DNA April Issue 13 by Rural News Group

US slaps levy on foreign imports Page 3

New Kubota front-end loaders Page 32

Jet Star Holsteins earns top ranking Page 24 issue 13: april 2011

Snailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pace Govt drags heels on industry reform PAGE 4

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

This issue Issue 13: april 2011 Completing a diploma in agriculture has sharpened Northern Victorian farmer Jon Pearce’s management focus.

John Crittenden manages the highest altitude dairy farm in Australia at Walcha, NSW.

Western Victorian farmer Craig Davis has reduced inputs by producing his own compost from effluent.

NEWS US slaps levy on dairy imports SUDESH KISSUN ALL DAIRY exports to the US from August 1 will attract a new levy imposed by US dairy farmers, but opposed by global exporters. The levy of 7.5c/cwt (45.5kg) on all dairybased imports into the US will help pay for dairy research and consumption. US dairy processors and marketers also oppose the levy, fearing a backlash from their export markets. Fonterra says the levy will directly impact its cost of exports to the US and sets a precedent when most countries are looking to breakdown trade barriers. “It is particularly hard to understand when the US itself is a net exporter of dairy products and the third-largest dairy exporter in the world. So it has more to gain from removing trade impediments than from imposing them,” a Fonterra spokesman told Dairy News Australia. Fonterra says exporters in New Zealand, Australia, South America and the EU oppose the levy on the grounds that it discriminates against imports. After 10 years lobbying by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the final ruling was released last month by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). It levies cheese and butter products, and dry

Opinion ��16-17 Agribusiness ��18-19 Management ��20-25 Animal Health ��26-29 Machinery & Products ��30-33 motoring ��34

He says US dairy farmers have spent billions over the past 27 years to build a compelling case for the consumption of cow milk in its various forms. “Importers of foreign cheeses, as well as specialty ingredients, have benefitted from the huge surge in per capita cheese consumption. Yet not a single dollar has been spent by importers to help these efforts.” Kozak says dairy importers are “the classic example of the free-rider phenomenon”. “Foreign dairy products profit from our marJerry Kozak ket, but rely on US dairy farmers to promote it. In two successive farm bills, Congress has said it’s time to end this free lunch for foreign dairy ingredients such as casein and milk protein con- interests.” But US dairy manufacturers and marketers centrates. The National Dairy Board will collect the oppose the levy. The International Dairy Foods Association, repremoney for nutrition research, senting processors, consumer education, ‘issues concerned how management’ and building deThe levy will help pay for isother countries will mand for dairy consumption. respond. NMPF chairman Jerry Kozak US dairy research and “We trade with says imports were a smaller consumption. 150 countries and portion of domestic consumpcontinually adtion when it national dairy provocate for open motion program was set up in markets and trade policies that comply with 1983. international laws,” says IDFA president Connie But times have changed, he claims. “Import shares have grown as a portion of the Tipton. “This international tax does not help exentire domestic US dairy market, which has also pand our US dairy export markets and has been widely opposed by our trading partners.” grown.”

MG, Fonterra flag further rises BOTH MURRAY Goulburn and

News ��3-15

Fonterra have flagged further price rises this season, after raising protein and fat payments last month. MG raised their prices by 25c/ kg protein and 10c/kg butterfat, while Fonterra raised prices for its Victorian and Tasmanian suppliers by 40c/kg for protein and 16c/ kg for fat. Both prices are backdated to July 1 last year. MG managing director Stephen O’Rourke says although world markets have recently softened slightly, he expects prices to continue to hold reasonably firm towards year end.

quarter of the season with a view to paying a final step-up after year end.” Fonterra’s national milk services manager, Heather Stacy, says the increase reflects strong international demand for dairy products. “As we look to the end of the season and begin setting forecasts for the year ahead, we are seeing an ongoing trend towards consistent deInternational demand mand for milk powders augers well for a firm start beyond current supply.” She says this augurs for the 2011-12 season. well for a strong end to this season and a firm “This step-up takes our prices well into the forecast final price range of $5.30 – $5.50 kg milk solids, predicted at the start of the season,” O’Rourke says. The current available price is now about $5.42 per kilogram milk solids on a weighted average basis. “We will continue to monitor market returns during the final

start for the 2011-12 season. “Our average annual price is now in the order of $5.30/kg of milk solids, which we hope provides Fonterra suppliers with confidence as they begin planning their budgets for the year ahead.” While the general global dairy outlook is positive, there are other factors which are placing pressure on farm inputs, such as the volatility in the Middle East and subsequent impact on oil and fertiliser costs. “We remain committed to passing on any improvements in market conditions in our farm gate prices to our suppliers,” Stacy says.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

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Govt drags heels on inquiry AS FARMER representatives, retailers and even opposition and independent politicians work feverishly to relieve the pressure on farmers caused by Coles’ decision to slash milk prices, there’s one party dragging its heels. That’s the Federal Government – which has sat on the sidelines, watching proceedings. Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig has gone missing on the current issue, making only one public statement on the milk price cuts. “I’ve got assurances that I’ve received from Coles, specifically from the merchandising director,” he told the press. “It’s worth just quoting it: `Coles is not reducing its prices to its milk processor, so this move will not impact them or the dairy farmers who supply them’. “Lower millk prices should not be reflected in a lower farm price - and of course I’ve got assurances that I’ve received from Coles.” Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation president Brian Tessman described this statement as very disappointing. “It was as if he was reading from the Coles press release,” Tessman says. “We have made several attempts to talk with Ludwig. He is generally very difficult to contact. We’re certainly disappointed he hasn’t made more contact with us. By his own admission, he has talked to Coles and

Woolworths more than once.” The Government has shown a similar lack of interest in the findings of last year’s Senate inquiry into competition and pricing in the dairy industry, which were released last May – almost 12 months ago. It’s fair to say it has moved at a snail’s pace. The Government has not pursued any of the recommendations, and in fact voted down a crucial recommendation tabled by Greens Senator Christine Milne. The Government was supported by the Coalition in voting down a motion calling on the government to reinstate the antiprice discrimination provisions in the Competition and Consumer Act, as recommended by all members of the previous Senate Inquiry into milk pricing. A spokesman for MP David Bradbury, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, says the Government will formally respond “in due course”. “The Government supports competition delivering lower prices for consumers, but it is also important that we have a sustainable industry that can continue to supply the enormous demand for fresh milk and dairy products,” the spokesman says. “While there are a range of proposals for changes to competition laws being put forward, changes to our competition law framework have economy-wide

Joe Ludwig

ramifications and they are not something to be embarked upon lightly. “We will continue to consider the recommendations made by the Senate Committee, as well as the current inquiry that is due to report in April, and will formally respond in due course.” Tessman says the Government’s inaction on the former inquiry does not bode well for positive reform stemming from the current inquiry. “That is our concern. We want to get good and useful recommendations, but if

the Government wants to ignore it – it can.” Australian Dairy Farmers vicepresident Chris Griffen agrees. “We have had inquiries before, and recommendations get put forward, but the Government is unwilling or haven’t had the desire to make change.” Milne says dairy farmers will be increasingly troubled by the emerging pattern of Senate Inquiries making supportive recommendations and then being completely ignored.

Yes, Minister DAIRY NEWS Australia asked Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig the following questions in a bid to get a straight answer on the Government’s stance. • Does the Federal Government and Agriculture Minister oppose the sale of supermarket house brand milk for $1 a litre? • Does the Agriculture Minister believe Coles when the company says it is funding these discounts itself? • Does the Government believe that greater sales of house brand milk

at the expense of branded milk reduces the amount of available money in the supply chain, thereby reducing the amount of money for farmers? • Does the Government believe the action of Coles and Woolworths will have a detrimental long-term affect on the Australian agricultural industry? Minister Ludwig’s press secretary sent the following reply: “The Government supported the establishment of the Senate inquiry that is looking at the recent changes

to milk prices – it is a timely and appropriate way to expose a broad range of issues relating to this matter. “Farmers must receive a fair price for their milk. If you don’t pay a fair price for your product, you will have no products to sell. “Coles has indicated that their price cuts won’t be passed on to farmers and we welcome this commitment.” As a result, we are none the wiser whether the Government has any stand on the issue at all.

Competition watchdog examines processors THE COMPETITION and consumer watchdog will carefully examine the role of big milk processors as well as the major supermarket chains as part of an inquiry into heavily discounted milk prices. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission watchdog is investigating milk pricing by Coles and

Woolworths to see whether it raises competition concerns under the Competition and Consumer Act. ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel told the Senate inquiry all of the focus to date has been on Coles, which initiated the price war when it slashed its milk prices to $1 per litre in January. “We’ve actually got to start looking

at others in the supply chain and treat with a healthy scepticism some of these protestations about concerns of the farmer,” Samuels said in a statement. “We want to be sure that the consumer gets the benefits of real aggressive competition, not workable competition.” ACCC chief executive Brian Cassidy

told the Senate Inquiry into supermarket milk pricing that is has been in touch with Coles, but declined to give further details. He denied that discounting was hurting dairy farmers or that milk was being sold below cost. Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury, told

Dairy News Australia the ACCC is in contact with industry participants and welcomes any evidence that those industry participants can provide on this issue. “Strong discounting is good for consumers and is not necessarily anti-competitive, but it should not be at the expense of dairy farmers,” Bradbury says.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

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Farmers push Senate for change AUSTRALIAN DAIRY Farmers and the

Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation have made further submissions to the Senate inquiry into milk pricing in a bid to influence recommendations of the Senate Economics Committee. The committee is due to hand down its report this month and both organisations have been in talks with all political parties in a bid to get recommendations tabled in Parliament and passed. The QDO is pursuing a new pricing system that reflects production costs, while the ADF has asked for an ACCC investigation into predatory pricing, the reintroduction of the affects test and the introduction of a fresh milk ombudsman. Both groups appeared before the Senate inquiry last month. QDO’s Brian Tessman says its second

submission presents several options for that occurs in the fruit market when establishing a pricing system that takes seasonal influences affect crops. “We are concerned at the power of production costs, the milk flow situation and extenuating circumstances, like the supermarkets and their dominance of the industry. natural disasters, into consideration. “Milk is particularly susceptible be“It would not be interfering with the cause it is a perishmarket, but estabable product and lishing a market“If the market can’t we can’t withdraw based price,” Tesssupply like the beer man says. “We have establish a fair price, companies did last a situation where it then we need other month. is not based on the He says QDO is market but on com- help in there.” requesting a situapetition between retion where the martailers. If the market can’t establish a fair price, then we need ket has an index showing a clear farmer price. other help in there.” “It would be a collective bargainTessman says the system would reflect the influences on milk production, ing price with an arbitration system. If but not lead to the sudden rise and falls farmers are not happy, there would be

arbitration available.” Tessman says Senators and independent Members of Parliament agreed the idea could work, although most had different views on how this could be best achieved. “We have different recommendations depending on what the Government can do and are happy to talk further with the Government.” ADF vice-president Chris Griffen says its submission seeks greater definition and clarification of the Trade Practices Act – including a definition of unconscionable conduct. The ADF also wants a reintroduction of the effects test that would enable further review of decisions down the supply chain. Griffen says Senators were understanding of the current situation

milk farmers are in and conscious of the amount of power supermarkets have. “There is certainly awareness out there; whether there’s a will – well – we are hopeful something will come out of it.” Griffen says the ADF has held ongoing talks with the Coalition, the Greens and independent MPs and Senators and will attempt to get recommendations from the inquiry tabled in Parliament and approved that way. “It would be great to get a bipartisan approach, but there is some degree of caution from (Labor’s) side. “We will try to win support from the Coalition, independents and the Greens, because of the make-up of the Government, there are some opportunities.”

Queensland farmers take first hit in milk war QUEENSLAND dairy

farmers have been hit with the first impacts of the brutal supermarket price war. Suppliers have credited a large drop in their February milk cheques to the $1/ litre supermarket brand milk marketing campaign, initiated by Coles on Australia Day. Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation president and Kingaroy dairy farmer, Brian Tessman, says farmers supplying processor Parmalat had part of their milk cheque linked directly to the sales of processor-branded milk. “As such, since the January 26, Coles’ cutthroat discounts have increased the sales of Coles’ branded milk to the demise of proprietarybranded milk sales,” he says. “When processor proprietary branded milk sales drop, our milk

income drops. It’s that simple. Tessman believes this is the first hit at the farm gate from the milk war and if Coles continues with its cut-throat approach there will be more to come. “Since Coles decided to kick the dairy industry in the guts on Australia Day, we know they have gained market share for their own brands of milk. But they have also devalued milk at retail right across the nation, as other retailers have dropped their prices to try and protect market share.” He says Coles’ executives continue to deny that there is even a problem. “They continue to mislead their consumers and the Government by saying this won’t impact on dairy farmers. These milk cheques are proof that they are wrong and the impact is happening right now.”

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Tessman says January milk incomes were also hit by a drop in production from the flood, but a full breakdown of the figures still reveals that the retail price war is having a direct impact. “For a million-litre farm even a reduction of just one cent per litre, adds up to a loss of $10,000 across the year. Coles has dropped some of the milk brands by up to 33% or 49.5 cents a litre.” Tessman says Coles’ claims that prices for dairy farmers went up last year are ‘outright lies’. “In Queensland they went down by some 15% and in NSW and Victoria by 10%, for milk which went into Coles’ bottles. “To devalue milk by hundreds of millions of dollars in the domestic market and claim that there will be no impact, defies logic.”

Southern Queensland dairy farmers Peter Brown, Ross McInnes, and Ivan Teese, say they have already seen their farm incomes drop due to the supermarket retail milk price war.

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“It has a great dense canopy, too. The cows always milk well on it and they graze it down to the ground. Being a latematuring annual, you get greater quality than the cheaper, shorter varieties. I will continue to sow Zoom in the future.” ZoomTM tetraploid annual ryegrass is the latest release from Cropmark Seeds. It is a specialized winter feed. Sown in the autumn, it is an ideal winter feed crop for farmers wanting bulk feed for 6–10 months before ploughing up for a summer crop. We l l n a m e d , Z o o m establishes rapidly, and goes on to exhibit exceptional coolseason performance. In trials conducted by Cropmark throughout Victoria, it has outperformed traditional Westerwolds annual ryegrass varieties in autumn, winter and spring. It is later-heading than many of the traditional annual ryegrasses, +17 days relative to Nui. It stays vegetative for longer, carrying its quality longer into spring than the cheaper annual ryegrasses. Farmers say they are getting multiple grazings off their Zoom paddocks over the autumn, winter, and early spring before shutting up for silage or hay.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

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Chopper prices fuel sales STRONG CHOPPER prices, fuelled by good seasonal conditions, are underpinning strong auction prices for registered cattle. Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie says all sales this year have met a strong response. “There is good feed about, but the good prices for choppers and export heifers mean farmers can turn old cows into good money and buy new cows to lift their herd,” Leslie says. “I’ve never seen the chopper job stronger and this is having a much bigger effect than rising milk prices.” Strong cull cow prices have been fuelled by better conditions and improved confidence in the industry. Leslie says there has been good demand for cattle at both ends of the price spectrum. A top of $19,000 was paid at the recent Bred for Success Sale at Moss Vale, NSW, held by Mur-

“I’ve never seen the chopper job stronger and this is having a much bigger effect than rising millk prices.”

ray Sowter of Murribrook Holsteins, Moss Vale, NSW, and Jim Strong and Dr Peter Haertsch of Strongbark-Lothlorien Holsteins, Albion Park, NSW, for Murribrook Storm Verity (ET) – daughter of IDW Intermediate Champion Strongbark Linjet Victory and due again in November to Jordan. The cow was purchased by John and Cherie Gardiner, Avonlea, Five Ways, Vic, who also paid the sale’s second top price of $16,000 for Murribrook FC Marcey, a Final Cut heifer. Also last month, a sale top of $12,000 was paid by Arabella Farming, Brookstead, Qld, for Glenalbas Goldwyn Olivia (ET) at

Tony Hayes delivers the top bid for Warrawee Park Gracie at the recent dispersal sale at Mooroopna, Vic.

