Dairy Direct Gippsland October 2016

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PUBLICATION

GIPPSLAND Issue 12, October 2016

Talking tactics at Shady Creek » page 16

Milk drop forecast » page 20

Newcomer has ownership goal » page 30

Farmer urges China watch » page 12

contents

Funds raised to support farmers.......4 Support package to be reviewed........4 Forget money, I need more time........5 Students join breakfast club..............6 Farmers have their voices heard.......6

Feedbase fundamentals Maximise pasture potential for profitability.

The elixir of life....................................8 Three stand for election.....................8 Find your way in maize......................9 Climate to impact profit...................10

By the time this edition of Dairy Direct is workshops before Christmas. I’d encourage arriving in mail boxes I hope pastures across every farmer who is looking to improve Gippsland are powering along and there is the performance of their business to attend lots of top-quality silage around. one of these workshops and find out what others are doing to grow more grass.

After a tough spring for much of Gippsland last year, fodder reserves on many farms There’s also more Tactics for Tight Times are low. Many of us have seen grain and field days and Focus Farm events that will hay trucks rolling through our farm gates also have a heavy emphasis on strategies for more often than we would like in the past filling silage pits and hay sheds before the 12 months. summer months arrive. Have a look on the Among the many painful lessons learnt last GippsDairy website to see what’s coming up year was the importance of home grownin your area. feed to the bottom line of farms. It didn’t The Gippsland dairy industry has been built rain at the right times for many Gippsland on a foundation of home-grown fodder and farmers, leaving a huge hole in feed budgets it’s still the cheapest and most efficient way that was expensive to fill. to make milk. This year, more than ever, we With — hopefully — a better spring this year, need to get back to basics and concentrate maximising pasture potential is the easiest on how we can meet the challenge of lower way for farmers to start heading back into milk prices through improved pasture profitability. management.

GippsDairy is giving every farmer the — Graeme Nicoll opportunity to improve their feedbase skills, rolling out a string of Pasture Plus GippsDairy chair

Land of opportunity..........................12 Forward planning a must.................14 Talking tactics....................................16 Production forecast to fall................20 Better AI with Scandinavian technique............................................22 Planning for winter and spring.......24 Rain helps grain and livestock outlook........................26 Studying the need for feed...............28 Industry exit workshops...................28 Plenty of interest for camp...............29 In like Finn..........................................30 October management reminders....33 November management reminders...........................................33

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dairy news Funds raised to support farmers New milk brand available on shelves.

Cover: Longwarry farmer John Versteden believes there are some great opportunities for dairy in China.

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

For every two-litre bottle of skim or full cream Farmers Fund milk sold, 40¢ will be directed to the VFF initiative Farmers’ Fund.

Farmers’ Fund is available to dairy farmers to apply for grants of up to $20 000 to be distributed for infrastructure, education or expert advice to help build a more viable business.

VFF president David Jochinke said the establishment of the Farmers Fund brand had strong potential to bridge the gap between primary producers and consumers.

“Many people have asked what they can do to help dairy farmers. If they are not already buying branded milk, they can now buy Farmers Fund milk, knowing that they are directly investing 40¢ straight into the

Farmers’ Fund,” Mr Jochinke said.

Farmers Fund milk hit the majority of Coles supermarkets across Victoria late last week.

The milk is being produced

by Murray Goulburn and Coles and is solely owned and managed by the VFF. Mr Jochinke said the price of the new brand milk will be about $2.50 per two-litre bottle.

“It is an increase at the sale end to give that extra 40¢, or 20¢ per litre, to the fund.”

Farmers applying for a grant will need to choose where they will spend the money based on three categories: personal development, building productivity and efficiency in the business and professional advice.

The VFF fund was established to make dairy farmers more resilient so they would be able to better sustain themselves into the future, especially if the industry experienced another shock such as the drastic milk price cuts earlier this year.

“Part of the focus on this is about us being proactive in the industry and not waiting for government to come in and intervene, or waiting for the companies to step up to the plate — we are trying to assist immediately,” Mr Jochinke said.

The fund was kick-started with a $1 million donation from Coles.

For more information and to find out how to apply for the grants, visit www.farmersfund.org.au

Support package to be reviewed Dairy processor Murray Goulburn is determined to find a better solution for suppliers.

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.

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OCTOBER 2016

Murray Goulburn will review its controversial Milk Supply Support Package following a statement issued to suppliers recently.

Chair Philip Tracy said the package was put in place to try to soften the adverse shortterm impact on supplier cash flows.

The MSSP allowed Murray Goulburn to pay suppliers an average available Southern Region farm gate milk price for FY16 of $5.53 kg/milk solids rather than the final $4.80 kg/milk solids.

“Since its introduction it has

become very clear that the MSSP is not considered by suppliers to have addressed their most significant concerns and is potentially proving counterproductive from the perspective of their continued loyalty,” Mr Tracy said.

“This was not its intent and the board is very mindful of continuing to do what it can to help address supplier concerns.

“The board and management are therefore actively reviewing all options with a view to providing a better solution to support suppliers in the

long-term interests of suppliers and MG.” UDV president Adam Jenkins said the current system was unworkable and those staying with the co-op had been saddled with the debt of those who had left.

“It was too inequitable, if someone leaves the co-op then they don’t take the debt with them,” Mr Jenkins said.

Mr Tracy said it was a complex issue, but was receiving the board’s focused attention.

MG expects to announce changes by the end of October.

Rural Rumenations with KATIE MACAULAY

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

Forget money, I need more time A visit from the bank manager prompts an urgent cleaning spree.

Last week our entire household succumbed to the bug that was going around, and I had let the housework slide.

Tinkerbell had learnt to crawl but not the meaning of “no”. Hence the contents of every cupboard were strewn across the floor.

Our house was a pig-sty.

Tinkerbell had finally gone down for a nap and I had a chance to clean the house properly, but what I really wanted to do was finish reading the novel I’d started weeks ago.

Just as I was nicely ensconced in an alternative universe, Hubby rang.

“The bank manager is coming in two hours.”

I sprang to my feet in panic. Although our bank manager is lovely, I didn’t want him to see my house in this state.

I have a theory about bank managers.

You need to convince them that you are in control of things. And right now, all evidence suggested that I should bulldoze

NEW

the lot and start again.

I grabbed the vacuum cleaner and completed a lap in a time that would make Usain Bolt proud. (I may have vacuumed up some Lego, but I won’t tell if you don’t.)

Cupboard contents were unceremoniously shoved back in.

Should I cook a cake? Or will that change his perception of me from “savvy business owner” to “good little woman in the kitchen”?

But my newly visible floor highlighted the invisibility of my kitchen bench. Dishes were piled perilously high, obscuring every surface.

I had no room to make a cake. I needed to focus on the quick and superficial.

Do I put out old but clean placemats or new ones? (See bank manager theory above.)

Our master bedroom is visible from the kitchen table. Should I make the bed or just pull down the blind and close the door?

No wait, there’s a higher priority: The bathroom and toilet. He’s never used

them before, but what if this is the first time? I don my gloves as I mentally run through the list of what else I must do.

