Dairy direct murray august 2015 (low res) by McPherson Media Group

Country News PUBLICATION

MURRAY Issue 19, August 2015

The Murray herd that is driving genetic change in Australia » page 28

Budget planning a priority » page 8 Fluid therapy in calves » page 10 Why robots are not for everyone » page 51

Editor Geoff Adams editor@countrynews.com.au Writers Geoff Adams, Cathy Walker, Sharon Wright, Sophie Bruns, Alexandra Bathman

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Dairy Direct Family relationships are a sensitive issue and when they are woven into our work and business life the situation can become quite complex. Many dairy farmers who hope their sons or daughters will follow them into the profession genuinely want the idea to succeed, but unfortunately are not proactive in trying to achieve the best result. Because of the potential sensitivity of the issue, conversations that should be held between family members never occur, and arrangements that should be settled are never resolved. Putting off the discussions never helps and reduces the chance of an outcome that will reassure all the parties. 2

AUGUST 2015

In this issue we have two articles dealing with family succession and discuss the principles that need to be addressed. We thank the Hourigan family from Milawa for their willingness to discuss openly the challenges that are close to the heart of many Murray region families. — Geoff Adams Dairy Direct

Time to plan for the new season With the end of the financial year and the release of opening milk prices, it is a busy time planning for the season ahead. The region has continued its steady growth to remain Australia’s largest dairy region, producing around 25 per cent of the nation’s milk in 2014–15. Over the coming months it is important to ensure a thorough understanding of your current business situation to adequately plan for what the next season the region of co-ordinating and delivering may bring. programs to the dairy industry. There is plenty of discussion around the Succession planning is a key theme price of temporary water and upcoming throughout this edition and is often a water availability. topic at the forefront of farmers’ minds In response to these concerns, Murray because it affects those looking to enter Dairy will deliver seven workshops around the industry and those looking to step back on-farm. the region aimed at giving farmers the knowledge and tools to effectively plan While we often hear about the pressures in for the season ahead. The aim of the a succession arrangement, having a good workshops will be to highlight strategies plan in place can reduce stress throughout to understand cost of production, critical this process. There needs to be plenty of decision points and management options trust and thorough understanding from suitable to the seasonal conditions. both sides to ensure a good succession plan can be implemented. Dairying towns throughout the Murray Dairy region received a huge amount of In this edition is a story about the Glass media attention while the Legendairy family’s second Focus Farm open day in Capital competition was on. This Gundowring in late June, which was cocampaign aimed to promote local dairying ordinated by Murray Dairy and attracted regions and recognise the incredible more than 75 people. OMJ Consulting’s contribution dairy farmers make to their John Mulvany presented on the communities. The nine towns nominated family’s history and the journey to their for this competition are: Eskdale, Tatura, current situation, a positive succession Mooroopna, Finley, Cohuna, Murchison, arrangement. Tallangatta, Stanhope and Dhurringile. This month’s publication will also provide The new financial year has brought about insights into what the ever-impressive changes at Murray Dairy, with the board Dairy Futures CRC is currently working signing off on a new funding accord with on, with exciting developments on Dairy Australia. This new agreement sees projects aimed at doubling the rate of a realignment for Murray Dairy with genetic gain in Australian dairy herds and Dairy Australia to bring about internal creating tools that fundamentally change efficiencies in streamlining administration breeding of pasture plants. processes. This change allows Murray — Malcolm Holm chairman, Murray Dairy Dairy to continue to strengthen its role in

contents Doing Dairy

Dairy news

4–8

Use fluid therapy to treat scours

Mastitis bug causing concern

Winter fair a winner

Managing the season ahead

Take the guess work out of soil testing 18 Planning for a drier future

Dookie Dairy Report

Size isn’t everything

Star-gazing a sign of disease

Among the best, by design

China bound

Top cows from the North-East

Fungi help rye-grass pasture productivity 32 Renovation makes milking easier

Forward planning reaps dividends

Making nitrogen fertiliser pay its way 40 China trip a revelation

Dairying’s future is unfolding at university 44 Are robots right for your dairy?

Dairy farmers have smiles on their dials 53

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Doing Dairy

with SOPHIE BRUNS

Sophie Bruns is a dairy farmer from Gunbower with a husband, two daughters and a mortgage.

Winter has its challenges When life revolves around kids’ sport and cows, there’s little respite from the cold weather. There are two things I have been grateful for this winter: my electric blanket and the wood heater. I don’t know whether it is the fact that I have been chasing my youngest daughter around the countryside with netball and I have spent a lot of time standing around in the cold, or whether this winter has been extra-cold, but I have certainly felt it this year. I have even been milking in my ski gloves because my hands have been frozen stiff. It hasn’t helped that I slipped into the drain in the pit and filled my winter gumboots with a mixture of water and effluent. Because they are lined, they are taking forever to dry and my feet have been frozen for a week. I guess on the positive side we have passed the shortest day of the year and the days will

soon stretch out and some warmth will start to come. It has been a tough winter for the cows too. While we, like everyone else, did eventually get some rain, it really was six weeks too late and with pasture growth practically nonexistent at the moment the tractor has been working overtime feeding all the stock. The hay we thought we had that was going to last all winter is just about eaten and it looks like we will need to purchase more. The lanes are once again slippery and it is a delicate balancing act for humans and cows to traverse them. With AI well under way, we have had a pretty good run with most of the cows cycling in the first round. We haven’t even had to get the PG out yet, so that is always

a bonus. We had a few of our better cows classified a couple of weeks ago and one of our girls went VG89, just missed out on an excellent. We had a few VG88s and some of our younger cows went VG86 so all in all we were pretty happy with that. I completed my second half-marathon on the Gold Coast in July. It was nice to get away for a few days and, despite the early start (4.30 am for a 6 am start), I had a mostly chilled-out break. I couldn’t believe there were more than 10 000 runners doing a half-marathon, so the event was a little bigger than I expected. My next race will hopefully be a full marathon in Melbourne in October, but there is a fair bit of water to go under the bridge before then, and a lot of running!

dairy news Confidence in long-term demand for dairy products Milk processors who have announced their opening prices for suppliers have reassured farmers that prospects for the industry remain good. Both Murray Goulburn and Tatura Milk have announced lower starting prices of $5.60/kg. Murray Goulburn is forecasting $6.05/kg for the full year, subject to changes in external factors such as global dairy commodity prices and prevailing exchange rates. It assumes an average Australian dollar of $US0.76 during the next financial year and assumptions regarding commodity prices and other risk factors. Murray Goulburn managing director Gary Helou said commodity dairy markets remained subdued and exchange rates unpredictable, but he was confident that demand growth for dairy foods would remain strong during the medium to long term. 4

AUGUST 2015

‘‘Many Asian countries are not self-sufficient in dairy and will need to import dairy foods to meet growing consumer demand for premium quality ready-to-consume dairy food products,’’ Mr Helou said. Tatura Milk executive chairman Barry Irvin said the past year had been a challenging one in international dairy markets, with commodities dropping some 34 per cent when comparing international dairy prices in June 2014 to June 2015. ‘‘The major shifts in global markets inevitably affect all markets, including the Australian market,’’ Mr Irvin said. He said the board had endeavoured to manage and minimise the impact of the significantly changed markets. The opening milk price of $5.60/kg milk

solids compared to the 2014-15 opening, and ultimately closing, milk price of $6/kg milk solids, he said. Mr Irvin said the board believed it was important to deliver a farm gate milk price that was as stable as possible, reflected the market and allowed the business to continue to invest in value-added capacities that delivered pay rates over and above dairy commodity returns. ‘‘This year’s price is a very strong demonstration of the success of the business’ long-term strategy of investing in value-added consumer products and dairy nutritionals. ‘‘Despite the current challenging market circumstances, the board remains positive about the long-term demand for high quality Australian produced dairy products.’’

Andrew Robb

Sell services to India, says minister Dairy expertise will be a valuable commodity in future trade with the subcontinent. A free trade agreement with India would offer agricultural services better prospects than bulk commodity sales, Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb believes. Australia is in the process of negotiating a new agreement with the subcontinent. Speaking in Shepparton last week, Mr Robb said India already produced a lot of its own milk, but was seeking professional agricultural services to lift its production. High end dairy products for India’s growing middle class could also represent an opportunity. “India produces a lot more dairy than any other country,” Mr Robb said. “So improving access for goods is going to be difficult. “Most of their agriculture is produced in those areas of dire poverty so they have 300 million people still in poverty and many of them are small farmers. “So we shouldn’t raise our hopes for major market access, but what we can look to, I hope, is major market opportunities for our services. “At the moment a typical dairy cow in India produces about five litres per cow per day. You compare that with a dairy farmer in Tatura who will be talking about 25 to 30 litres per cow per day. “What we can do is take our expertise in pasture management,

dairy genetics and processing, and convert this to opportunities in India to help them increase their production, and as their population gets wealthier, they will consume more milk themselves. Mr Robb said the higher level, premium products were presenting more opportunities for Australia. “The more we can help them become wealthier, the more opportunities we will create. Our quality of services are seen as being world standard.” Mr Robb said the deadline for an agreement with India was the end of the year. “I have found with the other free trade agreements, if you create some momentum and political imperative, it’s amazing what it does to focus the minds of the bureaucracy. “(Indian) Prime Minister Modi, an exceptional leader, is hopefully able to bring about a far more co-operative approach and so far, so good. “I have had four visits there in the last few months and he is as determined as he was in the first visit to get this happening. The deadline is owned by both prime ministers.” India is Australia’s 12th largest trading partner and two-way trade between India and Australia is worth about $15 billion. Indian investment in Australia has reached almost $11 billion, with Australia investing $9.8 billion in India.

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dairy news

Harvey invests in huge dairy Farm at Undera to milk up to 6000 cows. Billionaire retailer Gerry Harvey has invested up to $80 million in Coomboona Holsteins at Undera in what will become an intensive farm milking as many as 6000 cows housed in three huge sheds. Under a permit issued by Greater Shepparton City Council this year, another application would be required to increase the size of the 4800-cow herd that was approved in March. Dairying is a foray into livestock of a different kind for prominent racehorse owner and breeder Mr Harvey. In 1999 he purchased the historic Baramul Stud in the Widden Valley from the late Sir Tristan Antico and now has 300 thoroughbred mares there, as well as 100 or more gallopers in work with trainers around Australia.

