Dairy direct october 2013 (72dpi)

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Country News PUBLICATION

Issue 8, October 2013

Team Wilson

having a go » page 22

Farm botulism shock » page 25 The season we’d like to forget » page 30 New milk factory at Shepparton » page 9

Editor Geoff Adams editor@countrynews.com.au Writers Cathy Walker Laura Griffin Sophie Bruns

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Reaching Australia’s richest agricultural region

Dairy Direct There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh rain on pastures.

In September, after a nervous wait, we were treated to spring rainfall of between 20 mm and 40 mm in the north.

Not sure whether it’s the oxygen or the nitrogen that plays with our senses, but the rainfall is the icing on the cake for this spring.

With better milk prices promised, grain prices easing and nearly full dams, this season is starting out with much more promise than the last.

But don’t relax.

Farm advisers are warning not to ease up now the margins are looking better and not to forget the lessons learned in tougher times.

Buying a few extra cows or bolstering the feed ration to lift milk production sounds like common sense, but as consultant Cameron Smith has pointed out, not at any price.

In the meantime, keep up the good work. Northern Victoria is back as the biggest milk producer of any Australian region.

Geoff Adams Country News editor.

2

Graphic designers Teresa Lagozzino Brendan Cain Riverine Herald production team Sales manager Jamie Gilbert jamie.gilbert@countrynews.com.au

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OCTOBER 2013

contents

Region back on top

Doing Dairy with Sophie Bruns Dairy news

It’s certainly encouraging to see the Murray Dairy region has emerged again as the largest milk producing area across the nation. Production has increased from 1.8 billion litres in 2010 to 2.2 billion litres during the past year.

A drop in the Australian dollar, higher farm-gate milk prices and improved seasonal conditions have boosted farmer confidence. This effect is seen through the September update of Dairy Australia’s Situation and Outlook report which shows a tremendous jump in confidence — increasing from below 60 per cent in February up to 80 per cent in September across the Murray Dairy region.

However for a prolonged positive outlook to continue it is important that we, as dairy farmers, position ourselves well to become less vulnerable to seasonal fluctuations.

We know the dairy industry went through a period of adjustment through the drought

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New milk factory targets Asian market

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Mastitis – detecting the threat

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Antibiotics still effective

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Proof of the pudding is in the shed

12

Royal Melbourne Dairy Show 2013

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and many farmers are carrying high debt levels.

It was highlighted in the last edition of Dairy Direct that now is the time to consolidate and set our farm businesses up for the seasons ahead. This is key to maintaining a robust dairy industry — an industry that is well able to achieve profitable levels of productivity with fewer inputs over the long term.

Along with my fellow directors, I’m pleased to welcome Karen Moroney to the Murray Dairy Board this month. (See page 20 for an introduction to Karen.)

I also acknowledge the valuable contributions that Daryl Hoey and Stuart Crosthwaite have made to the Murray Dairy Board. Our region’s dairy industry will continue to enjoy strong leadership from Daryl and Stuart through their combined networks and wealth of experience.

New focus on farm soils

15

Auction yields record sale

16

Malcolm Holm Chairman, Murray Dairy

Australian dairy held back by trade barriers 41

Milk production lifts.

ON-SITE

4

Innovative project puts cows in classrooms 18 Murray Dairy appoints new board member 20 Encouraging skills development

20

Branching out on their own

22

Herd struck down

25

Small price to pay to peace of mind

26

Business on the way up

28

Don’t let your guard down

30

Dairy outlook promising

31

United States eyes global dairy market

32

Reduce the incidence of RFMs

33

Season is looking good

34

Genomic data helps guide bull selection

36

Better genes mean more milk

37

Donovan’s Dairy sees the UV light

38

Prevention better than cure

40

Calendar of events

42

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Doing Dairy

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

with SOPHIE BRUNS

We’re a resilient lot Disaster, disease and death fail to deter dairy farmers – but a holiday sure would be welcome for this farmer.

As I travel around the countryside talking to different farmers I am continually surprised by the resilience of the people I meet. This month in particular I have spoken to Leigh Prout, who lost two-thirds of his dairy herd to a botulism outbreak. Leigh was also flooded a few years ago and, like so many other farmers at the time, bounced back.

These farmers are inspiring and have simply put their heads down and got on with the job, even though they have faced things that would bring a lesser person unstuck. It also confirms what we already know: many of us have milk running through our veins instead of blood, and no matter what gets thrown our way you can’t seem to change that fact.

I don’t want to jinx anything but spring seems to be shaping up nicely. We have just had 50 mm of rain in a couple of days, which should help the feed grow on our run-

off block. We were getting ready to water, so the rain has saved us a few bucks. The same can’t be said for the home farm, which we had watered, but at least it should dry out relatively quickly ... I hope.

Anyway, as the days roll by and we work our way through another calving, the thought of Christmas is looming rather large. I am thinking summer holidays, and since we didn’t have a holiday this winter that thought is very appealing, especially because I have faced a couple of life-threatening incidents since my last column.

The most recent one was a very grumpy freshly calved cow, an unco-operative calf and a very small stick which was of absolutely no use when the cow decided to charge and butt me. Like the trooper I am, I tried to continue but when she put her head down and stamped her foot for the second

time, I high-tailed it out of there pretty quickly and left that one for my husband.

All winter we have been feeding out hay, and Rob had had enough so he asked me to feed the dry cows for him. Off I toodled on the tractor, grabbed a couple of round bales and took them to the cows. I jumped out to cut the strings and just as the bale started to fall away, I kid you not, the biggest black snake you have ever seen fell at my feet. It would have been at least 7 m long (maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration) but it was big and fat and way too close to me, even if it was fast asleep. Once again I high-tailed it out of there and left the removal of the offending reptile to my husband, who safely relocated it to a new home near the trees.

Where would I be without him? Dairying is certainly easier when you have someone who can pick up the pieces behind you.

dairy news Robots bring the cows home Technology making farmers’ lives easier.

With increasing numbers of Australian dairy cows now being milked by robots, researchers are looking at a range of exciting ways to use robots on farm, and one that has already shown promise is the use of robots to herd cattle from the paddock to the dairy.

Delegates at Dairy Research Foundation’s symposium at Kiama got a sneak peek of Rover, a prototype robot, in action.

Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Dairy Science Group and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics have used an unmanned ground vehicle (robot) to herd dairy cows out of the paddock.

Dairy researcher Associate Professor Kendra Kerrisk said the team was amazed at how easily the cows accepted the presence of the robot.

“They weren’t at all fazed by it and the herding process was very calm and effective,” Dr Kerrisk said.

“As well as saving labour, robotic herding would improve animal wellbeing by allowing 4

OCTOBER 2013

cows to move to and from the dairy at their own pace.”

The robot was developed by researchers at the University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Field Robotics for tree and fruit monitoring on tree-crop farms. It was used in the initial trial with very little modification for the dairy paddock.

“We are keen to explore further opportunities with the Australian Centre for Field Robotics.

They have a range of robotic technologies which could have exciting applications on dairy farms,” Dr Kerrisk said.

“While the robot showed exciting potential for use on a dairy farm, it would need to be adapted to operate autonomously on the terrain of dairy farms and its programming would need to be customised for dairy applications.”

In addition to robotic herding, some of the possible applications include collecting pasture and animal data in the paddock; monitoring calving and alerting the manger

Cows at the University of Sydney’s Corstophine farm were unfazed by the presence of a robot which herded them out of the paddock calmly and efficiently.

if attention is needed; and identifying and locating individual cows in the paddock.

“The research is in its very early stages but robotic technologies certainly have the potential to transform dairy farming in terms of reducing repetitive work, increasing the accuracy of data that farmers collect, and making data available that we currently can’t capture,’’ Dr Kerrisk said.

“Robotic technologies will have a role in increasing the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of Australia’s dairy farms.”

dairy news Shareholders advised to wait Warrnambool Cheese and Butter has been advising its shareholders to wait for a recommendation before they accept an offer by Bega Cheese.

In September Bega made a take-over bid for the Warrnambool company, offering 1.2 Bega shares for every Warrnambool share as well as $2 cash for each share.

Warrnambool’s chief executive officer and chairman have urged their shareholders to

wait for a closer analysis of the offer before acting.

Bega says a successful merger would create one of Australia’s largest listed food companies.

Bega currently owns about 18 per cent of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter and holds 100 per cent ownership of Tatura Milk.

The annual general meeting of Bega Cheese will be held on October 22 at Kalaru, in NSW.

Step-ups announced Murray Goulburn and Fonterra revise forecast for milk prices thanks to continuing favourable market conditions.

Murray Goulburn announced in August a step-up in the farm-gate price for the 2013–14 season of $0.09/kg butterfat and $0.19/kg protein. This step-up took Murray Goulburn’s weighted-average available price to $5.86/kg milk solids.

Murray Goulburn has also increased its end-of-season forecast to a range of $5.95 to $6.20/kg milk solids.

Managing director Gary Helou said external factors including fluctuating international commodity prices and currency movements could result in a final price that was higher or lower than this forecast.

“Since increasing our opening price in late June, we have seen the international dairy market for key ingredients remain strong and the outlook for the Australian dollar remain relatively weak compared to last year.

“These factors combined with our ongoing focus on delivering value through improved business efficiencies and innovation has meant that we are able to pass additional benefits to our farmer supplier/shareholders.’’

In September, Fonterra announced a step-up of $0.16/ kg butterfat and $0.40/kg protein for the 2013-14 season for suppliers in Victoria and Tasmania.

Fonterra

Fonterra Australia has also raised its forecast for the average closing price range for the 2013–14 season to $6.10–$6.30 /kg milk solids.

Fonterra Australia managing director Judith Swales said the step-up was made possible as international dairy commodity prices remained strong, the Australian dollar had steadied at current lower levels and Fonterra Australia had achieved strong forward sales at market highs.

“The forecast average closing price range was revised up as current market views support commodity prices remaining at historically high levels,’’ she said.

“Additionally, Fonterra’s two GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) auctions in August delivered significant revenues and volumes, demonstrating a continued strong demand for, and confidence in, Fonterra products in key export markets.’’

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dairy news

Confidence on the rise Survey shows dairy farmers believe things are looking up.

Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and Fonterra Australia director of ingredients Peter Jones announced the Stanhope site expansion.

Fonterra investment announced New equipment to take Stanhope factory into the future.

A $6 million investment to install ricotta-making equipment at Fonterra’s Stanhope plant will “future proof ” the site, Fonterra Australia ingredients director Peter Jones said.