At least I don’t have to tidy the laundry or remove the overflowing bin from beside the back door. He’s visited us enough to know that our front entrance is safer. (Unlike the many uninitiated salesmen who attempt to scramble over mountains of dairy clothes, rubbish, firewood and gumboots.)

I glanced out the window at our unkempt lawn. Maybe it will inspire his confidence in our ability to grow knee-high grass?

Finally I’m about to jump in the shower to make myself presentable when Tinkerbell wakes up crying. Immediately, the phone rings. Hubby will be late home because the pump broke.

Just as I start changing Tinkerbell’s dirty nappy, there’s a knock on the door. “Hello?” calls our bank manager. I gulp. I wonder what interest rate I can get on borrowed time?

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Rethinking the Everyday

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d n a s s e n e m a l e c u d e R Students join

breakfast club

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Thousands of young students across Victoria will be eating SPC baked beans and drinking northern Victorian and Riverina milk for breakfast as part of a Victorian Government-sponsored deal.

The government’s School Breakfast Clubs contribution to the health of the state and program, which has been running since the would be good for the industry,” Mr Auld start of the year, is operating at 500 Victorian said. primary schools.

“It’s a good cause.”

Students will munch their way through more He pointed out the UHT treatment would Michael Auld. than 80 tonnes of Australian baked beans make it easier for distribution. from SPC and drink about 400 000 litres Education Minister James Merlino visited of long-life milk supplied by Pactum Dairy “This is obviously a challenging time for the Pactum factory in Shepparton to make Group from its Shepparton factory. the dairy industry right across Victoria and taPactum hT .m mienterprise tpo rie ht ota farmer ecudothe rpannouncement, dna ylisawith e ethe zaagreement rg dnatoklaw teef ywehcan tladoeh htaiw swoC is au joint between everything makes difference.” take effect from next year. consortium, ACM and Freedom Foods and -lacitamard lliw ssenemal sa ,smelborp ssel dna snigramThe tifgovernment orp retpartners aerg with uoyFoodbank, sevig Mr Merlino said the program was designed processes about 100 million litres annually, Australia’s largest welfare goods agency, to talargely ht sforeexport ris utooAsia. y sreffo scitenetoGaddress gnikthe iV alarming .noitstatistic cudothat rponedn in a ytilitref woc no tcapmi yl deliver the $13.7 million breakfast program sg nidmanaging rocerdirector htlaMichael eh foAuld ohsaid 000 seven 053Victorian ( ecnchildren amroarrived frepat fschool oohon rousing f deitstexisting aulavwarehousing, e ylbailstorage er eand ra ACM an empty stomach, affecting their ability to the 400 000 litres of milk would come from freight network. .enil mottob ruoy dna htlaehconcentrate fooh sand evlearn. orpmi ,ssenemal secuder hcihw )raey rep the group’s 130 suppliers, largely in northern “We are thrilled to be continuing the Victoria and the southern Riverina.

“This is a great initiative, supporting support of local Victorian-based farmers and children in need at schools right across “At that volume, it won’t have a major food producers who are helping us build Victoria and supporting local jobs and local impact on our operation, but we saw it as this incredible program,” Foodbank Victoria dairy farmers,” he said. chief executive officer Dave McNamara said. a worthwhile project that would make a

Farmers have their voices heard A government symposium has offered a chance for all industry players to speak on the dairy crisis.

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Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce “It’s vital that we uncover all the inefficiencies Australia’s dairy industry has committed chaired the meeting, announcing the to work towards fixing the ongoing crisis setaand mitinequities se ailartour sudairy A yrifarmers aD face, and we Australian Competition and Consumer agree an in-depth and independent inquiry engulfing the sector following a Federal ehwould t stsoachieve c woacthorough emal aand fair result.”

Commission would be given expanded Government symposium in Melbourne. rep 082$ dnuora remraf The UDV praised the symposium as an ideal powers in its inquiry into the dairy industry, with the consumer watchdog !tnedicni forum for farmers to have their voices heard being handed the authority to obtain in the same room as government, processor information from companies. and retail representatives.

We’re extremely The inquiry, which is due to begin in “Dairy farmers had an opportunity today November, will look at sharing the risk encouraged by Minister to confront the processors and retailers along the supply chain, supply agreements responsible for the milk price cuts and Joyce’s comments that and contracts, competition, bargaining low milk prices, and demand greater and trading practices in the industry and dairy farmers deserve fair transparency from the farm gate across the the effect of world and retail prices on whole supply chain,” UDV president Adam returns at the farm gate, profitability.

Jenkins said. as well as transparency in “We’re extremely encouraged by Minister “It was a productive and frank discussion Joyce’s comments that dairy farmers milk price arrangements where we got to put our case forward deserve fair returns at the farm gate, regarding claw-back clauses, we got to and supply contracts. as well as transparency in milk price say what needs to change, and we got an arrangements and supply contracts,” Adam Jenkins outcome that the whole supply chain can Mr Jenkins said. address.”

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animal health

Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer, Agriculture Victoria

The elixir of life Colostrum gives newborns the best chance of healthy development.

It’s common knowledge that animals need to suckle soon after birth, but why is it important?

As animals are born without immunity to disease, a newborn relies on colostrum (the first milk) from its mother until its own immune system has developed. The calf can usually fend for itself by one to two months of age.

The health and survival of an animal is dependent upon how quickly and how much colostrum it drinks in its first few hours of life.

Colostrum contains concentrated essential proteins called immunoglobulins, which protect the animal against disease in its early life.

These immunoglobulins can be absorbed from the animal’s stomach directly into the bloodstream, but only during the first 24 hours.

If animals do not receive sufficient high-quality colostrum during the first 24 hours, they will be more susceptible to disease.

Pregnant animals can be vaccinated prior to giving birth to ensure that their colostrum is of high quality.

A difficult birth is the most common cause of insufficient colostrum intake, as it reduces the ability of the animal to suckle.

Early bonding between the young animal and its mother will maximise the chance of the animal receiving sufficient colostrum.

Supplements are less efficient at providing immunity, so producers may wish to have a stored supply of quality colostrum available.

This can be achieved by freezing high-quality

colostrum collected from the first milking.

An animal that has received insufficient colostrum from its mother may be fed stored colostrum using a nipple bottle or a stomach tube.

Finally, it should be remembered that colostrum may provide good immunity but it will not overcome the effects of an animal being born in a dirty environment.

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

Three stand for election Three people will stand for election to the Dairy Australia board as non-executive directors at the annual general meeting in November.

There are three vacancies this year — one for a director with research and development skills, one for a director with milk producer skills and one for a director with finance and accounting skills.

Paul Wood, who has more than 30 years’ experience in agricultural R&D, is standing for election for the first time.

Professor Wood has been successful as both a research scientist and a R&D leader. He is internationally recognised for his research in veterinary immunology and tuberculosis and is the inventor on seven patents.

He has led increasingly larger R&D teams from CSIRO, CSL and Pfizer and has been responsible for bringing a number of innovative products to the market, receiving recognition for his work including the Clunies Ross medal.