The property Glen Goulburn and its business Coomboona Holsteins have had a few changes in direction over the years. In November 2013 the 1238 ha holding, one of the Goulburn Valley’s largest irrigated properties, was on the market. However, the 1700 Ml of high reliability water was not for sale with it and selling agent Rob Hosking of Ray White Rochester said last week despite “quite a few” people looking at the property it was not sold. In March 2015 Greater Shepparton City Council approved Coomboona Holsteins’ application for an amendment of a planning permit for part of the Glen Goulburn property, allowing the increase of

cow numbers from 2200 to 4800 and associated works such as free-stall cow accommodation, dairy building, effluent management system, feed storage facilities, earthworks and the removal of three grey box gums. Council received objections from two sources regarding the development, which included insufficient notice, smell and noise, transport, flooding, property devaluation, and future expansion. In issuing the amendment, City of Greater Shepparton refuted the devaluation claim and noted Goulburn-Murray Water and Goulburn Valley Water did not object to the development and said milk tankers would use Coomboona Rd only to access Echuca Rd.

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dairy news Finance companies take up Murray Goulburn shares Major finance companies are among the biggest holders of shares in Murray Goulburn’s new unit trust. The top 20 unit holders include HSBC, J P Morgan nominees, AMP Life and a Chinese company, CHINA Resources NG Fung Ltd. Shares in the new Murray Goulburn unit trust were listed on the stock exchange at $2.10, at the lower end of the forecast opening, early in July. This final price implies a total market capitalisation of $1.2 billion. The company forecast a range of between $2.10 and $3.20 a share in May. Murray Goulburn chairman Philip Tracy said the offer had been fully subscribed but “global events” had contributed towards the price. “We believe the strength of demand for units in the MG unit trust is testament to the quality of our business and a further endorsement of MG’s growth and value creation strategy to maximise farm gate milk prices and future earnings,” Mr Tracy said. “This strategy is clearly delivering results, as evidenced by MG’s ability to pay a farm gate price of $6/kg milk solids and above for the past two seasons and our forecast available weighted average southern milk region farm gate milk price of $6.05/kg milk solids for the 2015–16 season.” Murray Goulburn arranged the share offer to raise $500 million in capital.

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Stanhope legends The Stanhope community is celebrating being named the Murray dairy region’s “Legendairy” leader. Dairy Australia also highlighted the incredible response from the entire Murray Dairy region to the program, with an honourable mention made to Tatura for their outstanding demonstration of community spirit. The announcement forms part of Dairy Australia’s inaugural search for Australia’s Legendairy Capital which celebrates the country’s vibrant regional communities. As one of eight successful towns, Stanhope will receive a $2500 community grant to enhance a playground at Stanhope Recreation Reserve, a project identified and supported by many groups and residents in the town. Stanhope now goes into the running for the title of Australia’s Legendairy Capital 2015, announced in mid-September, with the chance to secure a further $7500 for this worthy community initiative.

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AUGUST 2015

dairy news Budgets a priority Developing a budget factoring in milk prices and feed costs will be important for the start of this season. Consultant Tom Farran, who is working with Murray Dairy to co-present seasonal workshops, is urging farmers to work out a budget with their trusted advisers at the start of a season with subdued milk prices and relatively high temporary water costs. “This year will be tighter than most years but the key message is: don’t panic, make a plan,” Mr Farran said. He said with so many variations in milk pricing systems it was important for farmers to ask their companies for their own income estimate so they know what they will be paid for the year. Most factories have been forecasting prices will finish about the same place as last year. A key concern for many dairy farmers will be the cost of temporary water. Again, the degree of reliance on water will vary from farm to farm depending on how much high reliability water is owned. A good budget will incorporate the efficiency

of water used; how much feed can be generated from a megalitre of water, taking into account that a megalitre will grow a different amount of feed in the spring compared to the summer. Murray Dairy is running a series of workshops called: “Setting up your Season”. They are designed to help farmers: • Understand cost of production • Identify critical decision points • Apply management strategies matched to the seasonal conditions • Access additional planning tools, resources and information The facilitated discussions will feature guest speakers on the topics of current climatic conditions, grain and fodder availability and cost, water allocations and the milk price and cost of production. They will be held on: Tuesday, August 4 at Barooga Sports Club, 10.30 am to 1 pm. Wednesday, August 5 at Blighty Football Club, 10.30 am to 1:pm. Thursday, August 6 at Numurkah Shamrock Hotel, 10.30 am to 1 pm.

Tom Farran.

Tuesday, August 11 at Lockington Recreation Reserve, 10.30 am to 1 pm. Wednesday, August 12 at Cohuna Football Club, 10.30 am to 1 pm. Thursday, August 13, at Kyabram Club, 10.30 am to 1 pm. Friday, August 14 at Shepparton Parklake, 7.30 pm to 10 pm. RSVP: For catering purposes please register your attendance with Murray Dairy, phone 5833 5312 or email admin@murraydairy.com.au

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• 1250 acre dairy farm situated in the Perricoota District along the banks of the Murray River and within 15 minutes from Moama. • 50-bale rotary dairy complete with auto cup removers, ADF, auto draft and cow ID, multi-head feed dispenser, two feedpads, two vats and 650-cow yard. Great on farm grain storage. • Good quality silt loam soils, 400 ha lasered. Sown to 100 ha permanent pastures, 100 ha Lucerne, 200 ha annuals and 100 in dry land crops. • 250 megs of water pumped direct from the Murray River. 200 megs turkey-nest dam and 100% recyclable. • Two three-bedroom family homes in good condition and set amongst treed surrounds. Excellent shedding and stock handling facilities. • Milking 630 cows and producing in excess of 5 mil litres. This farm earns serious cash and lifestyle that could be yours.

• 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. • 86 meg deep lead bore licence powered by diesel motor delivering up to 5 meg per day. GMW delivery share in place & on the backbone channel. • With exceptional soils and facilities this is a real milk producer that would be perfect for your herd. Priced to sell at $950,000.

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AUGUST 2015

animal health

Use fluid therapy to treat scours The how, what and when of getting fluid into scouring calves.

Scouring calves are a headache. They take a lot of time and money — and cause heartache when they die. Due to the fluid loss in the faeces, the calves are very susceptible to dehydration. Calves also become acidic due to the loss of bicarbonate in the scour and it is the combination of dehydration and acidosis that will often lead to death. It is possible to prevent the calf reaching this stage and the aim of this article is to answer those questions on fluid therapy: when to give, how much, how often and what type? How much fluid does a healthy calf require each day? Five to 10 per cent of the calf ’s body weight

AUGUST 2015

is required each day. For example, a day-old 45 kg calf requires 2.25 to 4.5 litres/day; a 60 kg calf 3–6 litres/day). The majority of this fluid is consumed as milk, however, it is critical that fresh water be offered at all times. How much fluid does a calf lose when it is scouring? A calf can lose about 1–4 litres of fluid per day (according to the severity of scour). The amount of fluid lost is directly related to the degree of dehydration of the calf. The degree of dehydration can be assessed by the table on the opposite page. How much fluid does the calf need to correct the loss from scours? From the table, the degree of dehydration

can be calculated. Knowing the percentage gives a fairly accurate idea of how much fluid is required in excess of daily requirements. Only about 60 to 80 per cent of the oral fluids consumed will be absorbed into the bloodstream, therefore the dehydration calculations need to be increased by 20 to 40 per cent. For example, if a 40 kg calf is assessed to be 10 per cent dehydrated, it needs 2–4 litres of maintenance fluid, plus 5–6 litres of electrolytes, a total of about 7–10 litres of fluid per day while scouring badly. Should the calf remain on milk? A calf should remain on milk if it is still bright, fairly active and willing to drink.

A regular column from Rochester Vet Practice

The important factor is the inclusion of electrolytes between milk feeds to prevent the dehydration and acidosis that will lead to deterioration in the calf. If the calf is already looking dull then it is worth taking the calf off milk for 24 hours and replacing it with electrolytes (remember the volumes calculated above). These feeds should be smaller volume, frequent feeds. Obviously this is very time consuming so it is a good idea to have one person dedicated to the task if possible. Milk should be reintroduced 24 hours later in small volumes, fed at frequent intervals (1 litre of milk fed two to three times daily). Electrolyte feeds need to be continued while scouring persists and fluid loss is occurring through the scour. The primary goal of treatment is to save the calf, not necessarily decrease the volume of diarrhoea. What type of fluid is best? The aim of fluid therapy is to replace the water and electrolytes that are lost in the scour. The solutions must have adequate buffers to correct the acidosis, and adequate energy for absorption of fluids across the intestines. Different brands are available, however, it is very important to realise that not all electrolyte products on the market fit these criteria, in fact many are far from it. There are three products which contain the recommended values: Bovelyte, Scourproof and Megalyte Plus. Diarrest is very close to the recommended values. Can I mix electrolytes with the milk? No. The electrolyte interferes with the milk

Assessing dehydration in scouring calves None

Mild

Moderate

Severe

% dehydrated

6–8

8–10

10–12

Gap between eye and socket

None

2–4 mm

4–6 mm

6–8 mm

Skin tent/standing (seconds)

2–4

4–6

6–8

Mucous membranes

Moist

Moist-Dry

Dry

Temperature of extremities

Warm

Cold

clotting mechanism in the abomasum and prevents a clot from forming, therefore interfering with digestion of milk protein. Nutrients are no longer available to the calf and scours will continue. Electrolytes and milk must not be fed within two hours of each other. What if the calf won’t suck? Stomach tubing is effective if done carefully. If the calf is unable to stand then intravenous fluids administered by a vet are required. These can assist in replacing the fluid deficit immediately and can have a dramatic effect. Antibiotic residues Fluid therapy is the most important part of treating calf scours. However, antibiotics are indicated in a number of situations. Unfortunately, antibiotic residue in calf meat is much too common and is a huge potential loss to the industry. It is rare for residues to arise due to not obeying proper withholding times. It is much more likely to occur as a result of contamination of feeding vessels.

