Technology investment for the Krichau family at Three Bridges Dairy. PAGE 18
“My love for cows is the main driver for staying in the industry,”
Says farmer Chloe Krichauff of Three Bridges Robotic Dairy, SA. “Installing the GEA DairyRobots to milk the cows was another motivation. The data and insights collected from the robots on each cow are very beneficial to the individual and overall herd management. The cows are calmer than ever, easier to deal with, they come and go as they please, and their health has significantly improved.”
Curious what the GEA DairyRobot can do for your farm? Contact your local dealer today for an on-farm consultation.
Farmer Chloe Krichauff and her family milk 267 cows using four GEA DairyRobot R9500s.
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Will input cost pressure persist?
BY ELIZA REDFERN
AUSTRALIAN DAIRY farmers have been facing rising input costs across the board this year.
Fodder and water prices have increased amid tighter availability and stronger demand from southern regions, while grain and fertiliser values continue to be either hindered or helped by international factors.
With summer just around the corner, many are waiting to see whether price pressures will pause or persist.
I n a phenomenon not unknown to Australia, weather conditions have been vastly different between northern and southern dairying regions over the past 12 months.
Along the east coast, above-average rainfall has been excessive in select parts, with flooding occurring in some areas during May.
Large parts of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, however, have experienced below-average rainfall this year, with sections of western Victoria and Gippsland seeing the lowest on record.
As such, farms with access to irrigation have had a more favourable year, as they balance rising feed and water costs with the drier weather conditions.
However, water storage levels across most Victorian sites continue to fall below last year and seasonal determinations slow to rise.
In light of this, temporary water prices increased 91 per cent and 146 per cent in the northern Victorian and Murray Irrigation systems, respectively, in September (compared to the same time last year).
D emand for supplementary feed also increased substantially, as many farmers worked through feed reserves amid drier conditions.
As hay bales were transported from northern and Western Australia to support the drought affected areas, fodder prices surged in most dairying regions.
Cereal hay prices saw the largest increases in the southern regions, rising 54 per cent year-on-year to their peak in June.
With cereal hay being hard to secure and many farmers looking for other alternatives, the value of almond hulls also spiked during this time.
Since then, values have slipped after the winter rain, improved pasture conditions and better fodder supply prospects as crops are cut for hay.
Increased demand for supplementary feed also pressured grain values, however international factors have weighed on prices since April.
Strong Northern Hemisphere yields and lower export interest for Australian grain have been a significant counterweight to domestic pressures, in addition to favourable growing conditions for crops in states such as Queensland.
The somewhat strong yields expected over harvest and softened domestic demand upon improved conditions in some states, will likely weigh on grain values in the coming months.
International supply has also been a key driver for fertiliser prices this year, however tight product availability has pushed values above last year.
The uncertainty of US trade policy announcements and geopolitical conflict
(such as in the Middle East) resulted in additional demand for fertiliser products. At the same time, production constraints in the Middle East and Europe tightened potential supply, while China (one of the world’s largest exporters of urea and diammonium phosphate) had restricted its exports to temper domestic input pricing. As such, urea and DAP increased 37 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively, from September last year.
While feed reserves have been worked through, a favourable spring forecast may provide the opportunity to stock up, however, hay prices continue to track above last year. Strong grain yields over harvest will likely weigh on domestic feed prices leading into summer, but water and fertiliser cost pressures may persist.
Australian dairy farmers can find some relief in recent cost easing, but the pressures are not yet over.
Eliza Redfern Dairy Australia’s analysis and insights manager
Source: Bendigo Bank Agribusiness, Australian Fodder Industry Association, Integral Nutrition Services. Prices are indicative of the Goulburn Murray Valley/northern Victoria dairying region.
Researcher ghts dairy disease
A YOUNG Charles Sturt University researcher at the forefront of tackling antimicrobial resistance in the dairy industry has earned international recognition for her innovative work.
Tiarna Scerri is a PhD student with the Charles Sturt Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and Environment in Wagga Wagga and was named as one of five Groundbreakers by evokeAG, a flagship program within the AgriFutures organisation. The Groundbreakers program is committed to delivering impact for Australia’s agrifood system, ensuring food security, nutrition and sustaining environmental and economic resilience.