He has also served on several boards with both R&D and commercial entities. He is currently the chair of the agriculture and foodtech committee for AusBiotech and is

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OCTOBER 2016

an adjunct professor at Monash University.

Jeff Odgers, from Ardmona in the Goulburn Valley, was first appointed to the Dairy Australia board in 2013. He has been nominated for re-election as a director to fill the vacancy for a director with milk producer skills.

“

I am delighted the selection committee has selected individuals who bring extensive experience in dairy and the wider business world.

Geoff Akers

”

Jan West, who was appointed to the Dairy Australia board in 2014, has been nominated to fill the vacancy for a director with finance and accounting skills.

Dairy Australia invited applications for the vacancies earlier this year. An industry selection committee conducted the formal process leading to the recommendation of the three candidates to the board.

The selected candidates align with the board skills matrix, which identifies the necessary skills and experience required for the board as a whole.

“As Australia’s dairy industry works through some challenging times ahead, it demands broad expertise and I am delighted the selection committee has selected individuals who bring extensive experience in dairy and the wider business world,” board selection committee chair Geoff Akers said.

All candidates will require more than 50 per cent of the votes cast at the annual general meeting to be elected.

Find your way in maize Management is key to the success of this high-input crop.

With lower milk prices and the possibility of limited irrigation water at their disposal, regular maize growers will be thinking hard about whether it suits this season as dairy farmers plan their summer crops.

FutureDairy’s Yani Garci said management had a big impact on the profitability of a high input crop such as maize.

“A profitable maize crop is achieved by optimising both yield and nutritive value.

Very high-yielding maize crops are not necessarily the most profitable as they tend to be higher in fibre and therefore have lower nutritional value,” Prof Garcia said.

Prof Garcia offered the following tips: • Do not apply the full amount of nitrogen fertiliser unless you can ensure water will not be limited. If water is likely to be limited, adjust nitrogen application.

For example, nitrogen application both pre-sowing and at V6 stage are highly recommended, but if you need to adjust, save the nitrogen for the V6 stage.

• Time water application for greatest response. If irrigation water is likely to be limited, resist the temptation to underirrigate throughout the whole season.

You’ll get a much better response to water

by timing water applications to the critical periods at crop establishment (up to about six-leaf stage) and the five to six-week period around tasselling.

• Match fertiliser rates to target yield. Aim to apply at least 80 per cent of nutrient requirements as fertiliser. Soil testing or tissue sampling is the best way to determine fertiliser rates. However, as a rule of thumb, high-yielding maize crops remove 10–12 kg nitrogen/tonne DM/ ha, 2–3 kg phosphorus/tonne DM/ha and 8–10 kg potassium/tonne DM/ha grown.

• Time nitrogen applications for greatest response. Ideally apply in four stages (if fertigation method is available): preplanting; planting; at 45 cm high (V6); and at tassel emergence (V12). If this is not possible, split nitrogen application into about half pre-sowing and half at V6.

If a limited amount of nitrogen is available (eg. less than 120 kg N/ha) it is better to save it for around the V6 stage.

• Adjust plant density to nutrient and water availability. Sow for a plant density of about 80–85 000 plants/ha if irrigation and fertigation (or pre- and post-sowing application of nitrogen) are available.

With full irrigation and fertilisation

regimes we have found that higher plant density (100 000) results in higher yield but overall silage quality drops due to excess fibre content.

For more information phone Prof Garcia on (02) 9351 1621 or email sergio.garcia@sydney.edu.au.

Maize growers need to make a decision on whether growing maize this season suits as they are confronted with lower milk prices and a possibility of limited irrigation water.

Call Graham’s Seeds agronomists now to discuss the cheapest summer feed options for your farm requirements T: 1300 660 213

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S E RV I C I N G A L L O F G I P P S L A N D • P R O M P T D E L I V E RY • I N D E P E N D E N T S E E D S P E C I A L I ST S OCTOBER 2016

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Climate to impact profit Flexible management practices key to coping with shifting climate.

Gillian Hayman says climate adaption is localised and would mean different management decisions for different businesses.

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Current 2040 climate and more variable future climates. projections will see the profitability of dairy farms The research noted some general decline unless farmers change trends with the most significant their practices, research has being that milk price was the found. largest single source of variation in profit across regions.

The three-year Dairy Business for Future Climates research “Milk price variability has the project, led by Dairy Australia, greatest impact, but year-toconcluded that farmers needed year climate variability has an to improve management skills increased impact.” and adapt farm systems to The findings, although manage future climate risk. undesirable, were not surprising.

Lower pasture production “It’s been fairly well-documented and utilisation, increased that hot weather will increase purchased supplementary feed, and there’ll be more rainfall greater reliance on cutting variability.” silage/hay rather than direct Ms Hayman said many farmers grazing pasture and lower milk had already been working towards production per cow would all more adaptable farm systems to contribute to lower profits in manage these changes and she the face of climate variability. encouraged all farmers to ensure Using three Australian farms their business was resilient. in different regions under Farmer working groups involved three different management in helping steer the project said systems — intensified, simplified they were generally confident and adapt — researchers forecast about adapting to incremental that all farms were likely to see climate change based on past reduced profits. experiences of managing variable The property of South seasons.

Gippsland dairy farmer Gillian “We talked to a lot of farmers Hayman — who also managed throughout the project and most the project — was used as a base said they had variability in the past in the research.

20 years and were used to it.”

Ms Hayman said of the three Farmers had adapted in many systems tested, no single ways Ms Hayman said, such as option in any region could be considered superior to the others through increasing the amount of shelter for stock, increasing and management was the key to on-farm water storage, recycling ensuring business profitability. water, growing summer crops “We really wanted to explore during feed gaps when perennial whether there was one pathway pastures do not exist, upgrading more resilient than others,” irrigation systems, changing Ms Hayman said. calving patterns to optimise “We explored real data in those winter grass growth and regions … modelled that against watching global commodity a future climate and found that markets. all were impacted.

Farmer working groups involved “No one (option) is a clear in helping steer the project said winner to be climate-proof,” they were generally confident Ms Hayman said. about adapting to incremental climate change based on their In recent decades, the Australian past experiences of managing dairy industry has been on variable seasons. an intensification pathway To find out more about using higher levels of inputs to produce more milk, however this the research, visit www.dairyclimatetoolkit.com. pathway has been questioned in au/reports light of projections for warmer

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Course helps reduce mastitis rates MASTITIS effects the bottom line of every dairy farmer, so making the effort to minimise its impact makes sense — especially in a tight season.

Cups On Cups Off, which has a long history of improving herd health outcomes for Gippsland farmers, is now being co-ordinated

by GippsDairy and Dairy Australia.

A recent survey of participants showed that nine out of ten farmers with major mastitis problems reported improvements in the rate of clinical mastitis cases since undertaking the course. Of these farmers, 80 per cent said their herd’s bulk milk cell count had also decreased.

They are results that have GippsDairy regional extension officer Donna Gibson excited about what can be achieved when the latest round of courses begins later in October.

“This is a program that has built a reputation

for helping farmers to improve skills and knowledge that have a direct impact on herd heath and the business bottom line,” she said.