Alan and Amanda Garratty’s Gems of Glenalbas sale in Nowra, NSW. A top of $10,500 was paid at the complete dispersal of Heartland Holsteins, owned by Trevor and Robin Rennie, for Braeford Shottle Marietta, bought by Elm Banks Holsteins, Koroit. The Warrawee Park Jersey and Illawarra dispersal sale at Mooroopna, Vic, also attracted strong local demand. A top price of $6800 was paid by Tony Hayes, Stanhope, and Ian Mueller, SA, for a sevenyear-old Illawarra, Warrawee Park Gracie 2. “We are looking to do a bit of embryo work with her and Ian will take some of them over to South Australia,” Hayes says. He says the cow represented the best Gracie line in the country. “This line goes back a long way. She is a strong cow who has been bred very well from a long and consistent cow family.” Leitchville dairy farmer Tim Hore was looking to buy some younger cows and bought the hammer down eight times. He was impressed by the quality of cows on offer, particularly the Illawarra’s. “My herd consists of mostly Jerseys with a few Friesians and some crossbreeds. I am looking to experiment across a few different breeds.” Hore has just purchased a new adjacent property and is looking to build herd numbers up to around 230.

The crowd at the recent Warrawee Park dispersal sale.

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Nat Foods price talks hit wall PRICE TALKS between the Dairy Farmers Milk Cooperative (DMFC) and National Foods have hit a wall. DMFC chairman Ian Zandstra has told suppliers it is in dispute over contract terms because National Foods is unwilling to honour the commitments they made in the Milk Supply Agreement that was struck when it bought the Dairy Farmers business. Zandstra says the DMFC board is holding National Foods to the agreement in relation to key issues such as a commercially transparent and accurate Anticipated Full Demand figure, fair and equitable treatment between National Foods direct suppliers and DFMC members, and the 10% variance in tier-one milk. “Increasingly it is apparent National Foods of today is not the company we were promised when DFMC members agreed to sell the Dairy Farmers business to them,” Zandstra says. “We agreed to the sale on the understanding National Foods and Kirin were committed to a growth strategy in relation to major dairy categories, including cheese.”

He says DMFC is troubled by National Foods’ decision to close four cheese manufacturing sites (Simpson and Campbellfield in Victoria and Kings Meadow and Heidi Farm in Tasmania) and try to sell two other sites (Murray Bridge and Jervois in South Australia). Cheese making will be focused at refurbished sites at King Island and Burnie in Tasmania. This comes after announcements of other factory closures by National Foods last year and disruption caused by shifts in supermarket contracts in Queensland. Zandstra says the decision to close the cheese factories involves significant job losses and will ultimately result in reduced demand for raw milk by National Foods. “DFMC had no part in National Foods’ review and we are very disappointed with the outcome,” he says. “The loss of this dairy processing capacity and capability creates unwelcome uncertainty for the farming businesses of DFMC members in western Victoria and South Australia.” There are around 100 DFMC member dairy farms

National Foods has closed most of its cheese processing plants.

in Victoria and South Australia, producing more than 230 million litres of milk each year, who supply the Simpson, Jervois and Murray Bridge sites. “National Foods have not adequately explained why they are closing factories and abandoning Australia’s traditional dairying areas at a time of high dairy commodity prices. “Nor have they told us who the potential buyers for the SA sites are, how much milk they will need and how they might interact with DFMC.” Zandstra says all southern supplier contracts with the co-operative will be honoured and DMFC will seek a commitment from National Foods to extend

all current farmer contracts in western Victoria and South Australia at current volumes – until at least the end of the 2011/12 season. “We expect this requirement will be met, but at the same time we will enter into discussions with other processors in the region about potential alternative supply arrangements,” Zandstra says. National Foods’ managing director Andrew Reeves says the decision to close the cheese factories is driven by the need to develop a long-term sustainable, business model. He says a review concluded it was not sustainable for National Foods to operate multiple manufacturing sites.

Govt changes tactics on Murray-Darling Basin A NEW draft of the Murray-Darling

Basin Plan will give communities and catchment authorities more power to decide how environmental water targets should be met. It will also outline whether infrastructure funding or environmental works were preferable to voluntary buybacks. Murray Darling Basin Authority chairman Craig Knowles revealed the information on his road tour of Murray Darling Basin communities earlier this month. Knowles also says the proposed water allocated cutbacks in the draft basin plan – set to be released in June or July – will be open to negotiation. Knowles says his basin plan will be significantly different from the Guide to the Basin Plan released last October, which recommended cutting irrigation allocations by between 30007600 gigalitres across the basin. Knowles told local residents he

wanted the past water saving efforts of people reflected in the new plan. He also says the deadlines for states to comply with the requirements of the final basin plan would be aligned to 2019. This aims to give farmers ample time to use the processes of infrastructure funding, buyback, environmental water management to continuously move toward achieving the plan. “In some river valleys the plan will be achieved early in the period, other places will take longer,” Knowles says. “It also means that there will be time to interrogate the draft plan on a catchment by catchment basis. I envisage that the numbers will be challenged.” He says the numbers produced in the next couple of months should be the start of a process of implementation rather than the end of a conversation. “Logically that implies that, if it can

be demonstrated that the environmental objectives for a given catchment can be achieved with a different regime of water management, then we should be willing to accept the evidence.” His comments continue the MDBA and Federal Government’s decision to distance themselves from last year’s controversial Guide to the Basin Plan. Knowles has already said that Guide is “dead in the water”. “It is no secret that I have a poor opinion of the Guide that was released last year, but it’s time to move on,” Knowles told the Sustaining Rural Communities Conference at Narrabri, NSW. “I have said that I do not have a high degree of ownership of the Guide and that both symbolically and practically my appointment as the new Chair is a chance for a fresh start. “Over the last couple of months I’ve begun the process of re-engagement.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

news

Govt to review foreign ownership FEDERAL PARLIAMENT has asked the Productivity Commission to review a recent surge in foreign investment in farming, focusing on its effects on the economy and food security. The commission will investigate whether there is a need to lower the $231 million threshold for mandatory scrutiny from the foreign investment watchdog. The Government backed the Coalition motion calling for the review and

extra data collection, to fill a perceived information vacuum on foreign ownership of farm land. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and ABARE will now collect extra information relating to the levels of foreign ownership in Australia. The Productivity Commission will review the information and recommend safeguards for national food security – taking into account not only individual investments but the cumulative impact of foreign ownership.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, John Cobb, says the bipartisan decision gives Parliament further information necessary to determine whether Australia requires further safeguards. “While foreign investment has been vital for the development of agriculture in Australia, in the last three years we have seen a tenfold increase,” Cobb says. “There has been a marked change in the activity by foreign companies

from investment in agriculture to ownership and control of supply lines.” He says the buy-out of Australian agribusiness will increase as the world’s population is estimated to grow to over 9 billion by 2050. “Other countries are already preparing for tighter food supplies by strategically buying into world-wide agricultural supply chains. The current rules for foreign investment are outdated and do not address food security.”

Cobb believes an example of the threat to our farming industries is the buy-out of dairy cooperatives. “This has shown that the short-term financial gain to individual members is outweighed by long-term impacts, such as reduced farm gate prices though loss of market power.” Foreign Investment Review Board is currently required to investigate agricultural investments above the $231 million trigger.

Further help for cyclone-hit farmers FARMERS AND communities devastated by Cyclone Yasi

will be able to boost recovery efforts with the recent announcement that the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and its industry member groups will employ Industry Recovery Officers (IROs) on the ground. QFF and the Queensland government have signed off on a $1.7 million nine-month project to facilitate employing 12 IROs to get recovery moving faster. The IROs will work directly with farmers to help them access the various forms of government assistance on offer and also provide a vital conduit of information between the on-ground clean up and recovery effort and key business and farm management advisors. QFF CEO Dan Galligan says a similar program was used immediately following Cyclone Larry in 2006 and it has proven itself as one of the most effective ways for getting farmers and communities on the path to recovery. “Cyclone Yasi has caused more than $700 million of damage to agricultural production in Far North Queensland,” Galligan says. “The clean-up and recovery will be long, difficult, and costly.” He says the IROs will work with farmers as they get their businesses back on track. “The Federal and State governments have offered various forms of assistance to farmers during this summer of natural disaster. It’s understandable that sorting through the paperwork and complexity of these is a tough job for farmers, when their first priority is dealing with the damage to their farms and communities. “The IROs will help farmers decide what assistances are most needed for them, and to get the right applications into the right places.”

Milk fuels top Australian athletes DAIRY AUSTRALIA is ramping up communication about milk’s role in sport performance and has gone straight to the top securing a partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). The AIS delivers a worldclass sports nutrition service to its athletes and sports teams. Dairy Australia will be working with the team to promote the benefits of milk and other dairy products in the diets of athletes and regular exercisers. The partnership is the cornerstone of a program of work by Dairy Australia to increase the awareness of milk’s beneficial role in sport performance. DA dietician Glenys Zucco

says milk is shaping up as nature’s sports drink as it contains an ideal balance of fluid, carbohydrate and electrolytes. “Milk’s unique combination of whey and casein protein, which play an important role in muscle growth as well as recovery from exercise, is another plus for athletes,” Zucco says. She says there is strong evidence that milk is as effective or more effective as a sports recovery drink than water or commercially available sports drinks. “Partnering with a peak sports nutrition body such as the AIS, will strengthen Dairy Australia’s ability to deliver this message to consumers.”

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

news

Genomic testing available to all

Holstein Australia CEO Matthew Shaffer

DAIRY FARMERS can now have their bulls and cows genomically tested via services released by Holstein Australia and the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) last month. Farmers using genomics can fast track genetic gain by allowing selection decisions to be made on young animals with no daughters in production. In the past, an ABV based on parent average has been used as an indicator of a young bull’s genetic

potential. However, the ABV(g) is a more reliable measure. ABV(g) stands for Australian Breeding Value, with the (g) indicating the estimate contains both genotype data in addition to traditional pedigree information. This month has seen the first public release of ABV(g)s by ADHIS. The new technology uses DNA data, or gene markers, to assist in the calculation of breeding values for animals. Genomic testing can be done when an animal is any

age by taking a hair sample. The new testing service is provided through Holstein Australia, while the ABV(g) will be calculated by ADHIS. The testing process is very simple. A farmer simply takes a hair sample from an animal and posts it to Holstein Australia in the sample kit, also supplied by Holstein Australia. It is expected to take up to six weeks to receive results – although Holstein Australia and ADHIS are working to shorten this. The tests

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used to identify cows to be flushed for embryo transfer. Cow ABV(g)s would also allow farmers to compare animals between herds with more confidence. Breeders and their advisers can find out more about using genomics in breeding programs at a Genomics for Producers Day to be held in Melbourne on May 5. Genomics storm hits dairy industry, page 17 Rapid gains through genomics, page 24

NFF applauds Carbon Farming Initiative

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cost between $90 and $275, depending on the depth of results requested. Holstein Australia CEO Matthew Shaffer expects the service to be taken up mostly by breeders at first. “At this time, the cost of tests means it is not likely that many farmers will test whole herds to select replacement heifers. However, it will be a useful and economic tool for breeders selling females and males,” Shaffer says. Genomic testing could be

7/04/11 11:08 AM

NATIONAL Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has given its seal of approval to the Federal Government’s Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) legislation. The CFI aims to give farmers, forest growers and land holders access to domestic and international carbon markets – providing an investment incentive for environmental conservation and greenhouse gas emission reduction. The CFI will work alongside the carbon pricing mechanism to monitor land-based abatement projects. By undertaking emission abatement activities that reduce or store carbon pollution, landowners can generate carbon credits, known as Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs). These can then be sold domestically or internationally – either voluntarily or to meet regulatory requirements. The CFI is capped at $45.6 million over four years. NFF president Jock Laurie says the Government made significant movements on what it saw as flaws in the draft legislation. “This includes the critical area of financial additionality, where the absurd proposal to exclude projects leading to material benefits or productivity gains has thankfully been rejected,” Laurie says. “The legislation has also addressed NFF concerns around potential perverse outcomes in relation to food production, water, local communities, employment and biodiversity – as well as reducing some of the uncertainty and administration costs

surrounding crediting periods, reporting timeframes and offsets compliance.” Laurie says the Government deserves credit for listening to the farm sector and modifying its proposal to ensure genuine abatement opportunities under the CFI are not unnecessarily overlooked. “While many in farming communities remain disappointed over the lack of appropriate recognition for past farmer contributions to carbon mitigation, under the CFI farmers can look forward to being recognised for at least some of their future contributions to the carbon abatement challenge.” How much exactly remains to be seen. Laurie says despite the uncertainties that abound in the area of carbon mitigation, the progress of the CFI demonstrates the positive role agriculture can play in mitigating against carbon emissions through on-farm management. “However the clear passage of this legislation cannot be misinterpreted as being the end of the road for this process and a significant education task will exist for farmers looking to engage.” He says while some prudent flexibility has been shown by the Government in making the CFI more accessible for landholders, the reality is that CFI offset credits will still require participants to adhere to stringent obligations. “For bio-sequestration projects, such as those involving soil carbon and forestry, these obligations will remain for many years.”

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A novel Kiwi approach to breeding new pasture varieties is finding favour among intensive farmers here. Rather than crossing different varieties to capture their respective beneficial traits, Canterbury’s Cropmark Seeds is crossing different species. Specifically, they are crossing perennial ryegrass with meadow fescue. First across the Tasman from this programme, in 2004, was Matrix. It quickly found a strong fit on

higher performing dairy, sheep and beef farms in higher rainfall regions or under irrigation, throughout Victoria, lower NSW and Tasmania, and it has been very widely sown over the last few years. Cropmark’s senior plant breeder Nick Cameron says the inter-species cross gives the fast establishment, high dry matter yields and persistence of the perennial ryegrass

with the high pasture quality and palatability of meadow fescue, “...a species very different to the tall fescue that farmers may be more familiar with.” “Trials around New Zealand, as well as in Victoria and southern New South Wales, have shown Matrix to be very high-producing across seasons, years and regions, with strong winter and early-spring

growth, providing feed when it is needed most — around calving and lambing. “The trials have also shown Matrix is high in metabolisable energy, highly digestible, and very palatable.” Ann and Mark Gardiner, dairy farmers at Bamawm in the Goulburn Valley, have noted Matrix’s strong persistence. And

The benchmark for production and performance

Trial Data

To view the performance of Matrix in trials, visit our web site: www.cropmark.com.au/Trial-Data.aspx

Matrix Enhanced perennial ryegrass truly is the benchmark for production and performance on Victorian dairy farms. It is thoroughly proven, reliable, persistent and high performing. Many farmers would argue that there is simply no better perennial ryegrass. And the cows won’t argue with that either. They find it very palatable and eat it readily. Farmers tell us the milk production lifts when the cows are grazing Matrix. Matrix is suitable for all pasture renovation, including over-sowing.