Ms Scerri was recognised for her work in proactively addressing antimicrobial resistance, a growing sustainability challenge in the dairy industry.
“My research aims to design alternatives to antibiotic treatments that can be used to treat mastitis in dairy cattle,” Ms Scerri said.
“When antibiotics become practically redundant in Australia, the dairy industry needs to be prepared with alternative solutions.
“Mastitis is one of the biggest health, welfare and production problems within the dairy industry worldwide; the Australian dairy industry can’t afford to be lax in its management of antimicrobial resistance.”
Dairy Australia has estimated mastitis costs up to $400 per infected cow in treatment and veterinary costs, discarded milk, lower milk yield, farm labour and risk of removal from the herd or death of the cow.
RESOURCE HELPS WITH DECISIONS
A NEW resources page has been launched to help farmers make critical decisions with spring failing to deliver as expected.
Feed Central has developed the resource to support farmers making hard decisions around harvesting grain or cutting for hay.
Managing director Tim Ford said farmers were now at a critical point in their decision making after the predicted wet spring failed to eventuate.
Tim said the page had been developed in response to concerns raised by farmers about how to cope with the dryer than anticipated season.
“We’ve had a lot of phone calls, especially from the southern states, because farmers aren’t having the spring they were expecting,” Tim said.
“It’s turning very dry and a lot of crops are not going to finish, so it’s knife-edge decision time for farmers who are running out of moisture and looking for help with crops failing to finish.”
The resources page Tools and Resources for Hay Season Decision-Making incudes a hay versus grain calculator, Tips for a Profitable Hay Season magazine, a market update and other video resources.
Tim said farmers were starting to worry about the best way forward.
“Farmers want to know their options if their crops are not going to get through,” he said
“Hay is a good option, but you must manage the product.
“Stacking outside is a very short-term option, but if you use a good contractor, make it right and store it in a good shed, you will realise a good profit.
“Selling it off the paddock just after the baler is not always the best way to sell because of soft prices and we’re seeing that now in this drying-off time.
“Winter is the best market for selling hay but it must be done right.”
The hay versus grain — gross margin
Between five and 10 per cent of the typical Australian dairy herd is infected by mastitis each year.
Globally, mastitis costs the world’s dairy industry around US$32 billion each year.
Specifically, Ms Scerri is testing the
calculator helps farmers to independently weigh up options as the season unfolds and compare hay and grain side by side to see which will deliver the stronger return.
Tips for a Profitable Hay Season magazine is an annual resource that brings together expert advice, industry insights, and grower information to support a successful season ahead.
“Having the numbers can help guide your decisions this season,” Tim said.
“The goal of the resources page is to support farmers with information to make the decision that’s best for them.”
Feed Central has developed a resource page for farmers worried about the season ahead.
Photo: Contributed
viability of several nucleotide and protein-based treatments that she has designed to target key bacteria that cause mastitis.
Her research is due to be completed in 2027.
Hidden cost of milk fever
FOR MANY Australian dairy producers, calving season brings equal measures of anticipation and anxiety.
Every new lactation promises productivity — but it also carries risk.
Milk fever and its less visible cousin, subclinical hypocalcaemia, can quietly strip thousands of dollars from even the best-managed herds through lost milk, extra labour, and preventable vet bills.
While most producers recognise milk fever’s tell-tale signs — downer cows, delayed recovery, or worse — it’s the hidden losses that do the most financial damage.
Research shows that for every clinical case, five cows may be subclinical.
These animals appear healthy, but often produce up to 30 per cent less milk, experience lower fertility, and are more prone to infection. By the numbers: how milk fever drains profit
Let’s take a 100-cow herd as an example.
Most Australian herds will experience around five clinical milk fever cases per year.
At an average cost of $450 per case (including treatment, milk loss, and extended recovery), that’s roughly $2,250 in visible losses.
However, the greater impact comes from subclinical cases that go unnoticed.
Let’s look at how the longtail of milk fever affects a 100-head herd:
Maintaining calcium balance in dairy cows
So, what’s driving these losses?