“The feedback we have had from previous courses clearly shows that farmers who do Cups On Cups Off have better outcomes with mastitis — which is exactly what the program sets out to achieve.”

The two-day training course was designed

by Dairy Australia and is delivered by the National Centre for Dairy Education (NCDE) and Countdown 2020-trained experts in mastitis and milk quality.

Cups On Cups Off helps dairy farmers achieve best practice in milk harvesting, with

the emphasis on the detection, treatment and prevention of clinical mastitis. The course covers the whole of the milking process including mastitis management.

Dairy Australia estimates that every case of clinical mastitis costs at least $270 in treatment bills and lost milk.

The course is suitable for anyone on a dairy farm who milks cows — from farm owners, managers and sharefarmers to family members and farm employees.

The course will cover: » How and why mastitis infections occur » Practical methods to detect and deal with mastitis » Adapting your milking process to reduce the risk of infections » How to develop an action plan to achieve best practice in milk harvesting.

Upcoming Cups On Cups Off course dates (each course consists of two days) 13 & 20 October at DEDJTR Offices, 1 Stratford Road, Maffra 14 & 21 October at NCDE Offices, 69 Wills Street, Warragul 17 & 24 October at NCDE Offices, Peart Street, Leongatha

Day 1: 9.30 am to 2.30 pm (lunch provided) Day 2: 10 am to 1 pm

For more information please contact Donna Gibson from GippsDairy on 5624 3900 or 0409 178 624.

The cost of the one and a half-day course is $180. Dairy company subsidies may apply.

Land of opportunity Longwarry farmer believes industry is what you make it.

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OCTOBER 2016

business side of things and all the rest was chair of the People and Human Capacity just development.”

Policy Advisory Group for Australian Dairy Farmers. He’s also served two terms as chair Now with 650 Aussie Red/Friesian/Jersey of GippsDairy after an extended period as a cows (down from 700 because of the milk director. price drop) on 190ha, Mr Versteden has built a reputation as a premium dairy farmer. It’s a commitment to the industry that has sometimes come at a cost to Mr Versteden’s For a carpenter who knew nothing more own business, but it’s a cost he has been about the business than how to milk a willing to wear for the betterment of cow, he had to quickly work out what the fundamentals of dairy farming were and how dairy farmers and for his own personal development. to master them as quickly as possible.

It’s also a reflection of how he feels about an “The key focus for me has always been industry that has offered such a large dividend around grass. You can do the numbers any for the hard work he has invested in it. way you like, but grass costs us about $120/ tonne dry matter. Everything else costs “I just love the industry, I absolutely love it,” double that. he said.

“I think farmers have forgotten they are “The opportunity for young people is really grass farmers and have turned themselves good and everyone has the same capability into grain farmers. People are bragging that to achieve. they’re feeding two tonnes of grain.

“Whether or not they realise that potential is up to them.”

“That’s nothing to brag about — it’s stupid.”

While he has strong opinions on the industry and farming methods, Mr Versteden isn’t one to sit on the sidelines and point out I still think there are huge another’s failings. Few people are more actively involved in the development of the opportunities over there, industry and the support of farmers. it’s just about how well we A quick rundown of his resume includes do the job. current positions as vice-president of UDV, chair of People Development Council and

“

John Versteden

“

Some people’s milk glass is half empty when it comes to the dairy industry. John Versteden is not one those people.

With wife Lyn, Mr Versteden has built a business and lifestyle from scratch that he believes could not have happened in any other industry.

“I’ve always said I can’t think of another thing I could’ve done in life that would have put us in the position that we’re in financially or lifestyle-wise,” he said.

Sitting in a home he built himself on a hill above the Longwarry flats, the 57-year-old can be rightly proud of what the family has achieved since arriving on the farm in 1984 with little farming knowledge.

While it was nothing but hard work for the first few years while they got the farm established, the Verstedens have always been careful to balance the needs of the business with the needs of their family and lifestyle.

“We are in control of things, we are businessfocused, but not so business focused that we don’t have a holiday each year,” Mr Versteden said.

“We probably didn’t come here thinking of it as a business. It was more of a lifestyle thing for us.

“There were a lot of things about it that were intrinsic to our personalities and the

Chinese lessons learned

When John Versteden talks, a lot of people in the dairy industry tend to listen.

So when the Longwarry farmer says Australia has to be smarter about the way it markets itself to China and other emerging markets, it might be worth taking note.

Mr Versteden has recently returned from a study tour of China sponsored by Dairy Australia and his milk company, Burra Foods.

He came back stunned by the sheer scale of the Chinese economy and excited by the opportunities that it offers the Australian dairy industry.

But he has urged the local industry to listen John Versteden speaking to university students after opening up his farm for a field day. hard to what its customers want if it is to maximise the export sales that are available.

“I still think there are huge opportunities over there, it’s just about how well we do the job,” “But they think protein and calcium is very important and the government supports that, he said. so they have milk that is for people over 60, “It’s about having a premium product in there for infants, for teenagers. They actually class that suits what they want. I think we need to it on age groups because the milk the baby learn not to tell them what’s good for them needs is different for that for an over 60.” but to ask them what they want.”

Mr Versteden said a message that came Mr Versteden said selling dairy to a through loud and clear during the study tour population that had not grown up with dairy was the importance of food safety standards. as a major part of its diet meant a different “We need to be seen as preferred customers approach was needed in selling the product. and to get everything right throughout the “As dairy farmers, we think dairy is an supply chain, so whoever they are, whether John Versteden believes good pasture is a important part of the diet, but they’ve been it’s China or Indonesia, they want to deal foundation for dairy. living without it for centuries,” he said. with us.”

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Forward planning a must

The report identifies a number of tips for farming families when it comes to succession planning:

Farming families are not adequately prepared for the future with succession planning failing to be undertaken by a large majority.

A new report, Australian Farming Families: Succession and Inheritance, and a research collaboration between business advisery firm Chapman Eastway and Charles Sturt University has found lack of preparation is leaving farmers with limited options in retirement and when transferring the ownership and control of their farm business.

About 350 Australian farming families contributed to the report, with only 54 per cent possessing a formal succession plan.

Cohuna area dairy farmer Leigh Fletcher has been working on his parents’ farm with his young family and is in the early stages of succession planning with his parents.

“We’re not sure how we are going to achieve it but we are in discussion about it,” Mr Fletcher said.

Being in the early stages of the dairy business and working to build equity, Mr Fletcher said planning was difficult because his risk profile was vastly

different to that of his parents.

“My parents’ profile is low risk and mine is higher risk,” he said.

“It’s a challenge trying to meet those two goals — we are trying to come out with some good outcomes for myself and my parents.”

Mr Fletcher agreed with the report’s recommendations that since succession planning was complex, farming families should employ the assistance of professional services.

“We have been using a rural finance counsellor to provide other opinions. Initially the financial counsellor helped us mediate.”

The report found that succession planning was challenged when more of the younger generation pursued different professional directions and returned to the land a little later in life, which is something Mr Fletcher did.

Key factors addressed in the report included inter-generational change in attitudes towards family business ownership as well as implications of an ageing agricultural workforce.

