with husband Lindsay and said she was very proud of the results.

“You don’t win them very often so it’s a oncein-a-lifetime for us,” Mrs Wilson said.

Brian Wilson, Shirley’s son, showed Shirlinn Icy Eve in the Jersey competition and said she was the highest classified Jersey in Australia.

“She just loves it — she’s the first cow on the truck (when we go to shows),” Mr Wilson said.

The Wilson family has competed in four IDWs and the success at this year’s event marked the family’s first big win.

While they did not participate at last year’s IDW, a 13-hour trip did not stop four generations of the Wilson family attending the 2016 event — with a string of 18 cattle in tow.

“We had a big sale in 2014 and sold about 60 cows so we were down on numbers.

“Our plan was to get back to dairy week with a full team in 2016,” Mr Wilson said.

Shirlinn Icy Eve has had previous success at IDW, including Best Udder two years ago, and has won Supreme Champion Dairy Cow at the Sydney Royal Show, a feat Todd said had not been achieved by any other cow.

Brian and Todd Wilson said Shirlinn Icy Eve was likely to go into a flush program now and be officially retired (again), although Todd was not quite ready to make a final call on her showing future.

Strong performance Dean and Dianna Malcolm of Zeerust are no strangers to International Dairy Week, and their success has continued at the 2016 competition.

The Malcolms, who own and operate Bluechip Genetics, took out the titles of Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor, and their cow Windy Vale Contender Rose took out Senior Champion Holstein.

The Malcolms bought a share in Windy Vale Contender Rose last year from the Windy Vale Holstein Stud and have been developing her for 15 months.

The wins now mean the Malcolms have won Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor six times during the past seven 18

FEBRUARY 2016

years at IDW. Mrs Malcolm said she was both pleased and relieved with the results.

“We’ve put a lot of work in and we’re just really glad to see our cows coming out looking good,” Mrs Malcolm said.

Windy Vale Contender Rose is owned in partnership with Frank and Diane Borba, and Windy Vale Holsteins.

At her first IDW last year, Windy Vale Contender Rose placed second in the four-yearold Holstein class.

The Malcolms’ 2016 IDW string included 24 Holsteins and one Jersey and an international team of about 15 helpers.

Mr Veldhuizen in his 15 swing-over dairy.

Taking a quantum leap in breeding Genomics are being used in many dairy herds around the world and while debate rages about whether it is a good thing or not, Scott Ruby from Fir Ridge Holstein Farm, Oregon, in the United States believes it is.

Mr Ruby runs two farms milking 650 cows which graze pasture for seven months of the year.

He spoke about how he has implemented genomics in his herd at a seminar at this year’s International Dairy Week.

Mr Ruby said he was in the business of improving the female population of the herd, not selling bulls to AI, so that is where his breeding program is focused.

He has created his own index for bull selection, breeding 35 per cent for production, 35 per cent for type and 30 per cent for health and fitness.

All his bull choices are based on that index.

“I think it is important that you have your own index, what you want to achieve for your own herd, Scott Ruby uses genomics as part of the breeding program on his farm in Oregon, in the United States. and follow that,” Mr Ruby said.

He believes there is a great future for it in the dairy “We like to spread the risk and industry particularly when it comes to breeding the type of cow you want for your own dairy herd. use many different genomic bulls, around 30–36 each year. needed to be addressed and it was always “We breed for type and production and we important to look for unique matings and genomic sample the top 25–30 per cent of outcrosses. our calves each year. The top animals are “We live in the most exciting time in used to create IVF embryos for transfer.” cattle breeding history. Decide which Kevin Jorgensen from Select Sires said technologies help you achieve your longwhile there would always be a place for term goals and if you select for what you proven sires in the dairy herd, genomically want when it comes to breeding, you will tested bulls would help farmers achieve make progress.” their breeding goals quicker by shortening the interval between generations.

Mr Jorgensen said it was also important “You can make quantum leaps genetically to remember not to give up on breeding and there has been a lot of work done, from the best genetics when times were particularly around polled bulls for tough. He said those who continued their example,” Mr Jorgensen said. breeding program would be well rewarded when things turned around.

He said in-breeding was a problem that

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Beware heat stress Hot cows can cost more than just lost milk production.

Jefo global technician Dr Abdallah Zanker said heat stress could cause a loss in milk production.

A seminar at International Dairy Week last month shared some important tips on improving transition on the dairy farm.

Jefo’s global technical manager, Dr Abdallah Zanker spoke about improving the transition phase to increase production performance.

Dr Zanker said heat stress and a lack of B vitamins could contribute to a decrease in milk production and an increase in contracting infections.

He said the effects of heat stress could impact the transition phase, cause a drop in feeding, and a loss of fat from the reserve, which could result in lower milk production.

A low feed intake caused by heat stress could also reduce fertility because of a loss in body condition.

He said to help increase feed intake, farmers should find the best hay for their cows, and change their feed routines to include smaller, more frequent portions, roughly about four to six feeds per day.

A drop in feed could increase the risk of ketosis, a metabolic process that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough glucose for energy; metritis (an inflammation of the womb); and mastitis (an inflammatory reaction in the udder tissue).

Dr Zanker said B vitamins could optimise feed cost, based on cows that were not pasture-fed, but should not be injected.