For example, a lot of farmers use antibiotic boluses or oral drenches to treat scours by adding them to the calf milk. If that same bucket is then used to feed a bobby calf, there may be enough antibiotic left in the bucket to cause a residue. To avoid this, either drench the calves directly or if adding to milk, use separate buckets for bobby calves. Another alternative would be to use injectable antibiotic and you could discuss this with your vet. After all treatments, keep proper records of dates of administration so that the correct withholding times are observed. For more information, Dairy Australia have produced a good manual on all aspects of calf rearing called Rearing Healthy Calves: How to raise calves that thrive so check out the website at www.dairyaustralia.com.au — Keith Fletcher Rochester Veterinary Practice AUGUST 2015

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Mastitis bug causing concern

eciohc yM

Expert says farmers must insure against bringing mycoplasma onto their farms. A dairy veterinary expert has urged farmers to take cheap insurance and test for an emerging cause of mastitis, or find themselves “in a world of pain”. Echuca-based Rod Dyson from Dairy Focus said there was no treatment for mycoplasma, which has been seen in a low number of herds in Australia including two in the Murray Dairy region. Overt symptoms included incurable mastitis in cows and severe pneumonia in calves and “it’s a major problem if you are one of these herds”. Dr Dyson, speaking at a Murray Dairy Countdown 2020 seminar on mastitis at Finley, said biosecurity was “definitely a bigger issue than we thought before”. He said mycoplasma was the only mastitis bug that could enter the udder in ways other than directly via the teat end. “It’s an organism that has been in cattle for a long time; tomorrow I’m off to Tasmania to look at a case that has spread rapidly,” Dr Dyson said. Affected cows had to be identified and culled, he said. While mycoplasma is most commonly

nietsloHgnikiV

brought onto a farm in purchased cattle, one method of spread of mycoplasma onto farms had been put down to agistment heifers returning home with it. The bug can be spread across fences. “There is no way I would send heifers off to a grazing environment without testing from all Mastitis caused by mycoplasma is incurable and the only solution is to remove the affected cow from the herd. the herds of origin,” Dr Dyson said, and he said “It’s all bad, there’s nothing good,” the same applied to new purchases. Dr Dyson said. “Test before you purchase, that’s what I Murray Dairy chairman Malcolm Holm would like to stress. It’s a $45 insurance and his partner Jenny Wheeler were at the policy, the cheapest you’ll ever get.” mastitis seminar with three staff members Dr Dyson said testing heifers themselves was from their Blighty farm. “fraught with difficulty”. “I think it (mycoplasma) is one of those “Test from the vat of the herd you are buying things that dairy farmers need to be aware of from,” he said. and how viral it can be,” Mr Holm said. Dr Dyson told the group of farmers at Finley “However, keep it in context … it’s in a very ™ Returned Soldiers Club that while he was small number of herds. What was news AfiAct IIwas ™ not intending to scare them, he did not the heifer bit; it’s something we needion to be ion AfiAct IIsolut The next-generat apologise “if I have saved you all that grief ”. conscious of when heifers, forion sure.” for buying the accurate heat detect Themost next-generat solut ion ion

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AUGUST 2015

Zeerust’s Bluechip Genetics owner Dianna Malcolm with the junior winners. L-R: Junior Honourable Mention Bluechip Goldust Marion, co-owned with Averill Leslie; Junior Supreme Champion Bluechip Finalcut Marion; and Junior Reserve Champion Bluechip Windbrook Noni.

Winter fair a winner Great results for exhibitors from Finley and Zeerust at second winter fair.

Supreme Champion Bluechip The second annual National Finalcut Marion is co-owned Herd Development Victorian by Peter Hurley and Winter Fair was at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre on July 1 Debbie Palmer. and 2. Mrs Malcolm said everyone The big winner of the fair was was pleased by their Finley’s Nick Flanagan from success and said the Junior Woodlawn Holsteins, who took Honourable Mention, home a number of ribbons Bluechip Golddust Marion, including Senior Champion was Bluechip Finalcut Marion’s and Supreme Senior Exhibit maternal sister out of the same with heifer Mooramba Talent dam. Randell, which also won the On June 30, there was a Best Udder section. welcome dinner to open Bluechip Genetics at Zeerust the fair with guest speaker was also a winner, taking Nationals leader Peter Walsh. back-to-back Junior Champion, Organiser and Gunbower dairy back-to-back Junior Reserve farmer Clare Modra said there Champion, Junior Honourable were 60 more entries and 20 Mention, back-to-back more exhibitors than last year, Intermediate Champion and with more than 250 cows Reserve Senior Champion. entering the ring. Dean Malcolm, who runs “Last year was our first year Bluechip Genetics with wife and a lot of people came to Dianna, said the results were have a look and saw just how “awesome”. good the facilities were,” “It’s far exceeded our Mrs Modra said. expectations,” he said. “This time of year is also easy Bluechip Genetics’ Junior on the cows.” 14

AUGUST 2015

Finley’s Nick Flanagan from Woodlawn Holsteins pictured with judges Perry Phend and Lachlan Fry and the Senior Champion and Supreme Senior Exhibit, Mooramba Talent Randell.

Senior Honourable Mention and Reserve Senior Champion from Bluechip Genetics in Zeerust, and Senior Champion and overall Supreme Senior Exhibit from Woodlawn Holsteins in Finley.

Red Intermediate Champion Ryanna Contender Blackrose Red, bred by Bluechip Genetics, pictured with Winter Fair sponsor David Bolton from Bolton’s Hoof Trimming and handler Alberto Mebina.

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Managing the season ahead Expected drier than average conditions require some forward planning.

Based on the Bureau of Meteorology’s threemonth outlook, it might be worth planning around the possibility of receiving belowaverage winter rainfall. Within the three-month outlook, the odds favour drier than average rainfall for Victorian dairy regions.

This in turn might allow for cows to be better fed on pasture. For some farms this might result in less supplements to be fed while others might experience less of the usual winter feed pinch and milk production might be higher than normal.

Wetter farms For areas that are normally wet in winter, below-average winter rainfall could be a good thing, especially if there is good soil moisture coming out of autumn. In these wetter districts, it would be worth planning for potentially improved winter pasture growth and higher pasture utilisation (less pugging).

Drier farms For farms in drier districts, below-average rainfall might mean less pasture growth, particularly in the main irrigation districts where soil moisture was lower coming out of autumn. It might also result in an earlier start to the irrigation season and potentially greater

requirement for irrigation water. Irrigation water prices are reportedly higher than they have been; however, purchasing temporary water might still be a more costeffective option than purchasing feed or reducing milk production in response to less pasture growth later in the season. As always, it is important to do the sums for your own business. Winter diets Supplement feeding remains a key driver of profit during the winter months. A general principle is to provide a balanced diet, selecting feeds that can do the job at least cost.

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AUGUST 2015

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The cheapest feed is not necessarily the most profitable feed. For example, low quality hay might be cheap but will not do the job as far as milk production is concerned due to the reduction in feed intake that occurs when the hay is fed to milkers in significant quantities. During the growing season protein is normally well supplied in pasture so protein is less likely to be lacking in a winter diet where around half the diet is pasture or fodder crop. In winter, dietary fibre is often lower than desired due to the highly digestible nature of fibre in lush leafy pasture. Concentrates (pellets and grains) are often fed in significant amounts to fill feed gaps, which will reduce the overall fibre levels in the diet while increasing the diet’s energy levels. Hopefully there is plenty of high quality home grown silage on hand this year to keep fibre levels up and costs down. Low milk fat tests go hand in hand with low dietary fibre levels. If cows are well adapted, they appear to be able to cope with a low fibre diet up to a point. Just remember that there will be a tipping

point that results in cows becoming severely acidotic in the rumen, and the animals at most risk are those that are given a sudden increase in the level of concentrate feeding (for example, fresh cows). There is a range of feed additives that can minimise the impact, so talk to your feed supplier or nutritionist. Economics In terms of how much to feed, the general economic principle is to feed until the income from the extra milk produced by adding an extra kilogram of feed covers the cost of supplying the feed. For example, if the cost of extra feed is 35c/kg and milk is worth 50c/litre, you would need to get 0.7 litres extra of milk (35 divide 50). A moderately fed cow in early or midlactation would be expected to provide this level of milk response or more. Well-fed cows in late lactation might produce an extra 0.5 litres from an extra kilogram of high quality feed but will also be putting a significant amount of the energy from the extra feed into condition. With current milk and supplement prices, there appears to be a good economic case for filling feed gaps this winter. Grain is

currently cheaper than hay (per unit of energy). This being the case, purchasing fodder to fill a feed gap would only be on the basis that the diet does not have sufficient fibre. If you are not able to feed to herd requirements, it is worth considering reducing feed demand by drying off or culling some cows early. Cows in late lactation that will not be retained in the milking herd are the prime ones to cull. Low producing cows that will be retained are also ones to consider for early dry-off. The feed they free up is eaten by the remainder of the herd, often without a drop in the vat. Heifers Winter is the time heifers are most likely to receive a feed pinch. The long-term benefits of achieving live-weight targets are well known. Find some time in your busy schedule to look after the heifers — it’s an investment in your future income. It may be necessary to feed a concentrate supplement if the quality of base diet isn’t the best. — Greg O’Brien Dairy extension officer DEDJTR Ellinbank

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Getting the where and why of soil testing right can improve fertiliser-use efficiency.

Take the guesswork out of soil testing Farm management zones can objectively manage key nutrient decisions through more efficient soil testing. Fertiliser costs typically rank as one of the highest working expenses on most dairy farms. The dairy industry has consistently used soil testing to assist with nutrient planning (that is, fertiliser applications), but often the process used to identify where to soil test and how best to utilise all the paper records is ad hoc. The Accounting for Nutrients on Australian Dairy Farms project concluded that only 25 per cent of the nutrients imported onto the farm (either through feed or fertiliser) were converted into ‘product’ that leaves the farm through milk, live weight or fodder. The project highlighted clear opportunities for many dairy farmers to reduce fertiliser applications to high-nutrient level paddocks and reduce costs without compromising production, and therefore increasing profit. The monetary value of lost nutrient inputs will increase in line with rising fertiliser costs. From the 37 conventional dairy farms studied around Australia, the project revealed: • Twenty per cent of pasture paddocks had more than three times the required level of phosphorus required for optimum plant growth (target Olsen P: 20mg/kg). • Phosphorus levels in paddocks close to the dairy were often two to three times higher than paddocks 2 km from the dairy. • The average soil test levels for sulphur were twice the recommended level for optimum pasture production (target KCl-40 of 10mg/kg). • The average soil test levels for potassium were twice the recommended level for pasture production (target Colwell K of 140mg/kg). 18

AUGUST 2015

The Fert$mart Program recommends farmers create farm management zones (FMZs) across their properties to objectively manage key nutrient decisions such as fertiliser and manure applications. Farms often have a large number of individual paddocks, so it is more practical to soil test from a FMZ than to soil test in every paddock. Initially, a farm could be mapped based on the following management zones: • Different soil types may have different phosphorus buffering indexes, resulting in different amounts of phosphorus necessary for maintenance and capital applications. Soils may also have different baseline potassium and sulphur reserves, and exhibit different leaching potentials. • Different management practices such as day or night paddocks; areas where fodder is regularly cut or fed out; where effluent has been spread; and run-off blocks. • New and old irrigation areas may have received higher fertiliser application rates than dryland parts of the farm. Using an aerial photo of the farm allows a colour scale to be applied to the mapped zones based on the soil analysis results. The different colours visually indicate the soil nutrient status of the specific zone. Typically dark colours indicate zones of high fertility and lighter shades represent zones of lower fertility. This provides the farmer and agronomist with a simple method of visually assessing the baseline nutrient status across the FMZs and assists with planning fertiliser, manure and effluent applications. Farmers should also record where soil samples are

collected (for example, with a physical marker or GPS). Benefits of more strategic soil testing The Accounting for Nutrients on Australian Dairy Farms project showed dairy farms typically have high soil fertility levels in the paddocks adjacent to the dairy shed. This is due in part to the use of night paddocks, convenience of silage and hay feeding pre- and post-milking and effluent irrigation infrastructure not capable of reaching far beyond the sump or holding pond. Soil testing from each FMZ provides an accurate indication of whether paddocks have similar or highly variable soil nutrient reserves, compared to partial soil testing. The application of FMZs at trial sites across Australia has reduced farm fertiliser costs, or at least achieved an improvement in fertiliser efficiency because zones with a low nutrient status received an adjusted higher application rate, than those zones that had optimal or excessive soil fertility. It is recommended FMZs be monitored at least every two to three years. The ability to treat paddocks individually or as part of FMZs, rather than treating the whole farm or areas of the farm with a traditional blanket fertiliser application, enables farmers to maximise fertiliser efficiency and reduce nutrient loss to the surrounding environment, increasing production and making the most from their hard-earned dollars. — Mick O’Keefe, DEDJTR Rutherglen

