Dairy direct gippsland october 2015 (low res)

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Country News PUBLICATION

GIPPSLAND Issue 6, October 2015

Taking a strategic view » page 20 Farm profits tumble » page 6 Sow early in an El Niño year » page 27

Drones, phones and dairying » page 42

Editor Geoff Adams editor@countrynews.com.au

Reminders for November Make the most of spring (pasture management) • In years of slower pasture growth rates and lower surpluses cutting silage from the milking area can be detrimental to milk production. The cost of silage cut rather than pasture eaten and milk produced is high.

• Boosting silage growth with nitrogen fertiliser can be profitable provided that the silage cut is of high quality and the timing of nitrogen fertiliser is good. Calculate the cost of pasture grown with nitrogen against purchased hay and grain.

• Make a decision about grazing rotation and the quality and quantity of pasture on the farm. If purchased fodder is expensive and/or hard to get you might be better off to have slightly more cover on the farm, at the risk of losing control of pasture quality.

Secure feed now for the summer feed gap • Estimate feed required to feed your cows well over anticipated feed gap.

• Focus on quality and quantity of feed as well as cost.

• Investigate all options for filling the feed gap and act early to secure the feed at the best possible price. Common options are grain, silage, purchased hay and spring planted summer crops.

Fodder conservation • Milk production is strongly influenced by quality of the diet.

Poor quality silage will limit milk production when fed back.

Large quantities of low quality silage will result in bigger silage cost and lower milk production.

• Aim for leafy pastures with short shut up time (4–6 weeks).

Pasture ready to be grazed by milkers makes the best silage and regrow the fastest.

Cows • Profitable milk production is critical for all cows, cow health issues including best possible feeding need to be a focus as milk produced now sets up the spring calving cows’ production for the year and forms the basis of the farm’s cash flow.

• Have a good heat detection system in place and consider starting heat detection a month before the start of mating. Any cows not seen cycling in this time can be vet checked and treated if necessary prior to the joining start date.

• Consider the use of a proven joining program to tighten the calving pattern.

• More information on joining can be obtained at http://www. dairyaustralia.com.au/Animal-management/Fertility/AboutInCalf.aspx Calves/Heifers • Have a plan for rearing calves and young stock with targets that are beneficial to your management.

• Monitor growth rates of calves to measure your success. Plan dehorning, vaccination and drenching.

• Aim for calves to be eating one to two kilograms of concentrates per day prior to weaning.

• More information on calf rearing can be found at http://www. dairyaustralia.com.au/Animal-management/Animal-welfare/ Calves.aspx Irrigation • Pasture growth rates drop significantly when soil moisture drops, checking soil moisture on a regular basis and irrigating when necessary is key to maximum pasture growth making higher profitable milk production and fodder conservation possible.

• Check all pumps and filters for correct operation and pressure before the heat of summer.

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OCTOBER 2015

Writers Danny Buttler and Geoff Adams Graphic designers Teresa Lagozzino, Brendan Cain, Alysha Bathman and Bella Considine.

Advertising James MacGibbon james.macgibbon@ countrynews.com.au Cover: Breeding for profit at Leongatha South.

Story page 14

Published by Country News PO Box 204, Shepparton, Victoria 3632 (03) 5831 2312 www.countrynews.com.au

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.

Dairy Direct Filled enough forms in lately?

The paper onslaught can be pretty annoying when you’re trying to run a business and juggle a myriad of on-farm issues.

Just when you thought it was safe to check the mail box, another survey arrives.

Well, the good news is that after those interminable and sometimes intrusive data collections, the industry is getting some solid feedback.

The development of DairyBase has come about as the result of some longer term information Industry data gathering is also gathering that will enable generating useful information farmers to get a better idea on for our farm lobby groups to how they’re travelling. wield in their approaches to Farmers will be able to compare governments, so there is a result their own business over time emerging from those late nights and see how they stack up wrestling with forms and figures. against other farms using similar — Geoff Adams production systems in the same region.

Dairy Direct

contents Keep calm and carry on farming ‘El’ and ‘Niño’ are two words that you will be hearing a lot of right at the moment.

I’d like to add a couple of words of my own: ‘don’t’ and ‘panic’.

There are enough news reports of ‘heatwaves’ and ‘drought condition’ to strike fear into the hearts of most of us.

The reality is, however, that the likely arrival of El Niño will have different implications for different parts of the country, state and Gippsland region.

The other reality is: no-one knows how serious these implications will be.

So how should you react to variability and uncertainty? It’s important that dairy farmers take note of warnings from the weather experts, take advice on how to prepare — and be prepared to act on that advice.

Looking at feed strategies, crop types and finance options in a calm and considered manner could help prepare your farm business for a tougher than hoped for spring/ summer. Besides, this is a prudent exercise in any year.

While climate forecasts are not always accurate, one thing you can depend on is the backing of GippsDairy and Dairy Australia.

If conditions do deteriorate, programs are ready to roll out to help farmers deal with tough climate conditions and the flow-on effects to cash-flow.

‘Tactics for Tight Times’ was rolled out

Rural Rumenations Dairy news

4 4– 6

Upgrading to improve safety and handling

8

Feed disruption discovery

9

Online tool to improve business 10

quickly and effectively the last time Gippsland dairy farmers were struggling to keep heads above water. It was well received and made a real difference to the way farmers approached a difficult period.

The same level of concern and assistance will be offered to every farmer in the region if El Niño impacts on our ability to grow grass and keep the books balanced.

Let’s hope the weather boffins have got it wrong again — but let’s be ready in case they are right about a tough spring and summer.

On a personal note, this will be my last edition as a director and chair of GippsDairy.

I’d like to thank my fellow board members for their support, the GippsDairy staff for their hard work and dedication and the Gippsland dairy community for their assistance in delivering GippsDairy’s many programs to the region’s farmers.

I’d also like to thank my family for their ongoing support which has allowed me to put in the time and effort required to fulfil the role as chairman.

We’ve achieved plenty in my six years on the board and I have no doubt that the new board and new chair will keep on listening to the needs of dairy farmers and acting to keep every farm in Gippsland as productive and profitable as possible.

— Matt Gleeson GippsDairy chairman

Emissions discovery

11

Breeding for profit

14

It’s all in the genes

15

Association with China strengthened

17

Make every irrigation count 18 A focus on farming for the future

20

Good time to look at farm finances

23

Sow earlier to cut summer risk 27 In search of the dream cow 28 Getting a good start

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Finding the right balance 33 South Gippsland Dairy Expo 35 Welfare warning

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Holstein breeder awarded 37 A tradition of generational change

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Brave new world of dairying 42 Monitoring cows to improve heat tolerance 45

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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.

Learning how to make ‘silage food’ Meals eaten in one hand and staying out of the way is the key to surviving silage season.

“I won’t be in until late once silage starts.

Could you drop off dinner?” Hubby asked.

“Sure. What would you like?”

“Just normal food.”

I decided to make Hubby’s favourite stir-fry. On impulse, I added a picnic rug. If we were going to eat outdoors, why not make it a date?

I proudly presented Hubby with dinner.

He stared at me, bewildered.

“I can’t eat this while driving.” Then in a resigned voice, he added “Don’t worry, I’ll just wait until I get home.”

I hadn’t realised Hubby wouldn’t actually take a meal break.

The next day a veteran silage widow took pity and educated me.

“Burgers. Sandwiches. Wraps. Anything the boys can hold in one hand,” she explained.

After that, I made ‘silage food’, delivered it to Hubby, then went home to eat. Alone. When I berated Hubby for never being home, he

suggested I join him inside the cab for a ‘picnic’. These days, Junior insists that I drop him off then leave. He knows that if I stay, I’ll take Initially, I’d only sit in the tractor when the “his” seat and he will be relegated to perching stack was small. I didn’t trust a pile of grass on the sloping ledge behind the adults. It clippings to hold a loader tractor. Also, once might be a better vantage point but it’s a lot the stack grows, driving over it feels like less comfortable. Also, when I’m not there, riding a roller coaster. Nothing but sky in front of us one minute then staring face first Junior gets to do most of the talking. at the ground the next.

The compromise is sending the boys with Hubby also becomes less enthusiastic about lunch boxes of easy-to-unwrap food then my company. Now it might be because I briefly joining them in the cab when I deliver never shut up, but I think it’s more likely dinner. A few child-free hours followed by that once the stack grows tall enough, he’s ‘family time’ suits everyone. no longer trapped between the silage pit walls. He can see out across the paddocks and This silage season, it’ll be just Hubby and Junior in the tractor. Our new arrival watch the contractors.

Tinkerbell (not her real name) is much too Junior loves being on the stack. When he small for a trip up the stack so us girls will was little, I would drive him to the silage pit stay on terra firma. and climb onto the flip-down passenger seat But in several years’ time, I’m sure Tinkerbell while he sat in his father’s lap. Once he grew will want to join in and I’ll have child-free uncomfortable or Hubby’s arm developed time again. Just long enough to get out the pins and needles, I’d bring him home. A few lawnmower, tackle my overgrown lawn and years later, Junior graduated to the passenger seat, safely buckled in next to his dad. build my own (small) silage stack!

dairy news MG directors re-elected

Bill Bodman

Murray Goulburn Co-operative has named its re-elected Gippsland directors.