“Injections of B vitamins are not sufficient —they are stressful, impractical and costly,” he said.

“Supplementing the B vitamins into the diet

is the better way.”

He said B vitamins were important for hoof health, increasing milk production, cell growth, metabolism of carbohydrates, and the synthesis of proteins.

Based on trials by Jefo on 12 farms with 1216 cows, Dr Zanker said B vitamins could increase milk production by 35 litres, butter fat by 3.65 per cent and protein by 3.2 per cent.

Dr Zanker gave some tips to help alleviate heat stress: • Most importantly, allow cattle to have access to clean and cool water; • Install a proper cooling system; • If you can, avoid direct sunlight by installing shade; • Avoid crowding cows.

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Dairy prepares for bushfire season GippsDairy is urging dairy farmers to prepare their properties for the threat of bushfires this summer.

With searing temperatures in December when it comes to bushfire recovery, with animal welfare and milking equipment a combined with prolonged dry spells across particular priority. the region, conditions are considered ideal for the outbreak of wildfires.

“Taking the time to get involved with bushfire preparedness could make all the In the wake of the Black Saturday fires difference if your farm is affected by fire of 2009, GippsDairy, Dairy Australia this summer.” and the CFA produced a comprehensive guide to help dairy farmers prepare for West Gippsland dairy farmer John the fire season and recover quickly in the Versteden has first-hand knowledge of the event of bushfires damaging their farm devastating effects of bushfires on dairy infrastructure. properties.

Preparing Your Dairy Farm for Fire Threat His Labertouche farm was burnt during offers advice on everything from saving the Black Saturday, leaving Mr Versteden family home to ensuring there is enough wondering if he could have done more to feed left on the property after the fire-front prepare for the fires. has passed.

“I wish we had a guide like this to help us GippsDairy regional manager Allan get ready for what happened in 2009,” Mr Cameron urged farmers to access the Versteden said. online bushfire resource or contact “Knowing what can be done prior to the GippsDairy to have a hard copy sent out. fire danger season could be the difference “It only seems like yesterday that between coming through a fire relatively Black Saturday took its tragic toll on unscathed or losing buildings, stock or Victoria — and we all know bushfire even lives.” remains a very real threat, especially with Preparing Your Dairy Farm for Fire Threat the climate and conditions we have this urges dairy farmers to consider a threeyear,” he said. stage plan involving preparation, response and recovery.

“Dairy farmers have particular needs

Among suggestions for protecting dairy farms are: Identifying a bare ground or summer crop refuge paddock for stock.

Storing silage stocks in different places to reduce feed losses.

Ensuring water supplies are available and pumps are working.

Discing or planting summer crops around buildings to create a fire barrier.

Marking cows to ensure a quick return to milking if the herd becomes mixed.

Having alternative power supplies available for milking and refrigeration.

“We all know what happened on Black Saturday, but we all now have the chance to learn the lessons of that tragedy and do everything in our power to look after ourselves, our families, our staff and our farms,” Mr Versteden said.

Preparing Your Dairy Farm for Fire Threat was produced using dairy service levy funds. To download a copy, go to www.dairyaustralia.com.au and search ‘fire’ or to obtain a hard copy phone GippsDairy on 5624 3900.

FEBRUARY 2016

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David Vuillermin is a big kid when it comes to big toys like the ‘Golden Blade’.

Loving the

dairy life

Chance to work with big toys is also an attraction on the farm.

David Vuillermin loves his work.

He enjoys milking, driving one of his many large farm vehicles or just tackling one of the thousands of jobs that need doing around his Yanakie dairy property.

He’s a man happy with life on the farm.

“I love it. I wouldn’t do anything else,” he said.

“I get up every morning and I milk cows and I think about what I’m going to do for the day, and I get excited.”

It’s just as well he enjoys it, having started working on the farm at 16 when his father Leon was busy as a Bonlac director during the milk company’s merger negotiations.

While his dad was initially reluctant to let him come straight onto the family farm, he’s no doubt proud to now see his son running a top class dairy operation and doing it with a smile on his face.

The 400 ha farm has grown from 100 ha during the span of five generations of Vuillermins.

The 400 Friesian-cross Montbeliarde /Aussie 24

FEBRUARY 2016

Reds graze the slightly undulating country on the isthmus between the mainland and Wilsons Promontory.

It’s a magnificent place to live and work and something that Mr Vuillermin, his wife Fiona and children Patrick, Tessa and Carly need to remind themselves to occasionally enjoy.

“We’re just lucky here and we take it for granted of course,” he said.

Something he doesn’t take for granted is the health of his herd.

Not so long ago, the pure Friesians were struggling and in desperate need of genetic improvement.

“Friesians years ago couldn’t walk anywhere, they were too big and they just got sore and they weren’t getting in calf,” he said.

“But a bit of hybrid vigour made all the difference — within a generation it had fixed itself.

“The not-getting-in-calf we are still working on, but it’s getting better. The production hasn’t lifted in litres, but our protein and

butter fat has lifted dramatically.”

With the herd in good shape and the pastures (rainfall allowing) growing plenty of grass, Mr Vuillermin can indulge his passion for diesel motors and big farm equipment.

From a 500 hp forage harvester to a forklift for the farm shed, there’s not much work for contractors on the Vuillermin farm.