Connections Project

“

Automation of the outlets has been terrific, Automation of Automation it’s 24/7 the outlets hasthe outlets been terrific, been terrifi it’s 24/7 it’s 24/7

“

Nanneella dairy farmers Anne and Gary Budge are one step closer to their goal to be a fully self-contained farming enterprise after connecting to the irrigation backbone through the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections project. ‘We’ve gone from six wheels to three, amalgamated water (over three properties) and we can irrigate more efficiently than ever before,’ Gary said. ‘Automation of the outlets has been terrific – it’s 24/7.’ ‘The modernisation package allowed us to laser an out-paddock that hadn’t been irrigated for years, so we’re now growing

maize and lucerne there and it looks like it will be some of our best maize.’ The couple have shifted their focus from growing mostly pasture to cutting and carrying lucerne and maize to feed their herd. ‘Three or four years ago we were producing about 6000 litres (per cow per year) now it’s about 7500 litres to 8000 litres. It’s all down to (better) feed – it’s not rocket science.’

Planning for a

drier future New-season allocations open lower as GoulburnMurray Water anticipates a future with less water. Goulburn-Murray Water expects to be delivering less water to irrigators in future years. The corporation’s water plan has been shaped around expectations that conditions will generally be drier in the future. Northern resource manager Mark Bailey told a water plan information session the corporation was planning for that drier future. “We do expect to see a plateauing out of available water, taking into account the work of the CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology,” Dr Bailey said. 20

AUGUST 2015

Northern resource manager Mark Bailey says water is likely to be more sporadic in terms of availability.

In the shorter term for this season, the region “This could have the effect of less trading water available on the market and with less has been classified in a ‘dry’ scenario. water, prices could go up,” Dr Bailey said. Dr Bailey said under the current scenario, “If it remains dry, it is highly likely that the the Goulburn system would not get to 100 Commonwealth has to come in and buy per cent of high-reliability water shares until some more water for the basin plan and they quite late in the season. will go into the Victorian system because it He said the Victorian Murray system was has more reliability. also running in a ‘dry’ scenario and, under “That’s a long-term risk to G-MW and the forecasts for continuing dry conditions, the irrigation districts for Victoria. We would not get to 100 per cent of highare factoring that into account in terms of reliability water this season. work being done on operational and capital In NSW the outlook is also not promising, costs and in terms of the rollout of the with similar trends to Victoria. NSW Water Connections program.” has been saying there will be no water In the most recent allocation announcement, available for general security users.

Longer-term outlook

Goulburn System Outlook for Seasonal Determination of HighReliability Water Shares

• Reduced water availability. • Availability more variable. • Increased risk of volatility in prices.

Inflow Conditions

17 August 2015

15 October 2015

15 February 2016

Wet

100%

Average

74%

100%

Dry

51%

83%

100%

Extreme Dry

45%

50%

59%

the Victorian Murray system increased by two per cent to 37 per cent of highreliability water shares, the Goulburn system increased by three per cent to 45 per cent HRWS and the Loddon system increased from 37 per cent HRWS to 39 per cent. Dr Bailey said the Broken and Bullarook systems remained unchanged on zero per cent HRWS and the Campaspe system remained unchanged on 50 per cent HRWS. “Larger increases are not possible at the moment as the resource improvements needed are not happening,” he said. “Inflows to the northern Victorian systems remain near the ‘dry’ outlook category. This is consistent with recent seasonal rainfall and streamflow forecasts issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.”

Broken System Outlook for Seasonal Determination of HighReliability Water Shares Inflow Conditions

17 August 2015

15 October 2015

15 February 2016

Wet

74%

100%

Average

53%

100%

Dry

23%

53%

Extreme Dry

Loddon System Outlook for Seasonal Determination of HighReliability Water Shares Inflow Conditions

17 August 2015

15 October 2015

15 February 2016

Wet

100%

Average

74%

100%

Dry

50%

83%

100%

Extreme Dry

39%

40%

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AUGUST 2015

Dookie Dairy Report At the Dookie dairy a number

Pasture is being grazed on a 60-day rotation.

of cows have been dried off and

Each cow is individually identified and monitored using collars. The cow collars used record feed consumed in the dairy, activity and rumination.

Controlling the diet quality is important to achieve this. For example, average rumination time was highest in May when more than 9kg DM/cow per day of lower quality forage was fed.

Rumination is the time the cow spends chewing her cud. In early July, the average rumination time per day was 435 minutes — that is more than seven hours per day.

Rumination time is used in combination with cow activity to predict when cows are on heat. Heat detection is based on decreasing rumination and increased activity.

The aim is to keep rumination time in the range of about 400 to 500 minutes per day.

Rumination time data might also provide an early indication of health problems.

fresh cows brought into the milking herd through May and June. A relatively high number of cows are being fetched due to most of the cows being in late lactation and training of new cows.

May 1, 2015

June 1, 2015

July 1, 2015

Cow numbers

110

109

Kg milk solids/cow/day

1.7

1.85

2.0

Farmers using a DeLaval robotic milking system spend 72%* less time on milking tasks Kg concentrate/cow/day

5.4 *

6.1 *

6.3 *

Kg fodder/cow/day

9.1

9.4

9.4 **

Pasture (KgDM) /cow

5.0

4.8

5.4

Area in rotation

Av milkings/cow/day

2.4

2.3

No. of failures/day

No. of cows got/day

Litres/machine/day

780

820

760

Rumination minutes/cow/day

480

442

435

* 12.5 MJ ME/kg DM, 16% CP. ** 9.0 MJ ME/kg DM, 13% CP.

Farmers using a DeLaval robotic milking system spend 72%* less time on milking tasks + + More hours the day, it’s it’s the the PlusPlus you’ve been looking for.milking More hoursinin the day, you’ve on been looking for. Setting you free from the grind of cupping, a DeLaval robotic milking system

tasks

maximises time the for farm you more control Setting you your free from grindmanagement, of cupping, a giving DeLaval robotic milkingover your entire business. Plus it has a proven track record of reducing labour system maximises your time for farm management, giving you more costs, and boosting productivity and milk quality, on farms just like yours. control over your entire business. Plus it has a proven track record of Talk to GVlabour Dairycosts, Supplies putting the Plus+and milk quality, on reducing andabout boosting productivity in your farm. Call (03) 5831 3033. farms just like yours.

Talk to your local DeLaval dealer about putting the Plus+ in your farm. Call 0800 222 228 or visit delaval.co.nz

* From the 2005 report “Working Time Studies in Conventional and AMS Milking Systems” from the JTI – Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering.

TRACTA54284-CSIF

* From the 2005 report “Working Time Studies in Conventional and AMS Milking Systems” from the JTI - Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering.

AUGUST 2015

G V D A I RY S U P P L I E S P TY L TD

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. The heavy duty, one-piece gate is made to last with a 50 mm pneumatic ram and 20 mm shaft. With the increase in herd sizes these gates can be mounted higher in the bale for clearance of large cows and milking operators. Entry and exit gates can be operated through a solenoid control box with a red cord for exit and a blue cord for entry right through the full length of the pit. Other options are a hand lever for gate controls. If you have existing entry and exit pendulum gates they can be upgraded with our air-ram kits. This includes a heavy duty 50 mm pneumatic ram with a 20 mm shaft. Either a solenoid control box with a cord or hand lever operation an air compressor is required. These kits can be supplied and installed.

New

Exit Gate

Automatic Feed Systems for Herringbone and Rotary Dairies HERRINGBONE

These feeds systems are fully automatic with 65 mm PVC pipe supply filling 225 mm PVC hoppers. Discharge is a 50 mm PVC which runs through the bottom of the hoppers. Push-button controls with timers for complete control in the bale. Direct geared motors drive this system. There are no belts or bearings making it maintenance free.

ROTARY FEED HEADS

We have Rotary feed heads in stock with either 65 mm PVC or 100 mm galvanized auger delivery pipes. The main control box with timer and sensor for bale activation, transformer box for clutch are all supplied and requires hard-wiring by your electrician.

Roger Towers Dairy, Beech Forest

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Size isn’t everything Herd’s place in top 10 proves bigger isn’t necessarily better.

to grow more perennials but the availability They say good things come in small packages have had success in the On Farm Challenge and this is certainly true in the case of Bernie at different stages and different sections over of water stops me from doing that,” Mr and Carol McManus and their 135-cow the years.” McManus said. Jersey herd. Mr McManus started his farming career with Three years ago the couple updated the The McManuses farm on 37.6 ha at his father and he can remember his dad’s farm’s irrigation infrastructure through the Bamawm Extension and their herd of scepticism when he decided to introduce AI On Farm Efficiency Program and NIVIRP. contented Jerseys has consistently ranked in into the herd back in the early 1970s. The farm is now irrigated through a gravitythe top 10 for ADHIS breeding values for fed system, and a pipe-and-riser system was “Dad always used to use the next door the past decade. installed on 20 ha. neighbour’s bull and he was very sceptical “Over the years we have bred up a fairly about any change, but once the AI heifers The on-farm works which also included reasonable herd of cows and we have ranked started to come through he could see the 20 ha of lasering, fencing, seed and troughs as high as equal first,” Mr McManus said. benefits and was more than happy cost $235 000 in total with $181 000 funded to continue.” Mr McManus has always had a love for the through the program. The couple gave up Jersey cow — he likes a cow with good size 25 Ml of high reliability water. Early foundation sires include Langpark and capacity to increase milk flow, and he Spotted Dan, Mapleton Morris, Yarravale “We thought the program was an opportunity hasn’t been afraid to use sires from around Danny Boy and Corrick Brothers Volunteer. of a lifetime and really finished off the farm.” the world to achieve his breeding goals. The herd has just recently been dried off and Mr McManus believes the key to farming “We have used Danish to American this season averaged 5616 litres, producing successfully on a small scale is to always bloodlines and I have always picked out my 209 kg of protein and 279 kg of fat in a 289strive to improve and develop. own bulls. We have also progeny tested with day lactation. “Through the long drought we introduced Genetics Australia for the last 25 years.” “We are not chasing production figures, we the feed pad and while the first year we Mr and Mrs McManus and their stud just like to go along at a manageable level.” went backwards financially, we kept looking BerCar are also the proud breeders of at different ways to manage things and we The herd is fed 4 kg of Coprice pellets a day. thousands of cow daughters, with bulls like made it through. There is not too many They have access to cereal hay on a feed pad BerCar Passive, BerCar Saratoga and BerCar small farms around anymore.” and graze pasture day and night. Bramble making consistent appearances in Mr McManus acknowledges that his days on Pastures consist of 5 ha of lucerne, with the Good Bulls Guide since 2004. the farm are limited and there is probably the balance being half perennials including “We are not a large farm and we did originally not too many years left, but he has no regrets clover, rye and plantain and the other start with some Friesians and crossbreeds, about his career in the dairy industry. half annuals. but I have always associated myself with the “We over-sow a third of the pasture each year “The farm has helped us raise four happy Jersey cow and I have happily stuck with kids — and you can’t do too much better with 150 perennial rye or Crusader which I them over the years. We have never shown than that.” can get about three years out of. I would like any of our cattle in the show ring but we 24