Won Wron farmer Bill Bodman, 54, has already served two terms as a director.

“I strongly believe that the co-operative model is the only structure to deliver the best milk prices for all farmers,” he told suppliers, before the election.

“MG’s strategy to move away from bulk commodities and create more value-added products is already proving successful.”

Mr Bodman supported the company’s recent capital restructure.

“Our ability to hold a $6/kg milk solids milk price in 2014–15 is strong testament to our strategy and I fully support the board and management to this end,” he said.

Leongatha South farmer Max Jelbart told suppliers the company must optimise the milk payments and return to shareholders and unit holders while operating with world 4

OCTOBER 2015

class efficiency.

“The last three to four years have seen MG significantly transformed in terms of efficiency, OH&S, environmental management, security, cost control across the business, rebranding Devondale with a media campaign to reinforce our position in the market amongst many other initiatives,” he said.

Foster dairy farmer Phil Tracy is currently chairman and joined the board in 2009.

“We have seen much change at both the board and senior management level,” he said.

“With the appointment of managing director Gary Helou and the new senior management team, we commenced the process of business transformation.”

He said the new focus for the board after the capital structure would turn to executing the next stage of investments, aimed at

improving both the efficiency and productivity of the factories.

Max Jelbart

Phil

Candidates Tracy Fiona Smith, Kelvin Jackson, Bernard Lubitz and Chris Nixon were unsuccessful in the board elections.

The number of votes cast represented 44.1 per cent of eligible votes in the Gippsland region.

Resolutions for shareholder approval will be put to the annual general meeting on October 26.

dairy news ADF levy call

Dairy farmers track genetic progress top 10 per cent of herds in the Dairy farmers who herd-record should have received a Genetic country.

Progress report in the mail by Additional graphs track the now, as part of the August release herd’s genetic changes for type, of Australian Breeding Values longevity, mastitis resistance, by the Australian Dairy Herd fertility, protein and fat.

Improvement Scheme.

“The report is highly valued Michelle Axford from ADHIS because it is an independent, said that while the report was science-based assessment of available electronically through genetic progress, based on the herd test centres, there was still herd’s own data,” Mrs Axford strong demand from farmers to said. receive it in the mail.

“Farmers use the report to “We’ve had so much positive identify breeding areas that have feedback about the report that performed well and those they we want to make it as easy as wish to improve. possible for farmers to use them,” “Once they have identified the Mrs Axford said. traits they want to improve The Genetic Progress report through breeding, suitable sires provides a two-page summary of can be identified using ADHIS how a herd is tracking for genetic tools such as the Good Bulls improvement. It includes a graph showing the herd’s genetic trends Guide or Displayabull.”

For help interpreting the results, for profit (Balanced Performance contact your breeding adviser, Index) over 10 years, with the Australian breed average and herd test centre or ADHIS.

Australian Dairy Farmers is urging support from dairy levy payers for recommendations to streamline the dairy levy process, and to opt for a levy poll only when a change in the levy is being sought.

ADF has suggested the change based on the recommendations of the independent Dairy Levy Poll Process Review panel, commissioned following last year’s Dairy Australia’s annual general meeting.

The panel concluded that there were big cost-savings and operational efficiencies gained by making this change.

“After the last poll in 2012, the clear message from Australian Dairy Farmers was that the efforts and funds dedicated towards the poll process could have been better spent delivering dollar value to dairy farmers,” ADF president Noel Campbell said.

“It makes absolute sense,

and the six-member panel recommendation was unanimous: we only vote when a change is proposed.”

Mr Campbell stressed the panel recommendation included a “failsafe” mechanism.

If farmers believe a poll is necessary, they can initiate one by bringing together a group of levy payers representing at least 15 per cent of levy votes.

This would activate a Dairy Australia general meeting where 50 per cent of voters would need to resolve to hold a poll.

“This proposal is not about removing Dairy Australia from scrutiny,” Mr Campbell said.

“This is about a direct saving of at least $750 000 that can instead go directly to industry benefit.”

The report of the independent panel is at www. dairylevypollreview.com.au

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dairy news

Farm profits fall in past year Lower milk prices and variable conditions push earnings down.

strategic feeding decisions to be Gippsland farms in the Dairy Farm Monitor Survey have made. reported lower earnings over the The report shows 2014–15 was past financial year. a profitable year across all three In a year of varied seasonal dairy regions, with 73 out of 75 conditions, with lower average participants recording a positive milk prices, the Gippsland return on assets and 83 per cent farms surveyed generated reporting a positive return on positive earnings before income equity. tax but the return on assets was In 2014–15, participating dairy 4.7 per cent, compared to 6.8 farms reported average earnings per cent in 2013–14. before interest and tax of The Dairy Farm Monitor $244 511, and a return on assets Report, released in September, of 5.3 per cent. showed the average milk Now in its ninth year, the Dairy price declined by 11 per cent Farm Monitor Project is a joint from $6.62/kg milk solids in 2013–14 to $5.88/kg MS this initiative between DEDJTR year; the lowest of the three and Dairy Australia. regions.

DEDJTR principal dairy Average variable costs declined scientist Joe Jacobs said the by 1.3 per cent and overhead project provided valuable costs by 5.2 per cent compared comparative data at the farm with 2013–14. level, which was helpful for All farms in Gippsland industry, government, farmers, generated a positive EBIT service providers and researchers (earnings before interest and to make informed planning and taxes) in 2014–15. The return management decisions. on assets this year was 4.7 per Dairy Australia Farm Business cent compared to 6.8 per cent Capability Program manager in 2013–14.

Neil Lane said dairy farmers A 24 per cent reduction in managed their businesses well EBIT from $248 948/farm in in a season that presented a few 2013–14 to $216 083/farm this more challenges than the last. year is the main contributor to “There were significant seasonal the lower return on assets. and milk price challenges but The report noted Gippsland 2014–15 was a good year for was dry in late winter, although most of the farm businesses adequate rainfall enabled analysed,” Mr Lane said. pastures to keep growing.

The lower average milk price, Good rainfall in late spring higher feed costs and mixed to early summer, combined seasonal conditions resulted with the lower temperatures, in a decrease in profits from resulted in pasture growth the extraordinary results through much of summer. The of 2013–14, when average milder summer conditions led earnings before interest and tax to fodder reserves being either was $367 765 and return on maintained or increased over assets was 8.5 per cent. the year allowing for more 6

OCTOBER 2015

Dairy Farm Monitor Project 2014–15 — Gippsland Overview

Source: DEDJTR

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animal health

from Maffra Veterinary Centre

Upgrading to improve safety and handling Thinking up a suitable topic for this article had me perplexed for a week or two before it finally came to me one chilly night recently.

I was called out to calve a third heifer in as many weeks on a farm with fairly unsatisfactory facilities. If it were not for quiet animals the particular set-up on this farm could be dangerous for not only me but also the animals and the farm owner.

Despite milking more than 150 cows, this farm has no working crush or head bail.

Discussions about the potential WorkSafe implications if the farmer or I were injured have been had; however, I was also left wondering how any basic husbandry procedures (such as drenching, vaccinating) are performed on this farm.

Cost is often the sticking point for many farm upgrades. Recent changes to Australian taxation for small to mid-sized family farms and rural businesses means items valued at $20 000 or less, including cattle crushes, will qualify for a full depreciation allowance until the end of the 2016–17 financial year.

Therefore, now is as good a time as any to consider upgrading your handling facilities; not only to improve the ease and speed of

routine husbandry procedures but also to improve safety for you and your cattle, your employees and anyone else working in your facilities.

Clients of my practice, Bill and Alison Jessep who milk 600 cows in Tinamba, recently installed a Norton veterinary crush in their existing facility. The crush replaced a ‘V’ style head bail with mesh locking pin gates that formed the sides.

From a veterinarian’s perspective, the new crush (featuring a reliable, walkthrough head bail, split gates on both sides and veterinary gates at the rear) allows procedures such as clinical examinations of sick cows, diagnosis and treatment of lameness and surgery to be performed much more easily and safely for both people and cows.

The crush was installed just before the spring calving cows were dried off in June, allowing farm manager Dean to utilise it for vaccinating and fluke drenching cows as they went out.

He said the cow flow was drastically improved and it cut the time required to do the job easily by half.

However, the new crush is only one element of the Jesseps’ set-up that makes it work well.

Other features include positioning in an area which does not interfere with milking routines, a long race to improve cow flow and efficiency, good drainage, non-slip concrete flooring around the work space and a roof and lighting overhead.

In terms of design and construction of handling facilities and crushes, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the options.

Australian Cattle Veterinarians, a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association, has put together a resource to aid farmers in making such decisions with livestock and operator safety being the key criteria. This document Crush Design & Safety is available to download from www.mycattlevet.com.au — Stephanie Bullen, Maffra Veterinary Centre

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Feed disruption discovery Research into diet changes.

Research at Ellinbank is looking into the way feed changes affect dairy cows.

Farmers often report that rapid changes to a dairy cow’s diet can lead to dramatic reductions in milk yield, presumably caused by variable feed intake, disrupted rumen function and possible health problems.