The project, announced in September, will include new cheese making, processing and packaging equipment.

Mr Jones said full production was scheduled to begin in April.

Fonterra had made ricotta and other high-value products at its Cororooke site near Colac, which was slated for closure.

The investment will create six new jobs at Stanhope and was supported by a $250 000 Industries for Today and Tomorrow program grant from the Victorian Government.

Victorian Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said the investment would also secure existing jobs and have positive flow-on effects down the supply chain.

“This significant investment by Fonterra reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to maintaining its presence here in northern Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

6

OCTOBER 2013

“The Victorian Coalition Government works with businesses in regional Victoria, including manufacturers, to attract and facilitate new investment, create jobs, increase productivity and competitiveness and provide access to new market opportunities.”

About 260 dairy farms across northern Victoria supply milk to the Stanhope site, where it is processed into cheeses for domestic and international markets.

Mr Jones said Fonterra was always recruiting new suppliers and although the new equipment would be able to produce 10 000 tonnes/year of cheese at full capacity, whether the factory would take on more milk depended on the make-up of products.

“This investment will help ‘futureproof ’ Fonterra’s operations in Stanhope,” Mr Jones said.

“It will make the site more efficient and more productive.”

He said it was a great example of government and industry working together to ensure Australian dairy remained globally competitive.

Dairy farmers were expecting better returns this season and were more positive about the future, according to the latest quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey.

The lower Australian dollar, a positive commodity price outlook (particularly in dairy) and improved seasonal conditions were behind the lift in sentiment — with net Victorian rural confidence now at its highest level since mid-2011.

The latest Rabobank survey, completed last month, found nearly half of the state’s farmers (48 per cent) expected conditions to improve during the coming year — compared to just 22 per cent with that view in the previous quarter.

A third of Victorian respondents (33 per cent) held a stable outlook and expected conditions to remain similar to last year, while just 14 per cent expected a deterioration (down from 35 per cent previously).

A comprehensive monitor of outlook and sentiment in Australian rural industries, the Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey questions an average of 1000 primary producers across a wide range of commodities and geographical areas throughout Australia on a quarterly basis.

Rabobank’s Victorian manager Todd Charteris said the latest survey results were not surprising, with dairy farmers expecting more positive returns this season, grain growers looking at good yield potential after the mild winter and recent rains, and sheep and beef graziers entering spring with promising feed growth.

“There seems to be cause for optimism for most farmers at present and the drop in the dollar has been welcomed across the board with all commodities benefiting from the softer exchange rate,” Mr Charteris said.

By sector, Victoria’s dairy farmers were the most upbeat about their prospects, with 69 per cent expecting conditions to improve compared to 36 per cent last quarter.

“The outlook for the dairy sector is certainly brighter than it was a few months ago, with strong global pricing translating into a higher opening milk price,” Mr Charteris said.

“With opening prices more than 20 per cent up on last year and processors indicating that they will finish higher than what was previously anticipated, the pricing signals are very positive.

“The tough climatic conditions that dairy farmers have been operating in have eased, and there is also expected to be some relief in feed costs over the next six months.”

Dairy farmers were the most positive about their prospects, with 73 per cent expecting their business performance to improve.

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Milk flowing for new buyer Co-operative hopes to find more markets for more farmers.

The Goulburn Valley’s newest milk buyer, Australian Dairy Farmers Co-operative, started collecting milk from five farms on August 1.

Co-operative chairman Scott Sieben said they opened at $6.20/kg milk solids and would keep ahead of Murray Goulburn’s price.

The co-operative set a goal of finding 20 million litres, which was earmarked for a Melbourne specialty milk processor. ‘‘It’s a relatively small target, so we reached that easily with the five farmers in Leitchville and Tongala,’’ Mr Sieben said. ‘‘We could have got a lot more but we only needed the 20 million litres to start with.’’

He said they intended to find a processor to take more milk next season.

Mr Sieben said they were not looking at supplying the new UHT processing plant being built at Shepparton by ACM and Pactum Australia.

Contracted milk tankers transfer the co-operative’s milk to Procal Dairies, a privately owned company based at Campbellfield, that started operations in July 2003 and specialises in supplying smaller retailers.

Mr Sieben said there was a positive outlook for milk prices. ‘‘If farmers can get up to the 45¢/ litre mark they would be much more positive. ‘‘We just need that to get on top and be rewarded for what we do.

We should get that, because it’s a bloody good product.’’

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Murray Goulburn cuts more processing jobs Murray Goulburn is shedding 38 jobs at its Cobram factory and four at Rochester.

Last year the co-operative cut 42 jobs at the Cobram factory which employs about 350 people on average.

Murray Goulburn said the total of 72 job cuts across six processing sites was intended to improve efficiency, productivity and cost competitiveness.

National Union of Workers’ Victorian secretary Tim Kennedy said the cuts had people concerned for their future.

Mr Kennedy said the job losses contradicted the positive business deals the dairy co-operative had negotiated recently.

“It comes on the back of a recent announcement from the company to pay higher farm-gate prices for farmers, which is good and positive for the region,’’ he said.

A spokesperson for Murray Goulburn said reducing the cost base of the business would lead to increased profitability, which in turn translated into higher farmgate returns.

Murray Goulburn said it had sought to minimise the impact on its people by looking first to natural attrition, contract and casual positions and then voluntary redundancies.

MG operations general manager Keith Mentiplay said the company recognised the changes were very difficult for those impacted and it was doing everything it could to support affected staff.

Other job losses will be: 15 at Leongatha; eight at Kiewa; four at Edith Creek; four at Rochester; and three at Koroit. These changes will take effect in late September to early October.

Mr Mentiplay said affected staff would receive their entitlements and would receive additional support with outplacement, career transitioning services, financial advice and counselling. ‘‘It is in the best interests of our supplier/shareholders, employees, communities, customers and consumers that MG remains a strong business, able to compete globally and deliver higher farmgate prices.’’

New milk factory targets Asian market Shepparton facility will boost milk demand and employment.

A joint venture business is building a $40 million factory in Shepparton to produce UHT milk aimed at the Asian market.

It is expected to generate about 100 jobs immediately, and as many as three or four times that number in spin-offs with increased demand for milk from Goulburn Valley farmers.

Kyabram-based milk supply company Australian Consolidated Milk (ACM) and Pactum Australia are building the factory in Old Dookie Rd. Pactum Australia is owned by the ASX-listed company Freedom Foods Group and ACM is part of the Pactum Group.

ACM director John Hommes said the new factory was ‘‘massive’’ for his business and ‘‘good for the whole community’’. ‘‘A manufacturing plant will make our company more stable,’’ Mr Hommes said. ‘‘In full swing, when it gets going in four years’ time, it will be enormous.’’

He praised the assistance the development

The new factory under construction at Shepparton.

had been given by Greater Shepparton City Council, Goulburn Valley Water, GoulburnMurray Water and Powercor. ‘‘We’ve kept it pretty low key,’’ Mr Hommes said. ‘‘But all those people have been magnificent in getting the factory established.’’

Pactum Australia is a broad-based manufacturer in Sydney, producing longlife food and beverage products. ACM was established by dairy farmers in 2008, and now has about 50 suppliers.

A spokesman for Freedom Foods Group said demand for UHT (long-life) milk into Asia had seen Pactum decide to expand its UHT capabilities, with a new production location to be established at Shepparton.

He said this provided a unique manufacturing location, given Shepparton’s well-established food manufacturing capabilities and importantly its proximity to a high-quality milk supply in northern Victoria.

Mr Hommes said ACM’s farmer suppliers were based from Kyabram to Cobram, with some in the southern Riverina, and the

new UHT facility would obviously provide opportunities for more to join in and potentially have a positive impact on milk prices.

Pactum said it would manage the Shepparton operation, which will be a 50-50 joint venture.

The facility will have an initial capacity of 100 million litres, with potential to increase up to 350 million litres over time. The company estimated the initial investment at $40 million, including land and buildings.

Mr Hommes said UHT milk could begin to come out of the factory as early as December.

Pactum said it had focused on Asian opportunities, with overall demand for dairy in the region being driven by increasing population, rising gross domestic product, higher disposable incomes and increased urbanisation.

But all the milk won’t necessarily be unpacked in Asia. ‘‘We will also be contract packers — we’ll pack for anyone,’’ Mr Hommes said.

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animal health

A regular column from Rochester Vet Practice

Mastitis

– detecting the threat Treating each case on an individual basis.

After the wet weather through the winter no doubt many farmers have seen an increase in the number of mastitis cases in their herds. The most likely culprit in these cases of environmental mastitis would be Streptococcus uberis which is found in cow faeces and will survive in the environment as long as it stays moist.

Control involves treating clinical cases and trying to prevent new cases through milking hygiene strategies such as cleaning and drying teats before cups on and postmilking teat disinfection.

When faced with an outbreak of mastitis, it can be a temptation to treat any cow that looks sideways at you. It may be that some cows are being treated unnecessarily. Mastitis is a serious disease that is potentially fatal and certainly cannot be ignored, however there should be a definition of what requires treatment as a clinical case.

Countdown Downunder has done conservative costing for the average case of clinical mastitis to be around $250–270.

The majority of this cost would arise from withheld milk and lost milk production.

So while treating cases of mastitis early achieves the best results, we do not want to treat cows unnecessarily and have their milk

withheld from the vat. reducing the number of new cases.

A good working definition of what requires Obviously it is impossible to control antibiotic treatment as a clinical case of the weather but the environment can be mastitis is any animal that shows udder managed by improving tracks, particularly changes of heat, swelling or pain and/or any around gateways and good feed pad animal that has changes in the milk (clots, management. Dry cow treatment is wateriness, blood stained) that persist for another important area of mastitis control more than three squirts. as it treats existing infections and helps to prevent new infections during the dry Many farmers will have seen cases where period and around calving. there appear to be a few flecks in the first couple of squirts but then it clears for the It is far better to prevent mastitis than it third and fourth squirt. So for these cows, is to have to treat clinical cases, and often if the udder appears normal, don’t treat small improvements in the dairy can have with antibiotic but mark the animal to be a big effect on the level of mastitis in the checked at the next milking. It may clear herd. Sometimes it is necessary to have up itself (40 per cent of mastitis cases can an objective set of eyes to see where these self cure) or it may have become clinical by changes may be required, so it can be meeting one of the above criteria. worthwhile to have a Countdown Adviser Discuss with a vet which antibiotic to present at milking time to observe teat use, taking into account previous farm condition and milking practices to identify history, culture results, published cure rates, areas that can be improved. treatment regimes, withholding times and Dairy Australia also run Cups On Cups Off costs. courses which are an excellent resource in So while antibiotics are an essential part training staff or farmers in all aspects of the of mastitis control, they are not always milking process relating to mastitis control. indicated. Paying attention to other areas, For more information about the practical such as milking hygiene, wearing gloves, day-and-a-half course contact the NCDEA. milking machine function and milking – J. Keith Fletcher routine can go a long way to reducing Rochester Veterinary Practice the spread of mastitis within a herd and

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Antibiotics still effective Dairy Australia has confirmed the bacteria that cause mastitis are still susceptible to current antibiotics used by producers in South Eastern Australia, according to a new pathogen study.