For further information on Matrix, contact our regional agronomists: Western Districts, SA, Tasmania: Jason Hill – 0427 607 375 North & East Victoria, NSW: Adam Sheedy – 0428 132 096

www.cropmark.com.au

“All I grow is Matrix. I’ve been using Matrix now for 6 years and due to its reliability in a high rainfall area, I achieve consistent growth rates, high yields, with easy management and low risk. The cows graze it down hard, and it responds well.” – Kevin and Helen Jones - dairy farmers, Foster, South Gippsland Winners of the 2010 Dairy Australia Cow Efficiency Award and Gippsland Award

MATRIX IS AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL SEED MERCHANT OR FARM MERCHANDISE OUTLET

Cropmark Seeds Australia Pty Ltd Freephone: 1800 889 039 Freefax: 1800 889 037

especially its fast re-growth when it rains after drought. “Matrix has given us the flexibility to adapt to the drought conditions. It is very forgiving compared to other permanent ryegrasses we have grown. You don’t need to treat it with kid gloves. It is so responsive to summer rain that we are able to graze it very quickly after rain without the need to re-sow,” Mark says. Kevin and Helen Jones of Foster, South Gippsland, won the 2010 Dairy Australia Cow Efficiency Award & Gippsland Award. Matrix is all they grow. They run five cows to the hectare and produce 22,000 litres per hectare. “We’ve been using it for six years, now. Because it’s reliable in our high-rainfall area we achieve consistent growth rates, high yields, with easy management and low risk. The cows graze it down hard and it responds well.” The Jones say they usually get the first graze 4–6 weeks after sowing. Simon Gleeson, of Brucknell in Western Victoria, has also been impressed with Matrix. He manages Bilyana Grazing, which offers weight-gain contract grazing for replacement heifers. In 2007 he sowed another paddock down because of earlier good results. “You would have to say that the paddock is a hungry paddock, but the Matrix bolted out of the ground when we sowed it. It was like an annual. Other perennial grasses have died out in this paddock after two years, but the Matrix is thicker now than when it was sown three years ago. “I like it because you get a long season out of it. I just need to keep on top of it to keep it at its best. You can see that it’s just so thick that it’s choked out the broadleaf weeds, especially Capeweed, this year. I put yearling heifers on it, and they easily do one kilogram liveweight per day on it.” Ted & Deborah Bingham, of Lardner in Gippsland, have been using Matrix for a number of years and it’s now the base grass for their farm: “Matrix is a solid performer, consistently yielding 11–12 tonnes of feed as well as silage. We usually get our first grazing off it after 60 days. It always performs well — and the cows love it.” Stuart Beverly of Poowong, South Gippsland has sown Matrix for seven years now. “The cows perform very well on it. Palatability is excellent. The cows graze it to the ground and it responds so well — it’s always thicker than other pastures so there’s always more to eat, more kilos per hectare and, because of its density, less trouble with weeds. I can get loads more silage with it and a higher stocking rate as well.” “And after five years it still looks brand new. The persistence is unreal.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

news

Farmers urged to buy SFW1 wheat DAIRY FARMERS buying wheat for their cows are being urged to buy SFW1 quality wheat rather than paying a lower price for lesser quality feed grain. Dr Steve Little, Dairy Australia‘s Grains2Milk program leader, says the big money to be lost or gained when buying feed is in quality – rather than haggling over a $10/tonne difference in the asking price. “Never has this been truer than when buying grain than this year, and there are good deals on offer,” he says. The national harvest of both wheat and barley were high, but wet weather means that much of it was downgraded from milling and malting quality to general purpose and feed grade, which is available to dairy farmers at a significant discount.

“Just as oils ain’t oils, feed grain is not feed grain. There are many specific grades of feed wheat and feed barley and these can differ in their nutritional value for dairy cows,” Little says. The different grades are defined by Grain Trade Australia (GTA) and outlined in the table below. When buying feed-grade wheat, stockfeed companies and the pig and poultry industries prefer to buy SWF1 grade wheat, which Little recommends as a good option for dairy farmers. This is currently selling at a discount of up to $60-75/ tonne compared to ASW1 grade wheat, yet its test weight and screenings standards were not much different (see table).

“You may be able to save an additional $10-30/tonne by buying FED1 or FED2 grade wheat instead of SWF1. But these grades don‘t necessarily offer better feed value for money because they have much lower test weights and higher There’s little difference between the screenings standards.” Similarly for barley price of feed barley, but wheat has a – Little recommends higher energy content. sticking with F1 barley, rather than risking the inferior quality standards that apply to the F2 and F3 grades. However, he says there’s very little difference between the price of feed wheat and feed barley this year – making wheat better value because it has a higher GrainTrade Australia wheat and barley standards for 2010/11 season* energy content. “Of course you will only get SWF1 wheat or F1 Wheat Barley barley if you specify it when you enter a feed purchase Grade ASW1 AGP1 SFW1 FED1 FED2 FEED 1 FEED 2 FEED 3 agreement.” Max. Moisture (%) 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 He says if farmers just order `feed wheat’ or `feed barley’ they leave themselves wide open. Min. Protein (%) “You could be delivered any of the GTA feed grades – Min. Test Weight (kg/hl) 74 68 70 62 55 62.5 60 55 possibly the lowest – and be obliged to accept it.” Max. Screenings (% by wt) 5 10 10 15 15 15 25 60 Little also reminds farmers to confirm verbal agreements with feed suppliers by mail, fax or email. Min. Falling No. (secs) 300 200 An easy way to do this is to use the GTA Contract Sprouted (% by count) Nil Nil 5 5 Confirmation form, available on Dairy Australia’s Stained (% by count) 5 15 15 50 website. This form can be used when buying any type of feed Field Fungi (count per ½ litre) 10 20 10 40 – not just grain – to specify quality, price, supply terms (*extracted from GTA Grain Standards, 2010/11 Season on GTA website: www.graintrade.org.au) and any additional terms negotiated with the seller.

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DAIRY FARMERS should test protein levels of their pit and baled silage to avoid disappointment later in the season. Australian Crop Forecasters managing director Ron Storey says many dairy farmers are opening up their silage pits and bales to find poorer quality than expected and historically low protein levels. “With this in mind, it may be worthwhile feed testing pit and baled silage to avoid any unnecessary surprises,” he says. “Planning and, if need be, buying now may well pay dividends compared to being exposed to higher prices for high protein hay later on in the autumn when the scramble is on.” Storey says poor silage results have encouraged odd sales of lucerne hay to be mixed with on-farm silage. Rain is the prime dictator of hay quantity, but he says rain, or the lack of it, is dictating quality. “Feed test results will be so important like never before,” Storey warns. “Given the exceptional seasonal conditions in the eastern states, cereal crop yields per hectare will be high.” It’s anticipated that as a result of high yielding crops, energy and protein

The wet summer has inhibited the amount of hay being consumed and traded.

levels will be lower than in previous years where crops have been drought stressed and sugar levels higher. “In contrast, the dry season in Western Australia has led to cereal crops of exceptional quality.” Storey adds that preparation in eastern states is now in earnest for the autumn sowing period and many farmers are having to burn stubbles with extremely high levels of residual straw and summer weeds. The fear is that the window for sowing could be quickly narrowed if heavy rain occurs. “The ground is already saturated in many places and it would take little wet weather to bog machinery.” Storey says the wet summer has inhibited the level of hay being consumed and traded, particularly

in south eastern Australia where green feed is available in southern regions and water is economic in northern regions. “Many farmers are already sowing annual ryegrasses and within six week will have more grazing options.” Canola hay is available in Western Australia, but some aspects need to be considered by farmers when feeding it to cows. Nitrate/Nitrite levels in canola hay can be toxic to livestock if too high. This can be tested from a core sample in conjunction with a regular fodder test. Little says canola hay can be valuable as part of a ration, but advice from a nutritionist experienced in feeding canola hay should be sought before making purchasing decisions.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

news

Education boosts future prospects IT’S NOT as if northern Victorian dairy farmer Jon Pearce has a lot of spare time. However, he will find time to embark on an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture (specialising in dairy production) this year. The Tallygaroopna farmer completed a Diploma of Agriculture – through the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA) – last year and reckons it is well worth finding the time to complete further study. Pearce is assistant manager on the Akers family farm, Loxleigh, at Tallygaroopna, milking 550 cows. He is also an active member of the Tallygaroopna Football Club committee and the Goulburn Murray Jersey Breeders Club, as well as a coordinator of the dairy section of the Shepparton Show. His involvements in the Jersey community have also seen him assist at the National All Dairy Breeds Youth Camp each year and he has been a judge at the Jersey on-farm challenge. Pearce and his partner Shareena are also raising a young daughter, Lexie. However, the weekly classes (held 10am-3pm one-day-a-week) and the additional research for assignments that need to be completed at home have improved his management and business

skills, while the “piece of paper” will help open doors in the future. “The Diploma of Agriculture was challenging but has been very rewarding,” Pearce says. He says the skills gained from it have given him more of a management focus and greater confidence in his ability to manage a farm. “Undertaking this course has really reinforced my love for the industry and encouraged me to take a wider view of future opportunities.” Pearce says 50% of the lessons undertaken covered new ground – including lessons in financial management, managing staff and succession planning. “When the course was raised as an option, Shareena said I’d be mad not to do it, as it’s an easy and practical way to gain more qualifications.” He believes it will also prove beneficial if he wants to move into other roles in the industry. “If the farm option doesn’t come off, it will help secure other roles.” Both Jon and Shareena are focussed on purchasing their own farm and believe share farming is the next step. Pearce has been employed by the Akers family as an assistant manager

Tallygaroopna farmer Jon Pearce will undertake an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture (specialising in dairy production) through the NCDEA this year.

for the past five years full-time and has bought stud animals in that time to build up a source of equity. Operating with others under the banner of Transit Park Jerseys, he recently received a second and a fifth place in two in-milk classes this year at International Dairy

Week at Tatura. Pearce was named NCDEA’s outstanding student for the year in the northern region last year and will study six units as part of the Advanced Diploma. He was also the winner of the annual Greenham Dairy Scholarship

– valued at $10,000 – last month. This will help with study expenses. “The scholarship is important to me as it allows me to continue studying and gaining the knowledge and experience to be able to fulfil my dreams of farm ownership,” he says.

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New Zealand’s Cropmark Seeds has released an impressive new pasture variety, Helix, that is already impressing Australian farmers who have tried it. Bred for high overall yields and improved pasture quality, Helix is a mid-heading Enhanced® perennial ryegrass that flowers six days later than Nui.

It is the latest graduate of Cropmark’s innovative programme that cross-breeds perennial ryegrasses with meadow fescue (that’s what the ‘Enhanced’ signifies). The latter is an entirely different species from tall fescue and is noted for its high pasture quality and palatability. In Helix, Cropmark has targeted

that most awkward of periods for grass farmers — late winter and early spring when feed is most needed to see stock through lambing and calving — historically a time of feed pinches. Before release, Helix underwent intensive on-farm trialling on farms throughout Victoria and in South Australia. Its high yield potential

was borne out. It consistently showed improved yields across seasons, years and regions. Jason Hill, Cropmark agronomist in Victoria’s Western Districts says Helix is exciting for him: “I’m running six trials in the Western Districts and South Australia, at Terang, Hawkesdale, Brucknell, Koroit, Gazette and Mt

Helix – feed when it is needed most!

Trial Data

To view the performance of Helix in trials, visit our web site: www.cropmark.com.au/Trial-Data.aspx

Helix – helping match feed supply and demand Helix Enhanced® perennial ryegrass is an exciting new release from the Cropmark breeding programme. A mid heading variety at +6 days (cf Nui), Helix is showing exceptional yield across seasons, years and regions, but particularly over late winter and early spring – providing more feed when it is needed most around calving and lambing. Helix is high in metabolisable energy and digestibility, and is extremely palatable. Stock love it and eat it readily. Helix is suited to high performance dairy, beef or sheep farms in regions which receive 600+mm rainfall; particularly areas which do not receive reliable late spring rain; or where grass staggers is an issue. Helix is suitable for all pasture renovation, including over-sowing.

For further information on Helix, contact our regional agronomists: Western Districts, SA, Tasmania: Jason Hill – 0427 607 375 North & East Victoria, NSW: Adam Sheedy – 0428 132 096

www.cropmark.com.au

“Helix has performed really well for me. I have never seen anything as good – it is just so dense. The Helix paddocks on the farm are certainly the best paddocks on the farm. I have a pasture trial here from a different seed company and Helix stands out in the trial. It is always an inch or two taller than the other perennial ryegrasses. It is the most productive and aggressive of them all. The plant population on the Helix is better than anything else too.” – Gavin O’Brien - dairy farmer, Yeo, near Colac, Western Districts

HELIX IS AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL SEED MERCHANT OR FARM MERCHANDISE OUTLET

Cropmark Seeds Australia Pty Ltd Freephone: 1800 889 039 Freefax: 1800 889 037

Gambier. They’re all on farms rather than research stations, so that we can compare our varieties with others under real farming conditions, and under different farming systems.” “In every one of these trials the performance of Helix has been exceptional.” “From a plant breeding point of view, we expect newly-bred varieties to show improvements in parameters such as seasonal yield and quality, over older varieties, but that doesn’t always pan out.” “With Helix, though, we have seen a consistency in performance through yield increases across trial sites and across seasons. We have also noted strong persistence to date.” “Another factor to come through for Helix is palatability. The cows consistently graze it preferentially. We put this down to the meadow fescue in its breeding background.” “Helix will find a strong fit in higher performing dairy, sheep and beef farms in higher rainfall regions or under irrigation. However, because it is midheading, it is also highly suitable for areas that don’t receive such reliable spring rains, and perhaps into slightly more marginal areas where some of the other perennial ryegrasses don’t perform.” Kongwak, South Gippsland, dairy farmers Roger and Helen Perrett, were very happy with their strike of Helix — under wetter than usual conditions — and it boosted their autumn and winter production: “Helix has an excellent response to fertilizer and its turnaround time is as good as any grass I’ve seen. We were as low as a 16-day rotation and the cows struggled to keep up with the growth. Its persistence showed under a wet winter of heavy grazing,” says Roger. “The cows grazed it evenly, and found it very palatable. You can tell a good grass when they eat it short and even.” Dairy farmer Mike Shipton of Nar Nar Goon in West Gippsland got his first grazing off Helix after about six weeks: “The germination rate was great and the Helix jumped out of the ground. I’m rapt in the plant density — it really surprised me. It is quick to respond to grazing, too. I have had nine grazings off it since sowing last autumn, plus one load of silage and we’ll get a second cut. I’m currently on a 1821 day rotation to keep up with its growth.” Mike has also noted its high palatability: “The cows love it and eat it right to the ground. I’ve noticed they milk really well on it. “I will use Helix again for sure.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

opinion Ruminating

editorial

Nobody wins when Govt in two minds

milking it...

Got milk? Get gold WE’VE BEEN saying for the past 12 months

that Dairy Australia should link milk promotion to Australian athletes – especially in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics. And now they have! DA has formed a two-year partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport and will use the institute’s highly-regarded dietician team to promote the benefits of milk during exercise at conferences and correct misinformation about milk. The partnership will also involve research projects and give DA access to some of the country’s best athletes (including race walker Jessica Rothwell, pictured) in the run-up to London. We won’t see the word “milk” emblazoned across the chest of athletes striving for the finish, but DA’s communications team will ensure people know through the press that milk is fuelling our elite sports people.

We want your cattle! PETER GREENHAM Snr, of HW Greenham and Sons, Tongala, Vic, was in good spirits at the announcement of the $10,000 Greenham Dairy Scholarship in Melbourne last month. That was until somebody asked him about the season in northern Victoria and how it was affecting the number of cull cows – as dairy cows are an important part of the company’s meatworks. “Farmers are running all the cattle they can, they’re running grasshoppers too,” he said, in mock exasperation. “Everyone, tell them to send cows our way, even one!”

Who wants a wife? POPULAR TV show The Farmer Wants

a Wife is returning for its seventh season next year on Channel 9. And they are currently looking for a new batch of eligible male and female farmers. We ask all single farmers (men and women, despite the show’s title, the show attempts to match women with potential husbands too) to enter their details for the good of the dairy industry. It’s a popular show in the city and an articulate dairy farmer showing a potential suitor around a top-notch farm would be a great advertisement for the sector. We are officially calling on people to put in the details of someone they think is suitable to make sure the dairy industry is represented. Dob in a mate at farmer@ fremantlemedia.com.au or go to ninemsn. com.au/farmer

What were they thinking?

Cross-species milk anyone?