A research project at Ellinbank is focusing on reducing these negative effects by redefining the recommendations around diet changeovers in dairy systems. A recent experiment carried out by PhD student and research scientist Victoria Russo investigated the use of different strategies for introducing a high level of wheat grain (8 kg DM, equivalent to 40 per cent of total DM intake) to late lactation cows previously being fed only lucerne cubes. The

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wheat was either introduced rapidly over six days, or gradually over 12 days, and either in large increments of 2.7 kg or small increments of 1.3 kg.

The results were unexpected and showed that no matter which strategy was used, no detrimental effects of grain introduction were seen in terms of intake, milk yield or ruminal pH. Nor were there any signs of acidosis.

Ms Russo speculated that the lucerne cubes helped to buffer the pH of the rumen, thus preventing the drop in ruminal pH typically seen when a highly fermentable starch source was fed out rapidly.

Lucerne cubes may have a role in buffering the cow’s rumen from sudden diet changes.

This suggested the effects of diet changeovers on rumen function were driven not only by the characteristics of the grain being introduced but also by those of the forage.

Collaborators on the project were the University of Melbourne and Teagasc: The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority. Dairy Australia and the Victorian Government have funded the research.

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Online tool to improve business Looking above the averages.

DairyBase is an essential and easy-to-use tool if you want to take your dairy farm’s business performance to the next level says Victorian dairy farmer Benn Thexton.

Developed by Dairy Australia, DairyBase is a secure online tool that enables dairy farmers to measure and compare their farm business over time.

After entering their farm data into DairyBase, farmers can create confidential and comprehensive farm reports to help them understand their overall farm financial performance.

“The advantages of using DairyBase is that you get to know where your business is sitting and where it sits in terms of others and it shows you where you need to improve,” Mr Thexton said.

“It’s quite simple to enter your data if you have the information — the reports come back instantly and have a lot of graphics — it’s always better looking at a picture rather than just numbers.”

An award-winning farmer Mr Thexton, 10

OCTOBER 2015

based at Gormandale, milks 300 cows on an “We never look at the averages — we look at effective milking area of 86 ha. the top 25 per cent and we are looking at how we compare within our district and also Farm business performance has been a Australia-wide. If we are not up there then strong focus for his business since he and wife Peta first took on his parent’s farm eight we can pinpoint the reasons why. years ago. Since then cow numbers have “We’re not getting those 10 per cent increased from 220 and business decisions improvements like when we started of are considered each year according to the course, it’s just tweaking now, but for milk price, weather conditions and feed on example this year fodder production and hand. silage were identified as areas of focus and they have been addressed. There are always By analysing the business year-to-year and things you can pick up on with analysis.” comparing with other farms, continual improvements have been made — a process Mr Thexton said he was always looking for that has now been made easier by DairyBase, new ways to advance the profitability of his he said. farm through new technologies, research and development such as different cropping “Our focus is pretty simple and that is not to programs or using new pasture species. lose money, and we have a very good idea of where we sit after benchmarking for the last “With DairyBase you can see how these seven or eight years. We look at return on new approaches work and track the investment as the overall indicator.” improvements. DairyBase is really worthwhile and if you can’t do it yourself Farmers stand to benefit by using DairyBase then get someone else to help you.” for their own financial analysis by comparing performance with other farms, Farmers can sign up at www.dairybase.com.au he said.

Emissions discovery Scientists find a new feed additive can reduce the methane emissions of dairy cows.

An international team of scientists has discovered a new feed additive included in the diet of dairy cows can reduce their methane emissions by 30 per cent.

The research, led by Alex Hristov at Penn State University in the United States, was reported recently in the prestigious scientific journal, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

The research team carried out a 12-week experiment involving 48 dairy cows to investigate the effectiveness of the new feed additive, 3-nitrooxypropanol (also called NOP) that has been developed by Swiss company, DSM Nutritional Products.

The research was co-authored

by Australian scientists with the Victorian State Government: Matthew Deighton, Peter Moate and Richard Williams.

Dr Moate said the research breakthrough was a promising step towards curbing the methane emissions from Australia’s livestock industries, where beef and dairy cattle produce about 11 per cent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“Methane is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its global warming potential,” Dr Moate said.

“That potency, combined with the fact that a dairy cow belches about 600 litres of methane each day, make the annual emissions of a cow similar to a family car in terms of its effect on global warming.”

Dr Deighton, who led research to develop one of the methods

of gas measurement used in the experiment, said several aspects of the new discovery make scientists and dairy farmers very excited.

“The 30 per cent reduction in methane came from including about one gram of NOP in the daily feed of dairy cows,” Dr Deighton said.

“Importantly, NOP feeding also enabled cows to gain 1kg of body weight each week, indicating that more feed energy may be available to the cow when methane production is reduced.

“The effect persisted for 12 weeks while NOP was fed to the cows. The cows in the experiment produced 46 kg of milk each day and NOP feeding did not affect milk production, milk composition or feed intake.

“These results indicate that NOP is very likely to make a successful transition from science lab to farm, however will be contingent on approval by government regulators for use in food producing animals.

“Before NOP could be used on Australian dairy, beef or sheep farms, additional research will be required to investigate the long-term responses when NOP is fed to grazing animals over the course of the year.

“In particular, scientists will want to determine if the longterm feeding of NOP will improve the fertility of dairy cows because of its promotion of body weight gain.

“Overall, these findings indicate that NOP may be an effective strategy for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and will be a win for farmers and a win for the environment.”

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OCTOBER 2015

11

Climate and the season ahead It is worth considering options to make the most of early spring while conditions are favourable.

Are you confused about the spring climate forecasts? May as well toss a coin?

Well you are not alone. The weather is difficult to predict the further out we go.

Understanding climate and the weather that results is important to us in agriculture.

So what can we make of the climate information?

The Pacific Ocean is not playing ball at the moment.

So the chances of moist air reaching Australia’s east is below average.

But this is not the only place we get our rain from.

We had an east coast low in late August that brought heavy rain to much of Gippsland.

We get cold fronts from the Antarctic and we can get rain from the Indian Ocean if things line up.

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources’ Dale Grey has an entertaining way of making sense of climate information and produces a monthly climate update (https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=EnziOGU4X_0) It is well worth a look.

The current odds favour average to a bit below average rainfall this spring.

With this in mind, it is worth considering options to make the most of early spring while conditions are favourable.

What is the worst that can happen should you prepare for a dry year and the season ends up okay?

Climate risk is mainly related to our ability to feed and water our livestock.

You can manage seasonal climate risk in lots of ways.

Home-grown feed Hopefully spring is going well and you have been able to make plenty of silage to fill feed gaps as they appear later in the season.

With luck, there will be plenty of spring pasture growth to come.

It should be cost-effective to use urea to boost silage yields or to grow some extra late spring grass to graze in early summer if you are likely to be short of feed.

You only need three weeks or more of good growing weather after fertilising to make it worth it.

12

OCTOBER 2015

For dryland farms, fodder cropping becomes more risky as we get further into spring.

It takes time for a paddock to be sprayed, cultivated and sown.

Then the seeds need to germinate and produce a decent yield before moisture runs out.

This might be eight weeks or more, depending on the crop.

So for some farms, it could be risky putting in a dryland crop now.

If irrigation is available, then fodder crops are as risky as the availability of water to ensure a good yield.

Purchasing feed By now we will be getting a pretty good feel for the amount and quality of hay that will be made in many of the key fodder and grain producing regions in Victoria.

We will also be getting some pretty good signals about fodder demand.

This is helpful when it comes to deciding whether to purchase some feed now.

If you feel you will need to purchase some fodder at some stage and think the demand will be strong and supply low, now might be the time to consider purchasing some feed.

Reducing stock numbers In contrast to filling feed gaps, the alternative way of solving a looming feed shortage is to reduce feed demand.

This means reducing stock numbers.

This could be done through agistment or it could be through stock sales.

There might be some spring agistment for your young stock that takes the pressure off the home farm for a while.

It is probably too early to consider culling milkers early on most farms as there is still some pretty good spring milk production to be had.

However, some farms have been dry and the low producers in the herd might be worth selling earlier than normal, whether that be later in spring or at some point in summer.

Cull cows are selling well and, if you have some passengers, they will free up some valuable feed for productive members of the herd.

If cash flow is stopping you from doing things that are a high priority for your business, then maybe there is a cash flow element to the decision as well?

Given that you will sell your cull cows at some time, it is a matter of deciding when is the best time for you this season.

Water Solving low water supply can be tougher than solving feed issues.

Carting water in is costly and hard work.

Hopefully this is a last resort option you can avoid.

Some of the following might be an option for those with potential water issues on the horizon.

Perhaps there are ways to be more efficient with water use around the dairy.

Maybe you can do some maintenance on your dams, clean them out to help with the supply side.

Perhaps those leaking troughs or water pipes need to be a bit higher on that neverending jobs list (I hear the groans ... sorry).

If water supply continues to be an ongoing issue, you may need to look at alternatives such as groundwater or piping it from a secure supply.

Beat the heat It isn’t even hot yet, so why would we be talking heat stress management?

Well it’s because things need to be in place before the heat arrives.

Heat stress can occur at temperatures of 26º C if humidity is high.

It is not just the temperature, but the sudden rise in temperature that causes heat stress.

So if you need to put some infrastructure in place such as sprinklers or shade structures, it is time to put it on the to-do list.