While engines are a hobby, the benefits of owning and being able to maintain his own equipment are not lost on the 46-year-old.

“I was keen on being a mechanic when I was younger, but then I realised as a farmer I could do it all,” he said.

“The engine room of the farm is the cow shed but there are so many things that make up a farm. There’s the diesel side, the husbandry side and growing the grass.

“Say we need to do a track that is 2 km long.

It’ll be done in a couple of days, whereas if I had to get the contractor in we’d be waiting and waiting.

“It also makes it a bit more fun for the people who work here.”

The irrigation dam is fed using wash-down water from the dairy with solids separated out.

Doing the right thing

David Vuillermin with the dry waste from his effluent separator. It doesn’t smell and is a bonus for pasture.

You wouldn’t pick David Vuillermin as a greenie, but he’s probably doing more good for the environment than 100 protest marches to Parliament House.

Apart from planting thousands of trees each year, the Yanakie dairy farmer has embraced the concepts of “reduce, re-use, recycle”, ensuring he minimises waste and maximises every valuable nutrient on his property.

Dealing with effluent waste on his property was the first challenge — and one he needed to consider in his own time.

“About 12 years ago, Barrie Bradshaw from the department came out and told me that I should be doing this, that, and the other and I told him to get in his car and nick off,” Mr Vuillermin said.

“But I thought about it and thought about it and realised it wasn’t a bad idea.

“We decided to go with the separator and it’s been great. You do a milking and you think ‘that’s a whole lot of cow s**t’ — but you end up with just a wheelbarrow of dry matter out of one milking, which is amazing.”

His effluent system sees fresh water washing waste from the yard into a sand trap, through a sewage separator that eventually leaves a “dry, carpetlooking substance” which is spread onto paddocks, with waste-water sent to an irrigation dam.

“To me it’s getting rid of a problem — and effluent water is a problem,” Mr Vuillermin said.

“If it helps you grow a bit more grass that’s a bonus, but we’re only 2 km as the crow flies from Corner Inlet so not dealing with it is not the go.”

The Corner Inlet connection has also seen Mr Vuillermin embrace the Fert$mart program, which is a Dairy Australia initiative assisting farmers to make assessments of their soil and fertiliser management practices.

“I really enjoyed it. It was something I got a lot out of,” Mr Vuillermin said.

“I’m not a big fan of nitrogen. I think it is overused big-time and I reckon by looking at what I grew and what others grew compared to the fertiliser that was put on, I think it showed that I did well.”

Mr Vuillermin said the Fert$mart program confirmed his suspicions that reducing fertiliser could be a win for farmers and the environment.

But using less nitrogen means thinking outside the square when it comes to fertiliser alternatives and grass types.

“I don’t buy the new flash grasses. I buy the ryes that will last forever, and I buy clover.

“People don’t know what clover is these days because it won’t grow with nitrogen, but we’ve got clover everywhere.

“I like the idea of fertilisers — I just think we can do better than nitrogen.”

For Dairy Australia’s land, water and carbon consultant Gillian Hayman, the Vuillermin farm is a great example of how Corner Inlet farmers have embraced the Fert$mart program.

“We are working our way around Corner Inlet and so far we have had 100 per cent of farmers involved in the Fert$mart program,” Ms Hayman said.

“It really shows that farmers have a commitment to both their own farm business and the wider environment around them.’’

FEBRUARY 2016

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Lachie McLeod’s summer turnip crop was a point of discussion during the Calrossie Tactics for Dry Times day.

Farmers flock to dry times

sessions

Strategies offered for making the best of low water season.

Gippsland dairy farmers couldn’t do anything about the lack of spring and summer rain, but they embraced the chance to develop strategies for coping with the tough season.

The response to the Tactics for Dry Times sessions, which were held across Gippsland during November and December, showed farmers were looking for every advantage they could find in dealing with the dry conditions.

Tactics for Dry Times, which is a Dairy Australia/GippsDairy initiative funded by the dairy service levy, was facilitated by Matt Harms, who said farmers across the drier parts of the region were all facing similar issues.

“The universal message was to make a decision and make it early. Hopefully it’s the right decision, but having no decision at all would be a disaster,” he said.

“It was about planning and organising the feed that you need, so that you have it onfarm or have it locked in, so it can’t be sold from underneath you.

“The reality is, whether we get an early autumn break or it’s slightly late, the length of feeding period is going to be anywhere 26

FEBRUARY 2016

between four months and six months.”

The Tactics for Dry Times sessions were hosted at the farms of Lachie and Vicki McLeod at Calrossie (near Yarram), Rob and Jenni Marshall at Lardner, Warren and Kerrie Redmond at Inverloch, and Mick and Sarah O’Brien at Denison.

GippsDairy regional manager Allan Cameron thanked the host farmers and all of those who contributed to the events.

“We not only had the host farmers going out of their way to help out, but we had plenty of their neighbours putting their hands up to speak or answer questions about how they are tackling the current situation,” he said.

“It once again shows how this industry sticks together and shares knowledge and experience to help get through tough times like the current season.”

The Young Dairy Network held off-farm Dry Times events, while farmer discussion groups have also evolved from the initiative.