Be proactive and start conversations early, involve all family members in discussions and planning, and have regular family meetings Run your business like a business, for example, house your business in a formal legal entity, with formal financial reporting and decisionmaking Write it down; draw up a family charter clarifying the terms of involvement for all parties and consider a legal partnership or operating agreement Assemble a strong team of advisers and seek advice in areas where there is a lack of expertise Adopt a mentality of stewardship to ensure your family views the business as something to be protected and maintained for future generations instead of something to be divided up.

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Nilma North farmer Will Colbert with GippsDairy extension officer Irene Baker at the Shady Creek event.

Darnum farmers Dale and Fiona Armstrong enjoying a sausage after the Tactics for Tight Times event at Shady Creek.

Belinda and Stuart Griffin with baby Eloise at the Shady Creek event.

Talking tactics Taking advantage of pasture use is way forward for increased profit. of tweaking around the edges,” Mr ‘Grow your own’ was the clear message from McWhinney said. the latest Tactics for Tight Times session at Craig and Kellie McWhinney’s Shady Creek “It’s about stocking rates, percentage of farm on Wednesday. imported energy and pasture and fodder.

Once you get them right — with a good dash Despite cold conditions, 66 people packed of tight-a*** factor — the business will be into the McWhinneys’ shed to drill down into their farming methods and philosophies. pretty robust.”

He pointed to a figure in the field day notes Tactics for Tight Times is funded by Dairy that he said every farmer should consider Australia using dairy service levy funds before they made decisions on and is being rolled out across the region by GippsDairy. It is aimed at helping farmers to how to feed their cows. build skills and resilience during a difficult “It costs about $110 to $115 per tonne of dry period. matter to grow a tonne of grass. That’s less The Shady Creek session, which was than half to a third of the price of any other facilitated by farm consultant Jeff Urie, supplement that you are going to put into focused on methods for minimising costs in the cows,” he said. a tight season.

“If someone offered you a supplement at There was no ‘silver bullet’ solution for $110 per tonne of dry matter that was the farmers who came along, just a strong 12ME and 20 per cent crude protein, you message that knowing your business well would take it any day of the week. People and growing your own fodder is a clear path are missing that opportunity.” towards profitability.

It was a message backed up by Mr Urie who “We’ve got the fundamentals right for a said farmers seeking cost savings should be profitable business, then it’s just a matter looking in their paddocks.

16

OCTOBER 2016

“The take-home message is probably the same as I always give: that we make our profit out of pasture and everything should be considered in terms of whether it gets more grass through the cow and into the vat,” he said.

“All the other stuff about cost savings, grain use, fodder use — all those things — are on top of that.”

GippsDairy regional extension officer Karen Romano said the Tactics for Tight Times day was a success on a number of levels.

“Not only did we have a great turnout, we also saw a lot of faces that don’t always come to these events,” she said.

“It’s so important that we can spread positive messages from good farmers like Craig out into the wider farming community. There’s so much knowledge that people in this industry are willing to share, which is what Tactics for Tight Times is all about.”

Tactics for Tight Times facts sheets can be found at www.tdtt.dairyaustralia.com.au or by phoning GippsDairy on 56243900.

Jacob Tekema from Shady Creek shares a laugh with Riverbank Stockfeed’s Aaron Bailey at the Tactics for Tight Times event.

Jeff Urie, GippsDairy’s Karen Romano and Craig and Kellie McWhinney at the Tactics for Tight Times event.

GippsDairy director and Denison dairy farmer Ross Anderson was enjoying the Tactics for Tight Times session with his son Fletcher.

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dairy news Production forecast to fall Dairy Australia is anticipating national milk production to drop between five and 10 per cent due to the low farm gate milk price and seasonal conditions.

Dairy Australia chairman Geoff Akers addressed the business and rural club, GV BRaIN, in Shepparton in August and outlined the current challenges facing the industry.

Major processors have announced farm gate prices of between $4.31 and $5/kg milk solids while Mr Akers pointed out the estimated average cost of production for a northern Victorian dairy farmer was about $5.53/kg.

He noted the last time prices were at this level was about 2008.

Murray Goulburn had given an indication of a finishing price at about $4.80/kg.

“Farmers are obviously under pressure at the moment,” Mr Akers said.

He listed the drivers of the poor prices as the exchange rate, supply and demand, world dairy prices and the Australian export product mix.

On the domestic front, the prices were influenced by product mix, factory throughput, prices paid by the largest buyers and co-operative dividend policies.

Mr Akers was not expecting price recovery

Dairy Australia chairman Geoff Akers.

until well into 2017, and the strength of the recovery would be influenced by the weather, inventory levels and the demand in Asia and other developing countries.

Looking at milk production figures, Mr Akers said Victoria was down nine per cent compared to last year, and northern Victoria was suffering the biggest decline in the state, with 14 per cent down.

In question time, businessman Peter Bicknell asked how Goulburn Valley people could best support dairy farmers, and Mr Akers replied: “Buy Australian branded dairy products”.

Responding to a question about the numbers of cattle being off-loaded at saleyards, Mr Akers said he hoped farmers would be culling older cattle and not selling off young or prime producers.

“I hope most people are making informed decisions,” he said.

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More than half of the industry had been affected by price reductions this year.

In terms of cost of production for an average Victorian dairy farm, Mr Akers said the average was about $5.36 kg/milk solids and northern Victoria last year was slightly higher at $5.53/kg.

He compared this to the opening milk prices ranging from $4.31/kg to about $5/kg, for most farmers.

Funded by farmer levies, Mr Akers said Dairy Australia had three priority areas: Profitable dairy farms, developing capable farm people, and being recognised as a trusted industry.

“It’s about our ability to farm, promoting and protecting our industry and our social licence to operate,” Mr Akers said there was a declining number of farms, a trend which had developed since the 1960s, as farms grew larger.

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David Cooper on his farm with children Jacob, 6, and Olivia, 4.

Better AI with Scandinavian technique Testing shows which are cows better suited to AI or bull.

Achieving strong in-calf numbers through artificial insemination is not always guaranteed, however a trial project using Scandinavian reproduction advice might be the key to unlocking better results.

About 2500 cows, across 10 herds ranging from 110 to 500-head, have been involved in the project led by Viking Genetics in north-east Victoria.

Project co-ordinator and Vaxa Sverige reproduction consultant Magnus Johansson said the main goal of the trial was to use preAI testing to try to see if dairy farmers could get more cows in calf through AI as opposed to using a bull.

“We are trying to see if we can implement the Scandinavian routine and reproduction to traditional AI work in Australia,” Mr Johansson said.

The testing can identify problems in a cow that would normally be overseen, which would then help farmers decide whether or not to carry out AI. “We know all or most cows can get in calf, but want to know if they are less likely to respond to AI,” he said.

“We want to pick up problem cows and do something about it before we start joining.

“They could be problem cows with physical problems, like she is lacking in ovaries, those are the cows we would categorise as not suitable for AI and needing a bull.”

Running Creek dairy farmer David Cooper was part of the project and said it produced good results, with 200 out of his herd of 260 being suitable for AI. “All of their ovaries were checked and we found there was quite a few with cysts so we treated them,” Mr Cooper said.