Check out the Dairy Australia website for more information and options for managing heat stress at www.coolcows. com.au For more information, phone DEDJTR Ellinbank dairy extension officer Greg O’Brien on 5624 2288.

— DEDJTR Ellinbank dairy extension officer Greg O’Brien

ADVERTISEMENT

Congratulations State Dairy Landcare Award Winners: Landcaring is an important part of dairy farming At Victoria’s Government House on August 31, the Victorian Landcare Awards were announced.

Amongst the many worthy nominees and recipients were three dairying families.

David McAninly (pictured), a dairy farmer and Landcare Champion for nearly 30 years, was presented with the highly prestigious Australian Government Individual Landcarer award. David, supported by his wife Joy has been tireless in his contribution to Landcare in the Yarram district.

West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority Chair, Angus Hume, said “David’s contribution to Landcare over thirty years has been enormous.

He has planted over 50 000 trees and protected over 40 acres of remnant vegetation on his Yarram dairy farm. There is no

doubt that the environment in the Yarram region is in a better condition because of him.”

The Australian Government Innovation in Sustainable Farm Practices award went to Trevor & Anne-Marie Mills of Drouin South.

Trevor and Anne-Marie and their two children run a 122 ha dairy farm. Trevor is passionate about Landcare and prepared to try new and innovative practices, having recently installed a robotic dairy. Since starting farming in 1997 Trevor has used whole farm planning as a tool to assist with pasture production, protection of remnant vegetation, waterways, soil fertility and tree planting.

David McAninly

Crack open the ESKi! If you are looking to employ someone on your farm, or wanting to update your employment practices, then come to an Unpack The ESKi (Employment Starter Kit) session in late October. Venues will be determined according to interest.

Developed by Dairy Australia using direct feedback from farmers, ESKi is a folder containing all the mandatory requirements for employing someone plus plenty of extra information that will help ensure it is a positive experience for all involved.

The ESKi folder also includes Frequently Asked Questions, templates and examples.

Register your interest by calling GippsDairy on 5624 3900 or email jeanette@gippsdairy.com.au

DairyBase in Gippsland Analysing and understanding your overall farm business performance has just got easier with Dairy Australia’s new online farm business management tool DairyBase.

DairyBase helps farmers analyse their business and monitor how

the physical aspects relate to the financial. DairyBase also allows for comparative analysis enabling farmers to track their own performance over time and compare with other similar farms according to factors such as farm size, region, production system, and rainfall/irrigation availability.

to do. Dairy farmers and service providers can access DairyBase through www.dairybase.com.au where there is a prominent link to ‘Log in’ and register. The web site also has resources to help you get started including:

and you’d like to host a session on DairyBase contact GippsDairy.

Sessions can range from an introduction to the DairyBase tool, right through to running a comparative analysis session with real group member farm data.

Getting started

Part of a Discussion Group?

To find out more about DairyBase in Gippsland contact:

If you’re part of a Dairy Discussion group in Gippsland

Tony Platt on 0477 440 339 or tplatt@dairyaustralia.com.au

Using the tool yourself is easy

For more information please call GippsDairy on (03) 5624 3900 or visit www.gippsdairy.com.au

Chris Moscript

Breeding

for profit Genetics is the name of the game.

With an emphasis on breeding top-end off with his father’s early take-up of artificial insemination. types — and always with production in “My dad got involved in AI right at the outset mind — the Moscript clan has built a herd of exceptional quality on their 161ha, 300— right when it started out,” he said.

The Balanced Performance Index (BPI) of cow farm. the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement “He always had a bit of a passion to breed “It’s very easy to breed a bad cow and not that Scheme has ranked the family’s Jersey herd as cattle like that and I guess I’ve continued simple to breed good cattle,” Mr Moscript number seven in Australia based on genetic that. said. merit for profit.

“We’ve always placed an emphasis on “We like cattle that can last. It’s about the It’s not the first and probably won’t be the breeding cattle here and using the higher breeding that goes into them and the last time the Leongatha South family is end. production in the herd and then, if they recognised for it breeding efforts, but it’s still “It’s about improving the performance more have enough breeding behind them, you can nice to get a pat on the back. than anything. It’s all been about improving get up the rankings.

For Chris Moscript, it’s a reward for many our own herd really. We like to go for a balanced sort of animal.”

“It’s about consistently using AI and we’ve years of herd development, which started

They say life is all about balance, and that’s certainly proved to be the case on the Moscript farm.

14

OCTOBER 2015

The Moscript herd has been recognised in a national breeding index.

“

Breeding always has production in mind.

“It takes a sustained focus over many years to breed a herd of this calibre,” Mr Abernethy said.

It’s very easy to breed This year, for the first time, herds a bad cow and not that received three breeding indices — profit, health and type. simple to breed good The three breeding indices were cattle.

Chris Moscript introduced following a review which found that, while profit was important to all farmers, some placed more value been progeny testing virtually since it on traits such as mastitis, longevity, started.” fertility and udder conformation.

Mr Moscript believes it is vital for the “Having three breeding indices gives industry that more farmers think about farmers the ability to choose the index their breeding and make it a priority of their farm businesses.

“I think it’s very important for the industry,” he said.

“I wouldn’t like to see us lose our local It takes a sustained breeding; if it’s just run by all the focus over many years overseas companies then they can set the prices and do whatever they want. to breed a herd of this “We’re in a reasonably good position calibre.

Daniel Abernethy at the moment in that there’s a lot of competition and a lot of good bulls at competitive prices.”

Other Gippsland breeders in the top 10 included Trevor and Tracy Henry from that best reflects their individual Tinamba, Brian and Bill Anderson at breeding priorities,” Mr Abernethy said.

Kongwak and the Leppin family at “Every unit gained in each trait is Bena. associated with a financial gain. But Daniel Abernethy from ADHIS each index places slightly different emphasis on traits and this changes the congratulated all the breeders on their rankings of bulls, cows and herds.” achievement.

“

“

“

It’s all in the genes In more ways than one, the Moscript farm is all about genetics.

Ranked seventh in Australia in the latest Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme rankings for Jerseys, the Leongatha South farmers are proving once again to be elite breeders of dairy cows.

But the Moscripts’ family genetics is also proving to have a great track record, with three generations involved in the farm business.

Chris and Janine Moscript, their son Callum, Chris’ sisters Tania and Julie and family matriarch Marion are all involved in the farm operation, which includes a beef herd.

“We are a family farm here,” Chris Moscript said.

“My wife Janine and I are still in partnership with my mother Marion. My sister Tania works on the farm and my other sister Julie works on the farm too.

“My son Callum is a semen reseller with HiCo and also does milking and weekend work as well.”

The 100 Charolais/ Murray Grey crosses are Tania’s passion and a traditional part of the farm.

“It’s a bit of business insurance, although up until this year beef hasn’t been much insurance,” Mr Moscript said.

“Prices have been outstanding this year though, but it’s the first time in about 30 years.

“I don’t envy beef farmers — it’s a pretty tough gig.”

OCTOBER 2015

15

ADVERTISEMENT

Association with China strengthened The strong association between the Australian and Chinese dairy industries was further consolidated recently at a special reception at the Australian Ambassador to China’s residence and the annual China Dairy Industry Association (CDIA) conference in Beijing.

China is Australia’s fastest growing dairy export market, and is now the largest export market for Australia. In the past eight years (2007–14), exports increased by more than 300 per cent from 28 000 tonnes to 117 000 tonnes.

Value added and premium products such as cheese, milk (mostly UHT) and powders make up the bulk of shipments.

The special reception was organised at the residence of the Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Frances Adamson, to celebrate Dairy Australia’s Greater China Scholarship Program, which has been running since 1999.

Dairy Australia chairman Geoff Akers said the program, involving 240 participants, had been a key to developing and maintaining long-term relationships with numerous companies and government officials.

“The program has been an outstanding success in terms of the long-term

relationships we’ve established and we’re very proud of that,” Mr Akers said.

“Many participants are now in senior positions in companies in China and have a very strong affinity with Australia having completed the program.

“We are also very happy to see a number of new commercial business relationships emerging from the program over the years.”

The annual, two-week program is designed to give senior and middle level managers from major Chinese dairy manufacturers a better understanding of the Australian dairy industry — from the farm to the factory.

It covers everything from Australian dairy food safety systems and liquid milk processing to cheese making, functionality and applications.

Participants visit various dairy factories and dairy farms and meet with key company export contacts.

Speaking at the CDIA conference, Mr Akers said China was an important, growing and long term market for the Australian dairy industry.

“The Australian dairy industry has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the Chinese dairy industry through a range of programs conducted in the market,

including the scholarship and alumni program, by working closely together with China Dairy Industry Association, and the CDIA annual conference and dairy expo, and annual series of workshops and seminars in the market,” he said.

“We are committed to both the China market and the CDIA for the long-term.

“With the signing of the China Australian FTA, we expect the long term relationship between the two industries to be further enhanced, not only in trade but also in investment.”

Mr Akers said the strong demand for Australian products in China was continuing to grow as the Asian palate became more accustomed to dairy.

“We’ve learned that our Chinese customers like to have their options open for sourcing products and are keen to diversify where they source their products and ingredients to limit their exposure,” he said.

“Food safety, quality and consistency is more important and Australia is in a very good position to satisfy this.”