Commenting on the outcome of the ‘Survey of Mastitis Pathogens in the South Eastern Australian Dairy Industry’ released recently, Dairy Australia echoed the study’s conclusions that antibiotics used in dairy cattle mastitis therapy in South Eastern Australia are as effective as they were 30 years ago.

Conducted by mastitis control experts Dairy Focus, in collaboration with Zoetis, formerly Pfizer Animal Health, the survey is the most comprehensive of its kind in Australia since the early 1980s. The stand-out result from the research is that minimal resistance has developed to the antimicrobials used to treat mastitis in Australia.

“The results we’ve seen from this survey show that mastitis therapies currently available in Australia continue to be as effective as we’ve understood them to be in past years,” Dairy Australia Countdown 2020 project leader Dr John Penry said.

“For producers, this means they can continue to rely on antibiotics with the understanding that the most common pathogens causing clinical

Little change in mastitis control measures.

mastitis cases remain susceptible to the range of antibiotics available based on laboratory assessment.”

The survey also explored the most common pathogens present in clinical and subclinical mastitis cases across all four key dairy cattle farming regions in south-eastern Australia.

Across all regions, Streptococcus uberis was identified as the most common clinical mastitis pathogen with a presence in more than 54 per cent of all culture positive samples taken as part of the survey.

The study also found that together Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus dysgalactiae accounted for nearly 90 per cent of clinical mastitis cases in south eastern Australia.

Comparing the distribution of these pathogens across key dairy cattle regions in south-eastern Australia was also a key part of the research. The survey found that the prevalence of the four major clinical mastitis pathogens (Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus dysgalactiae) was similar across the Gippsland, Northern Victoria, Tasmanian and Western Victoria regions.

While season, stage of lactation and a cow’s age may impact the clinical mastitis incidence rates

on farm, the results of the survey showed that the prevalence of major pathogens does not alter significantly with these factors.

While the four most common clinical mastitis pathogens are sensitive to the same antibiotics producers have been using for many years, Dairy Australia is still urging farmers to consider the protocol that they use to treat these infections in their herd.

Effective therapy is highly reliant on early detection of clinical mastitis. Also, contaminated samples were returned in 16.1 per cent of clinical cases and more than 40 per cent of subclinical submissions, highlighting the need for renewed focus on strict teat hygiene and correct intramammary administration techniques.

“The survey has given us a valuable benchmarking tool for the pathogens that are causing mastitis in the modern Australian dairy cow. Mastitis remains an important disease that affects both the quality of milk produced and farmer’s profitability,” Dr Penry said.

The Countdown 2020 farm guidelines, now available online at www.dairyaustralia.com.au/ countdown, provide practical advice on mastitis and milk quality and are designed for all dairy producers.

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Proof of the pudding is in the shed Course explains the ins and outs of calf rearing.

Margaret Cockerell says she doesn’t ear tag her calves until they have been out in the paddock and learned about electric fencing.

12

OCTOBER 2013

Mrs Cockerell explained the calves were given two litres of milk twice a day, until they were cut back to one three-litre feed a day.

“

“

The course notes for the unit ‘Rear Newborn and Young Livestock’ read: ‘‘This two-day program looks at the principles and practice of effective calf rearing. Each session provides the basis for successfully rearing strong healthy calves, including colostrum management, nutrition and animal health and welfare issues.’’

National Centre for Dairy Education trainer Wilf Reuther said the recent Shepparton course included the best of both worlds: principles and practice. ‘‘Last week we had (Shepparton Vet Clinic’s) Rob Bonanno to talk about the scientific side and today we see it in the real world,’’ Mr Reuther said after his latest group assembled at Warrain Jerseys at Numurkah where John and Margaret Cockerell have about 70 calves being cared for at any one time. ‘‘It’s Margaret’s department,’’ her husband said.

But before she arrived, Mr Cockerell was proud to show them to the workshop group. ‘‘The Cockerells’ calves are absolutely magnificent,’’ Mr Reuther said.

That was the response from his student group too, summarised by ‘‘wow, aren’t they beautiful’’.

... The more links in the chain, the better job you are going to do ...

Wilf Reuther

Mr Reuther said the two-day course attracted participants who already had on-farm experience, and generated some lively discussion. He was confident it gave everyone something to go away and think about. ‘‘I explain it as a chain: the more links in the chain, the better job you are going to do, getting as many things right in the total picture. ‘‘It’s not just about how ‘shmicko’ your shed is.’’

For example Mr Cockerell described to the group the innoculation regime used at Warrain, and was quizzed about the cost. ‘‘The real question is ‘what’s the cost of not doing it?’,’’ Mr Reuther said.

Mrs Cockerell shows off her ‘‘painted ponies’’, twin heifers

by Marbel. Mrs Cockerell believes they may be identical as a result of a split embryo: both have blue eyes as well as very similar markings.

Feed time. The bull calf on the left will be retained as a stud bull, either at Warrain or he will be sold to another stud.

Words and pictures: Cathy Walker

Royal Melbourne

Dairy Show 2013

Holstein judge Callum McKinven from Canada is deep in thought in a strong senior cow class.

The Nicholson family from Girgarre had a great Royal Melbourne Dairy Show with their Jugiong Jerseys string — including winning the ultimate accolade, Supreme Champion Dairy Exhibit. Jugiong Daydream 5744, owned in partnership with Cohuna’s Glen Gordon, won her 6yo in milk class then took out Reserve Champion Jersey Cow then Senior Champion Interbreed Dairy Cow. Jugiong Daydream is pictured with (from left) Royal Agricultural Society chief executive Mark O’Sullivan, Philippa Fullerton, Pat Nicholson, Glen Gordon, Brendon Nicholson and judge David Fullerton from New Zealand.

Supreme Jersey Exhibit went to Philmar Dairy Company at Tocumwal with Miami Gannon Girlie 4254 (ET). She is pictured with owners Mark and Philippa Fleming, Brazilian judge Claudio Aragon, handler Kayla Bradley and (at rear) fitter Mitchell Fleming. Mrs Fleming said it was their best ever Royal Melbourne Show result.

Emily Brown of Strathmerton and Kit Davidson from Finley were awarded Champion and Reserve Champion Senior Cow in the Brown Swiss competition. (From left) Kit with Shalom Payoff Ladder, judge Rod Huth from Queensland and Emily with Sherbrooke Gordim Bianca, also the Supreme Brown Swiss exhibit.

OCTOBER 2013

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New focus on farm soils A new type of ‘focus farm’ is being developed

by Murray Dairy in co-operation with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.

The Focus Farm project establishes a relationship with an existing farm, with the owners having the benefit of an expert advisory panel to help them reach performance targets.

The focus farm’s results are shared with the farming community and field days are held to discuss progress.

Murray Dairy is developing plans for two regular focus farms, but is also now working on a jointly funded partnership with Goulburn Broken CMA to look at soils.

Goulburn Broken CMA is keen to look at soil health and management in the context of modernisation of the irrigation delivery network, on-farm irrigation upgrades and the resulting changes to the irrigation landscape.

Goulburn Broken CMA irrigation sustainability program manager Carl Walters said they had noticed Murray Dairy was looking at landscape management, so they

thought the partnership looked like a good fit.

“Through the focus farm model, farmers will help identify the issues that they want to be investigated and, as DEPI is also involved, we’ll able to explore the production, industry and environmental factors in a really meaningful way,” Mr Walters said.

“From the CMA’s point of view, we have had land and water management plans for many years and many of those issues — such as rising water tables and salinity, sodicity, nutrient and run-off — are still very real.

“Also, looking to the future, there are new challenges and opportunities — such as climate variability and carbon farming — to explore.’’

Mr Walters said it was an opportunity to study real issues at a farm level.

“The focus farms approach is trying to make it real for farmers and you can only do that by working together.’’

Goulburn Broken CMA has received funding through the Federal Government’s ‘Caring for our Country’ initiative which should support the joint Murray Dairy project for at least two

Partnership will look at how irrigation modernisation is affecting soil health. years. It is hoped the project will be up and running by the end of the year.

Murray Dairy said the Focus Farms project helped dairy farmers improve their skills, knowledge, decision making and risk management.

Each focus farm involves a locally operated dairy business, helped by a facilitator and a support group of local farmers and service providers. They meet regularly over a two-year period to examine, discuss and suggest changes.

Each year, a particular strategy/goal is selected, analysed and reported about over the following year, thereby improving the overall performance of the farm as well as improving skills and knowledge of owners, support group members, participants in the field day and members on information circulation lists.

Opportunity is also provided for the region’s broader dairy community to attend field days to discuss farm performance and management changes.

Nick and Jane Andrews’ focus farm at Katandra West will be continuing.

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Cairnhill Dundee Souzie sold for $4000.

Cairnhill Dundee Shania sold for $4000.

Another International Dairy Week champion Cairnhill Damian Leader sold for $17 100.

Auction

yields record sale

NZ investor pays $80 000 for cow.

Rosalie and Trevor Zanders at the first sale held at their Kialla farm.

Trevor and Rosalie Zanders said after more than a decade of farming in Australia, it was time to test the market with an on-farm auction — and they were pleased with the result, particularly under the current market conditions.

Cairnhill Morsan Presence sold for $80 000 at the September 4 event — an Australasian record price for a dairy cow sold at auction.

“It was a great sale, many people commented on the evenness of the whole line of cattle,” Mr Zanders said.

In opening the sale at the purpose-built sales arena on the Kialla farm, he said holding the event at the beginning of spring would not have been possible without his family’s hard work, particularly his wife Rosalie.

“Rosalie’s helped with everything — she’s been feeding 15 to 20 people every night,” he said.

The couple held on-property sales in New Zealand and have had a number of high 16

OCTOBER 2013

Record-breaking Cairnhill Morsan Presence.