At calving, a cow’s demand for calcium skyrockets.
If her system can’t mobilise enough calcium from bone stores, blood calcium levels drop.
This leads not only to milk fever, but also slower calving, retained placenta, mastitis, and metritis.
Preventing calcium-related issues before calving is one of the most profitable management decisions a dairy farmer can make.
For family-run dairies, prevention is about peace of mind to reduce stress during one of the busiest times of year and freeing up time to focus on the herd as a whole.
For larger operations, it’s about consistency and efficiency: fewer interventions, smoother calvings, and a more predictable milk flow that supports contract supply.
Lachie Sutherland milks 400 Holstein cows in south-west Victoria.
“Since introducing Prelac, we had cows come into the dairy heavier and in better condition, we see them produce more, get in-calf earlier and we’ve also noticed hardly any retained foetal membranes.”
5 clinical cases/year (avg. $450 each)
25 subclinical cows (30% milk loss over 10 days @ 50L/day, $0.75/L)
$2,250
$2,813 Total impact per 100-cow herd
To reduce metabolic disease risk, smooth calving, and maintain consistent milk production year-round, a nutritional program that includes Prelac — designed to address calcium balance before calving — can help prevent long-term production losses.
How Prelac works
Unlike traditional dry cow mineral supplements, Prelac uses a targeted blend of ionic salts and hydrochloric acid to activate the cow’s natural calcium release mechanisms. It works by slightly acidifying the blood (a process known as dietary cation-anion
difference, or DCAD management), triggering a hormonal response that improves calcium absorption and mobilisation.
When calving begins and milk production starts, the cow’s body is already switched on to release calcium efficiently, reducing the risk of both clinical and subclinical hypocalcaemia.
Prelac also supplies key trace minerals to support post-calving recovery — helping the placenta separate cleanly, reducing infection risk, and supporting faster return to cycling and joining.
Another major advantage is 24-hour availability. Unlike powdered or bagged mixes
that rely on hand feeding, Prelac’s liquid form ensures consistent intake even for shy feeders to help reduce labour and improve herd uniformity.
Building resilience in modern dairy systems
With rising costs, labour shortages and tighter production margins, Australian dairies can’t afford silent losses.
Proactive nutritional management is no longer just about preventing disease; it’s about protecting productivity and profit.
Producers using Prelac are seeing fewer metabolic issues, faster recovery, and stronger herd performance across the board. It’s a simple, proven step that builds resilience in both the cow and the business.
Talk to your local nutrition specialist about Prelac — or request a free nutritional consult to understand how Prelac can protect fertility, milk flow and profit in your herd.
Photo: Mickael Guyot
Passions bring lessons to life
BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
NOT MANY people have the love for their job that Narelle Zanker has for hers, after the 30-year-old found a way to combine her love for dairying and her passion for teaching.
Last year, Narelle, along with her husband Joel, launched an agritourism venture Dairy Adventures on the family farm at Mannum, and she couldn’t be happier.
Growing up on the farm with her parents Geoff and Heather Simons, which includes a broad acre cropping operation, Narelle would help milk the cows and feed the calves before and after school.
She continued to help out on the farm while completing a teaching degree at university, but after four years in the classroom, she worked out dairying was her true love, so she resigned and came back home to work on the family farm.
“I still wanted to merge my love for teaching and education with the farm, and in September last year, we started Dairy Adventures, and it has been flat out ever since,” Narelle said.
Dairy Adventures offers a wide variety of on farm interactive experiences including Feeding Frenzy, Milking Memories, Dairy Discovery, Graze and Gaze and the very popular Elvis Encounter – a chance to pat and feed some treats to the family pet Speckle Park steer Elvis.
The adventures are open to large or small groups, and Narelle even caters for birthday parties.
“I love it and we are starting to get quite a few return customers so they must love it too.”
Narelle said one of the most popular things for young kids was the sensory trough – an old feed trough filled with grain and plastic farm animals.
“The kids can spend ages in there playing with the animals and the grain.”
And after sorting out their insurance, they can now offer a milking experience as well.