Aside from supplying cheese, milk and powders, Australia has also moved to focus more on supplying branded products for food service, bakery and retail sectors in China.

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17

Make every irrigation count A late start to your irrigation season this spring could cost you grass production and take a long time to recover.

Research by Graeme Ward from DEDJTR, confirmed the timing of the first irrigation in the season is critical, based on soil moisture monitoring with a tensiometer.

Research showed delaying an irrigation by 10 days meant the pasture took 45 days to fully recover and incurred a loss of 674 kgDM/ha, when compared to a fully irrigated paddock.

If the irrigation start-up was delayed by 20 days it took 55 days to recover and resulted in a loss of 11 534 kgDM/ha.

This research also applies to stretching out irrigation intervals –if it gets too dry then it simply will grow less grass.

With a dry spring forecast this season ensure that every irrigation counts. Delays to your first irrigation can be overcome by carrying out early repairs and maintenance.

Spray irrigation maintenance: • Check pump pressure, inlet pressure and system pressure are still operating as designed. If the system is running at too high/low pressure it could affect the amount of water applied or be costing you extra for energy you do not need.

• Turn the machine on and check to see if nozzles are working or if there are any leaks. Even with a filter, nozzles can often be blocked or not spin correctly. The bearings in the spinners can wear out and may need to be replaced.

• Tyre pressures is critical to minimising wheel tracking issues. Check your tyre pressures match what is recommended; this is generally around 15 psi.

• Clean out/replace filters.

• Service motors; changing oil and filters.

• Take a reading of your meter now so you can measure your performance over the irrigation season.

• Put out a catch can or rain gauge and see if your system is applying as much as you expect — most systems are applying more or less than the machine specifies.

• If wheel tracking was an issue last season — now is a good time as any to fix it. Fill in bad holes, consider changing spray nozzles near wheels over to half sprays or boom back sprays.

Flood irrigation maintenance: • Spray out channels and drains now.

Channels filled with weeds can reduce the channel’s/drain’s ability to move water by 50 per cent. If your channel has a 10 Ml/day flow rate but is full of weeds then it will only deliver 5 Ml/day through your outlet. Clean out your drains to ensure that water is moved off your bays quickly.

• If your bays are flat and water does not run off quickly, think about adding spinner cuts to move the water faster.

• Check your reuse systems pumps/motors and service them as required.

• Check your automation, change batteries and spray equipment to minimise ants damaging your electronics. Wipe over any solar power panels to ensure they continue to charge your batteries.

• Check your bay outlets, fix leaks and ensure they can close.

If you would like to learn more about how to schedule your irrigations this season, sign up for weekly evapotranspiration emails or contact Sarah Killury from DEDJTR at sarah.killury@ecodev.vic.gov.au — DEDJTR

Dairy farms for sale HIGH PRODUCTION TENDER

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• 300 acre property situated on Parnell Road just south of Cobram, one title and well set up for high production.

• Good 20-bale double-up dairy with cup removers, in bail feeding, 20,000 litre vat.

• Four-bedroom weatherboard family home in average condition that is currently being painted and is situated handy to the dairy.

• Currently sown to Italians, Shaftal and Rye with some annuals this farm has a history of high pasture production and has produced over 16 tonne of fodder per Ha that has under pined production.

• 100% lasered with very good irrigation set up.

• This farm has milked 350 cows and produced in excess of 3.4 million litres of milk. This farm will be sold so be sure to have seen the opportunity.

• Tenders close 4 pm, 30th October, 2015.

• 167 acre dairy farm in one title, situated between Cobram and Katamatite and separated into eight main paddocks with good laneways.

• Well laid out 210 acres situated on Reynoldsons Road, Strathmerton.

• 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.

• Large hay shed along with another large shed complex which is half machinery shed and the other half a calving barn which leads to a specialist livestock area.

• Four-bedroom family home and a three-bedroom cottage.

• 386 meg deep lead bore licence powered by diesel motor delivering up to 5 meg per day. GMW delivery share in place and on the backbone channel.

• With exceptional soils and facilities this is a real milk producer that would be perfect for your herd. What’s your offer?

• Tidy 12 swingover dairy that is currently unused and has previously milked up to 150 cows.

• GMW delivery share in place with one outlet, two recycle dams and stock & domestic bore delivering water to the home, dairy and farm.

• Top quality Cobram and Moira loam soils.

• Three-bedroom brick-veneer family home, set at the front of the farm with open-plan living.

• One large hay shed, two machinery sheds that have been used for calf rearing.

• This farm will be sold so be sure to have seen the opportunity Tenders close 4pm, 30th October, 2015

Sallan Realty Pty Ltd 18

OCTOBER 2015

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Kelvin Jackson on his South Gippsland farm.

A focus on farming

for the future

Speaking up for an industry he loves. what it can offer for future generations of dairy farmers.

From the opportunities to work smarter through automation to the strategies needed to capitalise on the growth of dairy The Dairy Australia director runs a 400-cow export markets, there is a genuine sense of farm at Hazel Park in the hills above Toora excitement and optimism when he talks in South Gippsland. about the industry.

It’s the type of place that could offer a “There’s going to be more automation, more comfortable living for a dairy farmer, but Mr robotics,” he said.

Jackson isn’t one to just look after his own backyard.

“I think we’re going to have bigger herds, a lot more technology in our dairies.

A former deputy chair of Bonlac and nineyear veteran of the Dairy Australia board, Mr “I was at a calving shed recently where the Jackson is passionate about the industry and farmer has four cameras set up and can Maybe it’s the view from his lofty perch above Corner Inlet that gives Kelvin Jackson such a positive perspective on the world of dairy.

20

OCTOBER 2015

watch every angle from his office.

“In terms of milking and animal health, there’s a range of great things that are coming on.”

While advances in technology could have a major influence on farm life, fast-changing markets and how Australia responds to them could be equally influential.

Mr Jackson said Australia must avoid being an overly commodity-based market or it risked being at the mercy of booms and busts.

“I think as an industry we have to be a lot smarter about capturing the premiums all

the way through — and not just handing it over to someone else,” he said.

“We have to understand our customers’ needs and how they are changing — and they really are changing.”

While enjoying his time on the Dairy Australia board, Mr Jackson said he was happy to hand over his farmer director seat to someone else.

“

We have to understand our customers’ needs and how they are changing — and they really are changing.

“

Kelvin Jackson

“Boards need renewal, you need new ideas coming in all the time and you need to attract the right people,” he said.

During his time on the board he said Dairy

Australia had been more than fulfilling its obligation to the farmers it serves.

“It’s critical the board has a good understanding of farming systems, and that money is being spent wisely,” he said.

“Our farmers pay a considerable amount of money into the levy annually and we have to make sure our farmers are comfortable with where it’s being invested.”

Mr Jackson singled out Dairy Australia managing director Ian Halliday as a driving force in ensuring the organisation was listening and acting on behalf of farmers.

“I think Ian needs some credit for working hard to get out there with our board to regional meetings around Australia,” he said.

“We get around to the regions, listen to the farmers, and take the opportunity to tell them what we are doing.”

As a farmer director on the board, he believes programs are continually being rolled out that make a real difference to farm profitability.

“We’ve been working with farmers to develop DairyBase, which is a great tool where they can plug in their stats and compare them to other farm businesses,” he said.

“It’s all about saving money and maximising profit. That’s been our focus.”

Hard work and a good location have allowed Mr Jackson to build a successful dairy business from humble beginnings.

Starting off with just 90 cows, he now runs 400 mainly Holsteins on a dryland farm that usually gets more than its share of rainfall.

“It’s a very productive area,” he said.

“On the old-fashioned scale it’s 40–45 inches of rainfall traditionally. We normally get a reasonable season.”

Depending on the season, he feeds about two-and-a-half tonnes of grain per cow, with about 600 kg of milk solids produced.

“We supplement our strategies with silage, having turnout blocks as well where we run young stock and cut silage and hay.”

With wife Marina and six-year-old daughter Sophie to consider, Mr Jackson is contemplating easing back on his workload, in particular the contracting business he has operated for 32 years.

“I’ve scaled back the contracting and my future is very much on the farm and with my involvement in the industry. I love it.”

OCTOBER 2015

21

Gippsland (03) 5633 2222

Good time to look at farm finances The release of opening milk prices means farmers can review and adjust their plans. plans to rely on the kinds of step-ups we’ve seen this year.

“Now that farmers know where they are likely to stand on prices, it’s worth reviewing and adjusting plans for the coming 12 months.”

Mr Findlay said the number of step-ups over the past 12 months had seen many dairy customers in southern systems put the past few years behind them and tackle a wish list of improvements.

“Paying down debt is a key consideration for some, along with priority capital expenditure that’s been put off for several years. Some farmers are also rebuilding herd numbers.”

Mr Findlay said the stronger finish to the current financial year and opening

20%

prices — which in some cases are setting records — should provide support to the confidence that’s been returning to southern producers.

“There are also a number of new pricing structures being offered by some dairy companies, including long-term pricing and incentive payments, which should be discussed with advisers before farmers take on anything new.

“We always recommend putting together a best and a worst-case scenario when you’re looking at cash flow and outlays for the year ahead.

“Your agribusiness banker and accountant should be partners in your business and the earlier you get them involved in your planning, the more options are available.”