The owners’ granddaughter Zali Deenen, 12, and her friend Brianna Weaver, 12, both of Leongatha, helped in the stands.

profile sales at International Dairy Week, with animals selling for more than $30 000 and one selling for $90 000 in a private sale at last year’s event.

The record-breaking Cairnhill Morsan Presence won her class at International Dairy Week in 2009, 2011 and 2012. At this year’s International Dairy Week, she was named Reserve Champion Cow. She was in calf to well regarded bull Aftershock and was due to give birth in late October.

Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie told the crowd of about 100 people at the auction that she was more than a show cow and also had incredible production and fertility: “This cow has never returned from first service.”

He said this quality of cow was rarely bred, let alone put on the public market. ‘‘It is close to the perfect cow,” Mr Leslie said.

Robert Calder and Callum Moscript, 21, of Leongatha, examined Cairnhill Morsan Presence before the sale.

“You could have knocked me over with a feather when Trevor said he’d sell this cow.’’

Mr Zanders said Cairnhill Morsan Presence was deserving of the $80 000 winning bid. ‘‘She is an excellent cow — she’s done everything and yet she still has a good future in front of her,’’ Mr Zanders said. ‘‘That sort of cow sold overseas for example in North America could make double that money.’’

He was pleased with her ‘‘genuine sale’’ to a New Zealand investor who he understands plans to apply for a stud name and keep her in Australia.

The overall average for the 48 lots at Cairnhill’s Dream Team Sale was $3835, which Mr Leslie said included an ‘‘outstanding catalogue’’ of 18 cows, three joined heifers, 14 yearling heifers, 11 heifer calves and two embryo packages.

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Innovative project puts

cows in classrooms

Farmers support an education program taking the dairy message to a younger audience.

Year 10 course participants (from left) Nathan Leckie, 15, Jessica Allen, 15, Tiffany Martin, 15, Crystal Reardon, 16 and Kayla Dempsey, 15.

It’s called Cows Create Careers and already there is concrete evidence this is indeed the case with an innovative program designed to promote education and career opportunities in the dairy industry.

Recently Shepparton’s McGuire College took delivery of three calves donated by a local farm and, while none of the students had any plans to go into the dairy industry, they agreed it had certainly broadened their understanding of the sector.

The three Holsteins couldn’t have failed to engage the school community, with one staff member who had been worried about the noise and smell becoming one of their biggest fans.

Cows Create Careers is delivered across 22 dairying regions in Australia.

In northern Victoria and the Riverina, students from Echuca College, Kyabram P–12 College, Shepparton High School, Notre Dame College in Shepparton, Cohuna Secondary College, Rochester Secondary

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Pre-schooler Makaylah Dighton, 5, enjoyed feeding the calves at McGuire College.

College, Catholic College Bendigo, Goulburn Valley Grammar School in Shepparton, Kerang Technical High School, Finley High School, Mt Beauty Secondary College, Corowa High School, Tallangatta Secondary College, Wodonga Senior Secondary College and Wangaratta Galen Catholic College completed the Farm Module in 2012.

This year other schools, including McGuire College, Rutherglen High School, Murray High School in Lavington, Corryong College, Frayne College in Baranduda and Batlow Technology School joined in.

The project’s 2012 annual report

found dairy farmers believed the dairy industry needed to be involved in schools to promote agricultural career pathways and they believed the project was great for the positive image of the dairy industry.

The report said commercial companies had continued to support the growth of the project across the country with a commercial estimate of $75 440 of supplies being provided to schools.

Fifty-six per cent of the schools surveyed implemented Cows Create Careers as an agricultural/horticultural elective, with a further 20 per cent as a science elective.

Students in the Cows Create Careers program at Shepparton’s McGuire College hosted a visit from four and five-year-olds from Patricia Smith Children’s Centre.

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Murray Dairy appoints new board member Mitta Valley’s Karen Moroney will draw on her “I want dairy farms to be really good places to dairy farming and genetics business experience work — places of choice.” to contribute to the Murray Dairy board.

Mrs Moroney has been on the family farm “It is a great opportunity to get involved with near Eskdale for 24 years and in the early the higher level of an industry that I am 2000s she and husband Wayne bought out the passionate about,” the newly appointed board family partnership. They now run 240 head member said. of Aussie Reds, raise all replacement stock and produce their own fodder.

“I cannot wait to work side by side with leaders and business icons of the industry.”

During that time, Mrs Moroney also “nurtured and expanded” the genetics company Mrs Moroney said dairy farmers needed tools focusing on red and white dairy breeds that and resources to be productive. her father William Thompson established.

“Profitable dairy farms mean sustainable In 2009, she took on a business partner, businesses and sustainable rural and regional Steve Snowden, to form the business communities.”

Auzred Xb which specialises in three-way She said some of the main challenges Murray commercial cross breeding, red breeds and Dairy could help the industry address Montbeliardes — the French red and white were attracting and retaining staff. Mrs pied breed.

Moroney has a Diploma of Human Resource Mrs Moroney is also keen to represent Management from Goulburn Murray TAFE Victoria’s north-east, which she said was a and has also completed leadership courses.

consistent milk production region. She is on the steering committees for the Our Valley Our Future project in the Mitta Valley and the Apline Valleys Dairy Pathways project.

She is also excited by global dairy opportunities — not only genetic but also humanitarian. For example, Mrs Moroney is the executive officer of the European Red Dairy Breen Association — the 21-member international group that aims to put red and white dairy cows on the map.

She is also part of a project to offer 12-month internships to South African youths on Australian dairy farms.

Encouraging skills development A steering committee to establish a young farmers group is being developed by Murray Dairy.

The goal is to bring young people in the industry together for professional advancement, mutual support and social activities.

Stuart Crosthwaite, a board member of Murray Dairy, said they were using a broad definition of ‘‘young’’ so they could include farmers entering the industry who were looking for collegiate support. ‘‘One of the challenges will be to find potentially interested people as they may

not be on Murray Dairy’s database but who may benefit from a networking group,’’ Mr Crosthwaite said.

Murray Dairy has called for expressions of interest for a steering committee, which will set out a name and establish guidelines for how it will operate.

In one of his former jobs Mr Crosthwaite discovered the merits of encouraging young people to investigate how to operate outside their usual sphere of colleagues.

While working for Bega Cheese he was involved with a young farmers network. ‘‘We found that on almost every farm there

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were one or two young people in that young farmer bracket.’’

They regularly ran trips outside of the immediate area to see alternative farming methods and gain fresh ideas. ‘‘We want to assist young farmers to develop skills to run a profitable dairy business, to enable them to develop a vision for their business and encourage enthusiasm.

Murray Dairy’s New Focus Farms Expressions of Interest are sought for three new Focus Farms • Two Focus Farms targeting improvement in an area of your farm business • One Focus Farm targeting soil management and improved overall farm performance Focus Farmers gain an improved understanding of farm business practice resulting in improved confidence to make informed business decisions.

Access to a qualified facilitator and peer support provides insightful business guidance for the next two years.

An ability to cope with scrutiny of farming practice from others is necessary.

For further information and to fill out an Expression of Interest form please go to our website www.murraydairy.com.au or call Lisa Birrell on (03) 5833 5316 for further information.

Expressions of interest need to be received by Murray Dairy by Friday 15 November 2013.

Department of Environment and Primary Industries

Words: Laura Griffin Pictures: Julie Mercer

Relief milking experience put to good use.

Andrew Wilson

22

OCTOBER 2013

“

“

Branching out on their own

Andrew Wilson milked in 72 dairies Andrew feeds up to two tonnes of before he and wife Jodie bought their grain mix per cow per year. He mixes own farm at Strathmerton four years his own ration to have more control ago. over what the cows are fed and increase his ability to respond to their When their fourth child was on nutritional needs. the way, Andrew felt he “had to get serious” and buy a farm.

He aims to feed them predominantly home-grown pasture but said he had Owning a farm gives Andrew the to buy in hay, silage and grain as his opportunity to be his own boss and stocking rate increased. implement practices he saw working on the successful farms during his eight years of relief milking. It also allows him to be at home with the The Pasture For Profit children as Jodie works full-time as a real estate agent. program was the most Their youngest son Jacob, now four, critical thing I could was born three days after they took have done. over the farm. They also have Riley, 13, Maddison, 10, and Caleb, seven.

Andrew Wilson “Dairy farming lets us rear our own kids,” Andrew said.

Andrew said the farm only had 55 Ml The Murray Goulburn suppliers high reliability water share, which started with 50 of their own cows and exposed him to the temporary water had 55 parked on their 73 ha property. market.

Andrew will milk about 200 cows “As with most new farms that are this year and there are about 140 bought without water, (whether to replacements to come through. He buy temporary) water becomes a would like to milk about 170 cows, business decision.” although he is considering milking He said in early September, temporary more this year because of industry water was retailing for $70/Ml and conditions and to help pay for a new vetch hay was $200/tonne, so coming house they are building. up to summer he was considering not “With the milk price picking up and buying water to put in summer crop feed prices being more reasonable and instead buying in hay to give the than previous years, I might have a herd one feedlot feed a day. crack at milking them all this year,” He swooped on “realistic” prices for he said.

Andrew Wilson (pictured with youngest son Jacob, 4) is considering feeding his herd more silage and hay instead of growing summer pasture.

Springers in a paddock near the house.

Andrew Wilson’s father Neville Wilson helps around the farm.

silage and thinks he will have up to 1000 rolls of silage made and bought by the end of the year.

He said the biggest changes to his farm management practices were to the way he grew and grazed pastures.

“The Pasture For Profit program was the most critical thing I could have done — it helped me understand the management of growing and grazing rye grass, including grazing at the right leaf stage and leaving a residual.

“It made a huge change — from the first year until now, I am confident that I have doubled the amount of grass grown per hectare.”

Information days and farmer discussion groups help Andrew tweak his operation and best respond to market conditions.

In the next few years, he wants to continue to increase the amount of feed grown. In coming years he and Jodie might expand the farm’s size.

He credits the herd’s good health to making his own grain mix and adjusting it to the cows’ needs.

“I get the vet out twice a year to preg test them, and that’s it,” he said.

OCTOBER 2013

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For more information and catalogue contact: Erik 0417 219 156 ertho@vikinggenetics.com Anna 0488 058 707 annor@vikinggenetics.com Michelle 0418 479 909 mibra@vikinggenetics.com 24

OCTOBER 2013

115 Index

Viking Genetics is unique in that we have the most complete breeding system in the world (NTM = Nordic Total Merit) that insures improvement of ALL key management traits. The graph shows the improvement of seven of the most important traits realted to profitability for the Holstein breed for a 10 year period.