AUGUST 2015

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Conditions apply, see www.maxumanimal.com.au/promotion/. Open to Aust residents 18+. Starts: 1/7/15. Ends close of business on 30/9/15. Retain receipt/s. Instant Win Prizes: 30x vests ($100ea); 30x shirts ($85ea); 30x quad bike helmets ($70ea); & 210x caps ($30ea). Draw prize: 1x Honda TRX 420 quad bike valued at $11,500. Draw: S3, Erina Plaza, 210 Central Coast Hwy, Erina NSW 2250 at 10am AEDST on 14/10/15. Draw winner published in The Australian Dairyfarmer on 9/11/15. Promoter is Maxum Foods Pty Ltd (ABN 80 103 379 657) of Ground Floor, AUGUST 2015Permit No. LTPS/15/03312 VIC Permit No. 15/944 ACT Permit No. TP15/05724 SA Permit No. T15/727. 26 Terrace Brisbane QLD 80 Petrie 4000. NSW

Star-gazing a sign of disease Star-gazing disease, or polioencephalomalacia, is a disease that is caused by a deficiency in thiamine. Polioencephalomalacia, not to be confused with the human virus poliomyelitis, typically affects well-grown calves and lambs between six and 12 months of age, but can occur in ruminants of all ages and both sexes. The name ‘star-gazing disease’ stems from the affected animal generally separating itself from other animals, appearing blind, and either wandering aimlessly or standing motionless with its head either lowered to the ground or ‘star-gazing’ with a fixed stare into the sky. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is essential for normal body metabolism and is produced by ruminants, including sheep, cattle and goats, within their rumen or first stomach. There are two main ways that an animal can become thiamine deficient: by destruction of the thiamine within the rumen, or by inadequate production of rumen microbes. Thus, thiamine deficiency can occur secondary to any condition that disrupts the rumen microbe population such as grain poisoning, low fibre diets or excess sulphur in the diet. The first signs of polioencephalomalacia are

lethargy and loss of appetite. Later animals will convulse and go down, often with their head and neck arched and with a stiff back. If left untreated animals will become weaker and eventually sink into a coma and die within two to three days. Signs, however, vary between different cases with some animals being found dead and others only showing mild signs and recovering without treatment. Animals in the early stages of the condition are usually responsive to a thiamine injection, which can be obtained from a veterinarian, and it is advised that the rest of the animals be supplemented with a high-fibre diet to stimulate a healthy rumen environment for thiamine-producing microbes. However, animals that are blind or unable to stand usually will have permanent brain damage and won’t respond well to thiamine therapy, and must be euthanased. For further advice contact a veterinarian or DEDJTR veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW the Local Land Services. — Dr Jeff Cave, District Veterinary Officer DEDJTR Wodonga

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AUGUST 2015

The top ranking Jersey herd at Katunga.

Among the best, by design Interest in genetics leads to a herd among the best in the country.

Daryl Hoey’s business, passion and hobby, as he describes it, has produced remarkable results for thousands of dairy farmers. The Katunga farmer’s interest in genetics has resulted in his herd being classified among the top in Australia. Mr Hoey is hoping this little Jersey calf will be a winner. He’s waiting on genetic test results from the United States, but has a feeling this Levigenes calf could be a top performer. He’s already invested heavily in her: she picked up a stomach bug and spent more than a week on a drip at the vets.

His predominantly Jersey herd has produced bulls which have become the preferred choice for many dairy farmers in Australia and overseas.

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Daryl Hoey: “You get what you breed for.”

Daryl and Lani Hoey’s Jersey herd at Katunga is ranked number one on the balanced performance index, compiled by the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme, and Adrian and Jan Hogg’s Holstein herd at Biggara ranks second for BPI. And in red breeds, the Goulding family’s herd at Cohuna ranks seventh. “It’s quite exciting, but it’s the result of what we’ve been doing for a long time,” Mr Hoey said. “It’s good to see your plans falling into place. “You get what you breed for,” Mr Hoey said when asked about his goals in genetics. “There’s no ‘rocket science’ about it. “If you aim for the top, the results will eventually come out.” While he acknowledges there is an element of luck or good fortune involved, he maintains that if farmers consistently use the best bulls they will lift the average herd performance. “You are lifting the average all the time.” Mr and Mrs Hoey have been consistently getting the results for more than a decade; they bred a Jersey bull called Badger about 15 years ago that has produced about 110 000 semen doses for export overseas. They were also responsible for Buttercup, one of the most recognisable cow families, which Mr Hoey established with a cow originally purchased from Mark and

Phillipa Flemming from Finley when they as early as birth and identify whether or not were moving out of Jerseys. these animals possess the potential to deliver economically important traits including Mr Hoey travelled to Canada and the milk production, good fertility and United States in 1988 and for six months overall durability. worked on one of the highest production herds in the world, which set him thinking “With an extra level of precision, farmers about the opportunities with breeding. can now confidently select their best replacement animals, allocate higher value “When I got back to Australia in 1989 I or sexed semen to genetically superior followed the one philosophy of using the females, and increase the rate of genetic gain best bulls available at the time.” for economically important genetic traits, He’s also been an active participant in with the use of this new DNA technology,” industry affairs. she said. At this year’s Herd 15 conference at Bendigo, Following successful trials in Victoria, a Mr Hoey was struck by comment from a genetic selection tool developed called guest speaker from Ireland, who made the Clarifide takes genetic information from observation: “The best bulls for Ireland are an animal’s DNA and converts it into a being bred in Ireland.” practical decision-making tool for farmers. He believes that in the long term the best bulls for Australian conditions are bred here. Clarifide is the culmination of many years of research and development at the Geneticist Jennie Pryce from the Australian Department of Economic Development, Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS), Jobs, Transport and Resources, says that a the Victorian Department of Economic tool like Clarifide gives farmers access to more reliable data for a number of traits Development, Jobs, Transport and not previously possible, with significant Resources and Zoetis. economic benefits. Although Mr Hoey sees genetics as a “Research suggests that farmers could double particular passion, he is also aware that the value of their investment if they adopt a farming is a blend of knowledge and skills across a wide platform. genomic selection tool for their breeding and selection decisions,” Dr Pryce said. “You have to keep balance. If you take your eyes off the rest of the business you can The simple tail-hair DNA test will allow become undone.” farmers to identify superior animals from AUGUST 2015

China bound He’s aiming to communicate the importance of biosecurity and disease prevention measures to Chinese vets. Shepparton veterinarian Rob Bonanno has left Australia to take up the role of veterinary director of international farming with the international dairy company, Fonterra in Beijing. Dr Bonanno was joined by his wife, Julie and children Lucy, 15, and Tom, 11. The vet is looking forward to the opportunity to influence and train Chinese vets, and bring them to a level of competency. An important part of the job, Dr Bonanno said, would be communicating the message

Julie Bonanno and Rob Bonanno with their children, Lucy Bonanno, 15, Tom Bonanno, 11.

of biosecurity and cultivating disease prevention measures in dairy units carrying up to 7000 cows each, the nation having only recently moved into more intensive agriculture. The vet has visited the Beijing headquarters of Fonterra for a tour of the company’s facilities, which he rdescribed as “stunning”. Dr Bonanno believes in the future China will be equipped to produce milk quality as good as anywhere in the world, something he finds remarkable

from a country without a history of milk production. Despite the speed at which the country’s dairy industry is growing, Dr Bonanno doesn’t believe China will be self-sufficient in the foreseeable future. Even producing in excess of one billion litres of milk a year, was “a tiny, tiny drop in the ocean” when taking into account the country’s population. Dr Bonanno’s daughter, Lucy, was a television Junior MasterChef finalist in 2010 when she was in Year 6.

Top cows from North East The Hogg family herd at Biggara has been ranked among the top dairy herds in Australia under balanced performing index, recorded by the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme. Adrian and Jan Hogg’s Holstein herd at Biggara ranks second in the index developed to reflect genetic merit for profit. This year, for the first time, herds receive three breeding indices — profit (BPI), health (HWI) and type (TWI) see box.

The three breeding indices were introduced following a review last year which found that while profit is important to all farmers, some place more value on traits such as mastitis, longevity, fertility and udder conformation. The Hogg family uses a: moderate to high bail feeding system. The split-calving herd is fed concentrate in the dairy. During the winter, it also receives home-grown silage at the feedpad.

Adrian and Jan Hogg with their son, Ashley and his fiancé Laura Pola at Biggara.

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Fungi help rye-grass pasture productivity A paddock at Mooroopna is in the process of yielding results for a Genetic Grains study.

Murray Pivac and Tim Anderson during DEDJTR’s Innovation Day on the latest pasture research. Picture: Holly Curtis

The latest pasture agronomy research was rye-grass production and protect rye-grass from insects. discussed at Mooroopna dairy farmer Murray Pivac’s property in June. DEDJTR’s Alister Lawson spoke to a handful of agronomists and dairy farmers A paddock at Mr Pivac’s farm is currently about the project. being used for a perennial rye-grass Genetic Grains project that was sown in May last He said rye-grass swards were being grazed year by the Department of Economic and measurements of pasture removal, Development, Jobs, Transport and nutritive characteristics, composition, Resources. heading dates and its persistence were being The project involves 36 combinations of rye- taken for research. grass and endophyte cultivations and aims to “The aim of the project is to look at the improve productivity of perennial rye-grass improvements of rye-grass cultivations over pastures in dairy. time,” he said. “At the moment we are trying to raise Endophytes are types of fungi that assist

awareness of the project because it’s only 12 months old.” He said the project would also include drying off the rye-grass in summer and examining how it survived the season. Mr Pivac milks a herd of 650 cows on about 300 ha and said he was happy to see the project on his property. “There is plenty of grass,” he said. “I think it’s good to have these trials on proper working properties and local areas.” Complete results of the project won’t be available to farmers for another three years.