GippsDairy will continue to monitor the season and roll out further Tactics for Dry Times events as needed. Anyone who would like a session held in their area can phone John Gallienne on 0407 863 493 or GippsDairy on 5624 3900.

A group discussion at the Lardner Tactics for Dry Times session in December.

Inverloch host farmers Warren and Kerrie Redmond chat with West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority’s Shane Haywood.

Host farmers Mike and Sarah O’Brien with GippsDairy director Brad Missen at the Tactics for Dry Times session at Denison.

Host farmers Jenni and Rob Marshall with GippsDairy’s Karen Romano at the Lardner Tactics for Dry Times day.

Ian Conn, Trent Crawford and Lachie McLeod were happy to share their experiences at the Tactics for Dry Times event at Calrossie.

Facilitator Matt Harms with Bill Bodman and Dairy Australia’s Richard Romano at the Calrossie Dry Times event.

GippsDairy extension co-ordinator Tony Platt catches up with Rabobank’s Michael Croatto at the Tactics for Dry Times event at Denison.

GippsDairy director Iain Stewart and Maffra vet Dr Jakob Malmo enjoy a well-earned lunch break at the Tactics for Dry Times event.

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Drilling down into water issues also keeping an eye on the Southern Rural Water drilling draw-down. inspector Tony Sanders has urged anyone with an existing “It’s a bit time-consuming but well to hasten slowly when it’s worthwhile to make it part getting it back into action. of your weekly routine to check the flow rate and draw-down.”

He said a dry 18 months and early start to sweltering As part of GippsDairy/Dairy summer conditions had seen Australia’s ongoing Tactic for many farmers considering bores Dry Times program, a special that had not been used for meeting was held at Inverloch some time. to address the concerns of farmers in the district.

Water availability, salinity and bore infrastructure all need to The coastal area has been be factored in before the first among the hardest hit in drop of underground water can Gippsland, with many farms be pumped to the surface. already running low on stock water.

“De-gear them to start, pull the pumps and everything Sinking of new bores and out — the whole shooting restarting old ones was match,” Mr Sanders said. discussed at the meeting, with Mr Sanders on hand to answer “Have somebody come in and questions from farmers. redevelop the well and do a flow-rate test on it.

He said there was not much water available in the district, “One thing that I must and what could be found was emphasise, is to do a proper pump test over 24 hours. Make likely to be highly saline. sure that the pump you have in “Water is between 1000 and the hole matches the flow-rate.” 3000 parts ECU (electrical Mr Sanders said farmers needed conductivity unit) while some of the bores south-west to ascertain the flow-rate and of Inverloch are extremely the draw-down and have a high in salt — up to 10 000 pump matched to both.

“Also take into consideration the ECU — and the cows won’t drink that; they won’t produce amount of head,” he said. milk off that,” he said.

“Your pump person will be able to help with their head pressure Mr Sanders said some of the water could be good for and friction loss.” washing down the dairy, but Ongoing monitoring of the farmers should be careful bore is crucial to ensure that about the effects of salty water pumps don’t run dry, causing running through water heaters the entire system to break and other equipment. down.

GippsDairy projects and events “A bore might produce 450 ml co-ordinator Karen Romano of water a second but when said accessing information you pump that bore for 30 or from experts like Mr Sanders 40 days straight that flow-rate was crucial during the current will drop off,” Mr Sanders said. season.

“So they might only get 300 ml “I’d urge any farmer who needs of water per second after a assistance with water issues while and they need to be able to access information on the to monitor that.”

Dairy Australia or GippsDairy Mr Sanders believes the websites, contact the offices of best way to monitor bore the relevant authority or talk performance is through the to your milk company field flow-rate of the pump while officer.’’

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The Franklin River will soon be fenced and revegetated along a 25 km stretch.

Flow-on effects from river restoration

Cindy and Dan Knee with baby daughter Lexie at the Franklin River revegetation talk with WCGMA’s Matt Bowler and Dairy Australia’s Gillian Hayman.

Works to restore river environment are also reaping rewards for farmers.

Just a few steps away from the lush dairy pastures of Dan and Cindy Knee’s farm is a river environment of rare beauty and genuine significance.

The Franklin River’s journey through the heart of the Toora North farm is just a fraction of a 35 km course that snakes its way down from the Strzelecki Ranges to Corner Inlet in the shadow of Wilsons Promontory.

The reason the Knee family’s stretch of river is so important is that it represents the final link in a 25 km-long chain of revegetated riparian environment that runs along the Franklin from the forest to the sea.

When a stand of basket willows is removed next month and replaced with native vegetation, the dreams and hard work of many people in the catchment will finally come to fruition.

For the young farming couple, it’s the culmination of a community and family effort that started before Mr Knee was even born.

His parents, Bruce and Rae, have been working for years with organisations such as Landcare and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA), as well as GippsDairy’s GipRip project, to turn their once degraded river frontage into something truly special.

Having taken over the farm last year, Dan and Cindy have picked up the torch of responsible land stewardship and are seen as inspiring examples of young, sustainable farmers who are protecting Corner Inlet through best practice grazing, and nutrient, effluent and water management on their property.

Mr Knee, named one of five Young Landcarer recipients as part of the 2015 Landcare in West Gippsland Green Carpet event, said the final stage of the revegetation project was satisfying for all involved.