VIKING JERSEYS GENETIC TRENDS ON KEY MANAGEMENT TRAITS (HOLSTEIN)

110

Production Mammary Longevity

105

Feet & Legs Udder health Fertility Calving MGS

100

95

90

85 1998

Birth year of the bull 1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

VikingGenetics Australia 53 Towong Street, Tallangatta, VIC 3700 Tel: (02) 6071 3007. Fax: (02) 6071 3006 www.vikinggenetics.com.au Follow us on

Botulism

Words and pictures: Sophie Bruns

Herd struck

shock

down

Farmer learns the value of vaccination the hard way.

Leigh Prout has ridden the highs and lows of the dairy industry for many years but nothing could prepare him for the horror he faced when he lost the majority of his milking cow herd to botulism recently. At the start of August he had 150 milkers, by the start of September that number had been drastically reduced to just 40.

The botulism has been traced back to round bale silage that was added to a TMR (total mixed ration) and fed out to the milking herd through the mixer wagon.

On Thursday, August 8 Mr Prout went down to get the cows for the night milking and three cows wouldn’t get up.

“They were stale, fat cows so I called the vet and the young bloke thought maybe it was grass tetany. We had never had that before and I was a bit suspicious but the next morning there was another nine down and a few were over on their sides. Our vet Paul Clavin came out straight away and within five minutes he said it was botulism,” Mr Prout said.

Over the course of the following week he lost 84 cows.

“I would head down to the paddock and my first thought would be, ‘Who is not going to get up today?’

“The cows didn’t show any physical signs of getting sick and you certainly couldn’t pick the ones that were going to die. They all looked fine and had heaps of milk but all of a sudden they would just go down. Some cows

died within 6–12 hours but after that it was like slow motion. We ended up putting down 70 per cent of the cows because we knew very well they weren’t going to get up. We tried everything we could for them but it was all in vain, really. The only thing that would have saved them was if I had of vaccinated them in the first place.”

Mr Prout had been using a TMR for about eight years and making silage for 20, and while he had heard of cases of botulism in silage, he never thought it would happen to him.

“Realistically I guess it was just ignorance why I didn’t vaccinate my own herd. Now I believe this is the most important vaccine you can give, even more important than 7 in 1,” Mr Prout said.

“I have done a lot of reading over the last month and even the smallest amount of botulism in something as small as a drop-tail lizard is enough to cause multiple deaths.

The spore Clostridium botulinum can be found in any animal or bird but it needs the environment of the silage to grow. If you bale up a rabbit or fox in your hay you obviously won’t have the same problem.”

It is terrible for any farmer to lose stock but for Mr Prout, who runs the Holstein stud CoraLea, the loss is even greater. Over the years he has significantly invested financially and emotionally in his herd and he is now in the unfortunate position of having to

contemplate his future in the industry.

“I can either do nothing and go broke or try to dig my way out of it. You can’t sit around and feel sorry for yourself . We sort of held our own through the drought and we recovered from losing everything when we were flooded for four months in 2010. Last year was tough but I really thought this year was going to be the year.”

On the positive side, Mr Prout still has all his young stock and 40 milkers. There will be 70 heifers to come into the herd next year.

“A few of our good cows survived and we may flush them and breed back up from there. To replace the herd is a lot of money to pay back, and you do have to ask yourself, ‘How far can I go?’.”

Mr Prout said he had received a lot of support from the farming community and his milk company, Murray Goulburn.

“Initially I didn’t want to tell my story but you can’t sweep something like this under the carpet.

“There were stories going around that we poisoned foxes and that’s how the botulism got into the silage; that we vaccinated our cows and it didn’t work; but that’s not true.

“I wanted to set the record straight. The truth is whatever happened to my silage could easily happen to yours, but if I had of simply vaccinated my herd I could have avoided this whole terrible situation.”

Cow drive to help stricken farm The farming community has got behind Kerang East dairy farmer Leigh Prout and organised a ‘Chopper Cow Drive’ to help get him back on his feet.

Friend and dairy farmer Chad Gordon said while Mr Prout was reluctant to ask for help, the reality was he certainly needed it.

“Financially it will be very hard for Prouty to recover from something like this unless we band together and help him,” Mr Gordon said.

“Losing two-thirds of your milking herd in

only two weeks doesn’t leave much of an opportunity to move forward, and if we all help out with a donation of a chopper cow then he can begin to restock and get on with the job.”

The drive is being organised by Rodwells and Co Stock Agents Thomas and Bernice MacKenzie from Cohuna, and HW Greenham and Sons from Tongala.

The MacKenzies have offered to arrange onfarm collection of any donated chopper cows and will forward all proceeds to Mr Prout, while Greenham’s has offered to pay the $5

fee which is charged when every chopper is sold, and will also chip in with a $5000 donation.

Northern Herd Development has also got behind the cause and will place any monetary donations made payable to NHD Leigh Prout Chopper Cow Rally in a trust account with proceeds to be forwarded to Mr Prout on October 1.

The chopper cow rally will run during October and anyone requiring more information can contact Rodwells’ Cohuna office on 5456 2927.

OCTOBER 2013

25

Botulism

shock

Small price to pay for peace of mind Yearly vaccination ensures couple will never again feel the heartbreak of losing their cows to botulism.

In February 2011 Torrumbarry dairy farmers Scott and Jade Sieben lost 17 of their cows to botulism. Vaccinating their herd against it is now part of their annual management.

if they lay flat out, we knew they were done and in the end we just started to put them down.

“I can remember people saying to me, ‘You “If you feed silage you should vaccinate. It’s not won’t remember this in a few years’ time,’ but I can look around the farm and I still know a hard thing to do and while it (botulism) is where each and every cow died.” an unlucky thing to happen, it can wipe you out,” Jade said.

At the time of their outbreak the Siebens happened to be away on holidays. Their cows The Siebens’ milking herd is now treated each were being fed cereal pit silage through a February, including the dry cows. The spring mixer wagon and were grazing millet during calving heifers are treated separately just the day. before they enter the herd.

“One of the cows went down at the dairy “Botulism is a horrible way for your cows to and the vet came out and put it down to die and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. The something unusual. Shortly after that another paralysis works its way from the back to the one went down on the feed pad and then front and the cow’s breathing is the last thing 24 hours later they started dropping like to be affected. The cows cry and grind their flies. It didn’t take them long to realise it was teeth, it is horrific. We tried everything to fix our girls including large amounts of drugs but botulism.

“When you looked at the silage there was no way you could tell anything was wrong with it.

It wasn’t black, rotten or mouldy, but it tested positive.”

Jade cannot speak highly enough of the help they received at the time from their vet Paul Clavin from Cohuna.

“He vaccinated the whole entire herd for us and he came out and checked the cows for us 3–4 times a day. He was amazing. Scott and I then boosted the cows two weeks later, and then we started feeding the silage again.”

Scott and Jade were nervous about using the

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Botulism

shock

Vaccinate to prevent loss

silage again, even though the herd had been vaccinated and boosted.

“At the time we were very short of feed so we didn’t have a choice. We did leave a large buffer behind around the affected area and we didn’t lose any more cows.”

On the positive side, some of the new heifers coming into the herd this year are the offspring of some of the cows that were lost.

“In a way we were lucky because we only lost 17 cows. This is nowhere near the numbers that others have lost, but had we lost 50 cows or more it would have finished us and we wouldn’t be farming in northern Victoria anymore.”

Cohuna vet Paul Clavin is urging dairy farmers who use any conserved feed, including hay, silage, pellets or grain, to vaccinate their herd against botulism.

“Very few cattle survive botulism and there is no effective treatment for large domestic animals, but there are several vaccines available which are highly effective at preventing or limiting botulism outbreaks,” Dr Clavin said.

Botulism is an acute form of toxic paralysis caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are four groups which produce seven different types of toxin. In Australia toxin types C, D and sometimes B cause paralysis and death in cattle, while in humans A, E, B and F cause disease.

Clostridium botulinum survives in the environment as a durable spore but only under favourable conditions does it germinate into one of the most toxic substances known. This generally occurs in decaying vegetable matter, mould grain or pellets, wet hay and decaying animals.

Take particular care not to feed silage or hay that looks or smells unusually unpleasant.

0%

“Most commonly silage and hay wrapped in plastic or pit silage stored under plastic sheeting creates the perfect environment for the production of botulinum toxin, especially if dead animals have been caught in the vegetation and wrapped.

“Catastrophic stock losses occur when the offending feed is mixed in a feeder wagon and then distributed to the entire herd.”

The toxin causes paralysis of the motor nerves by preventing the progression of nerve impulses. The paralysis starts at the rear end and works its way forward, finally causing respiratory paralysis and death within two or three days.

Milk and meat from affected animals does not enter the food chain as the animals become rapidly recumbent and die or are humanely destroyed.

“When botulism outbreaks occur, milk factories are rapidly notified and they stop collection of milk until after the outbreak ceases. This ensures there is absolutely no risk, or risk of perception, to consumers.”

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Words and Pictures: Geoff Adams

Business on the way up Government support will help Shepparton operation to grow and prosper.

David Chandler with an automatic drafting system built completely in Shepparton.

Minister Louise Asher at Easy Dairy.

28

OCTOBER 2013

for Australian conditions and Australian farmers. We also provide a high level of support, with 24-hour support for customers.’’

Ms Asher said the Innovation Skills Voucher provided Victorian businesses with access to the courses, training or specialised skills development programs needed to improve Easy Dairy Automation Systems has been their competitiveness and productivity. awarded an Innovation Skills Voucher by Easy Dairy Automation Systems will use the the Victorian Government to work with BSI voucher to work with BSI Services, through Services to improve entrepreneurial skills.

10X Goulburn Valley, to tackle skills gaps in market development and entrepreneurial skills.

The 10X program will enable staff and management at Easy Dairy Automation Our equipment is far better Systems to refine their entrepreneurial than what’s coming in from skills, particularly in market development, overseas. Plus it’s being built production efficiencies, planning, and for Australian conditions and accessing new markets and customers.

10X business coach Craig Potter said the Australian farmers. program would assist Easy Dairy to gain

David Chandler traction in the market.

“David’s a brilliant entrepreneur. Without his skills our region would be a lot poorer.

Victorian Innovation Minister Louise Asher visited the business in Apollo Dve, Shepparton “We’ll be working with him to develop recently. strategies for marketing.”