“Then we found the ones that only (had) one ovary so they were a lot less likely to get in-calf as well.

“The cows that were not in calf after 10 weeks, if they were a problem cow with only one ovary, we would cull them.”

While the project was not yet complete when Dairy Direct spoke to Mr Cooper, he said Mr Johansson had found higher in-calf rates than the results achieved by Mr Cooper in previous years.

Mr Johansson said the technique was not designed to make farmers use AI more frequently; it was merely a way to help farmers make more informed decisions about using it.

“Each and every individual cow is assessed

and then after that we categorise them based on their condition — if there is need for veterinarian treatment, that’s where we go next.

“We are following each and every individual throughout the AI season until they are pregnancy tested as in-calf or not in-calf,” Mr Johansson said.

“The goal is to provide the farmers with an extended knowledge of their herd and give an insight into the commonly occurring problems.

“We also want to pick up problem cows and do something about it before we start joining.”

Mr Johansson said the results could reveal “untapped potential” for farmers and save them considerable amounts of money.

“This is why we want to do this — the times being faced now in Australia are tough for farmers.

“In Scandinavia we have faced similar problems which have made farmers more aware of the money they can save on better fertility and reproduction units.”

The trial started in May and is set to end this month.

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Planning for winter and spring

John Mulvany, GippsDairy’s Karen Romano, Aaron Thomas, Paul Mumford and Adam Jenkins at the Yarram Tactics for Tight Times event.

Event shows farmers ways to improve their farm and business skills.

GippsDairy and UDV joined forces to host a Tactics for Tight Times event in Yarram recently.

Almost 60 people turned out to the Club Hotel for a meal, a chat and the chance to listen to farm consultant John Mulvany’s take on the current situation.

Tactics for Tight Times is funded by Dairy Australia using dairy service levy funds and is being rolled out across the region by GippsDairy. It is aimed at helping farmers to build skills and resilience during a difficult period.

The Yarram night was part-funded by UDV after local branch member and Binginwarri

dairy farmer Aaron Thomas pushed for a session to be held in the area.

UDV president Adam Jenkins, who was a guest on the night, said there was a real desire among the dairy community for events like the Tactics sessions.

“I think this is a really grassroots-led night, which is very important,” he said.

“We are seeing a lot more of them at the moment, where people are coming off-farm to work through some of the key characteristics of the farm business at events like this.

“People have also learnt that we can’t rest on our laurels, we have to take a vested interest

in our industry and put into it, because the more we all put into it, the more we all get out of it.”

Mr Mulvany said he was pleased that farmers in the room seemed to have left the emotional response of recent months behind them and were now “sensibly sombre”.

“They seem to be saying that it’s time to get on with it,” he said.

Mr Mulvany said farmers should be closely considering their margin and the issue of milk to grain ratio, which should be worked out as “your price in cents per kilogram of milk solids divided by dollar per tonne of grain”.

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Other key discussion points from the night included the importance of early renovation of damaged paddocks, filling the “bare fodder cupboard” through spring pastures and identifying the “unconditional spends”.

“Cows in early lactation require a lot of grass and a bit of supplement — but if more supplements are needed, then so be it,” Mr Mulvany said.

“Also farmers need to start thinking — right now — about fodder on their home and turnout blocks.”

GippsDairy regional extension officer Karen Romano said the large turnout on a cold Monday night showed that farmers in the district were seeking ways to improve their farm and business skills during the current tough times.

“This event was requested by local farmers and they backed that up by turning out in strength tonight,” she said.

Tactics for Tight Times facts sheets can be found at www.tftt.dairyaustralia.com.au or phone GippsDairy on 5624 3900.

Won Wron dairy farmers and neighbours Paul Mumford and Joe Bowden at the Tactics event in Yarram.

The Barlow family from Won Wron was out in force for the Tactics for Tight Times event. From left are Olivia, Joel, Chanel, Max and Joe.

Yarram dairy farmers Andrea and Graeme Barlow at the Tactics for Tight Times event with GippsDairy director Brian Gannon.

Binginwarri dairy farmers Linda De-Win and Sue Kosta at the Tactics for Tight Times event in Yarram.

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Rain helps grain and livestock outlook Significant rainfall has buoyed the outlook for Victoria’s grain and livestock producers, but hasn’t been enough to offset the challenges facing the dairy sector.

The latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey has found the state’s rural sentiment failed to rally in the past quarter, despite very good seasonal conditions, with dairy sector concerns keeping a lid on overall confidence levels.

The quarterly survey — completed in August — saw the net Rural Confidence indicator for Victoria remain around neutral levels, with 29 per cent of the state’s farmers expecting the agricultural economy to improve in the next 12 months (up marginally from 25 per cent), while 26 per cent expect conditions to worsen (from 24 per cent).

A total of 44 per cent were expecting conditions in the agricultural economy to remain similar to the previous year.

Rabobank’s Victoria manager Hamish McAlpin said while much-needed rainfall had “set up grain and livestock producers for a great season after last year’s failed spring”, it wasn’t enough to offset significant revenue concerns in the dairy sector.

“The state’s dairy farmers are under no illusion and realise this season is extremely

“Fears of low water allocations this season challenging,” he said. have now been alleviated, with expectations “Global markets have been low for some time that allocations will be at 100 per cent and while we expect some recovery in the earlier than previously forecast, which gives first half of next year, this will likely not flow enormous comfort to those in the irrigation through until the following season.” sector.”

Mr McAlpin said while it would take some Rain had also filled on-farm water storages time for an improvement to be seen in and set graziers up for a fantastic spring, farm gate milk prices, cost pressures had thankfully eased, with fertiliser prices around Mr McAlpin said, with sentiment further decade lows and grain also at lower levels not boosted by strong market prices for beef, lamb and wool. seen in recent years.

The impact of improved seasonal conditions “The good start to the season will also reduce the dairy sector’s reliance on buying in feed on Victorian farmer sentiment was with expectation of increased levels of home- pronounced in the survey, with 66 per cent grown feed,” he said. of those expecting the agricultural economy to improve in the next 12 months, citing the With market prices also lacklustre in the season as cause for their optimism, up from grains sector, Mr McAlpin said pricing 62 per cent. concerns for grain growers were eclipsed by the prospect of good yields.

Milk price woes in the dairy sector saw “After a poor season last year, this year’s wheat commodity prices remain the dominant concern for farmers in the state, with 82 per crop is shaping up to be around 40 per cent cent of those expecting conditions to worsen, higher than last season, with farmers across citing prices as the reason for their subdued the state expecting average to above-average yields,” he said. outlook, up from 59 per cent.

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Studying the need for feed A study team is calling for farmers to discuss their feedbase management.

The Gardiner Foundation, Dairy Australia and GippsDairy need farmer help to improve feedbase decision making and performance.

A study team led by GippsDairy and Geoff Cockfield of the University of Southern Queensland is looking to meet with farmers to discuss their motivations, goals, current practices, skills and information needs for feedbase management.

The information gathered from the hour-long interviews will help Gardiner Foundation, Dairy Australia and GippsDairy develop further

strategies on feedbase extension.