WINNING THE awards for both

SCIENTISTS IN China have created genetically modified cows that produce “human” milk. Apparently the Chinese boffins have introduced human genes into dairy cows to produce milk similar to human breast milk. Researchers believe that milk from the herd of 300 cows can provide an alternative to human breast milk and formula milk for babies, which is often criticised as being an inferior substitute. Professor Ning Li says the milk would be as safe as milk from ordinary dairy cows, while tasting stronger than ordinary milk. Anyone have a problem with their baby suckling on the teat of a GM cow?

inappropriate content and bad timing is the Spanish dairy news site PuraLech – with its report on Fonterra’s globalDairyTrade auction last month. The auction fell 11.4% - not a big deal in the scheme of things – but PuraLech reported the news under the heading: Tsunami in the dairy market. This was literally days after the tsunami struck Japan last month on the back of that country’s earthquake, killing tens of thousands of people. Milking It reckons PuraLech’s media department must have half a brain between them.

THE FEDERAL Government seems to have two gears – flat out and stationary. When it comes to finalising the Murray-Darling Basin Plan it is moving at breakneck pace to get legislation written and tabled this year – despite community pleas to slow down to ensure everyone’s views are considered. When it comes to action on last year’s Senate Inquiry into competition and pricing in the Australian dairy industry, the gear stick is still in park. A spokesman for MP David Bradbury – parliamentary secretary to the Treasurer – told Dairy News the Government will continue to consider the recommendations made by the Senate Committee, as well as the current inquiry that is due to report in April, and formally respond in “due course”. That’s 12 months worth of consideration since last year’s recommendations were tabled in parliament! Yet something tells us we shouldn’t hold our breath waiting for the Government to make a move. And if it has taken that long for a Government response on the initial inquiry, it doesn’t bode well for a speedy response to the current inquiry. Northern dairy farmers are losing money as a direct result of Coles cutting prices and the Government continues to sit on its hands. In stark contrast, Prime Minister Gillard has shown no signs of deviating from the original Murray Darling Basin Plan deadline this year. The draft plan is expected to be published this year and the Prime Minister has said Water Minister Tony Burke will sign off a plan later in the year. The Victorian and NSW Governments, and key irrigation groups, have asked for the current guide to Basin Plan – which calls for a diversion of 3000-7600 gigalitres of irrigation water – to be re-drafted. They claim the drought-breaking rain across the country over summer has provided enough water for the Murray-Darling Basin for a couple of years. This provides the time to enable all parties to work on a consensual plan, they claim. So what’s the rush? Burke and new MDBA chairman Craig Knowles have publicly questioned the Water Act, which they say gives the environment precedence over all. Meanwhile, the CSIRO has attacked the credibility of the “science” behind the required diversion figures outlined in the plan. Pushing a new plan through without proper consultation will damage any chances of securing the health of both the river system and rural communities. It’s a balancing act that will require time and careful consideration. Unfortunately, neither appear likely from the Government.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

opinion

Genomics storm hits dairy industry GENOMICS HAS hit the dairy breeding

industry by storm. During the past couple of years, we have gone from almost no application of genomic/genetic marker results in breeding programs to widespread use of genomics. Genomics provides an opportunity to increase the accuracy of genetic estimates, especially at a young age. This means the ability of breeding programs to make more rapid genetic progress by reducing the generation interval. However, interpretation of genetic results is not always straightforward in these early days of genomics. Some of the results are difficult to explain. Despite the large upsides which are well documented – many from simulation studies – some real-world genomic results, identifies areas that still need improvement and where breeders may want to exercise caution in how they apply these results to their breeding programs. The genetic merit of most of the very high genomic young bulls tends to drift downwards as they add milking daughters. We don’t have a clear understanding of why this happens. This drift may be caused by bias from bull-dams. There may also be statistical challenges of combining data from animals that have genomic information with ani-

breeding bulls). mals that do not have geWe looked at 276 young nomic information. sires tested at ABS over The good news is that a 15 month period – late after milking daughters 2005 through 2006. As a are added, the traditional group, the high genomic Total Performance Index young sires were a slightly (TPI) and the genomebetter predictor of future enhanced TPI are performance than tradirelatively close. Despite denny funk tional parent average. this downward trend, This suggests that both the rank of the young sires does not appear to change greatly traditional parent average and genomic and the genetic merit – even after the parent average have merit when selectdownwards drift is still quite high – ing young sires, but genomic estimates are a slightly better predictor. Daughter which is also good news. Results to date suggest that produc- information is still very helpful in finders should slightly lower their expecta- ing the outlier bulls. ABS is using high genomic, young tions of high genetic merit from young sires. To avoid disappointment from bulls as sires of sons, but we are also any one young sire, using a portfolio of using the very highest-proven bulls as several young sires will help minimize sires of sons to help spread risk and to risk of any large changes in genetic increase diversity. Genotyping females merit. Do we need to progeny test When genotyping was first made now that we have genomics? available in 2008, the only option was Young sires have always been a good with the 50k SNP chip from Illumina. The cost to genotype using the 50k genetic option to use in breeding programs – even before genomics. We have chip back in 2008 was around $US250. been monitoring the performance of The cost to genotype an animal with young bulls, both with and without ge- the 50k chip is now closer to $US150. nomics, before and after they have had Additionally, there are now multiple genotyping options. daughters added to their proofs. Illumina now has both a higher denOne of our interests at ABS is to help determine how extensively we should sity option (800k SNPs) and a lower use young sires as sires of sons (elite density option (3k SNPs). Approximate

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The generic merit for most of the very high genomic young bulls tends to drift downwards as they add milking daughters.

cost in US for genotyping with 800k SNPs is $350/sample and for genotyping with 3k SNPs is $40/sample. A recent USDA study found that the correlations of breeding values using a 3k subset of the 50k SNPs and the actual 50k SNPs were quite high – ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 (VanRaden, Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, April 2010). So the 50k chip provides around 96% of the reliability gain compared to using 500k SNPs. The bottom line is that the cost of genotyping still adds up to a lot of money if a lot of animals in the herd are going to be genotyped. Therefore producers should consider lower cost options first (such as traditional genetic merit

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estimates) when trying to decide about what animals to genotype. Genomics is not the only tool available. However, using this tool optimally requires an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of it as well as the costs. Additional fine-tuning will likely improve the accuracy of the genomic estimates, and further reductions in costs will allow for greater use of genomics for both elite breeding programs, as well as more commercial operations in the future. Denny Funk is Group Chief Scientist at Genus. This is an extract from his presentation at the recent Herd ’11 conference. He was brought to Australia by ABS Australia.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

agribusiness

Ice creamery breathes new life into WA dairy business THE UNIVERSAL appeal of ice cream is revitalising Paul and Trish Miller’s long-term enthusiasm in the WA dairy industry. Since the Miller family opened the doors to the first ice creamery in the Cowaramup district, near Margaret River in the south west of the state – soon after Christmas last year – the accolades haven’t stopped. Locals and visitors alike are embracing the family-friendly tourist attraction, which sits comfortably alongside the family’s commercial dairy farming operation. The new venture is the realisation of a dream for the Millers who have long held a desire to value-add to the milk their herd produces. “The ice creamery is about moving forward in an industry that has had a lot of ups and downs in the last 10 years,” Trish says. Paul Miller is a third generation dairy farmer. He and Trish are determined to stay in the industry and give their two young children the opportunity to grow up in a country environment. However, Miller admits his enjoyment of the business and lifestyle has been deeply tested in recent years. “For many years the WA dairy industry has developed on the theory that the more milk you produce the more money you make,” he says. “So over the years our family has been expanding our business with the purchase of more land and increasing herd size. But in recent years, the reality of that expansion has had no correlation to increased income. We have not been rewarded for all our efforts.” About two years ago the Millers bought a former group settlement cottage with the aim of turning it into accommodation for workers on their expanding business. However, milk prices dropped and their focus changed. “Not long after we had finished refurbishing the cottage we were sitting on the deck enjoying a coffee and for the first time really appreciated what we saw before us – a tranquil rural scene

Trish Miller at work in the ice creamery.

The ice creamery is based in this refurbished group settlement cottage. Surroundings were designed to be family-friendly.

in the heart of Margaret River’s tourist cream in the area, someone else soon to make sure what we were doing comwould and we’d lose our market op- plied with all regulations, we had to get precinct,” he explains. “The venue is an attraction in itself. portunity,” Miller says. “The nearest it right from the start.” Once the Millers chose to make ice It dawned on us that the way to go for- ice creamery is at Dunsborough (35km ward was to share what we had with the away) so our venture fits in well with cream they set about sourcing recipes, tourism in this area. We have filled a equipment and, most importantly, the public.” right tuition. The Millers considered short-term void.” “We had booked flights to Melbourne In May last year, the Millers lodged farm stay accommodation, but factors such as occupancy rates and the fact their plans with the shire. Meanwhile, where we had located what we would need, but then found a fantastic they would probably need more one-stop shop in Perth which ofaccommodation steered them The family’s Holstein herd fered us everything,” Paul says. away from this. They both did “But we went to Melbourne anycheese making courses with the produces 3000 litres daily, with way, we needed the break! idea that it could be the way to only a small percentage used for Their ice cream making go, but there were already two ice cream. equipment is from Italy and similar businesses close by. In comes highly recommended. addition to this, Paul admits that “We are in the process now of sourcthey set about creating a car parking he is not passionate about cheese. “I believe that if you are not passion- area and started landscaping before ing local products to use as flavourings ate about doing something you will not winter set in – highly confident that and hope to eventually source everything we need from our local area.” their plans would gain approval. do it well.” Millers Ice Cream offers 12 flavours at “We spent a lot of money employing The idea just grew and eventually morphed into ice cream as it appealed consultants to help us deal with gov- any one time and the menu is evolving as a product that they could do and do ernment regulations, departments and – Paul believes the number of flavour issues like quality assurance. But it was combinations is only limited by imagiwell. “We figured that if we didn’t do ice money well spent. We covered all bases nation.

“We offer anything made from milk at the cottage shop and it’s all manufactured on-site,” he says. “Currently there’s iced coffee, coffee, milkshakes, chocolates and we are looking at expanding the menu. We also offer sorbets and a dairy-free product that I defy anyone to say doesn’t taste like dairy.” The ice creams are offered in cones or old-fashioned buckets and there’s a one-litre takeaway option. The family’s Holstein herd currently produces 3000 litres daily and their requirement for ice cream manufacture is a very small percentage of that. They’ve adopted a steady as you go attitude to their business after a busy 12 months, but the future is looking very bright and they continue to explore new opportunities. A few local restaurants have shown keen interest in their products, but they want to ensure everything is going well before they take on more. Visitors to the venue have a range of activities to enjoy. Trish Miller says the whole concept is very child-focussed. “This is about the kids,” she says. “As parents of young children we have noticed that a lot of tourist venues are more adult-oriented. We wanted this to be very family friendly.” She says they spent a lot of time sourcing the right kind of playground equipment and settled on a solid, treated-wood model that is proving very popular. “Visitors have plenty of picnic tables to choose from and parents are able to watch their children safely play from a number of vantage points. There is a small bush walk as well, and we have two wooden cows available for people to try their skill at hand milking.” Reprinted with permission from The Landmark Livestock Informer.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

business

Milk price cut Online auction wins impact revealed processor approval private label products NOW THAT a couple of across the total milk catmonths have passed, what egory and across the variimpact has $1 per litre prious segments within the vate label milk had on marcategory? ket shares? Overall, branded milk February is the first full has lost around 5% share month for which data is points to private label available and some very – from a split of around preliminary trends have 50/50 to 45/55. In the segemerged. ments; fresh white reguHere are answers to global impact lar brands have lost 3-4% some of the questions that PETER WILSON share points. While fresh many people have asked us Will soy drinks or UHT modified brands have lost at Dairy Australia. Have supermarkets milk lose any share to significantly more – around 9-10% share points – albeit taken sales share from the milk? No. Neither soy drinks in a much smaller segment. non-grocery channel – The current pricing such as route trade stores, nor UHT milk have lost any petrol and convenience share to fresh milk despite trends suggest a reduction outlets and food service all the media attention and in retailer margins of someoutlets – and the distribu- the change in price relativi- thing in approaching $65 million over a full year for tor networks that supply ties. The most significant the two major chains if the these stores? At this time, the data price cuts occurred in the current pricing strategy is suggests fairly small share modified milk categories – maintained. At this stage, the data doesn’t gains for grocery show any signifiof maybe 1-2% cant discounting share of the in dairy company total drinking Overall, branded milk has branded prices – milk market. lost around 5% share to which would repThis would resent a greater take grocery to private label since Coles impact on industry around 53-54% discounted its milk. profitability. channel share – How will this from 52% share impact my farmin 2010. This equates to something like low and reduced fat milks gate price? Much will depend on the 25 to 50 million litres over that were previously priced well above regular milk length of time this strategy a year. While supermarket milk in both private label and is in place and whether or not processors need to dissales grew by over 6% in branded segments. Now that these prod- count to maintain market February, overall sales as reported by DA actu- ucts are also $1 per litre – share. At this stage, it is still ally grew for the month by just like regular milk – has too early to tell. Comments at the Senate inquiry by nearly 3.5% -- so channel their share increased? No. Despite the sig- Coles’ CEO that milk prices change was limited. It will be interesting to see if this nificant change in relative are “staying down” did not was a ‘once-off’ sales in- prices, there has been no mean that the cuts were crease or if drinking milk real shift from fresh regu- permanent and that they consumption is more re- lar milk to fresh modified could last about six months were also very interesting. sponsive to price than pre- milk at this stage. Peter Wilson is Dairy How much share will viously believed and has lifted due to the lower retail move from dairy com- Australia’s Industry Anapany branded to retailer lyst. prices.

SUDESH KISSUN FONTERRA’S MOVE to open its online auction to global players has been met positively by major processors. It signals a change of heart among major processors who two years ago blamed globalDairyTrade (gDT) for pulling down dairy prices. Murray Goulburn is considering its participation in future auctions and says gDT: “has evolved into a significant global benchmark for pricing and market sentiment for the dairy products that are traded on the platform. “Accordingly, as one of the key players in the international dairy market, MG was pleased to have participated in the review and the development of rules to establish a multi-seller platform,” a spokesman told Dairy News Australia. At this stage, MG has not made any commitment to participate in the platform but continues to consider its position on future participation. One of Europe’s largest dairy coops, Arla Foods has also been in talks with Fonterra. It was invited by Fonterra to comment and give advice on making gDT rules a multi-seller platform. “We have found the discussions interesting and we are currently investigating our options and possibilities,” Arla spokesman Thomas Carstensen told Dairy News. He says Arla Foods is a large producer of products which could be offered both for the world market, but also of interest for the European markets which is not active on the gDT platform. “We find that Fonterra has reacted positively to our comments and made some significant changes to ensure that the gDT can work as an open market place,” he says. Carstensen says gDT is just one part of the global dairy industry. He believes it cannot stand alone to en-

Murray Goulburn says it was pleased to have participated in the development of rules to establish a multi-seller platform for Fonterra’s globalDairyTrade auction. sure the interactions between producers and markets. Fonterra has released for consultation draft market rules allowing other dairy companies to sell their products on gDT. Apart from MG and Arla, Danish co-op FrieslandCampina and USbased California Dairies and DairyAmerica have all helped Fonterra develop the draft rules. However, no processor has confirmed participation in gDT. The platform trades around 600,000 metric tonnes of Fonterra products a year and has 300 registered bidders from 58 countries. Sales, to date, total $US3.2 billion. The draft rules allow open access to all participants and ensure all sellers are subject to the same terms. These are based on the existing gDT rules, but are extended to meet the needs of multiple sellers. It also proposes an advisory board,

made up of bidders and one representative from each of the first five sellers, to advice on gDT governance. Fonterra managing director trade and operations, Gary Romano, says when gDT was launched in July 2008 it was envisaged that other sellers of dairy products would eventually join the platform. He says the draft rules allow industry participants and stakeholders an opportunity to offer suggestions and feedback. “All parties are keen to be open and transparent so that globalDairyTrade moves to the next phase of its development with continued wide support from the global industry.” Romano believes having other sellers on gDT will add more volume and will lead to even more reliable prices. At the same time, it has the potential to attract more buyers, given the platform will offer products from different geographies, enabling better risk management, he says.