“

“

A Shepparton business that started out as a one-man operation now has about 2000 customers using its herd management systems.

“It was planned, but it took two years to write the software,’’ business owner David Chandler said.

Mr Chandler , who has a background in electronics, launched the business in 2002.

Six months later, the drought began biting hard and he had to struggle through with long hours and little reward. He persevered, and recently the Easy Dairy business was awarded a $10 000 government skills voucher to help with strategic planning and marketing.

The business, which now employs six people, builds its own hardware from imported components.

Asked how he could compete with overseas manufacturers, Mr Chandler said it came down to quality and flexibility.

“Our equipment is far better than what’s coming in from overseas. Plus it’s being built

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29

Don’t let your

guard down It’s vital to keep control of farm management, even in a good season. ‘‘We want milk in the vat immediately so do we go out and spend $1450 on a cow? ‘‘If I’ve got the feed at home, it might return me $1647 more this year. That’s all income less costs.

“

It’s easy in a year when margains are healthy to bargain a bit less or be a bit more blase when we’re buying stuff . . .

Cameron Smith

“

Don’t let the reins slacken off because it looks like a good year, was one of the messages to dairy farmers and industry representatives in September.

Farmanco consultant Cameron Smith warned there was a temptation to ease off in managing the farm when milk prices were improving and some feed costs were easing.

“Be frugal with operating costs,’’ Mr Smith told the Down to Business workshop in Shepparton, organised by DEPI. ‘‘It’s easy in a year when margins are healthy to bargain a bit less or be a bit more blase when we’re buying stuff.”

For example, he quoted the case of temporary water prices jumping by $10/Ml over a week. ‘‘Should I have bought that 300 Ml three weeks ago when it was $10 lower?

“If I bought 300 Ml at $10 more that’s another few thousand dollars gone and one per cent off your profit.’’

What about buying more cows because the milk price is up?

‘‘If I had to buy extra feed that figure could slip to $449, then I would pay for her in three years.’’

However, Mr Smith said there was no one answer for all farms as every farm had

Risk indicators – Statewide

Return on assets – North Return on assets (%)

15% 10% 5% 0% -5%

30

OCTOBER 2013

12/13 Average

Top 25% *

N0052

11/12 AVE

N0051

N0050

N0049

N0048

N0047

N0046

N0045

N0044

N0043

N0041

N0040

N0039

N0038

N0037

N0036

N0028

N0026

N0023

N0022

N0020

N0015

N0014

N0012

N0010

-10%

12/13

different costs and liabilities. It was the same with getting more milk from existing cows.

He urged farmers to do the calculations and be prepared to be flexible. ‘‘If you push cows to milk more in a good year and the price falls next year you have to be able to flex back.

“Consider the difference between wants and needs.

“If the business needs something to operate more efficiently into the future then line up all the needs and analyse which gives the best return and then prioritise.”

Mr Smith suggested dairy businesses be set up to be resilient.

“This may entail reducing your current exposure to debt and/or putting away resources during the 2013–14 season for another day.

“Consider your position at the end of the year in relation to carryover water, fodder reserves and cash reserves.’’

State wide

North

South West

Gippsland

Cost structure (proportion of total costs that are variable costs)

60%

65%

59%

56%

Debt services ratio (percentage of income as finance costs)

13%

11%

15%

15%

Debt per cow

$3,952

$3,582

$4,605

$3,669

Equity percentage (ownership of total assets managed)

61%

55%

59%

67%

44%

47%

47%

38%

Percentage of feed imported (as a % of total ME)

Words and Pictures: Geoff Adams

Dairy outlook is promising

Claire Waterman from Bendigo DEPI remarked on the turnaround expected for this season.

Report shows last season was tough, but things are looking up this year.

“Despite a lower milk price in 2012–13 the With milk prices rising, grain prices falling northern Victorian dairy farmers were able and the dams full, the outlook for dairying is to increase milk production and maintain a favourable, a dairy industry breakfast heard reasonable cash flow to January,’’ the report recently. found.

In a summary of the seventh annual Dairy Farm Monitor Project, DEPI farm business economist Claire Waterman said while the 2012–13 year had been challenging, indications were for a better season with prices forecast in the $6.10 to $6.30 range.

Despite a lower milk price She said the milk price was up about 25 per in 2012–13 the northern cent, grain prices were falling — with one Victorian dairy farmers forecaster suggesting about a 25 per cent decrease — and 100 per cent water allocations were able to increase milk were expected for the Goulburn and Murray production . . . valleys. There was also an increased chance of

Claire Waterman above median rainfall.

The report found milk prices in northern Victoria dropped about 10 per cent last “The latter half of the season became more season, with an average of $5.05. difficult due to above average temperatures, high irrigation requirements and mild heat It was worse in other areas, with the state stress in cows. average estimated at $4.90kg/milk solids.

“

“Although the north experienced a reasonable year for pasture growth, a lot of effort was required to grow every kilogram of pasture.’’

Ms Waterman said the figures for last year were influenced by some on-farm irrigation efficiency projects which took part of some farms out of production for several months.

Variable costs increased for northern farms last year, with feed responsible for the greatest portion of the costs.

Fodder purchases increased from $0.38 kg/ milk solids to $0.43, and concentrates jumped from $1.09 to $1.23.

The return-on-assets measure recorded a negative return at -2.9 per cent, down from 8.4 per cent the previous year.

Earnings before income tax suffered last year with eight of the 25 northern region farms in the study experiencing negative returns.

The project studied 75 Victorian farms.

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United States eyes global dairy market The United States dairy industry is turning its domestic US market prices, making export attention outside its own borders and could returns more alluring for US dairy players.” emerge as a significant competitor to Australia This, in effect, was turning the US from “the in international export markets, a visiting hunted to the hunter” as its dairy industry global dairy expert has cautioned. sought to compete in the more attractive Rabobank’s New York-based global dairy global marketplace, Mr Hunt said. strategist Tim Hunt — who was in Australia “The US dairy industry is becoming last month presenting to local industry — said increasingly cost competitive in export the US, long focused on its own domestic markets due to a combination of its largemarket, was reorienting towards the global scale farm operations, easing feed costs and a marketplace, attracted by the allure of better lower US dollar, while it is also beginning to returns across some product categories. align products to suit the global market.”

Until recent times, the entire US dairy Mr Hunt said US dairy exports had already industry had been dedicated to servicing its begun to steadily grow as a result, with, for own lucrative and growing domestic market, example, milk powder exports increasing with countries like Australia trying to gain from about 300 000 tonnes in 2007 to access through bilateral trade agreements.

500 000 tonnes in 2012, and cheese exports “Historically, the US dairy industry lived in a going from about 100 000 tonnes to more fortress,” Mr Hunt said. than 250 000 tonnes in the same period.

“It had a very large, affluent domestic market, But Mr Hunt said it was not all smooth which grew strongly and had very high sailing for the US as it reoriented towards prices. It was protected from the international world markets, with a number of obstacles to market by high tariff barriers and had overcome. government support.

“With the entire US dairy industry having “But US dairy market growth has slowed developed to service the domestic market, in recent years, while the commodity price they are not aligned to the requirements of boom has seen international prices rise above exporting dairy.

“Essentially, they have the wrong plants and they make the wrong products for global market exports. In addition, US regulation makes exporting hard for the industry.”

There were also market access and customer relationship issues, Mr Hunt said.

“The US dairy industry doesn’t have good access to several important markets and they also have relatively weak relationships with offshore customers.”

However, progress was being made towards the US becoming a better exporter.

“Plants are being tweaked to make export products and new plants are being built to service export markets,” Mr Hunt said.

“Market access is improving and relationships with offshore customers are being strengthened.”

And with Australia largely having lost its cost of production advantage in world dairy markets, it will be increasingly likely to compete head-to-head with the United States in coming years, Mr Hunt warned.

“Maintaining Australia’s edge in post-farmgate processing and marketing will be crucial to sustaining returns on-farm.”

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Reduce the incidence of RFMs Retained foetal membranes usually come away by themselves, but veterinary attention should be sought if this does not happen.

The foetal membranes, also known as the placenta, is where the transfer of oxygen and nutrients between a cow and a developing calf take place during pregnancy.

Retained foetal membranes (RFMs) is one of those frustrating problems that all livestock producers face during the calving period.

Foetal membranes normally come away soon after calving. They are considered retained if they are still present 12 hours after calving.

While the best course of action will vary depending upon the circumstances, usually it’s best to do nothing for the first 72 hours as many membranes will come away by themselves.

Never pull on or try to manually remove the membranes; you will do more harm than good.

Veterinary attention should be sought if an affected cow goes off milk, loses condition, stops eating or just looks unwell.

There are many causes of RFMs. Some of the main ones include: • drug induction of calving; • twin calvings; • calving difficulties; • abortions; • milk fever.

Prevention strategies should be implemented if more than four per cent of non-induced cows have RFMs 24 hours after calving.

Some ways to reduce the incidence of RFMs include: • minimising assisted calvings; • feeding cows and heifers to calve in body condition score 2.5 to 3; • checking nutrition during the late dry period and calving time and controlling milk fever in cows close to calving; • ensuring selenium and vitamin E nutrition is adequate.

RFMs are a significant cause of loss of production, as they may lead to infections in the uterus, infertility, delayed cycling and lowered milk production.

For further advice please contact your local veterinarian or DEPI veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Livestock Health and Pest Authority.

– Dr Jeff Cave, DEPI district veterinary officer

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33

Season is looking good

Words: Laura Griffin

Rain and water availability have farmers optimistic.

“People are still cautious,” he said.

“There is a bit of financial rebuilding to do.”

Energy remains a big cost in dairy farms because they use a lot of energy to milk, cool milk, and in many cases pump water.

“A thousand dairy farms across the state benefited from on-farm energy audits,” Mr Delahunty said.

He said some of those farms could make energy-saving measures but for others changing to a lower cost energy system involved capital investment.

He said good rainfall and water availability had made farmers optimistic about feed availability throughout the season.

“The season is generating its own feed at the moment and people are hopeful good feed will be available to make silage and hay,” Mr Delahunty said.

“It could be a good opportunity to replenish feed reserves, but it depends on how the season finishes.

“Step-ups mean farmers might be able to fertilise and produce more grass.”

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North Victorian dairy farmers were cautiously optimistic about the coming season, UDV manager Vin Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty estimated he and four VFF field representatives met with between 60 and 70 farming families from Kerang to Shepparton during the week starting Sunday, August 18.

Mr Delahunty said the 10 families with whom he met said the season seemed to be set up well in large part because of good rainfall and water availability.