“Dad was asking five years ago for it to be done, but we didn’t get anywhere until this 30

FEBRUARY 2016

year, so it’s good it’s happening now. It’s pretty exciting,” he said.

“I guess growing up as a kid we didn’t realise quite what we had. It is a rather nice place to live and it makes you feel great when people come and say that it’s a really nice farm.”

During the past 10 years, more than 25 km of the lower 35 km of the Franklin River has been fenced off and revegetated, meaning almost the entire length of the river is now protected from farm animals.

“The Franklin is one catchment that we might be able to say in a few years’ time is fully restored; that’s a big story to tell and is testament to the commitment of local landholders,” WGCMA delivery team leader Matt Bowler said.

“In rehabilitating those areas it creates wildlife corridors, shade and shelter, so it is a big thing that the farmers can benefit from as well.”

The flow-on effects of the on-farm work have been felt in Corner inlet, into which the Franklin River feeds.

Mr Bowler said the work being done in recent decades was helping to reverse the problems caused by widespread clearing in pioneer days.

“Early clearing exposed soils which were washed down into Corner Inlet,” he said.

“The habitat in Corner Inlet is internationally significant and is an asset for the community with important bird, fish and large seagrass communities, and the inlet supports a productive fishing industry.

“So revegetation work in the Franklin catchment is a win for the farms with productivity, shade, shelter and getting cattle out of the river, and it’s a win for the community with better water quality to protect downstream marine habitats.”

Dairy Australia’s Gippsland Land, Water and Carbon consultant Gillian Hayman said the Franklin River project had shown what could be achieved through a collaborative approach.

She said Landcare, WGCMA, GippsDairy and Dairy Australia had been among those helping landholders and the local community achieve a significant result with the river revegetation.

The Knee farm, in particular, is seen as a great example of partnerships and persistence paying off in the long term.

“Dan and Cindy — and before them Bruce and Rae Knee — have done a particularly good job over a number of decades in protecting the Franklin River,” Ms Hayman said.

“They’ve assisted the CMA with willow removal, fencing off many kilometres of waterways and they’ve certainly seen the benefits of that in terms of water quality, cattle out of rivers and the benefits of getting the vegetation back on-farm.”

For dairy farmers, running their business means keeping the books in the black, so any environmental work also must make financial sense.

Mr Knee’s attitude is that growing trees for shelter and keeping stock out of the river is not only a win for the environment, it’s good news for his bank balance.

“It works with the business,” he said.

“A happy cow is a cow that is going to make you money.”

It’s an attitude that doesn’t surprise Mr Bowler, who hears similar comments from the other “switched-on” farmers with whom he works.

“What I’ve found is that often the best farmers in an economic sense are the most progressive in an environmental sense as well,” he said.

“They understand where their money is made and they understand their money isn’t made from cattle wandering around in the creek and getting lost in gullies.”

For more information on protecting farm land or river environments phone Matt Bowler at the WGCMA on 1300 094 262.

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Kristy Holz, Jason Lee and farm employee Grady Lardner on the Yinnar Property.

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FEBRUARY 2016

A pivot irrigator helps boost production on Jason Lee’s farm.

Growing as a

farmer

Jason Lee believes his share farming property has the potential to build his herd.

Jason Lee seems to have an old head on young shoulders.

The Yinnar share farmer is just 26 years old, but he is already running a high production farm with the promise of better things to come.

His partnership with the private superannuation company that owns the 130 ha property is prospering just 18 months after Mr Lee and partner Kristy Holz made the move from Maffra.

While he’s not one to talk himself up, Mr Lee can let his herd and impressive silage stacks do the talking for him.

His 310 milkers have been cobbled together from his own breeding, dispersal sales and private purchases. They’re a mixed bunch of Friesians, Montpelliers and Jerseys that not only look in the peak of health, but produce when it counts at milking time.

“They are doing really well and still producing 28 litres and they have quite high solids,” Mr Lee said in late December.

Growing his herd is all about increasing production, with litres rather than

bloodlines his major concern. combined with lease blocks at Maffra means Jason can consider quickly raising cow But the young farmer won’t have any old numbers if the opportunity arises. cow in his paddock, requiring each animal The low-lying property grows plenty of grass to tick the boxes of a good dairy performer.

“I’m not really a stud farmer, but they have to in drier years when many other farmers are struggling to fill their silage pits. be sound,” he said.

This year, Mr Lee cut as much grass as he “You have to be able to get milk out of them could throughout the spring, expecting a dry and they have to be able to calve and not be spell that still hadn’t arrived on his farm by prone to mastitis or feet issues. mid-December.

“Of 100 heifers this year, 90 would make the “I guess grow as much as you can utliise, boat.” whether it be for the cow or for bales,” he While he is still assessing the capability of said. the Yinnar property, Mr Lee believes there is “I like to put as much down the cow’s throat plenty of scope to build his herd. as possible but if it’s growing there and it’s “I reckon this farm could comfortably run going to go down in quality, you put it in 400,” he said. bales and keep it high quality feed.

“With the heifers coming up this year it “That’s probably why we are up 20 per cent won’t take long to get up to that number. on last year’s production. We farmed like it We’ll work on five years. wasn’t going to rain, but it just kept raining.”