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“Right from the first trials, it was very obvious that Sonik had significantly higher tiller density than other Italian and annual ryegrasses we compared it with.” “We undertook a tiller count analysis in six trials and Sonik had 20% higher tiller density than the next highest variety, but up to 50% more tillers than other

varieties tested.” This might not be immediate obvious from a casual glance, he says. “Plant growth habit can be deceiving. Some grasses, through their very upright growth habit, may look flashy and impressive, but unless they have high tiller density, the yield

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Cows graze Sonik like no other Italian ryegrass. They leave nothing after grazing it. I am topping other Italian ryegrasses but because the cows like the Sonik so much I haven’t had to top any of the Sonik paddocks. We have tried other ryegrasses but just keep coming back to Sonik - it’s just so lush. Tyson Sinclair – dairy farmer, Cooriemungle, Western Districts

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simply won’t be there.” “We are seeing this on farms throughout the region. Sonik is showing consistently higher production across autumn, winter and spring – and, where rainfall allows it, it will persist for a good 18 to 24 months or more. Its high metabolisable energy content is also showing up in excellent livestock performance, be it liveweight gain in lambs or milk in the vat.” Farmer feedback is bearing this out. Merv Koch, a dairy farmer at Tongala in the Goulburn Valley, was impressed with Sonik’s plant density: “I see it as a big improvement on past varieties I’ve sown. Even though it was a very wet winter, the Sonik handled the wet well. It also grew after each drop of rain we had. The grazings have been short rounds of 20-25 days on average and the Sonik recovers quickly after a hard grazing.” “I was very happy with the way the stock performed on it, too. I will definitely be sowing Sonik again.” Lionel Woods, dairy farmer at Colac in the Western Districts, is a strong advocate of Sonik under his farming system. “Sonik is an amazing grass. It just blows me away how well it performs. I have grown lots of other Italian ryegrasses but this is definitely the best. I have had more grazings off it than I can believe.” In spring, Lionel shut up the Sonik for silage. “In one 2 hectare paddock, we bailed 45 rolls of silage weighing about 500kg each. At 60% dry matter per roll, that’s 6.8 tonnes of dry matter per hectare in silage alone! We have had two grazings off it since cutting it for silage this spring. The Sonik also hangs on for so long at the end of the season. I am just so impressed with it.” Tyson Sinclair was very impressed with the pasture quality and palatability of Sonik on his dairy farm dairy farmer at Cooriemungle in the Western Districts. “My cows graze Sonik like no other Italian ryegrass. They leave nothing after grazing it. I am topping other Italian ryegrasses, but because the cows like the Sonik so much I haven’t had to top any of the Sonik paddocks. We have tried other ryegrasses but just keep coming back to Sonik - it’s just so lush.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

management

Rewarded for thinking outside the square Stephen Cooke Mark and Kim Bayne with their children.

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Impact of mycotoxins in cattle:

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Buying first farm

rate of 1.2t/cow a year. The Baynes also own an 82ha property at Dreeite, where they run dry cows, young heifers and beef cows. Mark says this is good calving country – warmer than the home block and with better quality feed starting earlier in the season. Mark and Kim sharefarmed a 240ha Beeac property, where they won the Graham Hall Farm Management competition, judged on production, farm layout, improvement, pasture and general management. “It was nice to be recognised. There aren’t a lot of accolades in dairy.” It was here they also developed a herd of heifers. They have built their herd to the current number of 55 milkers. AI is used which enables them to select the best genetics and improve production from their smaller herd. They currently average 17 litres per cow/day. Mark admits the distance between farms – a 40km round trip from Beeac to Coragulac – is not ideal but it was a necessity if they were going to get their foot in the door. A contractor is employed to bale the hay and silage, but Mark cuts and carts it back to the house block, stacking up the kilometres. He’s no stranger to hard work working a share farm – milking 240 cows - and his own farm up until 12 months ago. He sees the current situation as a step back, allowing him to spend more time with Kim and his three boys. They are certainly making the best of it and plan to invest in a feed pad on the house block as part of their long-term plan.

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WITH LAND prices of $19,000/hectare throughout Western Victoria, dairy farmers Mark and Kim Bayne were forced to think outside the square to get their own farm. The couple had been share farming in the district – winning the local Graham Hall Farm Management competition in 2007 – and wanted to transfer their efforts onto their own property. They were also very keen to avoid taking on so much debt. They investigated farms for sale, but would invariably find either the dairy or the house was too run down. Overlooked during this time was a house and dairy on 14ha at Beeac, which they duly investigated. “Because it was only 35 acres (14ha) we hadn’t thought about this property. We assumed because it was so small that it would be no good,” Mark said. However, the dairy shed, yards and house were all in very good condition. The shed had to be replaced and Mark installed a secondhand 10-aside Double up dairy. The couple now milk 55 cows, mainly Friesians with a few Jerseys, which are run on the 14ha property. They strip graze the pastures before cattle are lot fed home grown hay in feed rings. Urea is applied to the pastures and cattle return when pastures have grown sufficiently. They are currently resowing the house block with straight ryegrass, eliminating the clover as Mark believes ryegrass recovers better than clover after grazing. Hay and silage are grown on the 20ha family farm at Coragulac – established by Mark’s great-grandparents in 1913. Mark and Kim also own this property. Annual ryegrass is planted to produce silage and hay at costs of $23 and $10$12 respectively. Last year, Mark cut 16ha and produced 351 rolls of silage. The year before he cut 20ha and produced 400 rolls of hay. The only feed bought is coprice pellets, fed at the

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

management

High country dairy proves its mettle Gordon Collie THE HIGHEST altitude dairy farm in Australia is proving its credentials as an efficient, low cost milk producer, three years after being built from the ground up. Walcha Dairy – perched almost 1200m above sea level in the New England district of NSW –was converted from a sheep and beef enterprise, which is traditional in this part of the world. The site was selected by Victorian owners Peter and Elaine Notman for its safe 1000 mm annual rainfall and strategic

location between major urban markets in Sydney and Brisbane. The Notmans have diversified rural interests including an agricultural service and seed business, as well as a dairy farm at Poowong. They recruited an experienced dairy farm manager from the NSW south coast, John Crittenden – who moved on site within three months of the property being purchased in April 2008. “It was an exciting challenge being involved in setting things up from scratch and we get a lot of visitors who come to see how we

Farm manager John Crittendon with the herd. Above the 80 stand rotary dairy can milk 400 cows an hour.

Greenhouse gauge for your farm The Dairy Greenhouse Gas Abatement Strategies or DGAS calculator was developed to estimate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Australian dairy farms. The results are a guide to GHG emissions your farm produces and assume that best management practices are in place eg: nitrogen fertiliser usage. What does DGAS estimate? • Methane from stock as part of the digestive process (enteric fermentation) and manure management. • Nitrous oxide from animal waste and from nitrogen fertilisers. These nitrous oxide emissions are further broken down into direct (occurring on your farm) and indirect (loss to the environment through leaching/runoff and volatilisation). • Carbon dioxide from consumption of electricity and fuels. • Carbon dioxide associated with the production of key farm inputs such as grains/concentrates, hay and silage and fertilisers. Methane and nitrous oxide have greater potential to warm the environment when compared to carbon dioxide. Therefore, to make it easier to calculate total GHG emissions, all gasses are converted into carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). DGAS estimates the CO2e emissions as a total figure in tonnes of CO2e. It also estimates emissions per tonne of milk solids by dividing total emissions by annual milk production.

What data is needed in DGAS? DGAS estimates GHG emissions for a 12-month period and therefore 12 months of data is required. For example, how many cows calve and produce milk in the 12-month period can be different than your peak milking herd size, especially if you milk year-round. DGAS requires the most accurate figures available, and results might vary from year to year because of changes in stock numbers, annual milk production, nitrogen fertiliser usage, changes to diet quality and the consumption of electricity and fuels. Where can you find DGAS? Go to www.dairyingfortomorrow.com.au/ index.php?id=47 and you will find two versions of DGAS. The advisor version has been developed for facilitators who help farmers utilise the DGAS program. The farmer version is a slightly amended version in the areas of milking herd data entry, liveweight of the replacements, the number of bulls required ad the diet quality for the replacements and the bulls. Contact your local Dairying for Tomorrow co-ordinator or Karen Christie at Karen. Christie@utas.edu.au for help. DGAS was developed by the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research with funding from Dairy Australia and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry through the Climate Change Adaptation in the Southern Australian Livestock Industries program.

This is one of the many examples of the dairy service levy at work. Farmers receive a benefit of $3 for each $1 invested by Dairy Australia on their behalf. For more information on this and other levy investments visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au

went about it,” Crittenden says. The property was gutted internally. A GPS system used to design a new fencing and laneway system built around the central, elevated milking site so cows don’t have to walk more than 1 kilometre. Paddocks, which each have a watering point and average about 8ha in size, are angled towards the dairy for ease of stock movement. “We can get 800 cows to the dairy in under an hour,” Crittenden says. An early priority was to completely re-pasture the property. Contractors were engaged to spray out 440 hectares and direct drill ryegrass and clovers. The first 100 ha of pasture renovation had been completed after three years with half sown to a crop of brassicas and chicory and the balance drilled straight to perennial pasture and a trial block of 12 ha of annual ryegrass which has proved to be a success. “Because there are no established dairies in the area, there has been an element of pioneering. There were a lot of cream farms in the New England in the 1960s, but the industry contracted on to the coast over the years,” Crittenden says. “The rainfall here is fairly regular and safe for dryland farming and year round milk production. Although we do get snow and winter temperatures down to minus 15 degrees Celsius.” Surplus pasture is made into hay and silage with

Who:

Peter and Elaine Notman Where:

Walcha What:

New dairy

about 1500 round bales of silage harvested this season. Some lucerne hay is also bought in. Hay and silage is normally paddock fed through dry months from November to January, with ryegrass kicking back in once the season breaks around the end of January. The only irrigation is an underground system installed to disperse ponded dairy effluent onto pastures. Lime is used with new pasture establishment and all pastures receive a nitrogen-based fertilizer application every 35 to 40 days. Paddocks also receive a dressing of chicken litter trucked from the Tamworth district. This is applied at a rate of about three cubic metres a hectare about every 35 days following the grazing rotation. The main dairy property is run in conjunction with a heifer and dry cow block of 150ha closer to Walcha, which was also completely renovated with new permanent pasture. The farm was originally

stocked with up to 1000 cows with numbers culled back to a rolling average of about 750 milkers. Block calving four times a year provides continuous fresh milk production, which is supplied to National Foods. Milk is mostly trucked straight to Sydney and sometimes Brisbane. Crittenden says production has been averaging about 18,000 litres a day, with cows milking up to 32 litres a day in spring and 20-26 litres during the winter months. Cows are fed a mixed ration of grains and protein pellets in the bails year round, averaging about 7.2 kg each a day. The ration is automatically varied through three levels, according to each cow’s daily milk production record. The 80 stand rotary with two operators can milk 400 cows an hour. The dairy is fully computerised with continuous milk flow recording and quality monitoring. Cows with any health issues and those just calved are segregated at milking and their milk fed to calves. This level of control means full quality bonuses are received for all market milk. Crittenden says the farm is now well established as an efficient, lost cost, milk producing enterprise. With no other dairy farms in the district, Walcha Dairy has generated a lot of local interest and visitors. It has also become an agricultural research site for students studying at the University of New England at Armidale.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

management

Compost slashes fertiliser bill it, just a bit of grass stimulant every now and then. “The roots are much deeper. When we started they were going down about three inches, now it’s a foot, which means there are more nutrients available for the plant and less feeding required.” Soil tests conducted on a regular basis

Rick Bayne THREE YEARS ago Western Victorian farmer Craig “Reggie” Davis decided he’d had enough of increasing fertiliser costs, unwanted pests and low root depth on his crops. He then embarked on an ambitious five-year farm conversion plan, which is already paying dividends. Home-made compost replacing Compost is applied at 6-7t/ha traditional fertilisers, an upgraded dairy effluent system, an extensive soil testing program and extension look at alternatives to continued use of a centre pivot irrigation system are of conventional fertilisers. The main change was developing a home-made helping Davis achieve his goals. Ultimately he hopes to use 100% compost system, primarily using of the effluent generated on his farm, first pond effluent sludge mixed with near Cobden, to protect his soils and ingredients such as straw and woodchips to ensure it is properly aerated. maintain good pasture growth. Looking across a paddock, which It is topped up as needed by bits of hasn’t had any outside additives since chook manure, mud and other minor last October but is now lush with clo- additions. More than 80% of the ingredients ver and has a root depth nearly four times better than a few years ago, are from the Davis farm. “It’s an effective mix,” he says. “We Davis is clearly well on his way to put it in rows and then turn it, and achieving that success. “The results have been amazing re- add a few bugs from the Camperdown ally, and we think they’ll only get bet- Compost Company to make sure we’ve got everything ter,” he says. covered. Davis, and wife Tan“If we get it right we’ll ya, milk about 630 cows have the bugs attackon the family farm. ing the weeds, not the The milking area is 263 plants.” hectares, which is supThis transformation plemented by out padis paying its way. docks for calves and dry “It has meant a big stock. saving for us on fertiHe recently hosted a Who: lisers. We’re probably Future Ready Dairy SysCraig and Tanya Davis spraying urea at about tems field day to showa third of the rate we case his better use of Where: Cobden used to do. There was effluent and fertilizers. an outlay first up, but Davis explained how he What: now I’d conservatively had grown sick of be- Home-made compost say we’re saving about a ing forced to regularly spray “bad bugs” and coping with de- quarter on our fertiliser costs. Davis reckons he’ll do even better clining soil quality. “We were putting on more nitro- once the farm is fully going. Last year, he produced about 2000 gen for worse results. In the autumn we had to spray three times for red- tonnes of compost and expects to legged earth mites. Something had to make 3000 tonnes this year to continue the expansion. The compost change,” he says. Something did change after Davis, is applied at between six and seven a fourth-generation farmer, visited tonnes per hectare. Liquids from the New Zealand and Queensland to second pond are spread over the farm

Craig Davis in paddocks that have not had any outside additives since October.

through his pivot irrigation system at a rate of about 5%. “We use a low rate so we can graze all the time,” Davis says. “There are a lot more nutrients in these ponds than most people think. We need to be like farmers in Europe where they have 100% utilisation of their effluent and don’t have to put fertilisers on to their properties.” Nearly 70 hectares of the farm is using the centre pivot irrigation. The decision to make the compost on his farm rather than import purchased compost has also led to a significant cost saving. Apart from lowering input costs, Davis says the new system is producing better soil and pasture results. “The paddocks had no clover and looked pretty bad. Now they’re full of clover. We’re using less nitrogen, which promotes more clover growth. Clover and ryegrass is a great blend and we don’t have to put too much on

are showing good results. “Keeping our soil healthy is the best way to deal with a variable climate,” Davis says. He thinks that the lower input costs and better pasture results will prompt others to follow his lead and implement their own extensive compost system. “It’s not rocket science.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

management

Rapid gains through genomics Stephen cooke STEVE MILLS is confident

Jackie Mills with Hill Valley Anastasia, the dam of Jetfinn, who was ranked number one bull in this month’s ABV(g) release.

commercial farmers will be the biggest beneficiaries of the introduction of genomic-based breeding values. Mills and wife Jackie milk 140 cows at Lockington in northern Victoria – half of them registered under the Jet Star Holsteins name. The couple has already made breeding decisions based on Australian Breeding Values (genomics) – or ABV(g)s. They say 95% of all genetics chosen for their registered herd will be based on