He said milk price structures, the MurrayDarling Basin Plan, trade access issues and industry promotion were discussed.

“Dairy farmers want to hold governments to commitments made about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan,” Mr Delahunty said.

On milk prices, he said farmers were happy that milk prices were better this season than they had been.

“Last year, people were dealing with low prices and high input costs including energy costs.

“It was a very difficult trading year.”

Farmers have been encouraged by step-ups and price increases.

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Genomic data helps guide bull selection DNA testing is having a major impact on artificial breeding.

Genomic bulls dominated the top bulls in the latest list of Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) released by the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) recently.

Michelle Axford from ADHIS said more than half the Holstein bulls in the latest Good Bulls Guide (which lists the top dairy bulls) were young genomic bulls.

“Genomic — or DNA — testing is having a major impact on dairy artificial breeding in the two years since the technology was introduced in Australia.

“Three years ago, there were no genomic bulls in the Good Bulls Guide. Two years ago less than 25 per cent of the Holstein bulls in the guide were young genomic bulls. That represents a rapid uptake of the technology,” Mrs Axford said.

She said the rapid uptake was because genomic testing could be done when an animal was any age, so breeding values could be estimated for young cows and bulls, long before performance data was available (or daughter performance data in the case of bulls).

“This means bulls can be used with confidence

from a much younger age, and that will contribute to a faster rate of genetic gain in Australia’s dairy herds,” Mrs Axford said.

“Bulls proven overseas without any Australian daughters have more reliable breeding values with the addition of genomics. The reliability of Australian proven bulls improves, particularly for hard to measure traits such as fertility.”

The Good Bulls Guide is posted to dairy farmers or can be downloaded from www.adhis.com.au

AUGUST 2013 ABV’S GOOD BULLS GUIDE FOR JERSEY – PROFIT

Profit Production Survival Conformation Workability Daughter Cell Australian

No. Traits Fertility Count

Genetic Genomics Proven or APR APR ASI No. No. Dtrs 1st Over Mam Type Milk Dtr Rank Bull ID Bull Name Codes Included International $ Rel ASI Rel Dtrs Herds Century Survival Rel Type Syst Rel Spd Temp Like Rel Fert Rel CC Rel Lwt Rel Source ­1 SANDBLAST NOWELL SANDBLAST A22 g 2 TBONE RICHIES JACE TBONE A364 A22 3 ELTON CAIRNBRAE JACES ELTON g 4 TENGEN MOROKA TENGEN g CRVMANZELLO PUKEROA TGM MANZELLO 5 6 BOSMURMUR OKURA LIKA MURMUR S3J NZGLOTJESTER HILLSTAR LOT JESTER S3J CVF,A12 7 8 29JE3678 CAL-MART NAVARA BLADE g 9 LARFALOT LIGHTWOOD LUCRATIVE A22 g 10 NZGGEORGEY CENTRAL VALLEY GEORGE S3J CVF,A22 11 VANAHLEM PANNOO ABE VANAHLEM g 12 VIKLURE VJ LURE A22 HAYWARDS TGM AIM S3J CVF,A22 13 NZGHAYWARDS 14 GAINFUL KAARMONA GALEAO A12 g A22 15 NZGSPEEDWAY KELLAND KC SPEEDWAY 16 29JE3624 ALL LYNNS MAXIMUM VERNON-ET 17 VIKJANTE DJ JANTE A12 g 18 TAILBOARD NOWELL TARSAN g 19 VAVOOM ROCKLEIGH PARK VALERIAN VAVOOM g CVF,A22, 20 NZGGREENY GREENPARK OM TARGET g

CNF,BLF

A A A A I I I I A I A I I A I I I A A

320 82 246 88 96 28 278 83 212 88 73 27 272 93 219 98 1098 199 261 69 221 77 35 15 255 59 207 72 256 250 63 202 73 220 246 53 184 67 66 244 64 176 73 234 242 94 189 98 1045 216 231 54 201 67 71 229 76 162 83 51 27 228 62 170 66 109 211 64 197 78 2005 102 42 201 82 167 88 84 46 200 52 184 65 70 200 55 158 65 81 199 72 110 77 2479 198 97 157 99 1263 241 195 73 200 81 58 22

I

194 70 206 79

100 107 105 103 104 105 106 104* 106 102 107 103* 95 105 103 105 106 102 102

68 108 112 77 101 104 106 84 106 70 115 81 95 80 AGR 72 119 115 83 104 105 106 78 100 78 112 76 106 84 AGR 79 110 107 90 104 106 105 95 98 87 110 94 105 91 ABS 54 101 103 64 102 102 104 69 96 62 99 68 GAC 37 97 96 59 115 84 102 68 CRV 43 99 99 53 131 79 103 62 CRV 33 97 97 55 139 72 104 63 LIC 53 105 105 61 136 62 102 63 ABS 81 111 105 92 100 103 103 97 97 86 130 91 103 93 GAC 33 94 94 55 137 74 103 63 LIC 62 125 118 72 102 106 106 72 99 65 109 76 103 76 ALT 45 96 93 50 102 71 136 65 100 67 VIK 96 61 116 91 99 69 LIC 67 114 112 72 100 103 102 84 93 72 136 80 102 76 GAC 32 103 102 56 124 67 106 64 LIC 44 112 104 54 107 57 100 49 ABS 59 108 103 65 98 101 101 80 105 75 157 79 104 78 VIK 92 106 103 89 100 102 101 97 99 95 132 98 100 90 GAC 56 101 99 65 102 103 105 72 98 57 77 69 105 69 ABS

6844 102 50 96 93 62 99 57 96 92 107 72 LIC

AUGUST 2013 ABV’S GOOD BULLS GUIDE FOR HOLSTEIN – PROFIT

Profit Production Survival Conformation Workability Daughter Cell Calving Australian

No. Traits Fertility Count Ease Genetic Genomics Proven or APR APR ASI No. No. Dtrs 1st Over Mam Type Milk Dtr Calv

Rank Bull ID Bull Name Codes Included International $ Rel ASI Rel Dtrs Herds Century Survival Rel Type Syst Rel Spd Temp Like Rel Fert Rel CC Rel Lwt Rel Ease Rel Source 1 CANBEE COUNTRY ROAD ROUMARE CANBEE g 2 ROUMARE ROUMARE g 3 GGGUARINI GUARINI-ET CVF 4 CRVSTRAVA HSS R STRAVAGANZA S1F A22 5 29HO13664 MORNINGVIEW LEVI A22 6 ROUFECTOR BUNDALONG ROUFECTOR g NZGREMEDEE VAN HEUVENS VA REMEDY S1F CVF,CNF,BLF 7 8 SHOLTZ ST. CLAIR SHOLTZ-TWIN 9 WYMAN PIROLO GOLDW. WYMAN 10 29HO12470 INDIJKS BABYLON A22 g BLF,CVF,A12 g 11 USEAGE KAARMONA CALEB BLF,CVF,A22 g 12 WESTGATE GALLRAE JOCKO 3438 13 29HO12772 BALLYCAIRN OMAN PELLO g 14 29HO11942 WA-DEL JUNCTION g g 15 DEANCOX MANNA FARM DEANCOX CVF,BLF,A22 CVF,BLF,DPF g 16 7H9321 RALMA GOLD CROWN COGENT TWIST BLF,CVF,A22 17 COGENTTWIST 18 REALM ECLIPSE ROUMARE REALM CVF,BLF,A22 19 CARMARE KAARMONA CARMARE BLF,CVF,A22 20 NZGZINKS ZINKS LI PROSPERITY S2F 36

OCTOBER 2013

A A I I I A I A I A A A A I A A I g g I

355 72 304 78 44 21 314 95 250 98 396 87 313 63 181 66 153 300 55 237 66 59 293 59 167 66 159 292 77 247 83 70 31 290 57 223 68 79 285 73 193 80 49 27 284 57 181 65 131 283 81 202 87 75 35 280 84 199 90 100 45 274 82 182 88 93 46 271 80 172 85 51 24 269 76 180 77 3404 268 82 204 87 87 41 105 266 79 147 85 47 19 109 265 63 198 69 84 106 48 A 264 74 269 81 58 29 A 264 74 192 80 45 24 259 52 195 66 74

105 59 107 105 70 104 103 104 69 122 70 103 74 96 78 ALT 107 89 106 106 96 103 102 102 94 98 92 124 96 102 96 98 95 CRV 108 48 111 111 63 100 65 108 62 174 74 105 66 102 66 ABS 106 38 103 102 61 124 64 99 63 CRV 108 54 105 104 63 110 62 150 63 102 63 103 70 ABS 107 64 111 108 77 106 104 104 78 94 63 114 71 105 80 ALT 104 39 97 95 62 100 71 97 64 LIC 105 58 105 103 72 101 104 104 65 102 57 150 69 102 76 ABS 109 47 110 110 59 150 66 106 58 104 67 GAC 103 68 100 100 75 101 102 102 77 103 72 160 79 10079 104 88 ABS 108 71 102 109 78 102 100 104 80 100 77 134 83 99 80 104 80 GAC 110 67 110 108 78 104 103 103 84 97 70 124 79 99 81 95 66 GAC 106 69 97 95 80 100 102 103 77 107 65 148 72 103 83 103 61 ABS 106 70 102 98 77 94 102 101 69 109* 84 121* 89 100 80 101* 82 ABS 67 108 104 77 101 102 103 82 100 69 110 78 97 80 97 63 GAC 70 102 101 78 103# 102# 103# 67 106 78 140 77 104 79 101 87 GAC 105 102 63 99 102 50 131 71 104 67 100 68 ALT 104 59 98 102 70 103 103 101 72 92 61 72 70 99 74 GAC 107 60 105 103 72 102 103 103 70 100 60 115 70 102 76 100 62 GAC 103 33 89 88 62 109 69 92 64 LIC

Better genes mean more milk Study proves genetics are key to production and longevity.

Good genes mean more milk, regardless of the feeding system, according to the results from Feeding the Genes, a study commissioned by the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme with Dairy Australia funding.

Pauline Brightling, who led the study, said results dispelled the myth that the benefits of cows with higher genetic merit, or Australian Profit Rankings (APRs) were not realised in herds using a low bail or total mixed ration (TMR) feeding system.

The results also dispel the common view that high genetic merit cows don’t last in the herd.

“In all feeding systems” the daughters of higher APR sires produce more milk. And, not only do they produce more milk, they are just as likely — if not more likely — to last in the herd as daughters of lower APR sires,” Dr Brightling said.