A recent Gardiner Dairy Foundation and Dairy Australia study identified a realistic target to see average home-grown feed consumption per farm increase by around 3 tonnes DM/ha (over 10 years) — which could add up to $240 million in value to the industry each year.

Please help us by sharing your thoughts on growing and using pasture, and the direction you would like to see feedbase extension head.

Phone GippsDairy on 5624 3900.

Industry exit workshops Interactive workshops aim to help farmers to step back.

Stepping Up Stepping Back The success of recent Stepping Up Stepping Back workshops has seen GippsDairy develop a new pilot program aimed specifically at those wanting to exit the industry.

The November 9 workshop will have an emphasis on “stepping back”, with a discussion on the options available to those who are ready to leave dairy farming.

A few weeks later on November 24, another Stepping Up Stepping Back workshop will be held dealing with issues surrounding sharefarming, leasing and other partnership arrangements for people at either the beginning or end of their dairy careers.

The regular Stepping Up Stepping Back workshops are designed to be interactive and include: • An introduction of Dairy Australia’s “Share Dairy Farming in 28

OCTOBER 2016

Australia — Model Code of Practice” which assists in evaluating if you are suited to share dairy farming.

• Evaluating options: staying as an employee, share dairy farming, leasing, owner or equity partner.

• Helping individuals sort out what they want.

• Focusing on building relationships between business partners.

• Highlight mentor and professional support available.

• Real life case studies.

• Starting the process of succession.

• A resource kit to take away.

John Mulvany will facilitate both workshops, which will be held in Traralgon on November 9 (Stepping Back) and in Warragul on November 24 (Stepping Up Stepping Back).

Places are limited so contact GippsDairy on 5624 3900 or email executiveassistant@ gippsdairy.com.au

Plenty of interest for camp Youth camp aims to foster passion for industry.

Young people from across the country have shown strong interest in the upcoming National All Breeds Dairy Youth Camp.

With places filling fast, event organiser and Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE’s National Centre for Dairy Education industry trainer Lucy Galt said the camp had a long history of supporting dairy enthusiasts and was shaping up to be the best yet.

“We are really excited about the positive response to the expression-of-interest campaign,” Ms Galt said.

During the five-day camp, participants with varying degrees of experience with dairy after previously being held at the Melbourne will develop their confidence in handling cattle,” Ms Galt said. dairy heifers and discuss breeding and new Showgrounds. technology.

“This event is all about exposing participants The camp, to be held from Tuesday, January to the dairy industry, and hopefully fostering 3 to Saturday, January 7, 2017, also provides Each participant is given a heifer and a passion for it.” throughout the week is taught how to care strong preparation for International Dairy for the animal in the lead-up to competition Ms Galt thanked the event’s major sponsors Week. day, including daily feeding, watering, Dairy Beef Alliance, International Dairy “Our volunteer committee are doing an washing and grooming, clipping and Week and Dairy Australia for their support awesome job and working hard to ensure the monitoring. and significant contribution to the National camp is successful and has a bright future,” All Breeds Dairy Youth Camp.

Participants also learn about judging and Ms Galt said. showing and take part in team activities and She said the camp’s organising committee peer judging. was now expanding its sponsorship drive and For a copy of the sponsorship application, phone Lucy Galt on 0488 144 999. looking for more team sponsors.

“We are really keen to see students from To register your interest in attending the International Dairy Week’s sponsorship will diverse backgrounds attend the camp. In camp, visit www.GOTAFE.vic.edu.au/ see the National All Breeds Dairy Youth the past we have had students from across youthcamp or phone Ms Galt.

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Visit us at our 26th

Elmore Field Days Same Site: #999.

OCTOBER 2016

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In like Finn Casual job for pocket money leads to farm ownership goal.

From the inner city of Melbourne to the inner workings of a dairy farm, Finn Leahy has taken a bigger step than most to find his place in the world.

The 19-year-old was recently named as a finalist in the young achievers category of Baw Baw Shire’s Business Excellence Awards — a remarkable achievement for a young man who knew very little about the dairy industry when he left school.

Having successfully completed VCE, Mr Leahy was contemplating a career in graphic design or architecture, but first wanted to earn some money for travel and other teenage pursuits.

He took a job at Chris and Charmaine Bagot’s Jindivick dairy farm to earn some spending money and has ended up wanting to make a career in dairy.

“I just needed a job so I went to earn a bit of pocket money after school so I could go and travel and do some spending — as young people do. I liked it so much I never left,” he said.

It was a steep learning curve for a teenager whose agriculture experience was limited to the West Gippsland hobby farm his parents had bought after moving from Footscray.

He knew he liked working with animals and being outdoors, but it is the challenges thrown up by dairy farming that has sparked a desire to build a career in the industry.

“It’s a really fulfilling and challenging job,” he said.

“In the first six months, while I wouldn’t say I 30

OCTOBER 2016

didn’t learn much, a lot of it just went in and out. I would just do it without questioning what I was doing.

“Now, every little thing I do I’m questioning it. I’m really starting to learn the fundamentals of growing grass, the health of the cows, and herd nutrition. It’s really skyrocketing now, it’s pretty cool.”

With the Bagots recognised as quality operators in the dairy industry, Mr Leahy said he felt lucky to have landed on a farm where he could develop his skills and knowledge in a supportive environment.

“Chris and Charmaine are kind of like a second set of parents to me,” he said.

“They’ve really done a lot for me. They are really good farmers.

“I get a lot of advice but the recurring theme is to surround yourself with good people, and that’s what I intend to do.”

Mr Leahy was nominated for the Business Excellence Awards through Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE’s National Centre for Dairy Education where he is undertaking a traineeship, studying Certificate III and IV in Agriculture.

GOTAFE NCDE trainer Thelma Hutchison said Mr Leahy was deserving of the recent nomination.

“Finn displays great commitment to his studies and has taken on extra responsibilities in the workplace,” Ms Hutchison said.

“Finn has been able to fast track his studies and will complete both the Certificate III in

Agriculture and Certificate IV in Agriculture through a workplace-based traineeship. He has also completed a chemical user’s course so he can use farm chemicals safely.”

The Cert III and IV in Agriculture won’t be the last time Mr Leahy is seen in a classroom.

He sees education and personal development as a key plank in building a future for himself in the dairy industry.

Farm ownership is the ultimate goal for Mr Leahy, but he knows achieving this aim will require years of discipline and education.

“Farm ownership is what I’m aiming for. Just straight up, I want to own my own farm,” he said.

“At the moment I’ll just be saving up as much money as I can and then maybe get a sharefarming position.

“I’ll get some more information on finances and get as much education as possible. I’ll go to as many courses as I can.

“Sitting back and waiting for things to come at you is just wasting time, I reckon. It will take the same amount of effort but I just want to do it earlier.”

It’s a lofty ambition for such a young man, but Mr Leahy feels confident that, in an industry with so much to offer in terms of education, development and peer support, he can achieve his goals.

“We have our farm neighbours and business consultants and we’re all mates,” he said.

“If someone needs something, we’re all there to help them. There’s no competition.

“Everyone is in it together.”