“We’ll buy more cows if the price drops, but With 2600 rolls wrapped and waiting in the at the moment we will hang around the paddock, Mr Lee went into Christmas with 310 number and see what the farm can fewer worries than many other farmers. To comfortably do.” him, silage in the roll is like money in the bank.

The high fodder production of the farm >> Continued on page 34 FEBRUARY 2016

33

Growing grass and making it into silage bales underpins seasonal security for Jason Lee and Kristy Holz.

<< Continued from page 34 “Even if we have 1000 rolls there that we a bit of a nightmare,” Mr Lee said. don’t need, it’s good for your mental health, “The first milking it wouldn’t work, but once I guess,” he said. it got going it was really good.

“It might cost you $30 000 to make it, but if “The whole farm needed a bit of TLC, but you have to buy it in it’ll cost you $100 000.” for the size of the place it was really good.”

Having started a school-based One of the farm’s main assets is a pivot apprenticeship when he was 14, Mr Lee irrigator which draws water from a creek must feel like a veteran of the industry now that flows through the property. It can only he’s in his mid-20s. be used when the creek has enough water to But even the most experienced dairy farmer satisfy environmental flows, but the efficient would have struggled to cope when the watering system can give the farm an edge rotary dairy broke down on their first when there’s not much rain falling from milking at the new farm. directly overhead.

“The rotary dairy when we first got here was “It’s good when it’s got water, but it seems to

have a lot of bad luck,” Mr Lee said.

“It got struck by lightning and whenever you want to use it something seems to go wrong.

“But it gives us a prolonged spring. When there’s a rain event in the hills we can put a lot of that out on the pivot.”

While he’s more than happy to build his equity through the share farming arrangement, Mr Lee would love to one day step out on his own.

“I guess the ambition would be farm ownership, which is probably everyone’s goal in the industry.’’

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Pasture planning for autumn With this in mind, the main ingredients need to be: • Water • Good plant coverage of ground • The appropriate plant material • Adequate soil fertility and condition, P, K, S and pH. • Nitrogen at 1-1.5 kg/day when moisture is available.

• Have the correct stocking rate to consume the feed.

These are the known factors that influence pasture growth and consumption. Any of these that are under your control need to be addressed.

SETTING TARGET DATES FOR YOUR PASTURE PLAN February – Protect the most productive pastures. Plan resowing early. For annual grass seeds and barley grass areas, seek advice.

Control weeds in finished crops. Soil test if required.

March – Pastures need to be short. Spray if required, add fertiliser and sow pasture seed.

Rotation 22 to 30 days. Sacrifice paddocks can save pastures in an extremely dry season.

April – Continue sowing and monitor for pests, such as earth mites, lucerne fleas, grubs or slugs; take action if required. Graze when plants will not pull out. Consider using Barrier U2 endophyte if cockchafers or black beetles are a problem.

May – Again graze new pastures as early as possible, control weeds and pests, apply fertiliser. Rotation 25 to 35 days.

June – From then on graze, apply fertiliser.

All weeds should now be controlled.

Rotation 28 to 38 days.

SOWING RYE-GRASS Successful germination of seed depends on good contact between the seed and the soil to maximise soil moisture and nutrients.

For both direct drilling and conventional sowing, ensure seed and fertiliser are sown together at a depth of about 10 mm.

ESTABLISHING RYE-GRASS WITHOUT CLOVER • Use DAP at 150 kg/ha if Olsen P is below 20. If 20 – 25 use 80 kg/ha. If 25+ use 20 Kg/ha.

• Drill into soils to 1 cm depth, preferably dry soils and low pasture cover.

• Spray green growing pasture with Glyphosate at 150 ml/ha; this would suit both dryland and irrigation when there is no more than 15 per cent fibrous rooted grasses.

• If flood irrigation has a large amount of summer grasses such as paspalum and couch, cultivation after heavy Glyphosate application would be preferred.

• If spraying only, then increase sowing rate by 50 per cent. This method applies for dryland bent-grass areas also.

• In Gippsland, in high rainfall areas sow before mid-April. In low rainfall areas sow before the end of April. Worked soil gives better results.

• In the Macalister irrigation district it is important to have planted before midApril, so plants can be established before frost cools soils.

• Seed rates: direct drilling 25 kg/ha; cultivated soils 30 kg/ha.

• Fertilise for high yields, growth for short terms up to 50 kg DM/ha/day.

• Use nitrogen at 25 – 40 kg N per month if feed can be utilised.

• Phosphorus, potassium and sulphur – use soil test to determine rates.

• Control weeds such as capeweed when plants are 25 to 50 mm high.

• Graze early, as soon as plants won’t pull out (75 mm).

• Do not drill into soils with root mat.

PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT IN ROOT MAT SOILS

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Most root-mat soils have low soil PH. If PH is below 5.4 (water) apply 2.5 tonne/ha of fine lime and incorporate this into the soil prior to planting. Not controlling existing pasture or not breaking down root mat often causes failures when direct drilling pastures.

The use of a high application rate of Glyphosate followed 10 days later by two passes with a disc; this could be followed by a power harrow and a seed box.

The soil clump size should not be more than 5 cm.

After sowing, harrow with mesh and roll.

PLANTING PASTURES IN IRRIGATED SOILS. The planting window is wide for spray irrigation, from mid to late February to late April.