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AUGUST 2015

Lockington dairy farmers Adam and Georgie Sims with son Archie are pleased with the 24-a-side double-up dairy they built in February.

Renovation makes

milking easier

After five years on their dairy farm, the time was right for a Lockington couple to take the next step for their farm business. months and it only took one of them to not When Georgie and Adam Sims purchased didn’t want to commit to the expense or the their Lockington dairy farm back in 2010, go in properly to upset the whole run.” pressure of milking large numbers in the they knew a dairy renovation would be on future,” Mrs Sims said. The herd size is currently sitting at a the cards some day. Fast forward five years round 250. “We want to keep things relatively simple. and the couple is now milking in a brand More cows mean more staff and we are “Ideally I would like to have a total autumnnew 24-a-side double-up with Dairy King pretty happy with the way things are calving herd because it fits better with the stall gates. running at the moment.” cropping program, but I am not too sure The shed has automatic wash, a drafting gate how you achieve that,” Mr Sims said with The build took four months to complete and De Laval cup removers. To save money a laugh. and despite the small problem of the cows Mr Sims used the cup removers from the old getting used to the stall gates, everything else Like most who start in the industry, the shed because they still worked perfectly well, ran fairly smoothly. couple chose to purchase cows in milk. he just purchased additional units. The yard has been built to comfortably hold 350 cows. “It took the cows a while to adjust to the stall “We had no replacement heifers so for the gates and in those first few weeks I would According to Mr Sims the dairy is nothing first couple of years we were holding onto have taken the old dairy back, no worries. It “extravagant” but it will allow them to milk every single animal we could. It was so didn’t help that we had cows calving at the 400 cows in a couple of hours, if herd rewarding when our first lot of AI heifers same time, either,” Mr Sims said. numbers ever get that high. came in, and now because we have regular stock coming in we can cull a few animals. “We had fresh cows coming in over two “We did look at building a rotary but we >> Continued on page 35 AUGUST 2015

Save The Date – Down to Business Breakfast 2015 These workshops hosted by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources for service providers will cover the latest information on the financial and physical performance of dairy farms for 2014–15 in northern Victoria and across the state. These sessions will cover the 2014–15 Dairy Farm Monitor results and

DairyBase DairyBase is a web-based tool that enables dairy farmers to measure and compare their farm business performance over time. The first time you log in you will be asked for some details. This allows DairyBase to identify you and provides security around your data and information. It doesn’t take long and is only required the first time you log in.

introduce DairyBase, the newly released national dairy farm business database. A consultant will also discuss

Steps to get started:

farm business returns and making profitable business

1. Go to dairybase.com.au and click ‘Log In’

decisions this season.

2. You are now at the log in page. Click ‘Please register me as a new Dairy Australia user’

Workshops will be held: Wodonga – Monday 14 September The Cube, 118 Hovell St Shepparton – Tuesday 15 September Quality Hotel Parklake, 481 Wyndham St For more information or to register for these events please contact: Wodonga Mick O’Keefe on 0408 284 475 or michael.o’keefe@ecodev.vic.gov.au Shepparton Sarah Brown on 0417 316 345 or sarah.brown@ecodev.vic.gov.au

AUGUST 2015

3. Fill in your details and tick the box to agree to Dairy Australia’s DairyBase disclaimer and privacy policy. Click ‘Register’ 4. Your new user application will take 24 hours to process. You will receive an email confirmation including your ‘user name’ and password. The user name provided will be your email. 5. You can now go to ‘Log in’ at dairybase.com.au and use the user name and password provided. 6. Refer to the DairyBase User Guide which can be found on the website to help enter your physical and financial farm information. For further support please call 1800 548 073 or visit dairybase.com.au

The 30-cow yard.

>> Continued from page 33 “Pasture is mostly annuals with a little bit of lucerne thrown in. The couple is planning on increasing the amount of lucerne in the future. The farm also grows maize silage and vetch hay.

“

Dairy is a good mix for us and also provides us with a regular income.

Adam Sims

“We are not on the backbone here so we are not eligible for the On Farm Efficiency Program at the moment,” Mr Sims said. “We have a gravity system which works well and the whole farm has been lasered with new outlets installed.” The couple purchased the dairy farm in conjunction with Mr Sims’ parents as a business to complement their broadacre cropping and sheep enterprise.

“Dairy is a good mix for us and also provides us with a regular income. It helps us with somewhere to use export quality hay that has been rained on, or downgraded grain, it is just up to our nutritionist to balance the diet and deal with what we feed to the cows,” Mr Sims said. Mr and Mrs Sims didn’t really have much experience with dairying before they purchased their farm. “I only milked with my uncle for about a week before we started here, but for the first six months I rang him every second day — it was a very big learning curve,” Mr Sims said. “I like the cows and it was great when our first set of heifers came through. It is very rewarding and you get out of dairying what you put into it, but there is the frustrating side too. “Our biggest challenge has been getting the balance right with the kids. They are old enough to remember not milking, and sometimes things do get a little hectic around here.”

Maggie Sims doesn’t like to miss out on the action around the dairy. She is happy spending her time on the farm.

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Paul, Brian, Maureen, Trevor and Darryn Hourigan.

Forward planning reaps dividends A farming business that began with little and continued to grow has been passed to the next generation through succession planning. A family dairying dynasty that began with just one black and white — pony, not Holstein — and no farm now encompasses almost 800 cows across three properties and 900 ha at Milawa. The Hourigan family can be justifiably proud of its holistic succession plan that has provided an outcome for six children and their families while also taking care of the children’s widowed mother. This includes three dairy farms, two beef farms and one sibling working off-farm in aged care. Keith Hourigan passed away in December 2014 at 86 years old. He achieved much in his life, most importantly his marriage to Maureen, which spanned 60 years.

As one of eight children whose father passed away when Keith was just eight years old, he spent of lot of his early childhood trapping rabbits, and cutting and selling firewood to provide for his siblings and mother. He dreamed of one day owning 200 dairy cows and 320 ha of land, a dream he realised, and exceeded. Keith’s children always remember the story that their dad’s biggest business decision was the day he traded the pony, ‘Pinto’, for three Jersey cows, and from this a dairying dynasty began. Keith and Maureen went share-farming after purchasing 12 ha and milked up to 20 cows at Londrigan, near Wangaratta.

Keith continued to shear sheep during their early years of dairying to supplement their income. In 1960 Keith and Maureen purchased the first of the Milawa properties, 58 ha on the Tea Garden Creek and milked in a five-a-side double-up dairy. Keith was one of the first in the district to experiment with irrigation and during the next 20 years irrigation water underpinned their successful growth in the dairy industry. By the end of 1996 the Hourigan family owned 630 ha and was milking 330 cows across two farms and the work ethic the couple had instilled in their six offspring was well in play. >> Continued on page 38 AUGUST 2015

Paul, Brian, Maureen, Trevor and Darryn Hourigan. The cows in the background belong to Darryn, who also runs Darrynvale Jersey Stud.

>> Continued from page 37 While Denise pursued a career off-farm, Michael, Brian, Trevor, Darryn and Paul were all interested in farming. In 2000 several of the siblings decided to begin family discussions about business succession. The Hourigans approached financial councillor Carl Fraser and during the next five to eight years the Hourigan family — Keith and Maureen, their children and their spouses — met formally on 15 to 20 occasions to explore and then formalise a succession plan. What came out of the process was an important consideration that

AUGUST 2015

Keith and Maureen did not have any superannuation — they had continually invested in land. Therefore, it was a priority that they be provided for. They all acknowledged the business’ sustained growth during several decades was reliant on everyone working together for very little financial reward (living expenses were paid for by Keith and Maureen, but there were no formal wages paid). The siblings realised that the existing dairying businesses and run-off blocks could not be simply divided into six equal portions because some siblings had contributed more over the years than others (“the pie was not

going to be divided evenly”). Also, for viable dairying businesses to continue, certain parcels of land needed to remain intact. With goodwill and good planning it was all sorted out amicably. Fast-forward to 2015. Brian,Trevor and Darryn are still dairying while Michael and Paul run beef farms and Maureen receives a monthly income. Michael’s cow and calf vealer operation has Friesian-Angus-cross cows producing Limousin calves while Paul has F1 heifers mated and sold with Limousin calves at foot. Paul also works off-farm as a fencing, hay and silage contractor.

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AUGUST 2015

Making nitrogen fertiliser pay its way New tool makes it simple to find the best nitrogen rate for your farm. Applying nitrogen to boost production of home grown pasture can be a profitable strategy to fill a feed gap. However, careful consideration about when and how much nitrogen to apply is essential to ensure it is the most profitable strategy, and is not just increasing the cost of producing homegrown feed. A new online tool, the Dairy Nitrogen Fertiliser Advisor produced by DEDJTR, makes it simple to find the best nitrogen rate for your farm and season by running scenarios with different combinations of four key factors: • pasture utilisation; • cost of alternative feed; • cost of nitrogen; and • pasture growth response to the nitrogen applied. Pasture utilisation If you don’t use it, then it isn’t worth growing. Maintaining good pasture grazing management and efficiently consuming the extra pasture grown is essential to making nitrogen pay. Applying nitrogen up to three days before grazing or soon after grazing, then waiting until rye-grass pasture reaches the two- to three-leaf stage will give pasture time to respond to applied nitrogen fertiliser before it is grazed again. If you don’t have a feed shortage and the extra feed grown is not consumed or will need to be conserved, you substantially increase the cost of home grown feed producion. Making your nitrogen decisions in conjunction with a feed budget is a good starting point. Cost of alternative feed The market price of alternative feeds is used to value the extra pasture grown from the application of nitrogen. If the value of the 40