“

“

If someone needs something, we’re all there to help them. There’s no competition.

Finn Leahy

Finn Leahy with his employer, Jindivick farmer Chris Bagot.

Liquid Supplements for Livestock Production

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1300 ANIPRO | www.performancefeeds.com.au OCTOBER 2016

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At LIC we’re continuing to build our genetics, monitoring and service offering in Australia.

Australian dairy farmers can now benefit from our collaboration with CRV to access the best genetics from New Zealand and the higher input genetics provided by the CRV range from The Netherlands and USA through one provider, LIC. Couple this with LIC’s know how and expertise in technician services, automation, heat detection and inline sensors and you have a semen supplier that delivers you, the farmer, so much more value on farm.

FREEPHONE: 1800 454 694 Email: admin@livestockimprovement.com.au www: licnz.com.au

October management reminders Make the most of spring (pasture management) • Current milk prices and grain prices indicate a very low or no margin when feeding grain this spring. This means farmers need to have very good pasture management this spring in order to have the best possible cash position driven by pasture intake, milk production per cow and cost control.

• Pasture intake per cow depends on having high quality pasture and enough pasture available/ha, this is a very challenging balance in most spring conditions but is possible to achieve.

• Rotation lengths need to be long enough to get critical volume, and residuals need to be low enough to get quality next time the pasture is grazed.

• Set aside paddocks for silage when residuals are getting higher and cut as close as possible to grazing height (silage quality will determine production when the silage is fed).

• Consider the use of nitrogen to boost pasture production and potentially minimise the use of supplements, pasture responses of 10 - 20 kg DM/ha for every kg of nitrogen/ha are common in spring and represent very good value for money if you need and or can utilise the additional feed grown.

• Purchase concentrates at an affordable cost and an appropriate quality. Diet balance

is a major consideration when purchasing concentrates; when cows are eating two thirds or more of their diet as high-quality pasture, high protein concentrates are not normally required. Basic additives such as macro minerals and buffer are normally required.

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

• 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 springplanted 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 (3–5 weeks). Pasture ready to be grazed by milkers makes the best silage and regrows 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 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.

Business • Use you cash flow budget to track farm expenditure to raise your awareness of your current cash position. This can be of great assistance when planning future activities.

• Communicate with your bank regarding any changes in plans on overdraft facilities.

November management reminders Pastures/forages • Current milk prices and grain prices indicate a very low or no margin when feeding grain this spring. This means that farmers need to have very good pasture management this spring in order to have the best possible cash position driven by pasture intake, milk production per cow and cost control.

• Pasture intake per cow depends on having high quality pasture and enough pasture available/ha, this is a very challenging balance in most spring conditions but is possible to achieve.

• Rotation lengths need to be long enough to get critical volume and residuals need to be low enough to get quality next time the pasture is grazed.

• If you have surplus pasture on the milking area, use silage making to control residual and better pasture quality next round. This will be a balancing act between pasture quality and quantity.

Silage key actions: • Cut pasture for silage as close to grazing height as possible.

• Wilt the silage as fast as possible (use a tedder if needed).

• Bale with the correct moisture level to

exclude air from bales or stacks (45 per cent DM for bales and 33 per cent DM for stacks or pits).

• Store bales in areas with high traffic levels to avoid attack from birds.

• Seal any air leaks as soon as possible (bales or stacks).

• If pasture becomes limited in late November and soil moisture is still adequate, consider an application of nitrogen and/or a blend if required, to maintain or build pasture cover coming into summer. This pasture will be highly beneficial as feed from pasture is essential to profitably maintain milk production.

Cows • Make a feed budget to ensure you have enough fodder to get through the summer and autumn. This will also estimate the grain usage and give an idea of the purchased feed bill for the summer and autumn. Feeding cows off peak production can be planned and focused on profit if it’s planned early.

• If you are nearing the end of the joining period it might pay to assess the number of cows not in calf. Knowing the numbers of cows not in calf allows for early decisions to be made on what you will do with the empty cows.

Summer crops • Target paddocks that need to be renovated to improve the pasture base on the farm and reduce the pasture that is not grown in late spring by cropping.

• Have a plan regarding crop type, seed bed preparation, nutrient and pest management and planned grazing dates.

• Application of dairy effluent onto summer fodder crops is a very effective use of this nutrient resource to boost crop yield. Yield responses will be greater on crops than non-irrigated pasture.

Calves and heifers • Ensure your young stock received a second 7-in-1 vaccine. This builds immunity against clostridial diseases and leptospirosis.

• Talk to your vet about vaccinating your young stock for pink eye.

• Calves require a high protein and high energy diet to keep growing. A feed budget can be done to ensure calves and other young stock have enough pasture, silage, grain and hay to gain weight and grow to planned joining and calving weights.

OCTOBER 2016

33

Calendar of events

Please contact GippsDairy for updates.

Phone: (03) 5624 3900.

Email: executiveassistant@gippsdairy.com.au

Young Dairy Bootcamp

Ellinbank Seminars

Gain an understanding of your current position, network with farmers and develop plans to address short and long term challenges.

Location: West Gippsland and Maffra, South Gippsland Dates: October 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 and 26. 3 days over 3 weeks RSVP: Greg O’Brien 0427 522 909 Organisation: AgVic

Dairy Farm Monitor results 2015–16.

Presented by Natalie Nelson

Cups On Cups Off

Practical mastitis control in milking operations, identify cases of mastitis and implement management programs.

Location: Maffra, Warragul, Leongatha Dates: October 13 and 20, October 14 and 21, October 17 and 24. 1.5 days over 2 weeks RSVP: Enrolment essential: Donna Gibson 5624 3900 Organisation: GippsDairy/NCDE

Location: Ag Vic, Ellinbank Hazeldean Rd, Ellinbank Date: Wednesday, October 19 Time: 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm RSVP: Sharon Aarons 5624 2339 Organisation: AgVic Stepping Up Stepping Back Succession Pilot

A pilot program for farmers looking to step back from the business or transition to retirement.

Location: Traralgon Date: Wednesday, November 9 Time: 10 am – 1.30 pm RSVP: GippsDairy 5624 3900 Organisation: GippsDairy

True Blue Deals!

GST tt4 series with FeL - from $35,000 INC Manufactured for even the toughest jobs, the TT4 series are the perfect work horse for all types of materials handling around the farm.

• New Holland AP30 frontend loader with standard bucket and hay forks • Dashboard mounted shuttle shift control for precsision handling • Front axle - single robust casting with well protected velocity joints, even at full lock • 12 x 12 synchro shuttle shift • Available in three models: 55hp, 65hp, 75hp

Leongatha 82-84 Yarragon Road

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

Keeping Gippsland growing!

34

OCTOBER 2016

(03) 5998 3216

WaRRagUL 180 Queens Street

(03) 5622 3875

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GET IT RIGHT,

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Veanavite No1 Calf Pellets provide a high level of natural protein, energy, essential minerals and vitamins to support the requirements of your rapidly growing calves. Importantly, it also contains starches to promote the efficient development of a calf’s rumen allowing for a successful transition to pasture at weaning. Thriving calves are the future of your herd. So get it right, right from the start.