“These findings support the use of high ranked APR sires listed in the Good Bulls Guide for all dairy herds, regardless of breed or feeding system,” she said.

The study drew upon data from 505 commercial Australian dairy herds, using a range of feeding systems. Holstein and Jersey cows were analysed separately.

The results showed an interaction between genetic merit and feeding system.

“The benefits of greater genetic merit do vary between feeding systems. While there is a benefit in all feeding systems, the

response from selecting high APR sires is greatest in herds with Holstein cows using more intensive feeding systems (hybrid and total mixed ration).”

The results for Jerseys also showed an interaction between genetic merit and feeding system.

“Jersey daughters of high APR sires produce more milk volume, fat and protein. These results apply to low bail, moderate-high bail and partial mixed ration feeding systems. We didn’t have enough data to get valid results for Jersey herds using hybrid or TMR feeding systems,” Dr Brightling said.

Semen costs The study also looked at the relationship between the APR and the price of semen for bulls listed in the Good Bulls Guide.

The semen of the Holstein top 50 APR bulls does not necessarily cost more than that of other bulls.

“Semen price is not a barrier to using high APR bulls. The catalogue price for straws from the top 50 APR bulls in April 2013 ranged from $14 to $90 and averaged $27.17,” Dr Brightling said.

Regardless of feeding system, herd managers should select high APR sires whose Australian Breeding Values are aligned with the breeding objectives for their herd. These bulls are listed in the Good Bulls Guide.

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Donovan’s Dairy sees the UV light New system makes it easier to rear healthier calves.

A big support network has helped Leigh Verhay and Angela Turner achieve some goals.

The installation of a revolutionary milk milk, destroying their DNA bonds, killing purification system has been instrumental in the bacteria and eliminating their ability overcoming calf health problems for a large to reproduce and grow. It kills the bacteria dairy near Mt Gambier in South Australia. without affecting the nutrient value of the James and Robyn Mann run Donovan’s Dairy milk, and the immune factors and proteins remain unchanged. at Wye, milking 2200 cows at peak time on a 116-unit rotary platform.

Vitamins A, B6, B12 and C remain intact and there is even an increase in vitamin D, “Some time ago we could not get on top of salmonella issues,” Mr Mann said. which does not occur with traditional heat pasteurisation. The milk is never heated above “Every time we vaccinated, we got another feeding temperature, helping to preserve the strain. It was a massive drug cost, so we made milk’s beneficial immunoglobulins. the decision to go with the UV Pure purifier system. It was the logical next step — we Donovan’s Dairy installed the WestfaliaSurge weren’t getting anywhere with vaccines.”

UV Pure system a year ago and it has seen two calvings, totalling 1050 calves with just The WestfaliaSurge UV Pure ultraviolet calf 15 losses in that time. milk purifier is a modular unit built around stainless steel UV turbulators. The UV lamp Barb Habner has been doing the calf is inserted into a quartz tube allowing the management job at the farm for 10 years and light to penetrate the milk as it passes over said since they had been using the new system the tube and into a separate calf milk vat. they’d had few sick calves.

A hot water circuit allows cold milk to be “Now, if any calf gets sick, it’s one course of brought up to feeding temperature. The antibiotics and they’re fixed,” Ms Habner said. flexible system is scalable depending on the size of the particular dairy operation.

All the mastitis milk goes into the 1000 litre tank and Ms Habner tops it up with fresh Waste milk from mastitis cows is often milk for the required amount. “We just purify discarded, but if treated properly to lower bacterial or pathogen levels it can replace milk what we need for the calves that day, and tip sources that calf-rearers would otherwise need out what’s left.” to purchase.

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It will start automatically at pre-set times and calculates the required process time for the amount of milk, reducing time and energy.

It incorporates a fully automatic ‘clean-inplace’ wash process after every batch with the correct wash solutions to ensure proper cleaning.

“You just select how many litres are in the tank, press go and it does the process and shuts off when it’s finished,” Ms Habner said.

“When we have colostrum milk in, we show it as twice the actual volume.”

The colostrum milk is purified and fed separately at the calving pad. They clear the pad three times a day during calving time, when they have 40 cows calving down per day at peak time.

“From the purifier the milk goes into a cooling tank to maintain it at 14 degrees if we need to store it, otherwise it comes out at 20 degrees — or whatever we set it at — and straight to the calves.

“It is easy to use, giving us healthy calves where it was previously hard work. It has become almost a pleasure to rear calves. This is so much better than mixing up powder.”

All the calves get four litres/day and are weaned-off at 110kg. While they are in the calf shed, they get ad lib grain and hay and access to water.

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Prevention better than cure Beat bloat by controlling what cattle eat.

With the recent welcome rains and a flush of growth, bloat has become a definite risk.

Bloat occurs in cattle following the rapid consumption of lush, fast-growing, immature, legume-dominant pastures, for example, clover or lucerne. Bloat can still occur but is much less common on grass-dominant pastures.

Bloat is caused by an increase in gas pressure within the rumen (paunch) as the feed is digested. The gas builds up in the rumen as small bubbles or foam that cannot be belched out when the animal chews its cud.

The first sign of bloat is a tight distended abdomen, particularly on the left side.

In advanced cases the animal will go down.

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Death is rapid at this stage, and is due to the pressure of the rumen on the lungs and major blood vessels, leading to lung and heart failure.

Death from bloat can occur quickly, sometimes within 30 minutes of grazing dangerous pastures, so the emphasis must be on prevention rather than treatment.

Hungry cattle should be prevented from gorging themselves on the dangerous pastures.

Hay should be provided prior to introducing cattle onto ‘danger’ paddocks.

In addition, a range of medications are available to help prevent bloat. These include bloat blocks, bloat licks, medicated capsules, medicated water supply, drenching and pasture spraying. The suitability of

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each medication varies depending upon the circumstance.

Many bloat deaths may actually be due to pulpy kidney. Bloat slows down the passage of food through the gut allowing the pulpy kidney bacteria to multiply and kill the cow.

All cows should have an annual 5-in-1 vaccination for pulpy kidney and other clostridia.

For further advice contact your veterinarian or DEPI veterinary or animal health officer, or in NSW your Livestock Health and Pest Authority.

By Dr Jeff Cave, DEPI district veterinary officer

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Australian dairy held back by trade barriers Free trade agreements are vital to global dairy market success.

A report released last month found the Australian dairy industry was well positioned to expand into international markets, but to maximise these opportunities, barriers to trade must be removed.

Commissioned by the Australian Dairy Industry Council and prepared by Dairy Australia, Trade and the Australian Dairy Industry highlights an important obstacle to Australia becoming a major player on the world stage is our lack of free trade agreements with our key trading partners.

ADIC chairman Noel Campbell said Australia was an efficient producer and had adopted an open-market approach.

But he said without free trade agreements such as the one New Zealand has with China, Australian dairy would find it hard to expand further into international markets.

“Dairy exports to our top 10 markets are worth over $2 billion to the Australian economy, but in recent years our slice of the pie has been shrinking,” Mr Campbell said.

“We rank fourth in terms of world dairy trade with a seven per cent share behind New Zealand, the US and the EU. “Most of our exports are to Asia partially due to our geographic position, but also we are excluded from other major markets by direct restrictions or export subsidy programs.”

Mr Campbell said the report showed there was a positive perception of Australian dairy as being high quality and safe, but the lack of free trade agreements was hindering the sector’s chances of competing fairly in international markets.

“Demand for dairy is growing in China, South-East Asia and the Middle East as their local milk supply cannot keep pace with consumer needs.

“These burgeoning markets are being targeted by dairy producers from across the world with the US and the EU rapidly moving into traditional Australian markets.

“Without free trade agreements like our competitors have, Australian dairy is operating with one hand tied behind its back and our farmers are unable to fully realise the many export opportunities that are now available.

“This report further supports our calls that if Australia is to be able to fairly compete on the world stage, then we must sign up to free trade agreements with our key trading partners as a matter of urgency.”

To download a copy of Trade and the Australian Dairy Industry go to www.australiandairyfarmers.com.au

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calendar of events

Please check www.murraydairy.com.au for updates or phone (03) 5833 5312.

Cups On / Cups Off Calivil – Monday, October 7, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm and Tuesday, October 8, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm Milawa – Monday, October 14, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm and Tuesday, October 15, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm Cohuna – Tuesday, October 22, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm and Wednesday, October 23, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm Kiewa – Tuesday, November 19, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm and Wednesday, November 20, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm Corryong – Tuesday, November 26, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm and Wednesday, November 27, 9.30 am – 12.30 pm Calf Rearing Workshop Cohuna – Thursday, October 17, 10 am – 3 pm and Thursday, October 24, 10 am – 3 pm Tallangatta – Wednesday, October 30, 10 am – 3 pm and Wednesday, November 6, 10 am – 3 pm Feeding Dairy Cows Numurkah – Monday, December 2, 10 am – 3 pm; Tuesday, December 3, 10 am – 3 pm; Monday, December 9, 10 am – 3 pm; and Tuesday, December 10, 10 am – 3 pm Manage Farm Safety Nathalia – Friday, October 18, 10 am – 3 pm and Friday, October 25, 10 am – 3 pm First Aid Corryong – Monday, October 21, 9 am – 4 pm Quad Bike Operations Corryong – Monday, November 11, 10 am – 3 pm Kiewa – Tuesday, November 12, 10 am – 3 pm Farm Chemical Users Course Corryong – Wednesday, October 16, 9.30 am – 4 pm and Thursday, October 17, 9.30 am – 4 pm Kiewa – Thursday, November 7, 9.30 am – 4 pm and Friday, November 8, 9.30 am – 4 pm Farm Chemical Update Corryong – Thursday, October 17, 9.30 am – 4 pm Kiewa – Friday, November 8, 9.30 am – 4 pm Getting the Most Out of Yourself and Your Team William Orr Campus – Shepparton (Blended Delivery) – Friday, October 18, 10 am – 3 pm; Friday, October 25, 10 am – 3 pm; Friday, November 1, 10 am – 3 pm; and Friday, November 8, 10 am – 3 pm Forward Planning For Your Farm Business William Orr Campus – Shepparton (Blended Delivery) – Wednesday, October 23, 10 am – 3 pm; Wednesday, October 30, 10 am – 3 pm; Wednesday, November 6, 10 am – 3 pm; and Wednesday, November 13, 10 am – 3 pm

AGRICULTURAL SHOWS October 5: October 5: October 11: October 18: October 19: October 23: 42

OCTOBER 2013

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