AUGUST 2015

extra feed grown doesn’t cover the cost of each extra unit of nitrogen applied, then it is more cost-effective to purchase feed. As an example, if nitrogen cost $1.50/kg spread ($1500/tonne) and the market price of feed of equivalent quality to pasture is $0.30/ kg ($300/tonne consumed), a minimum pasture growth response of 5 kg DM/kg N is needed for the nitrogen to pay for itself. If the market price of feed goes down to $0.20/ kg, then you would need to grow 7.5 kg DM/kg N for the nitrogen to pay for itself. In this case a lower rate of nitrogen would be recommended. For a fair comparison, the purchased feed should be of similar quality to pasture and the cost should take into account losses during storage and at feed-out. Cost of nitrogen As the cost of nitrogen increases, a higher pasture growth response is required to pay for the nitrogen applied. Using the above example where nitrogen costs $1.50/kg spread ($1500/tonne) and the market price of feed of equivalent quality to pasture is $0.30/kg ($300/tonne consumed), each unit of nitrogen applied must produce a minimum of 5 kg DM /kg N to cover the nitrogen cost. If the cost of nitrogen rises to $1.60/kg spread, each unit of nitrogen applied must produce a minimum of 5.3 kg DM /kg N to cover costs. Pasture growth response to applied nitrogen Generally in Victoria pasture growth response to nitrogen is highest in spring when the temperature is warmer and water is not limited, and lower in autumn and winter. This is not to say that it is not economical to apply nitrogen in autumn and winter. At this time alternative feed sources can be scarce

and expensive, which means you don’t have to grow as much extra feed from each unit of nitrogen to cover costs. Pasture growth response to nitrogen follows the ‘law of diminishing returns’. This means that for each unit of nitrogen applied, the extra pasture produced will be less than that produced by the previous unit of nitrogen applied. The cost of each additional unit of nitrogen applied is the same as the previous unit, therefore eventually a point is reached where the value of the extra pasture grown does not cover the cost of the nitrogen applied and it is no longer economically sensible to apply further nitrogen. This point depends on the four key factors described above (nitrogen cost, pasture growth response, pasture utilisation efficiency and cost of alternative feed sources). The Dairy Nitrogen Fertiliser Advisor will calculate this point for your situation. Dairy Nitrogen Fertiliser Adviser The Dairy Nitrogen Fertiliser Advisor tool has nitrogen response curves for different Australian states and seasons, based on nearly 6000 nitrogen fertiliser experiments undertaken across Australia. The tool combines these nitrogen response curves with an economic model to find the optimal economic fertiliser application rate for your situation. The Dairy Nitrogen Fertiliser Advisor can be found at: http://vro.depi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite. nsf/pages/nitrogen-advisor For further information contact: Dr Cameron Gourley, DEDJTR Ellinbank, Cameron.Gourley@ecodev.vic.gov.au Nick O’Halloran, DEDJTR Tatura, Nick.O’Halloran@ecodev.vic.gov.au

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The Goulburn Valley farmers on the Great Wall.

An intensive dairy in China.

China trip a revelation

Calf-rearing hutches.

A Chinese dairy.

Dairy is proving to be big business in China, as a group of Victorian farmers has discovered.

A trip to check out the Chinese dairy it on the back of a motorbike, weigh it industry was a real eye-opener for a group off and then it would be delivered to the of northern Victorian dairy farmers recently. farm and taken away by a JCB loader. The contrast was just amazing. The trip was organised by the Rochester Dairy Business Network in conjunction with Alta Genetics and Rabobank and included visits to Alta-Agricorp China, Agriculture in China is Nestle’s China operation, Huaxia Dairy Company, Austasia Dairy Company and held in very high regard the World Dairy Exposition in Harbin City. and there has been some DBN group member Dehne Vinnicombe from Calivil said the trip was interesting very big money spent and provided a real insight into the over there. Chinese industry. “You hear a lot of things about the Chinese Dehne Vinnicombe industry so it was good to go over and have “All the dairies we saw had all been built a look for yourself,” Mr Vinnicombe said. after 2011. The cows were in great Mr Vinnicombe said they toured a 3000condition and fully fed, everything was very cow farm that employed 92 workers. He clean, but when we went out of town we said they had nine people milking at a time saw the little 20-cow farmer who had his in a 48 double-up dairy that ran 24 hours animals tied up outside and these are the a day. They also visited a rotary dairy that farmers the government is trying to get had a lot of employees, and one person’s rid of.” only job was to stand with a hose and continually wash the cups. These workers Mr Vinnicombe said to buy one litre of were paid $4 an hour. Devondale milk off the shelf in China cost $7. “One farmer got the silage for his cows off 1000 different families who might grow it One of the things that surprised the group on an acre or two,” Mr Vinnicombe said. was that China has some of the best graingrowing country in the world. “They would cut the crop by hand, load 42

AUGUST 2015

“

“Agriculture in China is held in very high regard and there has been some very big money spent over there,” he said. “My gut feeling is that supply to China is not going to be the golden goose we have been led to believe, and my take-home message from the trip was to come home and farm my business the best way that suits us. “These markets will come and go and that is just the nature of our industry.” Mr Vinnicombe has been part of the DBN for five years and he firmly believes his involvement in the group has helped his business. “We have a broad spectrum of good farmers in our group who milk anything from 200 to 1000 cows. Without a doubt the most valuable thing about our group is the benchmarking and the willingness of the group to share financial details. “Every farm has a bad point that needs improving and every farm is sitting at a different stage of development, and we are able to look at these things and work things out.” To keep the group fresh and motivated, consultants are changed every couple of years.

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Grass trials at the Dairy CRC laboratories.

Dairying’s future is unfolding at university Facility aims to enhance industry by breeding better bulls and better pasture. There’s not a cow in the place, and the only pastures are in the glasshouse, but one building in the Melbourne suburbs is generating science that will change the productivity of Australia’s dairy farms. Dairy Futures CRC’s chief executive officer David Nation describes it as “industrialscale biology”. Big science focused on just a few key areas. Modern, well-equipped laboratories in the impressive multi-level building at La Trobe University in Bundoora are staffed by scientists. Funded by governments, dairy farmer levies and private industry, the $7.5 million Dairy Futures CRC occupies a large part of the Agri-Bioscience Centre. 44

AUGUST 2015

The CRC’s resources are largely focused on two areas of genetic improvement where they believe they can achieve the biggest impact: herd improvement and growing better rye-grass pasture. This is a real hot-spot of science and innovation for the dairy industry. When we think about biology and bioscience we are thinking cows and pasture. “We are largely focused on genetics and focusing on what farmers buy every year: cattle genetics and pasture seed for resowing,” Mr Nation said. “It’s about having better bulls and having better pasture. “Some of these changes to forages will result

in changes to management, for example, but it’s still about sowing down a perrennial rye-grass.” In the bowels of the Bundoora centre, huge computers are grinding away at the calculations to process the genetic information from thousands of cattle and comparing that to the milk production information supplied by farmers like Rohan and Graeme Sprunt from Bunbartha. Rohan says the information provided by the CRC and its partner, the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme, enables him to find out how good his heifers will be, years before he could compile the data himself. “I am making selection decisions all the time on which to keep and which to cull; and I

PRECAST CONCRETE PRODUCTS Dr Ross Mann with Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Victoria’s Biosciences Research Division research scientist Dr Jatinder Kaur.

• Bay outlets (aluminium or rubber flap) • Pipe and pipe ends • Headwalls • Drop boxes Dairy Futures CRC chief executive officer David Nation, flanked by laboratories in the multi-level building at Bundoora.

haven’t been disappointed.” The Sprunt herd is one of the 100 dairy herds around Australia chosen by the CRC to be part of a a flagship project called Ginfo which will double the size of the national genomic database. Hair samples have been collected from about 30 000 cows to test the DNA and match it with breeding records to expand the genetic database and so improve evaluation of preferred traits. In another complex project the CRC is matching genomic data with weather records to try to

predict tolerance to heat stress. “It’s a very expensive area of bioscience so there has to be some really big targets, and you have to be focused,” Mr Nation said. Since April, dairy farmers have been able to identify bulls that can save at least 100 kg of dry feed matter per cow, per year, while maintaining milk production. The Feed Saved Australian Breeding Value is the culmination of eight years of research and development activity by Dairy Futures CRC and a range of local and overseas partners. It is the first

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>> Continued on page 46 AUGUST 2015

The Dairy futures CRC is located on the LaTrobe University campus. Group visits can be arranged for dairy farmers.

Dr Jatinder Kaur, Research Scientist, Biosciences Research Division, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, working with the Dairy Futures CRC.

The laboratories at the Agri Bioscience centre.

>> Continued from page 45 feed efficiency breeding value in the world to of the merit of that cow as if the animal had incorporate real feed intake data, as well as a completed seven lactations, when in fact the prediction of feed required for maintenance average cow has only about four-and-a-half. purposes, making the trait more relevant for “You will know more from that tail hair farmers. sample than you will know about the average Mr Nation said the Feed Saved ABV allowed animal’s life-time,” Mr Nation said. farmers to breed cows in a new way: by reducing their maintenance requirements for “We have brought DNA science into cattle genetic evaluation in this country.” the same amount of milk produced. One tail hair sample gives farmers knowledge Mr Nation said the challenge was that this 46

AUGUST 2015

was still a technology less than 10 years old. “In the bigger scheme of things there are many avenues to improve ... to make the results more meaningful to farmers.” Dairy Futures CRC is an unincorporated joint venture with three main participants: Dairy Australia, the Department of Economic Development, La Trobe University and a broad range of supporting partners.

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The paddock walk. Pasture, cows and feeding regimes held the interest of the mainly dairy farmer group.

Smooth sailing

between generations

Focus farmers show how succession planning need not be a painful journey. Farm succession planning is a hot topic. And while it is early days yet, Gundowring’s Glass family is a walking, talking example of how it can be worked through with the least possible angst. At least that’s the impression visitors to their property for a Focus Farm update were left with when a large crowd turned out to hear about their personal succession journey, just one of the many topics covered. After the introductions, digs about the visitors from ‘the flatlands’ and a warming tea or coffee, it was on with gumboots and off to the paddocks — and as Focus Farm facilitator John Mulvany and Murray Dairy staff were quick to remind everyone, “not in the back of utes”. There was much to see. Pat and Kerrie Glass and son Brendan and daughter-in-law Sarah have a milking area of 306 ha on 353 ha that requires the aerial view map to understand and includes an underpass for the herd to cross the road safely to the dairy on the home block. The Glass family has a long-established Holstein stud at Kerrick Park, with a few recent additions providing a spot of colour to the 530-strong milking herd that boasts 48

AUGUST 2015

production figures ranked in the top 20 per cent in the state. Pat, 53, and Kerrie, 54, have been dairying since they started working on a Tatura farm more than 30 years ago. Now they are looking to take a step back so that by July 2016 their involvement is more discretionary and Brendan and Sarah, both 29, will take a more prominent role. Already there has been something of a shift in control in decision-making between Brendan and his father on some day-to-day business. Their philosophy in terms of mating is that cows need to calve easily and in sync with nature to take advantage of the growth curve of the pastures. This results in many calvings in a relatively short period of time — so a live and vigorous calf that gets off the ground is a must. “We breed cows 80 days after calving using prostaglandin injection after a week of natural heats for eight weeks then we turn bulls out for two or four weeks,” Brendan said. “Heifers are bred according to size and usually we start at the age of 14 months

with a Pregnacol program; heifers get three injections in total. Bulls are put out for eight weeks.” Mr Mulvaney was quick to highlight to visitors not familiar with the system that a Focus Farm is not a demonstration or best practice farm. Rather, it is an ordinary commercial dairy farm coping with the dayto-day challenges of the dairy industry. What makes farms such as the Glass family’s less ordinary is their willingness to invite the scrutiny of their peers and advisers — in what everyone involved agreed can be strident debates at times — in their efforts to progress. “This particular support group I have people falling over to support us,” Mr Mulvaney said. “How have we dealt with succession at the meetings? It’s been a challenge.” He said identifying what each individual party wants and finding the roadway there was “quite a public issue on a private farm”. “This is a pretty gutsy effort and yet it’s such a massive issue in the industry,” Mr Mulvaney said. At the open day members of the support

Sarah Glass is part of the next generation at Kerrick Park.