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National Australia Bank Agribusiness has encouraged dairy farmers to review budgets and timing for any capital expenditure plans off the back of opening dairy price forecasts.

“Major dairy companies have released some pretty aggressive opening milk prices, but the forecast end-of-season prices are somewhat more conservative than expected,” NAB Agribusiness head for Victoria and Tasmania Neil Findlay said.

“We’re looking at closing prices around 50¢/kg lower than those of this year, which means producers may have a different cash-flow structure in the financial year ahead.

“They shouldn’t necessarily allow their

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23

With the right agro can reach its gene Total Agronomy Program • Soil Test • Prep Report and Costs • Follow through with Monitoring • Measure end result against budget.

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I reckon he’s been at it himself.

Sow earlier to cut

summer risk Beat the dry forecasts with strategic sowing.

especially if the season cuts out early.

“If the season does turn out ‘normal’, I would be very surprised if these early sown summer crops don’t impress you and still be very economical.

“As always, the old pasture/weeds must be well controlled and the establishment (sowing depth, soil nutrient levels, soil temperature levels, seed bed) must be spot on.”

“

If the season does not turn out ‘normal’, I would be very surprised if these early sown summer crops don’t impress you ...

“

Coming into spring the indications from various models are that an El Niño event is more likely than not.

If you’re into minimising risk, seriously consider sowing this year’s summer crops earlier than normal.

DEDJTR Ellinbank pasture specialist Frank Mickan said the weather outlook was behind his thinking for encouraging earlier sowing of summer crops.

“Earlier sown crops (mid-September to mid-October) will establish deeper, more robust root systems and tap into sub-surface moisture if it all turns belly-up later in the season,” Mr Mickan said.

“This will increase the success rate of getting higher yielding, high quality and healthy summer crops that are much cheaper than purchased grain, fodder and home-made silage.

“If crops are sown late (mid to late November), they will have shallower root systems, be lower yielding and be vulnerable to insufficient moisture and, being stressed, more prone to insect attack.

“Sowing earlier will result in some springgrown pasture being foregone but this sacrifice will be more than offset by the higher yielding, better quality summer crop,

Frank Mickan

However, this was only one part of the summer cropping phase in the whole farming system.

“Hard-to-control pests and weeds have seen many farmers move away from growing

some of the brassica-type crops but for all effective control, use the correct chemical for the right weed, pest or disease, apply the correct application rates at the right time with the correct water rate and use the appropriate application method,” Mr Mickan said.

“Many so-called failures due to insect pests have been due to insecticides being sprayed throughout the morning and early afternoon when they should have been applied near dusk when the insects start to feed.

“There is now an alternative control spray based on new chemical structures that showed desirable biological activities by fermenting specific bacteria in controlled conditions, however it’s not cheap.

“This spray has resulted in very good control of insect pests if applied when and as stipulated.”

Water volumes at spraying have also been too low whereas applying high volumes of water ensures better coverage of the topside and much of the underside of the leaves where the insects hide.

A new herbicide is also now available to control many of the broad-leaved weeds in brassicas, another reason to reconsider sowing brassicas this year.

OCTOBER 2015

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She would be a dairy farmer’s dream: a this was important for large herds in pasturecow that yields more milk from fewer based systems where some paddocks may be milking sessions. This is just the cow the more than 1 km from the dairy.

FutureDairy team has been looking for and “Efficient cows create the opportunity to automatic milking systems (AMS) collect the increase the production per robot by freeing information needed to track her down. up time to milk more cows,” he said.

In a preliminary study, researcher Juan With such exciting initial findings, the Molfino found this sort of dream cow does FutureDairy team is keen to investigate exist, at least on Grant and Leesa Williams’ further. Mr Molfino is now examining data robotic milking farm at Hallora in West from more commercial AMS farms to see Gippsland. if they too have groups of efficient and The Williams’ 240-cow, spring calving herd inefficient cows. is milked by four robots. The couple also has a neighbouring farm that milks 300 cows through a 40-unit rotary.

With an AMS automatically collecting Efficient cows create the detailed records about every cow’s milking sessions, Mr Molfino was able to analyse opportunity to increase data from 226 cows in the Williams’ herd the production per robot over four seasons. He identified two small groups of cows, which he refers to as by freeing up time to milk ‘efficient’ and ‘inefficient’ cows. more cows.

The efficient cows produced 28 per cent more milk from 11 per cent fewer milkings

Juan Molfino than the inefficient cows, after allowing for the effects of stage of lactation, age and other factors known to influence milk production. “We really want to better understand who those efficient cows are and what influences Because the efficient cows visit the robots their milking behaviour,” he said. less often, they spend less time and energy walking around the farm. Mr Molfino said “Efficiency is likely to be influenced by a

“

“

combination of genetics, management and animal behaviour. If we can unravel that we may be able to develop better ways to manage them.

“Even better would be to develop management practices to improve the efficiency of inefficient cows.”

Mr Molfino will use modelling to look at the economic impact of increasing the proportion of efficient cows up to say 30 per cent or 50 per cent of the herd.

Mr Williams is keenly awaiting the findings. After six years of robotic milking his AMS is running smoothly and he is always on the lookout for refinements to improve the efficiency and profitability of robotic farming.

“The beauty of AMS is that you collect lots of data which can give a lot of insight into individual cows and the overall system. We’ll be interested in testing management adjustments that could give us more dream cows,” Mr Williams said.

For more information, phone Associate Professor Kendra Kerrisk, FutureDairy project leader on 0428 101 372, email kendra.kerrisk@sydney.edu.au or go to www.futuredairy.com.au

OCTOBER 2015

29

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Getting a good start Research has looked at how calf feeding practices in the first week of life may contribute to welfare.

The way we care for calves on dairy farms can have major and long-lasting effects, not just at the farm level, but throughout the industry, where issues such as animal welfare, animal diseases and food safety can have significant consequences.

Research at the Animal Welfare Science Centre, supported by DEDJTR, has looked at how feeding practices of calves in the first week of life may contribute to calf welfare.

Dairy calves are usually fed once or twice per day and given an amount of milk that equates to 10 per cent of their body weight.

For a 40 kg calf in the first week of life, this would mean four litres of milk per day.

There are lots of reasons for this: it is believed that limiting milk intake encourages the intake of grain or concentrates, promoting rumen development and facilitating early weaning.

Milk feeding is labour-intensive and expensive, and larger feeds are thought to cause scouring.

But these recommendations are increasingly being questioned.

Calves left with their dam may suckle up to 10 times a day and will consume about 7–12 litres a day.

Research shows that higher milk intake from an early age encourages growth and milk production later in life when they are weaned by a smooth gradual transition to solid feed starting after three weeks of age.

So are we limiting the growth potential of very young calves when we could be giving them a better start to life?

The Animal Welfare Science Centre looked at the effects of feeding frequency and volume in the first eight days of life.

They took 46 Holstein calves, averaging 44 kg, and fed milk replacer at either 10 per cent of body weight once per day, 10 per

cent of body weight twice per day or 20 per cent of body weight twice per day.

They weighed the calves daily and recorded milk intakes.

The researchers found that most three-dayold calves could not drink more than two litres in one meal, so their intake was better if they were given two meals rather than one meal.

From day four onwards, the calves fed 10 per cent of body weight, drank all or most of the milk provided regardless of meal frequency and calves fed 20 per cent of body weight had much higher intakes, although they weren’t all finishing all of the milk offered.

Calves fed the high milk volume were on average 3.5 kg heavier at eight days old compared to calves fed at 10 per cent bodyweight.

This suggests that the common recommendation of feeding calves 10 per cent of body weight is actually restricting their intake, potentially leading to hungry calves and restricted growth.

Feeding calves more milk did not result in

more scouring in this study and many other researchers have found similar results.

Good colostrum management and good hygiene are the most important factor in controlling scours.

All calves spent time drinking water, which reinforces the message that access to clean drinking water is essential for all calves.

These results suggest that, for calves up to four days old, giving two feeds per day will lead to better milk intakes.

While calves in the first week of life may not be able to consume milk volumes equivalent to 20 per cent of their body weight, feeding more than 10 per cent will result in better weight gains without causing scours.

For more information on this research, contact Dr Ellen Jongman by emailing ejongman@unimelb.edu.au or phone 9742 0468.

— DEDJTR development specialist in animal performance Sarah Chaplin and Animal Welfare Science Centre research fellow Ellen Jongman OCTOBER 2015

31

Finding the right balance Nutrients can increase production potential.

The main (macro) soil components to support good pasture productivity are soil pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulphur (S); often seen as N:P:K:S. on fertiliser bags.

Usually one of these is the most limiting factor in achieving good production, with lime and fertiliser programs aiming to address the limitation(s).

Similarly, if micro or trace soil nutrients such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) are not at adequate levels or properly ‘balanced’ with other soil minerals, productivity may be less than optimal.

At the recent 2015 Border Beef Conference, Trevor Caithness presented information on crop

production where he had added trace elements to normal fertiliser and a range of chicken litter and chicken compost applications.

In Mr Caithness’ trial, he was able to show, depending on treatments, 10–50 per cent improvements in yield when trace minerals were included in the fertiliser mix.