The ideal timing to optimise the result is considered to be mid-March for autumn.

If flood irrigation has a large amount of summer grasses such as paspalum and couch, cultivation after heavy Glyphosate application would be preferred; if spraying only, increase sowing rate by 50 per cent. When there is no more than 15 per cent of the area covered with fibrous rooted grasses and pasture cover is low, spray pasture with Glyphosate at 150 ml/ ha; the next day pasture can be drilled then irrigated. About eight to 10 days later this can be grazed. Apply fertiliser as per standard recommendations.

Permanent pasture is still the mainstay feed of the Gippsland dairy industry, and protecting pastures from over-grazing and weed infestation is of utmost importance.

There is great opportunity to increase yield in general but I believe in July growth rates of 40 kg/ha should be achieved therefore achieving one tonne of pasture grown per month during this period.

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Is your farm ready for extreme weather conditions?

Take steps to be ready in event of fire and flood.

“The goal is to reduce disruption to your Dairy Australia’s issues manager Julie Iommi in a short podcast available on dairy business and keep you, your family, the organisation’s website, says with the staff and animals safe,” Dr Iommi said. heightened risk of fire and flood farmers KEY TIPS should review their emergency plans and How can you find out about fires or preparations. floods near you? Who will monitor the “Dairy farmers have plans in place but it is Fire Authority apps, listen to the ABC, also worth taking a few minutes to make keep a watch on the weather conditions sure your preparations are still relevant,” and wind patterns? Have you signed up Dr Iommi said. for the Dairy Australia SMS local heat “Clearly a high risk on a dairy farm is an alerts? electricity outage: How will you milk your How will you milk and cool if the power cows and keep the milk cool if power is goes off? Can you test your back-up plan knocked out for a prolonged period? tonight/tomorrow — just in case?

“When was the last time you tested your back-up equipment? Having a practice Is your inventory up-to-date? Take photos run to check firefighting equipment, of your stored feed and machinery. Are generators for milking and your water chemicals recorded and stored properly pumps should help if the worst happens. and safely?

“These are just some of the questions you Are all your insurance documents, key need to address to respond to a disaster in contacts list, farm records and laptop the most effective way.” together and easy to grab if you need to leave quickly? And remember to keep The Dairy Australia website has resources available with practical tips. your mobile phone fully charged.

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AI is way to go Profit and production reap rewards.

Australian dairy farmers could be gaining more than $30 million a year by using more artificial insemination (AI) to create the healthiest and most productive herds.

“If you invest dollars and a little more time in AI and genetics you will make more money, it is that simple,” Dairy Australia’s Genetics and Data Management program manager Matthew Shaffer said.

The statistic was revealed in the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Report 2015 which analysed the productivity of AI-bred Holstein and Jersey cows in the national herd of herd recorded cows.

The total number of Jersey cows in this analysis was 55 633 (35 199 AI-bred, 20 434 naturally bred) and the number of Holstein cows was 315 574 (219 303 AI-bred and 96 271 naturally bred). The average value of the extra annual production for each AI-bred Jersey and Holstein cow was $234 and $288 respectively, making a grand total of over $30 million ($5 million for Jerseys, $28 million for Holsteins) of lost production every year for the naturally bred herd-recorded cows.

Mr Shaffer and Michelle Axford of the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) recommend farmers ensure they have enough replacements sired

by AI bulls from the Good Bulls Guide.

“Having the right genetics makes all the difference not only in terms of your cow’s health, temperament and milk production outcomes but also the bottom-line profit you can make in your farm business,” Mr Shaffer said.

“Don’t fall short with your AI program and give it that extra bit of time as the upfront costs will pay dividends for over the lifetime of the cow.”

“In 2015, for example, AI-bred Australian Holsteins produced 25 kg more fat and 23 kg more protein than those naturally bred, creating an additional annual production value of about $288 per cow,” Ms Axford said.

“The figures are a little lower for AI-bred Jerseys, but no less impressive and that means if you have 100 more AI-bred Holstein or Jersey cows in your herd, you can expect between $23 400 and $28 800 of extra production value every year.”

Stress on dry cows The impacts hot weather placenta and suppresses their immune system,” Dr Little said. can have on milking herds is well-known and dairy farmers “Heat stress on dry cows has throughout mainland Australia a dramatic effect on the employ shade and evaporative development of mammary cooling, with supporting herd tissue in the udder and management strategies, to that leads to decreased milk prevent stress. production in the following The effects of heat stress on dry lactation. Researchers have cows — those in the last two shown that this decrease can be months of pregnancy — have up to 5 litres per day for up to been less well understood, but 30 weeks.” recent research has brought to In addition to lost production, light new findings, according to heat stress on dry cows also Dr Steve Little, Capacity+ Ag affects placental development Consulting, for Dairy Australia. leading to smaller, lighter calves “The research clearly shows that being born, and a greater risk of if cows suffer heat stress through health problems around calving such as mastitis and retained the dry period it affects the membranes.” development of their udder and FEBRUARY 2016

37

Mark Humphris is a qualified veterinarian and has been involved in dairying since the age of 10, growing up on dairy farms in South Australia and Victoria.

Dry time is of the essence

Key messages:

Take the opportunities that cows’ dry time offers.