“We try and make most things work and we always send everyone home with a photo they can stick on their fridge to remind them of their time here on the farm.”
The farm is open for tours on Monday through to Saturday with school holidays proving to be a busy time.
Narelle said the farm was only an hour’s drive from Adelaide and five minutes from the tourist town of Mannum.
“We are next door to a big marina and our farm runs alongside the river, so we are on the tourist trail.
“We have already had 10 schools come through, and that’s only been from word of mouth, as we haven’t gone too hard on the advertising, although we do post a lot on social media.”
Dairy Adventures has also been officially named as a finalist in the 2025 South
Australian Tourism Awards.
“Our journey so far has been incredibly rewarding and we are so grateful for all the support,” Narelle said.
“Dairy Adventures gives me a great balance of both things I love, I still get to educate people and I get the outdoor lifestyle and the variety that comes with dairying.
“There is always so much to learn and every season is different.”
She said she has also received a lot of support from other farmers who are excited for what she is doing for the industry
Narelle and Joel run the business as a separate entity, paying her parents a monthly lease payment.
She said she hoped to one day raise her own
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family on the farm and she wanted her kids to grow up experiencing the same things she did.
The family milks 300 cows and crops barley, wheat, canola, lupins and lentils across 1600ha share-farmed and owned.
The cows calve all-year-round, which helps with the Dairy Adventure experience, as there is always a young calf needing feeding somewhere.
Narelle’s dedication to the industry and her passion for education saw her recently named South Australian Young Dairy Farmer of the Year for 2025.
Narelle was recognised for her dedication to the industry along with her ability to balance operational excellence, community engagement and sustainable farm management.
A spokesperson said Narelle was helping to bridge the gap between paddock and plate, inspiring future generations and building public appreciation for dairy, making her a shining example of the next generation of South Australian dairy leaders.
“I was surprised to receive the award and I didn’t realise how a big of a deal it was, especially considering I have only been back home on the farm for three years,” she said.
Narelle said as part of the family succession plan she and Joel will move into the main farmhouse and over the next decade or so they will continue to build their own side hustle.
“I need to shout out to my parents and thank them,” she said.
Narelle has been able to combine her two loves — dairying and education, after starting an agritourism business last year with her husband Joel.
South Australia Young Dairy Farmer of the Year for 2025 Narelle Zanker.
The sensory trough is proving to be a great experience on the Dairy Adventures tour.
Dairy barns make it easy
ACTION DAIRY barns are keeping farmers like Michael Armstrong of Kallista Holdings ahead of the game by protecting paddocks and making management easier.
Since purchasing their farm at Korumburra two years ago, investing in infrastructure to improve management and profitability has been a priority for Michael.
Infrastructure projects include a 166-metre-long Action loafing barn and a 76-metre-long Action calving barn.
The loafing barn comfortably accommodates 350 cows, or up to 380 cows if stocked at 10m2 per cow.
One of the major advantages of Action loafing barns and calving barns is the ease of management, particularly during wet weather or heat events.
Michael said rather than cows being stuck at the back of a muddy paddock or bunching up due to heat stress, your cows were literally right where you wanted them.
This provides significant labour savings and reduces mental strain, giving peace of mind that the cows are safe and comfortable.
For a pasture-based dairy like Kallista Holdings, protecting paddocks in wet and dry seasons is critical for maintaining pasture.
This is where an Action loafing barn proves invaluable, allowing Michael to remove cows from pasture at the right time before any damage is done.
“When it gets too wet, we can bring the cows off the pasture, preserve the paddocks, put them in here (the loafing barn) and maintain our grass,” Michael said.
With land values increasing, smarter land management pays.
Effluent management is a key consideration for a compliant barn system, and when handled correctly, it delivers substantial operational benefits.
Michael is seeing these benefits first hand. The nutrient helps the compost process, and any other effluent is captured in the pond.
The barns also allow storm water run-off from the roofs to be captured via the Action custom gutter system.
The loafing and calving barns could capture around 9,873,600 litres annually, based on Korumburra’s average annual rainfall.
The secret of the success of these projects is the barn design and layout.