Mr Caithness’ presentation provided two main messages: • On-farm paddock trials (or strip test) to assess response to fertilisers are an option so long as a measure of pasture productivity can be carried out.

• Elements that are difficult to build up in soil reserves include N, S and B. Check with an agronomist or farm

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adviser about the likelihood of mineral deficiencies occurring in your area and whether a paddock strip test would be worthwhile trying.

Consider working with other producers in your area to try the mixes on a few different properties.

Mr Caithness, with his wife Caryn, run a mixed livestock and cropping enterprise near Bairnsdale. He was a Nuffield Scholar in 2001 and carried out a study that explored nutrients for pasture and cropping.

Mr Caithness’ Nuffield report is available at www.nuffield.com.au/ report/2000–05/trevorcaithnes-2001report.pdf — Greg Ferrier, DEDJTR livestock extension officer

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Save time and labour Upgrade your dairy with the experts at Mark Angel Engineering with over 36 years of experience Pneumatic Entry and Exit Gates for Herringbone Dairies These newly designed gates have been refined for two years.

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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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South Gippsland Dairy Expo The 2015 South Gippsland Dairy Expo was a great success this year, with even the fickle spring weather doing its bit for a great twoday event.

GippsDairy fielded inquiries about its range of services from

its marquee at the Korumburra Showgrounds.

Dairy farmers flocked to the GippsDairy stand to talk about dairy service levy funded programs including DairyBase and eMe.

Buln Buln dairy farmer Trudi Hammond catches up with GippsDairy’s Karen Romano at the dairy expo.

There were plenty of people around the GippsDairy/ NCDE/ DEDJTR stand at this year’s dairy expo.

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OCTOBER 2015

35

Kick Off 2016 with Australia’s Dairy & Farm Machinery Field Days

a u s t r a l i a

19 to 21 January, Tatura, Victoria Your chance to see and hear the latest on: • calf rearing equipment

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• feeding, milking & dairy machinery, matting & flooring and free stall barn equipment • animal health products • tractors, airseeders and planters • hay, silage, mowers, slashers and fodder equipment • pastures, seeds & additives • hay and feed supplies • irrigation equipment, pumps & water storage and treatment systems • tanks, cartage and storage • artificial breeding systems • solar technology and solutions, air-conditioning & heating • farm supplies & merchandise

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Entry: $10.00 adults, children free. Free Seminars & Workshops to attend Venue: Tatura Park Exhibition Centre, Hastie Street, Tatura, Victoria. www.internationaldairyweek.com.au Commercial exhibition space is available for the field day event, proudly supported by Dairy News Australia.

See www.internationaldairyweek.com.au for booking forms; call Robyn on 0418 656 082 or email info@internationaldairyweek.com.au.

Welfare warning Victoria’s chief veterinary issues relating to livestock. officer has urged livestock “These officers work to producers to ensure they ensure the requirements of maintain animal welfare animal welfare legislation standards in drying seasonal are observed and, where conditions or risk large livestock producers fail to fines and bans on owning observe or comply with livestock. these requirements, that Charles Milne advised appropriate action is taken producers to plan for a to ensure that the welfare potentially dry season and needs of the animals are said those who did not met,” Dr Milne said. manage their livestock in Both DEDJTR and RSPCA accordance with seasonal have authorised officers with conditions would be held powers to enter properties accountable. to investigate and attend “Safeguarding animal welfare to animals that may be is a responsibility that I take suffering. very seriously and is in line with the stated policy of this Dr Milne said that for government,” Dr Milne said. prompt, efficient reporting and investigation of alleged As the Victorian livestock cruelty, members Government’s lead officer responsible for animal health of the public should make and welfare, Dr Milne works reports to DEDJTR’s customer service centre with a team of regionally on 136 186 or email based veterinary and animal aw.complaint@ecodev.vic. health officers to respond gov.au to reports of animal welfare

Les White and wife Dianne.

Holstein breeder awarded The Holstein Australia Master Breeders Awards recognise the long-term achievement of herds that have bred at least 300 registered animals over a minimum of 20 years.

Les White has been involved in Holstein cattle breeding since 1976 and, along with his wife Dianne, received the highlycoveted Master Breeder Award at the 2015 Holstein Australia

Master Breeders Awards in South Australia recently.

The White family milk 340 cattle on the 202 ha Hillgrove Farm, Leongatha, and have a turnout block of 101 ha. They also breed and sell bulls.

Mr White’s son Russell and daughter-in-law Amy have been involved with Holstein cattle breeding for years and will soon take over the family business.

OCTOBER 2015

37

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Matt Gleeson on his Boolarra dairy farm.

A tradition of generational change Family nurtures farm for 120 years.

There’s family farms — and then there’s the Gleesons’ farm at Boolarra.

For 120 years the family has been riding the peaks and troughs of farming life to build an enterprise that is a model of modern dairy practice.

Matt and Nadine Gleeson are the current custodians of the land that was cleared by Matt’s ancestors in the 1890s.

The 600 mostly Holsteins are run on around 250 ha with the Morwell River running through it.

The Aboriginal meaning of Boolarra is “plentiful”, an apt description for what the farm has offered generations of the Gleeson family.

“We came to this part of Gippsland in 1874 and for the first 20 years they had a small farm which they had cleared at what is now Federation Uni at Churchill,” Matt said.

“In 1895, they purchased some land and moved the farm across to Boolarra and it stayed the same, with extensions through

buying neighbouring properties.

“We built a rotary dairy in 1995 – 100 years after they bought the property.”

Matt’s parents Mike and Margaret still have a share of the farm, with Mike leaving the day-to-day running to Matt while he tinkers with machinery in the shed.

Keeping a family farm together for more than a century has been no mean feat.

Perhaps the reason that successive generations have been able to remain on the property can be found in the latest transition story.

Mike and Margaret have stepped away from the business, allowing Matt and Nadine to take control of farm operations.

With Matt’s two sisters also to be taken into account, a potentially messy transition has been managed with relative ease.

For Matt, the key elements to successful generational change are information and a desire to do the right thing by everyone involved.

“We get along very well which is fortunate,” he said.

“Mum and Dad have always been aware of how to make the transition work.

“Like any business, in the transition or succession period, it’s very hard for someone to give up something.

“Everyone has to have some trust and goodwill as well as advice and understanding.”

With the reins of the business in their hands, Matt and Nadine are determined to maintain the high standards of one of the district’s best dairy farms.

Driving in the front gate, it’s obviously a farm where every detail is considered.

The farmhouse looks like a cover photo from Country Life, the rotary dairy is a slick operation, the paddocks are in good shape and the cows are a picture of health.

Keeping the place in order is not an obsession for Matt, but he reckons it makes good business sense. >> Continued on page 40 OCTOBER 2015

39

Matt Gleeson with his wife Nadine and daughter Isabelle

The Gleesons aim for top results in every aspect of their farm business

>> Continued from page 39 “It’s where you live and where you work,” he said.

“It’s so much easier and it also helps you in your business in many ways — if you can present professionally you’ll be treated professionally.

“You can’t do it all, and we all have corners of the farm that need work, but it doesn’t take too much to keep things a bit cleaner and a bit tidier.

“You have a responsibility to your animals and to the environment in which you farm.

It doesn’t take a lot more to look after these things well.”

The farm runs on a split calving pattern (60 per cent spring) and has medium to low inputs per cow.

It seems like a smoothly run business with few surprises, which might be explained by Matt’s penchant for planning.

Matt believes that making the effort to stay informed on the bigger picture of the industry helps him to make forward40

OCTOBER 2015

thinking decisions that save time, money and stress.

“It’s making a decision in advance when you need to do it and when you’re faced with having to make a decision, you actually do it.

Don’t hold back,” he said.

“It might be as simple as purchasing fodder, judging what the season might be, and what the price might be. If you’re happy with the price of something today, then buy it.

“It’s the same as culling animals or keeping animals. How many you’re going to calve down. It’s just trying to read the market as best you can in light of the information you receive.”

Nadine brings a deep knowledge of farming to the business, having completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agriculture at Dookie College before working in research and extension for a number of years.

With the next Gleeson generation (their young daughter Isabelle) demanding her attention, Nadine doesn’t have as much time

on the farm as she used to, but she still likes to get her hands dirty.

“I enjoy being out there when I can,” she said.

“I probably prefer the animal side of it which interests me more.

“We have the calf paddocks around the house here, so I’m feeding calves and checking calves and taking notice of any problems.”

Matt’s time on the farm has been reduced by a commitment to GippsDairy, where he has sat on the board for six years, including the past two as chairman.

It’s an experience he has clearly relished and it seems unlikely that he will be lost to the wider industry.

In the meantime, however, he will do what generations of Gleesons have done on the fertile river flats of Boolarra — milk cows, improve the business and enjoy the good life of being a dairy farmer.

“I enjoy the business; I enjoy the opportunities it gives. It’s the overall satisfaction that it gives you.”

One day this model farmer could be every farmer.

Brave new world of dairying Will technology remove some of the hard yakka?

GippsDairy director Edwin Vandenberg is a keen advocate for technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of dairy farm businesses. Here he takes a peek into the future and wonders what technology could bring to the farm in years to come.

It’s bucketing down at 2 am and the cows are calving.

Your drone has just left its base and is heading out on a pre-planned GPS route of the calving paddock.