ABV(g)s in a few years. The first ABV(g)s for Holstein bulls, based on the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme data base, were calculated last year. However, the first official public release was only issued this month. Genomics is a new technology that uses DNA data, or gene markers, to assist in the calculation of breeding values for animals. In the case of dairy cattle, it is expressed as an ABV(g). Genomic testing can be done when an animal is any age – from a hair sample. Information is most valuable

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Who:

Steve & Jackie Mills Where:

Lockington What:

Genomics

for young bulls that have no daughters in production. It enables breeders to choose young bulls for their breeding program years earlier – as they will have much more available data, including health traits, at their fingertips to help make breeding decisions. The Mills’ selected young

bulls based on ABV(g)s to fast track their breeding program, saying it has put them three years ahead. Although the bulls, including their own Jetfinn, did not have ABV(g)s released, the Mills’ conducted a lot of research and sought considerable advice before choosing the three Genetics Australia sires used in the company’s test team. “To get into the test team, we know they had to have been alright. The whole team has been genomically tested and Genetics Australia pointed us to bulls they would be using down the track as potential sires.” He says without any data to correctively mate they chased the bulls that came from strong cow families and had the runs on the board. “We are really excited about the public release of genomics. The bigger the release – the less guessing there will be.” Jetfinn was named number one bull in this month’s release of ABV(g)s. Steve and Jackie Mills have always enjoyed cattle breeding. “We do a lot of breeding, and spend hours on research, but we also milk morning and night.” The commercial dairy farmers decided to turn their hobby into an arm of their business by registering their cows. “Instead of one of us working off-farm, we went full-on into genetics to improve our business.” Half their commercial herd of 180 is now registered and a heavy embryo transfer program, where cows are flushed every 6-8 weeks, means the entire herd will be registered in two years. They calve all year round. “We breed for our herd, not the AI industry, and genomics will be part of that breeding toolbox from now on,” Mills adds. “Some people are sceptical about the reliability of genomics, but if you use a group of bulls then the reliability improves. Some figures will go up over time, some will go down – so it averages out.” The Mills have operated their Lockington farm since 2001 and registered the Jet Star prefix the year before. They bought their first reg-

istered animals in 2005, but realised quickly that if they wanted to run it as a business they needed to use elite genetics. In a bid to improve their herd rapidly, they purchased a six-month-old Roumare-sired heifer, Hill Valley Anastasia, which was out of the full sister to the number one bull at the time, Donante, at International Dairy Week in January, 2008. They went on to buy another Roumare heifer, Ebony Park Roumare Toni, out of a high-indexing Lancelot, the following year to form the base of their high genetic merit herd. Informer was put over Anastasia to produce Jetfinn – whose genetics have already been used in the Mills’ ET program. The calves of Jetfinn and two other bulls in Cargold and Goldran – all available as genomic sires – will be on the ground in August. Steve Mills says Informer is a similar style to Anastasia and has excellent production figures. The couple believe the decision to utilise elite genetics suited their business and farming goals of breeding cows of a good type that return milk protein and reward inputs. Their herd of registered and unregistered cows run together and milk quality and quantity has improved markedly in the last few years through their use of new US genetics backed by genomic testing. “The genomics will help fast track those gains as you don’t have to wait two years to get heifers in to get the proof.” Mills says using these bulls advances better genetics and gains in the herd, with the knowledge there are genomics behind the decisions. “Farmers will get gains so much quicker – so genomics will have a huge impact on the dairy industry as a whole, not just the stud industry.” Mills is excited at the impact Jetfinn could have within the industry. “The excitement comes from breeding the complete bull and the satisfaction of having a genetic influence on dairy breeding. “We’re small farmers here at Lockington and to think we could have a national impact on breeding across the country – based on our own decisions made for our farm – is exciting. “It gives us confidence in our breeding decisions here.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

management

Are you in charge of your direction? As we move into a strong au-

tumn, where many will have some time to take things just a little bit easier, it is worth reflecting on how you and your business are performing. We know that we are constantly faced with new challenges in life and business. How well are you prepared for what is thrown at you? Take a few minutes to complete the following questions and identify whether you are in charge of your direction. Go through this questionnaire and only tick those that you can answer 100% Yes.

1. Do you have a picture of what your life 2. 3.

farming focus gavin mcclay

Dairy energy breakthrough A GIPPSLAND farm has installed a milking machine cleaning system that can slash power consumption by almost 75%. Jindivick’s Steve Ronalds is one of the first dairy farmers in the world to have the commercial Green Cleaning system installed. It operates at low temperatures, re-uses wash solutions and utilises energy efficient principles to deliver substantial operating cost savings for farmers. The innovative technology can reduce water use by up to 63% and even uses waste heat from the fresh milk to help warm the rinse water. Ronalds says he is pleased with the environmental outcomes, but ultimately the system works because it helps his business. “I’m a fourth generation farmer and I have a young son, so there’s no doubt we need a sustainable future. But we are business people and we have to make a dollar,” he says. “With power costs the way they are going and water being so precious on this farm, the numbers with this system seem to stack up.” A prototype was developed and tested by AgVet Projects in 2009, who then worked with the various industry partners to turn the prototype into commercially viable system. The project is being managed by AgVet Projects on behalf of GippsDairy, and is supported by two principal funders, the Victorian Government Sustainability Fund and the Gardiner Foundation.

The Green Cleaning system can reduce water use by up to 63%

4. 5.

will look like at least 5 years ahead? Have you identified what you will need to meet your retirement needs? Do you have a plan to develop your skills for the future e.g. people skills, technical skills, financial skills, leisure activities, off-farm investment options? Do you have a written business plan or list of goals you are working towards? Do you meet regularly with key people to plan your future direction and review your past performance? (E.g. with business partner /investors, consultant, banker, accountant, mentor...) Do you achieve your desired balance

between time spent with family, friends, personal development, leisure and work? 7. Do you operate with an annual cashflow budget and do you update your budget regularly and adjust targets and inputs accordingly? 8. Do you know what operating surplus your business needs to generate to meet your drawings, interest and principal payments, tax and investment needs? 9. Do you analyze your business returns annually and benchmark them against top business performers? 10. Do you monitor 5 or 6 key drivers for achieving production e.g. kgMS/cow, calving date and rate, heifer liveweight,

cow condition score, pasture cover? 11. Do you read a lot and meet with positive

motivated people regularly? 12. Do you really enjoy what you are doing?

How did you score? Count the number of ticks: /12 A score of 10 or above shows you are in charge of your business. If you scored below 10, you would see significant advantages in lifting your score. To begin improving, identify one or two areas, and write down an action plan to address them. Review your score again in another 6 months! *Based on Dexcel Plan4Success questionnaire. www.dexcel.co.nz.

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Superior performance against the parasites that count. It also involves the six largest dairy equipment and chemical companies in Australia. The system on the Ronald’s farm was developed by GEA Farm Technologies (Westfalia), with the chemicals supplied by Cleantec – a division of Ecolab. Other companies will be introducing their systems to the market progressively throughout 2011. AgVet Project’s Gabriel Hakim says the cooperative nature of the project was the key to its success – involving dairy farmers, milk companies, regulators and the dairy equipment and chemical sector. “Traditionally we have been tied by dairy chemicals because they need to be used at high temperatures, so part of the project was to encourage the chemical companies to develop chemicals that worked at much lower temperatures.” Despite the impressive performance to date, Hakim thinks even greater savings are possible. “My ideal is to have a system operating at 35 degrees Celsius; we are at 50 degrees now, so we are getting there.”

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

animal health

Don’t cull cows, extend lactation EXTENDED LACTATION is a viable option

to culling cows that do not get in calf as planned, according to new research. This shows extended lactation can be commercially viable for pasture-based dairying systems. The project – conducted by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries – combined trials conducted at the Ellinbank Dairy Research Institute in Victoria with dairy farmer experience through case studies. Dairy Australia’s InCalf program leader, Dr Barry Zimmermann, says extended lactation can work well in herds with year round, split or batch calving systems. He says the interval between calvings can be successfully extended with most Holstein cows beyond the traditional 12 months – to about 18 months. In year

round, split or batch calving herds, this gives the flexibility to join an empty cow to calve with the next group, he says. “During the extended lactation phase, you can expect their daily milk production to be less than their herd-mates on a traditional lactation, but this is compensated for by extra days in milk and higher concentration of protein.” Zimmerman says most will continue to produce milk through to the planned dry off date. “It is a bit trickier in a strictly seasonal calving herd, because the interval between calvings will stretch to two years. In that situation milk production tends to drop off in the last few months. He adds that annual milk production of extended lactation cows will drop by about

2% in the top 50% of cows, but by up to 14% in the bottom half. “Many cows won’t make the distance, drying themselves off before their planned dry off date.” Zimmermann says it is rare to find a whole herd on an extended lactation, but it is common to find a small number of cows within a herd with an extended lactation. He says extended lactation is a management tool used in certain situations and often on specific cows. “For example, you can shorten the joining period and bump not-in-calf cows into the next mating group and Annual milk production milk them for an extended of extended lactation cows lactation. Some farmers do this to avoid using bulls, alwill drop by 2% in the top lowing all cows to be joined by AI.” 50% of cows. Zimmermann says with record high prices for export heifers there’s even more incentive to get more AI calves on the ground. Farmers considering extended lactation should: • Think about the impact it will have on the herd’s milk production pattern and Dr Barry Zimmerman says the interval between calvings can be extended with most Holstein cows beyond 12 months.

NEW

if there are implications for the contract with their milk processor. • Have the herd pregnancy tested so you know which cows are not in calf. You can then decide which ones you want to keep on an extended lactation and whether some will be culled. • Make sure cows are given the best opportunity to get in calf when they are joined. Follow the InCalf recommendations for heat detection and AI practices. Only allow a cow two mating periods to get in calf. Cull repeat non-breeders. Zimmermann says farmers will need to monitor body condition and adjust nutrition if needed when cows are in the extended lactation phase. “Special nutrition strategies are not required for cows on an extended lactation but cows on an extended lactation are very responsive to supplementary feeding and you need to beware of over-conditioning towards the end of lactation,” he adds. “Over-conditioned cows may need to be fed as a separate group during the dry period to ensure they do not calve in body condition score of more than 5.5 (on an 8-point scale).”

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

animal health

Price war could reduce vet numbers IN MY role as President

of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians, I hear about issues that are concerning cattle vets from all over Australia. One issue that is consistently at the top of the list is the challenge to veterinary practices posed by unqualified nonveterinarians performing various services which were traditionally the domain of vets. These lay operators are eroding the profitability – and in some cases the viability – of practices providing a service to dairy farms in some parts of the country I have listened and watched with great interest and empathy to all the arguments about the “supermarket milk war” and how unsustainable price cutting is affecting the future viability of Australian dairy farms. I agree that if an unfair, unsustainable price war forces dairy farmers to the wall – then all Australians will be the poorer for it. Food security is something that is impossible to really put a value on. However, I find it ironic that many of the same farmers who feel that they are suffering as a result of the “unfair” price cutting and competition by supermarkets are the same farmers who – without giving it a second thought – use an unqualified and unregistered person to pregnancy test their cows, employ the services of a semen salesperson (whose job is to sell more semen) to work out their reproductive program or get their local “old mate” from the produce store to tell them which vaccine and drench they should use. For a long time, various rural stores and cooperatives have used their buying power and market share to cut the margins on vaccines and drenches to levels that many veterinary practices have found difficult to compete with. Semen companies have used reproduction programs as “loss leaders” to increase semen sales. While lay pregnancy testers – with little more than a new ultrasound unit and a few days training – have hit the roads pregnancy testing cows. Does any of this sound familiar? So how is the way that the supermarkets are screwing dairy farmers over milk pricing any

different to how many in the dairy industry have treated professional dairy veterinarians who have dedicated their lives to the animals we care for? Dairy veterinarians who have undergone a peer-reviewed testing and auditing program to become accredited as a NCPD pregnancy tester are the “gold standard” of pregnancy testing. While a lay pregnancy testing service could be seen as an alternative, it’s by no means an equivalent service. Especially when you compare the difference in knowledge base and the potential for herd level advice that your qualified NCPD accredited veterinarian can offer. Surely that is worth a few extra dollars? When a dairy veterinarian advises on a reproduction program, they use their knowledge of reproductive physiology to develop the best program. They are not guided by which program might result in the most units of semen used. Here, we could actually save farmers money! I have had plenty of farmers tell me that veterinarians must get with the game and become more proactive in selling our services – a bit more “slick” with marketing our services. Maybe we should get the executives of the big supermarkets to give us a few hints! Or maybe we should use the same argument that the dairy farmers themselves have used. Dairy farmers must realise that your veterinarian is the professional who sets the standard by which the others must be measured. When determining what is actually value for money it is critical the dairy industry applies the same logic it has used to argue against the supermarket “milk war”. If dairy farmers choose to use alternative, but non-equivalent service providers, then veterinarians will continue to drift to the cities and into small animal practices. Experienced veterinary services may be lost to large areas of the dairy industry and we will all be the worse for it. Rob Bonanno is president of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians Association and a director of the Shepparton Veterinary Clinic.

animal health rob bonanno Dairy vets use their knowledge of reproductive physiology to develop the best reproduction program for farmers.

Real farmers. Real results. WOODSIDE PARK BERRY, NEW SOUTH WALES A TESTIMONIAL BY ROBERT AND SUSAN MCINTOSH www.performanceprobiotics.com | Phone 1800 118 872

Performance Probiotics products used by Woodside Park.

OPERATIONAL AND PRODUCTION FACTS MCINTOSH FARMING PARTNERSHIP Milking herd of 150 cows (Registered Holsteins) PASTURE BASED GRAZING Ryegrass and clover in winter. Kikuyu and clover in summer with some Lucerne. THREE GRAIN MIXES TO SUPPLEMENT THE PASTURES Dairy ration , Springer ration and Calf ration. All rations based on grain , dried distillers grain, macro-minerals and Performance Probiotics products for micro-minerals. What Performance products are you using and how are you using these products in your system? Healthy Herd – Dairy ration Healthy Calf Plus – Calf ration Fireup – Springer ration Microbial Paste – Initial calf treatment/strategic sickness and stress conditions/rumen disorders/show cattle stress and feed changes. Why did you choose Performance in the 1st place? Our first experience was with show cattle then further information via dairy magazines. What are the things you like most about Performance now that you have been using our product/s for a little while? What does it help you achieve? We have been using Performance Probiotics for over 10 years now in a range of circumstances, feed variations and animal health issues. We could not afford to be without it now we know what the various Performance Probiotics products can do for us with feed conversion and consistent herd health across the ages.

WE BUILD HEALTHY COWS

‘We could not afford to be without it now we know what the various Performance Probiotics products can do for us with feed conversion and consistent herd health across the ages’. What would you say to a friend who was thinking of investing in Performance - but wasn’t sure? It’s natural. It is logical that it works the way it does. Our experience tells me to keep on using the comprehensive range of products to suit all our feed and herd health requirements. Has it saved you time/money/effort? How? Most definitely! The principle I like the most with Performance Products is that it is preventative strategy rather than reactive. The range of products give us choice to suit our budgets and all products are readily available through local suppliers and Vets. How easy is Performance to use in your system? Pellets, powdered products or paste make for safe and user-friendly handling. The packaging of the products in their various forms is a real strong point for convenience and accuracy. What is the ‘major benefit’ you see in using Performance? 1. Improved feed conversion in all seasons and feed variations. 2. Transition from pre-calving to full production. 3. Stress management in environment and feed extremes. THANKS TO ROBERT AND SUSAN MCINTOSH OF WOODSIDE PARK FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT OF PERFORMANCE PROBIOTICS.

IN UDDER WORDS...