• The dry period is the most important time for new udder infections • Work out your calving mastitis rate for cows and heifers • Use the Countdown resources to plan your dry period

Dairy farmers are always aiming to get the best production from their cows and the dry period is the most important time to ensure not only the best production, but the best quality of milk.

Veterinarian and consultant Mark Humphris spoke at a 2016 International Dairy Week seminar about how to optimise the dry period in terms of achieving the best milk quality and also ensuring disease prevention in cows.

“There is great room for improvement with the dry period … and some of that thinking is born out of the fact that we see very big variations between the performance of herds over that dry cow time,” Mr Humphris said.

The seminar focused on dry cow therapy which included what dairy farmers should try to achieve in the dry period, how they can measure performance, what can go wrong and the strategies that can be used to improve performance.

The importance of treating existing diseases — specifically mastitis — and more importantly, preventing new diseases from forming during the dry period, was also a central focus of the discussion.

“The dry time is the best time to treat those infections,” Mr Humphris said.

While Mr Humphris said it could be tempting to attempt treating infection during the lactation period, he cautioned

against it. … once you know that figure you can actually say, `I didn’t do as well this year, what did I “The chances of success are so low — keep do wrong?’. you money in your pocket.

“If you get the dry period wrong, my “You’d have to treat 10 cows for subexperience has been, looking at different clinical mastitis during lactation to get one herds, that you’ve got a year of pain, you’ve success — I don’t like those odds.” got to wait until the next dry period.”

Mr Humphris focused on ensuring no Mr Humphris also suggested avoiding the antibiotic residues are remaining when the use of teat sealant where possible. treated cows re-enter the herd.

“I don’t like when farms use an internal teat The second half of the seminar explored sealant when they don’t need to. what can go wrong and what strategies can be used to improve calving time mastitis and “If you’re achieving 4–5 per cent calving set cows up for a good lactation period. mastitis, without an internal teat sealant, I’d be loath to introduce another fixed cost to Mr Humphris used a graph to demonstrate your business.” how risky the dry period is regarding the risk of new infections.

Mr Humphris finished by emphasising how “The highest chance of getting environmental worthwhile it is to take the time to prepare cows. mastitis occurs just after drying off and the rate of new infection goes up significantly, “It takes just three minutes to prepare a cow and then goes down, and then up again near so make sure you do it properly.” calving,” he said.

The seminar was highly interactive, as “The dry period is the most critical time encouraged by Mr Humphris, and audience of the cow’s lactation cycle with regard to members were willing to share individual milk quality and preventing environmental experiences from their work. mastitis.”

Mr Humphris consults for Dairy Australia Knowing the calving mastitis time is one of and also highlighted how to use Dairy the most critical ways to measure how well Australia’s Countdown program, a national the dry period has been managed. mastitis and cell count control program.

“If you don’t know your calving time mastitis, For more information on optimising the dry I don’t think you can really think about period or to view webinars by Mr Humphris, changing your management of your dry cow visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au

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Keeping business on track “Every farm has a unique set of resources and Business analysis may not be the most exciting phrase but it is an essential activity when trying operators have different skills, experience and to successfully manage a dairy farm. attitudes to risk.”

Farmanco farm consultant Tom Farran spoke Mr Farran also discussed the importance of about a new online program to help improve farm understanding the difference between cash and business performance, known as DairyBase, at a profit and accounting for appreciation and seminar during the 2016 International Dairy Week. depreciation.

DairyBase, developed by Dairy Australia, is a “Cash flow might struggle, but you have to free online tool designed for farmers to enter the account for the increasing value of stock.” physical and financial data about their farming Reports and analysis can be monitored at any business and extract detailed reports analysing time on DairyBase however the physical and this data. financial data only needs to be input once a year.

The analysis aims to help farmers make more Since the product was released in May last year, informed business decisions, measure their Mr Farran said the feedback had been positive performance against other farms, reduce risks, and many had commented on the user-friendly identify opportunities and assist with business nature of DairyBase. planning.

Program uptake has been positive with well over Mr Farran said users could set their data to 500 registered users nationwide and 135 in the private so fellow users were unable to identify Murray dairy region. their farm.

While DairyBase provides valuable information, DairyBase delivers benchmarks which provide Mr Farran emphasised the importance of farmers general trends and indicators that are associated having an understanding of the information it with high-performing farms, however Mr Farran emphasised that farmers should not get caught up produced. on this detail.

“I think it’s extremely useful, but it’s how they (farmers) interpret information coming out that “You can see characteristics of good farming but is the most critical part.” that’s not necessarily the cause,” Mr Farran said.

“The comparison with your own farm over time is To register for DairyBase, visit the best thing you can do. www.dairybase.com.au

DairyBase: • Provides a good understanding of exactly where the business is at; • Provides the best indication of how the dairy farm business is performing in relation to: – Physical performance – Financial performance – Risk; • Provides baseline data which can be used to analyse potential changes to a dairy farm business; • Helps to determine what changes should be made to the business.

Remember: Concentrating on any individual (or set) of indicators when analysing business performance is likely to lead to a poor understanding of the performance.

Physical, financial and risk indicators all need to be considered; and in relation to business performance we should consider cash, profit and wealth.

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FEBRUARY 2016

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