The drone has located a cow currently calving and through pre-programmed parameters has determined the cow has been 42

OCTOBER 2015

calving for 37 minutes and everything is going okay.

Previous cows calved that night are already logged on your smartphone application and will be drafted out automatically when noncalved cows are fed their lead feed diet in the morning. Your drone returns to its base.

Ten minutes later the drone goes out again to check the cow previously seen calving.

Heat signature, cow and calf pulse, breathing rate and other measured parameters help determine the cow has successfully calved, and both cow and calf show signs of being in good condition.

The drone has been able to measure for

any abnormalities, determined none and returned to its base, ready for its next check, on the hour every hour.

Your smartphone application and dairy computer has been updated live, and the drone is recharging on its base. No foxes or other feral animals were detected in or around the calving paddock.

In the morning, in pouring rain, the drone sent the cows on their way to the dairy, measured the post grazing pasture height and calculated the amount of pasture consumed.

This information is used for the feeding in the bail and adjusting the ration on the feed-pad.

Drone photograph of hay raking, picture by Vince Bucello, courtesy of Hay Cap, Tocumwal

The drone also checked water troughs for leaks and checked the calving paddock on its predetermined GPS path and then stopped at its base for recharging.

As cows enter the dairy they are weighed, the computer calculating any recent rapid variation in weight and or temperature and if the cow is on heat.

The scales are also used to determine if any uneven weight distribution is occurring, favouring potential sore feet.

This information is used for drafting for artificial insemination, in-bail feeding alterations compared to production, and assessment for potential health issues.

With all staff logged on as per their schedules, the staff management app on your smart phone has remained silent indicating no anomalies with start times.

As staff eat their hot breakfast of eggs from the farm’s staff chook pen, the pasture manager goes over some ideas for the farm on the large touch screen display on the wall in the staff meeting room.

It reminds you of the technology used in American cop shows you used to watch in 2015 — like using an oversized tablet from that decade.

Your pasture manager wants to show you some potential changes to farm layout before you go through the weekly planning meeting.

The potential changes reveal that cow distance walked could be reduced by seven per cent annually — your head is trying to calculate the reduction in energy requirements compared to the cost of implementing the changes but you agree this is one for the old-fashioned spreadsheet.

The planning meeting consists of viewing on screen and expanding each area grazed,to see

what estimated pasture consumption has been, nitrogen application and income returned, most recent and expected fertiliser applications, effluent applications, soil tests past, and future suggested areas and chemical sprays.

The chemical contractor walks in to have breakfast and as he eats, the pasture manager enthusiastically shows recent drone photos of areas with specific weed problems, overlaid with specific thermal imagery of the type and density of weeds.

This is all information which had previously been relayed to the contractor and his computer-controlled spray unit.

The contractor confirmed that as he was spraying the data would be uploaded live.

He also explained that with his new unit he would have four sprays on board.

The scanners in front of the unit would scan the ground for the weed type and density, and the sensors and on-board computer would be used to determine the type and rate of spray.

It would apply the spray like the old print heads used in printers of 2015. Instead of colour cartridges the spray unit was hooked up with herbicide spray cartridges which would travel across the boom depending on the type and density of weed.

As the spraying contractor wiped his mouth and grabbed some more hash browns from the staff kitchen oven before leaving, the weekly planning meeting changes topic to nitrogen fertiliser.

Utilising software tools, you and the staff work out a plan for the expected most profitable use of nitrogen for the coming week.

With the recent advances in soil-testing techniques, the fertiliser truck is able to take samples while spreading with results uploaded in days. This is saved on the farm’s

computer network and is ready for the fertiliser contractor to log in.

Fertiliser application is also governed by thermal imagery taken by the drone which reveals which areas are growing and responding best to nutrients.

Finally the pasture manager switches the screen over to the proposed renovation program and notes which paddocks would benefit financially from renovating, using different milk price scenarios on the partial budget calculator built-in for each paddock.

The screen is then handed to the herd manager who goes over the herd KPIs and compares to targets. She demonstrates margin over feed compared across the full herd, and selected cows are chosen for forced retirement.

The week’s planned tasks are discussed and allocated, and the workplace safety issues are confirmed and logged. With the roster discussed and confirmed for the following week the staff finish, clean the kitchen and leave for their daily tasks.

As you head back to the house to see the children before they go to school you watch the drone hovering over a calving cow to check for problems.

You watch as the calf glides out of the cow and into the world of morning sunlight — the magic of life on a dairy farm.

In dairy farming some things will never change.

With that thought, your phone and all the other staff smart phones beep to signal a cow has just calved . . .

If you have ideas for projects that could be explored by GippsDairy, contact the projects subcommittee at GippsDairy via the GippsDairy website or phone (03) 5624 3900.

OCTOBER 2015

43

IRWIN STOCKFEEDS

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Monitoring cows to improve heat tolerance Maintaining productivity in a changing climate.

New climate-controlled calorimeters, or ‘mootel rooms for cows’ at the National Dairy Centre at Ellinbank are being used for research to measure heat tolerance and methane mitigation in dairy cows.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford opened the six new calorimeters.

The new ‘mootel rooms for cows’ will allow scientists to study dairy cattle physiology and performance under a range of climatic conditions and nutritional regimes.

“There is a genetic variation in the cow population and we are looking at how subtle changes affect their temperatures,” Ellinbank research manager Bill Wales said.

“It’s a controlled environment and the range of temperatures will be much less severe than anything cows experience in the hotter days of January or February,” Dr Wales said.

“We have developed genetic tests (through hair samples) so we can tell which cows theoretically

would be more tolerant of warmer conditons.”

Dr Wales said hotter conditions can have a negative impact on milk production.

Knowing more about how animals respond can also result in better outcomes for animal welfare.

Tests are being carried out with Holstein cows, but the implications extend beyond one breed.

Dr Wales said they were hoping to make progress with the research within six months.

The revolutionary technology will allow every aspect of a dairy cow’s metabolism to be monitored 24 hours a day, under fully controlled conditions.

The units feature extra-wide windows to enable each dairy cow clear visibility of her neighbour and closed circuit monitors, as well as a range of safety mechanisms such as automatic opening in the event of a power failure.

Victoria is also involved in a joint international research project between Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and Ellinbank scientists to develop productive and profitable feeding strategies that reliably reduce methane emissions in the dairy and beef industries in both countries.

This new research is funded by the Victorian Government, Dairy Australia and the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation of Alberta, Canada.

Ms Pulford said the state-of-the-art technology would help scientists to develop technologies and options for Victoria’s dairy farmers to maintain productivity in a changing and variable climate.

National Dairy Centre principal scientist Joe Jacobs said the calorimeters had been developed with animal welfare as the foremost consideration and were actively monitored 24 hours a day.

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OCTOBER 2015

45

calendar of events Conserve Forage

Please contact GippsDairy for updates. Phone: (03) 5624 3900.

Email: executiveassistant@gippsdairy.com.au

targets, monitor soil health.

When: October 15, 22 and 29 (across five days — started September 10) Where: Warragul NCDE Campus Booking: Louise Underhill, 5624 1414

Prepare paddocks for fodder conservation, harvest, prepare and store.

When: October 13 (across three days — started September 8) Where: NCDE Sale Campus Booking: Louise Underhill, 5624 1414 — Bookings essential

Soils and Fertiliser Course

Assess physical, chemical and biological components of dairy soils, understand plant requirements and nutrient planning.

When: October 17 (across three days, started September 3) Where: Leongatha NCDE Campus Booking: Louise Underhill, 5624 1414

Manage Staff

Prepare tasks, arrange employment of staff, implement OH&S. When: October 13 and 20 (across four days — started September 8) Where: Warragul NCDE Campus Booking: Leanne Bunn, 5667 4501

Dairy Farm Monitor results:

Dairy Farm Safety

Manage OH&S on your farm, meet requirements, provide training and comply with legislation.

When: October 14 (across four days — started September 2) Where: Sale NCDE campus Time: 10 am – 3 pm Bookings: Leanne Bunn, NCDE, 5667 4501

Ellinbank Series

Grazing Management

Ellinbank Seminar Series

Natalie Nelson delivers the latest Dairy Farm Monitor Results.

Where: DEDJTR Ellinbank, Hazeldean Rd Time: 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm When: October 21 More information: Sharon Aarons, 5624 2339

Develop a pasture management program, monitor pasture consumed against

Natalie Nelson delivering the latest Dairy Farm Monitor Results.

When: October 21 Where: DEDJTR Ellinbank, Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank Time: 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm More information: Sharon Aarons, 5624 2339 sharon.aarons@ecodev.vic.gov.au SFS Spring Field Day

When: October 27 More information: jdowe@sfs.org.au First Step Lameness Seminar

Dr Mark Humphris, Dr Daryl Kleinshmit on establishing a process, prevalence and treatment.

When: November 9 Where: Lardner Park, Warragul More information: Zinpro, 1800 946 776 enquiries@zinpro.com Ellinbank Seminar

Links between dairy land management and catchment water quality — Australian and Irish perspectives.

When: November 18 Where: DEDJTR Ellinbank, Hazeldean Rd, Ellinbank More information: Sharon Aarons, 5624 2339 sharon.aarons@ecodev.vic.gov.au

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