Dairy farmers now have a new weapon to increase their herd’s protection against pneumonia with a new vaccine designed to prevent both the bacterial and viral causes of the disease. Respiratory disease continues to be a problem in dairy cows, heifers and calves. At its worst, it can kill animals within days, but even cattle that survive may carry residual lung problems that affect their performance for life. Coopers® Animal Health Technical Services Veterinarian Damian O’Brien said that with increasing herd sizes leading to a growing reliance on feed pads, total mixed rations and increased numbers of calves in close confinement in sheds, the risk of disease has increased. “Respiratory disease can be a complex condition, with a mix of viral and bacterial pathogens contributing to its incidence. Disease often starts with a viral infection that compromises the respiratory tract, creating an opportunistic bacterial infection. A coughing animal can quickly progress to a very dull, depressed, inappetent one and the disease can spread rapidly through a herd. Feed intake in these animals is decreased and in the milking herd, this often results in a large drop in milk production,” he said. Dr O’Brien said a new tool was available to prevent respiratory disease. “With the launch of Bovilis® MH+IBR, dairy producers have the opportunity to vaccinate against major viral and bacterial causes of pneumonia,” he said. “Bovilis MH+IBR builds on the strength of Bovilis MH, which has already earned a reputation for reducing the incidence of respiratory disease,” he said. “The new vaccine is expected to cause a large reduction in respiratory disease rates in dairy cattle, cattle in feedlots, and export cattle, based on the trial work that has been conducted,” he said. President of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians Association Dr Rob Bonanno said that there was a particular place for vaccinating against respiratory disease in situations where cows were close together. “It’s particularly important to include preventing respiratory disease in your plan in more intensive feeding systems or anywhere where cows are often side by side or nose to nose,” Dr Bonanno said. “Using a vaccine can also be an important risk management strategy to prevent respiratory disease for those farming in less intensive situations, particularly if there is a risk of animals sharing nasal secretions,” he said. The vaccine is an inactivated vaccine developed in Australia using local viral and bacterial strains. It provides protection with just two shots four weeks apart and is available from your local reseller or veterinarian. For further information on the new Bovilis MH+IBR vaccine, call Coopers Animal Health on 1800 885 576 ® Registered Trademark

Lead feeding can boost profits by $200 a head FARMERS CAN make an extra $200 per cow a year through a successful lead feeding program, according to Dairy Australia’s Grains2Milk program leader, Steve Little. “A net benefit of up to about $200 per cow per year, accounting for the extra feed and labour costs involved, can be gained,” Little says. “This comes from increased milk production and fertility, as well as reduced costs associated with milk fever and other cow health problems. Little says transition feeding used to be considered mainly as a way to reduce the incidence of milk fever, a debilitating and potentially deadly condition that occurs immediately after calving when the cow’s requirement for calcium suddenly and dramatically increases. However, he says there are a number of other conditions that are more likely when the cow’s metabolism and hormonal system struggle to adapt to the transition between pregnancy and lactation.

These include: grass tetany (low blood magnesium), ketosis and fatty liver, udder oedema, abomasal displacement, mastitis, more difficult calvings, retained foetal membranes, uterine infection, reduced fertility and milk production. “Calving and subsequent lactation require an orchestrated series of adaptations by the cow’s system and it’s a time of increased stress for dairy cows,” Little explains. “Giving pregnant cows a transition diet in the last three weeks before calving can dramatically reduce the chances of the cow developing these conditions.” Left unchecked, these conditions all translate to one big problem – reduced productivity. Dairy Australia’s Grains2Milk and InCalf programs are working to support an industrywide increase in the numbers of farmers effectively using transition cow management programs. “As part of this, we’re working with stock feed manufacturers like Rivalea Australia to help make it

Giving pregnant cows a transition diet in the three weeks before calving can reduce the chance of disease. easier for farmers to combine commercial pre-calving feeds with forage.” There are four key components to an effective transition or lead feeding strategy, according to animal nutritionist, Tony

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Edwards, of ACE Livestock Consulting. “Exercising the calcium mobilisation pathways by feeding cereal hay and straw, which are low in calcium, helps the cow utilise existing calcium more effectively at calving,” he says. Part of this process also involves the increased salivation as a result of chewing the cud of the coarse roughage. “This saliva helps leave the system acidic, which, in turn, encourages the bones to release calcium,” Edwards explains. “Providing anionic salts and supplementary calcium is the second step. An anionic (acid) diet enhances calcium utilisation. “By reducing sodium and potassium relative to chloride and sulphate, limiting phosphorus intake and including sources of calcium and magnesium in the diet, we can ensure that the risk of milk fever and all the other conditions related to low blood calcium are reduced.” Feeding supplementary grain is also important as it helps prepare the cow’s rumen for the high level of grain contained in the cow’s feed post calving. The final piece of the puzzle is bypass protein to help with the increased protein demand during this phase. Little says recent Australian research confirms that the optimal time for

each cow to spend on the transition diet pre-calving is about 21 days. To achieve this, very accurate due calving dates obtained from early pregnancy testing is essential. “Calving is of course a very busy time of year and while we are asking people to do a little bit extra during this busy time, the benefits from a good transition management program pre-calving make it well worthwhile,” he adds. “But it does need to be well planned and implemented. As well as getting the transition diet right, other things that need to be worked out are how the transition cows themselves are managed, how the farm’s feeding infrastructure is used to feed them and how the work routines of people on the farm are adjusted.” Little’s advice for farmers choosing to use a commercial lead-feed product in their transition feeding program is to ensure it is soundly formulated. It also needs to be combined at the recommended feeding rate with forages such as hay and silage, which is low in sodium and potassium. Rivalea’s Optimilk PreCalving Pellets contain anionic salts, bypass protein, grain, ionophores (for better feed conversion efficiency) and organic minerals for dietary balance. “At the same time, restrict your cow’s access to lush pasture, which can be high risk for milk fever, to less than two kilograms of pasture dry matter per day,” Little says. “Controlling each cow’s daily pasture intake to such a low level is often difficult, which is why animal nutritionists often recommend offering no pasture at all. A clean and dry ‘springer’ paddock close to the dairy is ideal.” He says farmers also need to ensure there is adequate trough space for each cow to get their fair share of the transition feed. He recommends at least 75 centimetres of trough space per cow to ensure the dominant cows aren’t taking the lion’s share of the feed. “And make sure your cows are drinking from a clean, neutral water supply. You’re trying to acidify the diet so it’s important the cows aren’t drinking water with a high pH.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

animal health

More mud means less milk Mike Socha

Although it may be too late to do much about the races and paddocks to minimise the amount of mud cows walk through, farmers can do things to reduce the effect of mud on cow performance and health. First, run all cows through a well designed footbath either before or after milking. Footbaths should be at least 250cm long to insure all feet receive two dunks

DEPTH OF mud can have a significant impact on the daily weight gain of growing cattle – as well as milk production of milking cows. Hock-deep levels of mud can reduce daily weight gain by up to 28% in growing cattle as more energy is required to move about in mud. These requirements for maintenance reduce energy available for milk Hock deep mud can production and replenishing body reduce daily weight condition, and gain by up to 28% in decrease feed efficiency. growing cattle. So it is not surprising that average daily per foot in the footbath gains in growing cattle solution and the solution decrease when exposed should be at least 10 cm to mud and the reduction deep throughout the bath in average daily gains is to allow contact with the directly proportional to interdigital skin. mud depth (see table). The Footbath capacity ability to meet energy should be calculated so the needs of high production proper amount of footbath dairy cattle is further chemical is added to the compromised due to bath. Footbaths should be dry matter intake being changed every 200 cow reduced 5% or more when passes, and more often if cattle are in mud. cows are really dirty. Mud also increases Farmers should also the risk of disease and talk to their nutritionist lameness, as udders are to ensure that their cows dirtier due to cows lying are receiving adequate and walking in mud. This amounts of trace minerals. makes milking more difIn particular: zinc, manficult and increases the ganese, copper, selenium risk of mastitis. Having and iodine – all of which cows walking in deep mud play an important role in also increases the risk of immune function and in stones and debris cutting or scraping the skin of their maintaining healthy feet on cattle. lower leg. This, coupled Furthermore, farmwith wet conditions, compromises skin integrity ers should also consider increasing the amount of of the lower leg, increasing zinc fed to cattle and feedrisk of foot rot and digital ing highly available zinc dermatitis. sources such as Availa-Zn Cows also tend to stand if their cows are experimore in wet conditions, encing high incidence of resulting in mud softenlameness. ing the claw horn making Dr Mike Socha is the it more prone to wear on team leader of the Dairy abrasive or rough concrete Research Department at and more likely to develop Zinpro Performance Minerpuncture wounds and als, Minnesota, USA. white line lesions.

Effect of mud depth on average daily gain of growing cattle* Mud Depth

Reduction in average daily gain

No mud

Dewclaw deep

Shin deep

14 %

Below hock

21%

Hock deep

28%

Belly deep

35%

Stop pestivirus from haunting the success of your dairy herd.

Pestivirus can be a haunting experience. This devastating disease can impact on in-calf rate, days in lactation and rob you of replacement heifers. The costs are ongoing, reducing profits and can affect every dairy producer in Australia. You may not think you’re at risk, but your herd could already be infected. And if your herd has never been infected before, the introduction of a new pestivirus infection could have a significant impact on the future of your operation. So if you don’t want to risk the costs of pestivirus, act now and insure your dairy herd with Pestigard®.

For more information contact your local vet or Pfizer Animal Health representative on 1800 335 374. Health. Performance. Growth. www.p fizeranimal health.com.au Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd, 38–42 Wharf Road, West Ryde, NSW 2114. ABN 50 008 422 348. ® Registered Trademark of Pfizer Australia. PAL0363/DN.

* Beef Feeder, University of Nebraska, August 1991 PAL0363_DN_260x187.indd 1

1/03/11 11:23 AM

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Farmers add some magic to workload WHEN

ing no computer LOOKING in our opinion is a for another tracbenefit. You get too tor last year, the many problems with van Steeg family them and you need thought budget paspecial mechanics rameters would reto service them.” strict them to a secMany dairy farmond-hand machine. ers would be unaThe Katandra dairy farmers – working clothes ware that a large chris dingle part of the Merlin Hank and Wouda, tractor is fabricated, their son Emirl, and his wife, Naomi – milk 220 Hol- built and assembled in Australia. The owner of the business, Pestein cows across an aggregate of 166 hectares. Towards the end of ter Guichelaar, says he starts off last year they decided that they with the chassis/frame, the Perneeded another tractor on the kins engine and the wheels and place to supplement their 2WD tyres, and re-equips the tractor to Hank and Emirl van Steeg with the 105hp Merlin TDX 105 they Massey Ferguson 4270 and an old suit Australian conditions and to purchased last year. The Merlin range is designed as a basic workhorse 60hp MF industrial tractor/loader. meet Australian farmers’ needs. with high quality componentry, but no electronics to go awry. “We have the fibreglass bonnet, “We looked around for a secondhand tractor that would do the job, guards and roof fabricated here, and then we remembered that we the entire cab interior fit-out, the version. The smaller horsepower range sub-frame members built to hanhad looked at Merlin tractors a few air-conditioning, the radio, the operator’s seat, hydraulics and the has category 2 linkage, and a 60 li- dle loader work when one is fitted. years ago at a field day. “They are certainly strong tres/minute independent hydraulic “We figured that we could pay lighting. “It is 55% Australian-content, pump for the two sets of remotes. enough to do the job,” Emirl roughly the same money and get a so we reckon that this is the most The two larger tractors come with points out. new machine.” Meanwhile, the tractor on the At the end of November they Australian tractor in this category category 3 linkage, and 80 litres/ van Steeg farm has so far been minute for three sets of remotes. took delivery of a 105hp Merlin that you will find.” Guichelaar says 95% of the Mer- allocated the slashing, spraying, In fact, the fibreglass comTDX 105 in its bright yellow livery and they haven’t looked back ponents are fabricated to lin tractors that have been sold so spreading, seeding, trailer work Guichelaar’s designs in Melbourne far have been fitted with a very and scarifying tasks and Emirl since. The Merlin range is designed by Bolwell Corporation, who may solid loader, manufactured spe- says he was surprised by how well cially for Merlin by Kerfab it went with the big 27-tyne scarias a basic workhorse with fier. high quality componentry, “I didn’t know much about these in Kerang, Victoria. “It’s been a bit of an adjustment However, Hank van but no electronics to go tractors except thay had Perkins Steeg ordered his without from the old 60 horsepower open awry. Massey to 110hp good performer one. “Everything is straight- motors and that meant they “I believe that trac- with a cab. We’ve done 90 hours so forward,” Emirl says. “I like were well-proven.” tors are built for tractor far, with no problems. the fact that you can check “The lights are brilliant. When be well-known to readers for their use and loaders for loader use,” the oil and water and start it! “I didn’t know much about these iconic Bolwell sports cars from the he says. “We have our old MF in- we first got it home we unloaded dustrial loader, and just before it off the truck and went into the tractors except that they had Per- early 1970’s until very recently. The fibreglass is gel-coated we took delivery of the Merlin we paddock with the hay rake at kins motors and that meant they in the bright Merlin yellow, not bought another second-hand rear- night. I couldn’t believe how good were well-proven.” they were.” engined industrial loader. Hank says the same engine in painted. Working clothes will focus on “We got the two machines for Merlin tractors are available another tractor means you’d pay as 85, 95, 105 and 115 horsepower less than you’d pay for a similar the performance of a new machine twice the money. “We both have 100% trust in with the Perkins four cylinder, horsepower tractor for some other in the paddock each month. Send suggestions to Chris Dingle on 0417 the quality. It’s a basic tractor – not turbo diesel engine; and in 125, brands.” Having said that, both Hank 735 001 or email chris@springextremely modern – and that’s 140, 160 and 180 horsepower modwhat we wanted,” he adds. “Hav- els with the Perkins six cylinder and Emirl point out the huge front bankfarm.com.au

Albert Mahoney of Aussie Pumps with the latest addition to the Aussie Scud system, the new Yanmarpowered high pressure blaster.

Diesel Scud launched AUSSIE PUMPS has released a new diesel blaster as part of its Aussie Scud range of pressure cleaners. Product manager Trent McVey says the new diesel-drive versions offer users greater fuel economy with lower through life costs than petrol-drive equivalent high pressure cleaners. Designed for tough, continuous cleaning applications, the Aussie Scud series represents a heavy duty range of professional pressure cleaners designed for contracting, plant wash down, public utility cleaning, and for other similar heavy duty applications. At the heart of the high pressure cleaner is a Bertolini triplex piston pump powered by Yanmar and Kubota industrial electric start diesel engines. The machine’s standard equipment includes an Aussie “soft start” unloader that releases pressure in the hose when the trigger gun is closed. That makes the hose lighter to move

reducing operator fatigue. Hose abrasion, a major maintenance issue for this type of equipment, is also minimised. The Scud series features an ergonomic, galvanised steel frame that incorporates features that provide protection for the pump and engine while allowing easy access for routine maintenance. The registered frame design is finely balanced enabling operators to move the machine easily on site. Available as an option is an ‘easy fit’ high pressure hose reel mounting bar that has been engineered to double as a lifting bar. A hose reel kit simply bolts on to the bar and can store of up to 50 metres of high pressure hose. The kit includes a whip hose that connects directly to the high pressure pump. The units come with a high quality 10 metre high pressure double wire braid hose, double stainless steel lance and 5000 psi rated soft trigger gun. They also include flat surface cleaners and top quality turbo lances. Tel. 02 8865 3500

Semeato SHM Double disc parallelogram planter. Easy seed depth adjustment with 2 rubber depth controls next to the sowing disc these also act as closing wheels to give perfect germination. Double disc can handle wet and dry soils and penetrate any stubble residue. Can do cereals and pastures and can also convert easy to do precision planting for corn, peas and sorghum. Row units are also available separate to modify existing machines. New release in Australia it has all the goods and will impress in every way. Semeato TDNG 300E Narrow spacing & narrow transport. Perfect seed placement with independent cast closing wheel. Double openers, outstanding seed-to-soil contact and moisture preserved. 17 row, 6 1/2“ spacing, 1350L fertilizer box capacity, pasture box standard. Ability to handle rocks. Every owner will testify how fantastic this machine performs.