Focus Farm facilitator John Mulvany says any successful succession plan has to have a “driver” to keep it moving.

PASTURE After lunch, Kergunyah Hall was the venue for a classroom-style talk on succession.

group commented that while the farmers rather than employees. everyday issues such as feeding, This was the first step in a pastures, cow and mating succession plan, Mr Mulvany decisions were straightforward explained. to embrace, succession planning “If in three years’ time it hasn’t could be the elephant in worked as well as we would the room. have liked and Brendan and “Darren killed a meeting when Sarah decide to do something we started talking about else, within the share-farmer succession: it all went north,” agreement there is a buyback one of the group said. clause,” Mr Mulvany said. The support group is a diverse “A lot of people often say with bunch, with 248 years of dairy succession you’ve got to have it farming experience between all organised from ‘go’ to ‘whoa’. them and ages from 29 to 60. I’m not sure I necessarily agree As well there are the technical with that. It’s based on a whole experts: a vet, agronomist, feed lot of assumptions … we need to supplier and financier. see what does and doesn’t work. Brendan and Sarah Glass have “It’s a process and this is the first made the decision to borrow to step in what could be a purchase half the herd and an out block and become sharecomplete succession.”

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Robots at work.

The Dookie Dairy robotic operation.

Are robots right for your dairy? Expert weighs up the advantages and challenges of robotic milking systems. So how good are these robots and why isn’t everyone using them? NSW DPI scientist Nicholas Lyons gave a warts-and-all presentation recently about robotic milking and answered the questions about this new technology entering milking sheds. While enthusiastic about the automation, Dr Lyons’ description also came with a few warnings. “Think about the reason you are jumping into robots. If those expectations are not real, the technology will never deliver what you think it will,” he said. “It is not the solution for everyone, but it is an option for anyone considering a new dairy. Be prepared for a steep learning curve.” Dr Lyons, who is NSW DPI’s robotic milking systems development officer, was speaking at an open day at the robotic dairy at University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus. “Dairy has a lot of attractive things going for it,” he told about 80 people. “Working with animals, working with amazing people, in an interesting and challenging environment. “But milking is a time-consuming activity; it has to be done twice-a-day, 365-days-a-year, involving early starts, late finishes and it’s highly routine.” Dr Lyons said about 90 per cent of dairy farms were family owned, and most farmers were aged more than 50, in an industry that was shrinking. “There are fewer, larger farms, putting pressure on the labour force. It can be difficult to attract labour on dairy farms.”

He said technology was one way of Cows get it within a week. People take addressing this challenge. much longer than a week,” Dr Lyons said. Robots were able to identify individual “Not every farm is suitable for robots. One cows, prepare the udder, apply the machines, challenge is walking distance. Cows walking apply teat spray, analyse the milk and feed beyond 800 m or 1 km have a reduced cows individually. milking frequency. It means you have to manage the feed source in a different way. “But there are still lots of jobs left to do on the farm.” “Don’t underestimate the technology. Do your research and visit the farms. Talk He said most robotic systems required to people doing the job. You have to be someone to be on call, usually by telephone prepared for a steep learning curve.” or electronic tablet, which the system contacted if a problem arose. The new systems provided a lot of data, but the key issue was turning a huge amount of ROBOTIC MILKING data into useful information to be able to ADVANTAGES make better decisions, he said. “You are not physically seeing the cows as • Less physical. much so you rely on a lot of the sensors • Flexibility and lifestyle. • Labour efficiency. to be able to monitor what is happening • Provides a lot of data/information. on-farm. • Sensors for animal health. “Robotic milking opens the way for cows • Option for higher milking to volunteer for higher frequency milkings frequency and production. than the traditional twice-a-day. But you • Consistency/routine. have to be aware of how to manage that frequency.” ROBOTIC MILKING One emerging advantage was the quieter operating environment. CHALLENGES “The animals become much calmer • Requires a new set of skills. because they are being managed with a • Data management. consistent routine. • Farm suitability (size and shape, walking distance). “Indications are that incidents of lameness on • Training of cows and people. robotic farms is reduced because one of the • On call. higher factors in lameness is herding cows. • Costs of installation and service. As cows voluntarily move to the parlour, you • Running costs (electricity). remove the herding aspect.” Among the challenges for new operators was Source: Nicholas Lyons, NSW DPI the new set of skills and adaptation required. “Cows learn much quicker than people. AUGUST 2015

AUGUST 2015

Dairy farmers have smiles on their dials Only Tasmanian farmers are more positive than those in the Murray Dairy region.

Herd production Herd production

The ‘average’ The Murray ‘average’ Dairy Murray farmer: Dairy farmer:

42%

60%

Age

58% 51

Works 92%on Works family on 79% familyIs likely 79% toIsencourage likely to encourage owned farm owned farm family or employees family or employees to to remain in remain dairy industry in dairy industry Feeds 60% moderate Feeds moderate to high level to high of level 53% of Has53% a written Has annual a written annual concentrates concentrates budget forbudget the farm for the farm Has58% split/batch Has split/batch 84% No change/intention 84% No change/intention to to calving system calving system change company change supplied company supplied

Source: Dairy Australia’s Source: Dairy DairyAustralia’s Situation and Dairy Outlook Situation June and 2015 Outlook June 2015

Northern Victorian dairy farmers are among the most positive in the nation, according to the latest Situation and Outlook report released by Dairy Australia. Only Tasmanian farmers had a brighter outlook than farmers from the Goulburn Valley, north-eastern Victoria and the southern Riverina. The annual survey found most dairy farmers had experienced a year of consolidation and growth, in contrast to a volatile international market. Dairy Australia is forecasting milk production will have grown by 2.5 per cent in the 2014–15 season. The organisation also reports that most milk companies are forecasting prices will not rise in the 2015–16 season. Most milk companies are expected to announce their prices over the next few weeks. Murray Goulburn has already forecast a base of $6/kg milk solids, conditional upon several external factors. Dairy Australia managing director Ian Halliday said there were a number of reasons why farmer confidence had weathered the global market storm. “Farmers across many of our dairying regions have been able to take advantage of the stable production margins and favourable weather conditions over the past year,” Mr Halliday said. “Milk processors are publicly forecasting similar farm gate prices for the upcoming 2015–16 season, and continued domestic and global demand for our products have also been encouraging for farmers.

36% 28% 27% 28% 27%

< 1m

2014–15

36% 16%

16%13% 13% 10%10% 9% 10% 9% 9%10% > 4m

Litres (million) Litres (million) Source: Dairy Australia’s Source: Dairy DairyAustralia’s Situation and Dairy Outlook Situation June and 2015 Outlook June 2015

Milk processors are publicly forecasting similar farm gate prices for the upcoming 2015-16 season ...

2013–14 2014–15

to 4m 3.1 to>4m 4m <1.1 1mto 2m 1.1 to 2.12m to 3m 2.1 3.1 to 3m

“The more stable returns generated by the Australian domestic market, which consumes around 60 per cent of milk production, have helped cushion the industry through an internationally volatile 2014–15.

“

2013–14

“

92%

42%

Ian Halliday

“But also having a diverse range of markets and products has paid dividends for Australian exporters this season. It spreads our exposure to the volatility the global market can present at times, hence we haven’t felt the pinch of China’s decreased bulk powder imports off the back of their domestic surplus.” The Situation and Outlook report shows about 86 per cent of Murray Dairy region farmers made a profit in 2013–14, and 79 per cent to be in profit in the 2014–15 year. Survey results suggest some de-stocking has occurred in the region but, despite this, herd production levels have increased overall. Intentions for the coming year and beyond suggest herd sizes and production levels on almost all farms will either remain the same or increase.

Results from Dairy Australia’s 2015 National Dairy Farmer Survey indicate 74 per cent of dairy farmers are feeling positive about the industry’s future, in line with 2014 sentiment. The survey, which speaks to 1000 dairy farmers across Australia, also revealed 79 per cent of farmers anticipate a profit for 2014–15. In Australia, dairy demand remained robust for 2014–15, Dairy Australia industry analyst John Droppert said. “Recent figures show strong growth in spending through both the food service and supermarket channels, though the pace of growth has slowed in recent months,” Mr Droppert said. “Australian supermarket sales of major dairy categories continue to tell an essentially positive story. Dairy spreads remain the top performer, outpacing all other major dairy categories for both volume and value growth. “Milk sales are increasing slowly and steadily and despite shrinking sales volumes, higher average per kilo prices for cheese and yoghurt/dairy snacks are delivering growth in value.” While nationally farmers are feeling quite confident, the survey highlighted continued significant regional differences in sentiment. About 64 per cent of those surveyed across Australia identified benefits to the industry as a whole from the recently concluded free trade agreements with Korea, Japan and China. To view the latest Dairy Australia Situation and Outlook report, visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au/SandO AUGUST 2015

REMINDERS FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

Cups On Cups Off (NCDE)

Stanhope: Tuesday and Wednesday, August 4 and 5 Molyullah: Tuesday and Wednesday, August 11 and 12 Setting up for the season (Murray Dairy)

Cobram: Tuesday, August 4 Blighty: Wednesday, August 5 Waaia: Thursday, August 6 Lockington: Tuesday, August 11 Cohuna: Wednesday, August 12 Kyabram: Thursday, August 13 Shepparton: Friday, August 14 Farm chemical users course (NCDE)

Shepparton: Wednesday and Thursday, August 5 and 6 Shepparton: Thursday and Friday, September 3 and 4 Downer cow workshop (Murray Dairy)

Yarrawalla: Friday, August 7 Manage integrated crops and pastures (NCDE)

Shepparton: Tuesdays, August 11, 18, 25 and September 1 (Day 1, 2, 3 and 4) Assess and monitor weed, pest and disease controlprograms (NCDE — William Orr)

Shepparton: Thursdays, August 13, 20 and 27 (Day 1, 2 and 3) Murray Dairy www.murraydairy.com.au Phone: (03) 5833 5312 NCDE www.ncdeagotafe.vic.edu.au Phone: 1300 468 233 DEDJTR www.depi.vic.gov.au Phone: 136 186

Calf rearing (NCDE)

Molyullah: Monday and Tuesday, August 17 and 18 Echuca: Tuesday and Wednesday, August 25 and 26

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