Ph: (02) 6964 4777

info@serafin.com.au

www.serafinmachinery.com.au

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

machinery & products

Demand rises after slow start THE FIRST quarter of the year has been pretty slow for machinery sales in the dairy sector, according to industry analyst Alan Kirsten from Agriview. “60 to 100hp tractor sales are down 15% on the same period last year with balers and hay tools similarly affected,” he says. “The wet difficult conditions, plus the price of milk, have meant a slowdown in demand and the situation is quite subdued.” However, Kirsten says that distributors are expecting demand to pick up substantially in the second half of the year; with potential purchasers needing to plan ahead to make sure they can access the machinery they want. “Demand has turned around this year in the US and Europe and some factories are really struggling with capacity restraints.” The message is, as the sector grows in confidence during the year, dairy farmers should make their purchasing plans early, rather than take a ‘wait and see’ position. On another note, following the disastrous earthquake in Japan, Mark Taylor of Kubota says that there are no real issues at this stage with continuity of supply, but their thoughts and commiserations go out to their colleagues in Japan. Optimism growing On the dairy equipment side, word is that there is optimism in the market but it still has a long way to go. Chris Nisbet, of Global Dairy Solutions in Wodonga, says that the “terrible situation” with the supermarkets and the Aussie dollar affecting exports means that farmers are still cautious about committing to major upgrades. However, he is really chuffed about a recent project where they extended a 36 unit rotary to 50 units for a customer in the Kiewa Valley, in four weeks, so that he can handle his expanding herd. “We’re now working on new installations in Hobart and Mt Gambier. There’s movement in the market, but it’s not in leaps and bounds.” Get the drift We caught up with Graham Wilkinson from Hardi Spraying Equipment at the recent tillage demo day, at Elmore. He was showing a boom sprayer fitted with the new MiniDrift Duo air inclusion nozzles, which Wilkinson says are ideal for pasture spraying. The nozzles can be used for spraying in sub-optimal conditions and for drift control. It’s a compact unit that offers a droplet spectrum from medium to very coarse. He says it provides drift control without reducing coverage and deposition on leaves and is worth checking out in those situations where we all need to be mindful about drift implications. Grassland sprayer Wilkinson also had a new Grassland Ranger 2200 trailer sprayer on display, but not demo’ing. He says they are getting good enquiry for this unit which suits larger pasture spraying tasks, where a three-point linkage unit would struggle. It comes with a 2200 litre main tank and a fully hydraulic folding FALCON boom in a choice of 12, 15 or 16 metre widths. These booms have trapeze inertia control and coil spring boom suspension. It comes standard with their SprayBox 2 remote control for operation of pressure regulation and boom section valves from the tractor seat, with manual over-ride control in the case of an electrical failure. Improve your soil Better soils equal healthier plants and healthier stock. There is a view that continual input of fertilisers, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and fumigants have contributed to the decline of soil fertility and natural balances of the soil. Heavy machinery and animals cause considerable compaction, erosion and structural damage reducing the capacity of the soil to hold air or water. A first step to improve soil fertility is aeration to allow aerobic organisms to flourish. The answer for this, according to Fix Engineering, is their Rehabilitator PloughR. Its long, forward-facing parabellum tusk tines penetrate, lift and crack the soil. Two tusk rollers till the surface layer of the soil without damaging the soil structure or sealing off the surface. Crop residue, weeds and trash are partially incorporated in to the surface layers of the soil. One pass can achieve a seedbed cultivated to a depth of up to 500mm. Overall, they say the machine reduces the need for farmers to use chemicals and herbicides, improves soil health, soil management and promote good farming practices with conventional growing. Have a look at

new products chris dingle

www.fixengineering.com.au New sprinkler overcomes poor water quality Poor quality water is a major consideration for dairy farmers right across Australia and a new sprinkler product is expected to be a winner with centre pivot and linear move irrigators. Nelson Irrigation Australia’s Orbitor offers high durability in poor water quality conditions. Featuring strutless technology, the Nelson Orbitor is resistant to debris collection on the sprinkler head – common with poor quality water and provides uniformity and optimal droplets at low pressures (1020 psi). They claim the result is longer lasting sprinkler

and superior performance, plus reduced wind drift and evaporative loss. Nelson Australia’s marketing director, Tony Shepley, says the new Nelson Orbitor is expected to be very popular with irrigators as it offers a superior performance and durability in situations of poor water quality and low water pressure. The Orbitor features modular design components which are easily interchangeable enabling the irrigator to regularly change configuration. Contact Chris on 0417735001 or email: chris @ springbankfarm.com.au

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

machinery & products

Kubota releases its own front-end loaders KUBOTAS HAS released a new range of manufactured front-end loaders specifically designed to suit its tractor range. These new loaders are manufactured by Kubota Industrial Equipment in their own manufacturing plant in the USA and fully comply with all Australian front end loader requirements. There are five new models of mechanical selflevelling front-end loaders, all featuring quick detach loader assemblies. The convenient system saves time by letting the operator attach and detach

the loader from the tractor. The mounting pins and hose couplings can be removed from the operator’s seat, without the need for any tools. Boom stays are mounted to the loader frame and easily engaged to ensure stability of the loader when detached from the tractor. The new LA714 and LA854 loaders are ideally suited to Kubota’s Grand L series of tractors (35 – 52 horsepower). While the new LA514-B fits the 34 horsepower L3400 tractor, the LA714B fits the 44 horsepower L4400 tractor

and the LA854-B is designed for the 52 horsepower MX 5100 tractor. All of these loaders, when fitted to the relevant model, allow operators an excellent field of vision. Kubota says the construction grade hydraulic cylinders are made to last and the high quality plating of the cylinder rods mean superior rust protection and enhance sealing performance. For operator safety, boom stops are stored on the loader frame for use when servicing the tractor. All of these loaders come

standard with a front radiator guard. To make the loaders as versatile as possible a skid steer type quick hitch is standard. This hitch system allows operators to quickly attach or detach buckets or implements from the tractor. Loaders come fitted with standard type buckets. An electric-operated third function kit is available and when fitted is ideal to operate the optional a 4:1 bucket available for all of these loaders. Other options available include pallet fork

frames and bale spears. All of these options are also manufactured by Kubota to ensure correct fitting and efficient operation of the tractor Loader combination. A counterweight is offered as an option for all these loaders and is recommended to ensure safe operation. Kubota says the release of these new loaders means operators can take advantage of using a loader that perfectly matches the capability of their tractor. Tel. 1800 334 653

Advocates promote plastic recycling

Over 100,000 tonnes of plastic is disposed of on-farm each year.

A NEW advocacy program designed to help farmers recycle their waste plastics has been launched in country Victoria. Financial support for the six-month research and advocacy project has been made possible through a special grant via the Sustainability Covenant partnership between the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) and EPA Victoria. The new program – in conjunction with the Plasback system – coordinates with suppliers, retailers, councils and industry groups to provide farmers with a sustainable disposal solution for farm plastic waste, instead of the current disposal methods of burning or burying the plastic. Nationally it is estimated over 100,000 tonnes of plastic is disposed of on-farm every year. Less than 5% is thought to be recycled and given a new life. Three Plasback Advocates will be recruited to promote the new system to farmers, industry groups, local government and NGOs – such as Landcare groups. These advocates will also collect sample data on the scale and current methods of disposal of farm plastic waste in Victoria. Plasback was launched in Victoria last year as a product stewardship program, initiated by Tapex – Australia’s leading supplier of crop protection plastics to the agricultural sector. Farmers bag unwanted plastics into Plasback liners and then drop them at council transfer stations. Each Plasback liner is coloured for a specific type of plastic. Currently polyethylene films such as silage wrap and silage pit covers are collected. Ed George, Tapex’s environmental manager, says polypropylene plastics collection, such as baling twines, will be the next collection stream to be added in 2011. “We can help farmers change existing unsustainable disposal practises by giving them a cost effective, viable alternative in recycling their plastic for a second useful life,” George says. “Plasback is working with 27 regional councils in Victoria. We hope the new advocacy project will encourage more farmers to clean up their rural environment.” George says the Plasback system is low cost, easy and designed to be scalable, so other plastics streams can be added and the system expanded across all Victorian regional council areas. Farmers and contractors can find out how to dispose of waste farm plastics at www.plasback.com.au

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // april 2011

machinery & products

Labour-effective teat spraying SINCE BROTHERS Rod

and Wayne Newton built their 60 bale rotary milking shed six years ago they’ve looked for a way to make teat spraying more labour effective. Rod believes they’ve now achieved this with the installation of the ADF (Automatic Dipping and Flushing) system. Milking 540 cows on their Whorouly farm in Ovens Valley, Victoria, the Newtons commissioned the new system in September last year after a visit from ADF’s James Duke to his property. “When I built the rotary there wasn’t anything out there that was going to do what we wanted,” Rod says. “Mastitis was not originally a problem for us, but we had a very humid January about five years ago and our cell count went through the roof resulting in a fair bit

Applying Automatic Dipping and Flushing cups at milking.

of mastitis. Every year since, from January to May, they have had an issue with it. “After meeting the guys from ADF, I looked at the system as the way of the future and could see the cows would get sprayed properly. “So I did a few sums, phoned a couple of people in England and found they were very happy with it and I thought it was a logical progression. Our quality bonuses will make up for the extra outlay”

Rod is also impressed with the system’s performance since its installation. “Now we’ve got the pressures right, we are not having any problems with it at all, it’s working well. He is unsure if it will be a quick fix for the cell counts or not, but thinks farmers will always have some cows that are susceptible to mastitis. “It’s a matter of getting them out of the herd. However, once we get on top of it, I can see this

being a system that will maintain cell counts in conjunction with other procedures. Rod says the cows are getting teat sprayed better with this system compared with how they used to and they are using a lot less spray. “It’s a system I would definitely recommend for other people consider”. Adrian Hayward of Advanced Dairy Systems, Cobram, installed the system for the Newtons and was impressed with the quality of the product and its easy installation. “We completed the entire installation in four days with all the work done between milkings. This meant there were no interruptions or delays for the farmer,” he says. “Whether a farmer has a Rotary or Herringbone shed they can have the ADF system installed, as it’s designed to fit either.” Tel: 1800 233 283

Feed losses minimised THE FLEXIFEEDER is a portable trough feed system, designed to minimise loss of feed in a ‘safe zone’ between two electric wires. Because the Flexifeeder is portable it gives all animals unrestricted access to feed while protecting the feed. The position of the wires prevents the stock from trampling the feed. The system also helps eliminate shy feeders, because its low price per metre allows the trough length to be oversized for the mob being fed. This provides plenty of room for young or less dominant animals. Quick and easy to set up, easy to clean and portable, the Flexifeeder is a strong, durable and cost effective way to feed your stock. It is sold as a 20 metre kitset, or multiples of this which are easily joined. This includes all the components except for the posts, high tensile wire and permanent wire strainers. It can be built using wooden posts and is suitable for exposed sites. It can be placed in one location or moved, by dismantling the components and lifting the plastic liner off the posts, ready for a new site. A second option is the new Quick Kit, which uses star posts (Waratahs) and an end assembly that is screwed to the ground. This makes it even quicker to put up and easier to move. Made from durable plastic and quality

The Flexifeeder is inexpensive and easy to install.

components used in conjunction with The Outrigger, designed by the same company, the Flexifeeder also promises to withstand all weather conditions and pressure from stock. The Outrigger is a replacement, with a 15 year warranty, for conventional pig tail style outriggers and post insulators. It consists of a low density polyethylene hanger, which acts as the insulator and a choice of three different lengths of galvanised spring steel arms. It is quick and easy to install. The polyethylene hanger simply hooks onto the fence while the steel arms project horizontally on either side to hold an electric wire, protecting both sides of the fence. It will move when a force is applied to it and then return back to its original position when the force is removed. Tel. 1800 4 242 487

When it comes to work, let’s get serious

Introducing our new Gator™ XUV Series They’re the fastest, most powerful Gator’s™ yet. The headline act: the 50-hp* 825i, with the most advanced engine in its class, with 3-cylinders and Dual Overhead Cams. Followed by the 855D, the fastest diesel Gator™ XUV ever made. And the 625i,

with exclusive power management. Every vehicle features an advanced independent four-wheel suspension, best in class stability, on-demand true 4WD system, biggest in class cargo capacity and a front and rear hitch so you can carry, haul or tow more.

Why not test drive one today? *Engine hp is provided by the engine manufacturer for comparison purposes only. Actual operating hp may be less.

1800 800 981 | www.JohnDeere.com.au/getserious

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA // April 2011

motoring Volvo launches wagon VOLVO HAS launched its all-new V60 sports wagon, saying it bridges the gap between the sporty S60 sedan and practical but functional V70. Based on the S60 sedan that was launched last December, the new V60 is available in three models - T5, D5 AWD and T6 AWD - with the two petrol-engined T5 and T6 AWD available in both standard and sporty RDesign variants. Powering the V60 T5 is the new compact and efficient 177kW/320Nm two-litre, four cylinder GTDi petrol engine. This drives the front wheels through a smooth, dualclutch Powershift automatic transmission. The T6, which is standard with Volvo’s permanent all-wheel drive system, uses the upgraded 224kW/440Nm three-litre, turbocharged, six-cylinder petrol engine – which was recently lauded as one of Ward’s ten Best Engines for 2011. This powerful and refined engine drives all four wheels through the standard sixspeed Geartronic automatic transmission with Sports mode.

The diesel D5 version is powered by a torquey, highly efficient 151kW/420Nm 2.4- litre, five-cylinder, twin turbo engine that drives all four wheels through the standard Geartronic automatic transmission with Sports mode. Both T5 and T6 AWD models are also available in the sporty R-Design specification, which offers a sharper look with exterior and interior enhancements and a 15mm lower modified chassis to improve driving dynamics. The new V60 boasts a host of standard safety features and driver assistance aids with standard fitment of Volvo’s innovative City Safety system, Emergency Brake Light (EBL) system, anti-lock brakes (ABS), driver and front passenger front and side airbags and Inflatable curtain side airbags, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), Advanced Stability Control (ASC) and Rollover Protection System (ROPS). The Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) starts at $54,950.

Ford channels Mad Max Ford Australia, in partnership with TopGear Australia magazine, has unveiled two spectacular new Mad Max Interceptors. The 21st century concepts have been created by Ford’s designers for TopGear Magazine Australia to help celebrate the revival of the Mad Max action movie genre. It is more than 30 years since the original Mad Max movie - starring Mel Gibson and a jet black Ford XB coupe-based Interceptor - hit movie screens around the world. Ford Australia says it jumped at the chance to design a new Interceptor and threw the full weight of Research Centre behind the project. Led by chief designer passenger cars Asia, Pacific and Africa, Todd Willing, the team created several way-out concepts that pay homage

to styling cues from the original XB interrupt police scanners and wheels with extendable spikes to shred enCoupe Interceptor. Out of the concepts two have been emy vehicles. Designer Nima Nourian says his chosen by the magazine to feature in the April issue of TopGear Australia model pays tribute to the 1970s Interceptor but also magazine. drags the car into The maga- “I wanted to keep it zine readers will clean and aerodynamic the future. Designer Sibe invited to mon Brook’s vote on which in its essence, but still conception takes design Ford brutal and tough.” cues from the should take to the next level. The winning car will current FG Falcon, but advances be turned into a clay model, and then it further into Armageddon-land, a scale version, which is expected to while adding touches of the retro Interceptor as well. be revealed later this year. “I wanted to keep it clean and Among the weaponry is an industrial-strength “taser” mounted to aerodynamic in its essence, but still the bonnet to zap bad guys on bikes brutal and tough.” Filming has begun for a new Mad straight off the road. Other futuristic movie features in- Max instalment, tentatively called clude a titanium-lined body shell to Mad Max 4: Fury Road.

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