Kallista Holding’s barns use a standard 24-metre span, a cost-effective and functional choice.
The 10-metre bays are also considered best practice for barns, providing easy
access, working well with formed up footings, and allowing the barn to be converted to a freestall setup in the future.
The result is a barn design that addresses cow comfort and functionality, while removing unnecessary complexity and cost.
Action building consultant Jason Stone shares the two most crucial factors for barn design are weather protection and airflow.
“Get them wrong and you will quickly see the negative effects in cow comfort and bedding management,” Jason said.
Kallista Holding’s barns achieve the right balance by using a steep roof pitch, side walls, and partially open gables.
Barn location can be just as important as design.
Michael positioned his barns close to the dairy to prevent production loss, and the site had a natural 1.5 per cent fall which was ideal for floodwashing and reducing earthwork costs.
If you are planning a similar barn project,
engage the building consultants at Action for project specific advice on airflow, design, orientation, and site layout.
To book a consultation, visit actionsteel. com.au or phone 1800 687 888 .
Action dairy barns are keeping farmers like Michael Armstrong of Kallista Holdings ahead of the game by protecting paddocks and making management easier.
The two most crucial factors for barn design are weather protection and airflow.
Photo: ActionSi
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Game-changing technology
DELEGATES AT this year’s Dairy Research Foundation Symposium will hear from Tasmanian dairy farmer, Troy Ainslie, about his life changing experience with virtual fencing.
The technology was introduced in June 2023 on the 540-cow herd he manages at Woodrising Dairies, near Launceston.
While pasture utilisation has improved, the impact has been far reaching, including increased production and six-week in-calf rate, savings in fuel and machinery costs and greater team well-being.
Registrations are now open for the symposium, which is being held on November 26 and 27 at WIN Stadium at Wollongong.
Symposium organiser, Professor Yani Garcia, said the event was designed to bring together leading researchers, dairy farmers and industry innovators under the theme of ‘It’s time: to connect, learn, and be inspired’.
Day one features a diverse line-up of speakers who will challenge thinking and spark ideas.
Sessions will explore topics such as harnessing the power of the cow, the genetic future of dairy, and uncovering what is both holding the dairy industry back and driving it forward.
The program also includes the always popular emerging scientist awards and an important focus on redefining grazing in a changing climate.
Day two will open with Dairy Australia’s annual general meeting at WIN Stadium, followed by the Dairy Innovation Farm Tour.
Delegates will see innovation in practice at Philip and Craig Tate’s progressive Albion Park dairy farm, a showcase of forward-thinking management and technology.
For the program and more information, visit https://drfsymposium.com.au/
To register, visit https://www.trybooking.com/DCWIF
DRONES SAVING FARMERS’ TIME
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
DAIRY FARMERS are becoming more adept with using drone technology.
That was the message from Ethan Lewis of Worker Bee Drones, at the recent South Gippsland Dairy Expo.
Ethan is a remote pilot working across Victoria and said he had diversified his services because of farmer demand.
“Initially, farmers wanted us to do the work,” he said.
That work involved developing two-dimensional and three-dimensional mapping of the property, then identifying weeds and unde rtaking spot spraying.
“Now, we’re training a lot of farmers to use drones themselves, because they want to operate them,” Ethan said.
One of the first changes, was farmers contracting for the property to be mapped, the n learning how to use drones themselves to spot spray.
Drones can be used for sowing and fertilising paddocks, which improves the efficie ncy of doing work between wet weather windows, when heavy machinery cannot get on to the ground.
Farmers have since further diversified their own use, as they realise the efficiency of using drones for other jobs.
E than said smaller drones were being bought by farmers to, for example,
monitor calving.
Used during the night or day, today’s drones can identify heat profiles using thermal and infrared profiling.
“At night, thermal imaging detects heat, to help you find the animals,” Ethan said.
“Infrared imaging gives you night vision, and provides high-resolution imaging.
“You can take videos or stills of an animal’s pelvis area to check her calving status.
“At night time, in particular, that
improves safety for the farmer or farm worker, because they’re not travelling on laneways and through paddocks in the dark.
“In the daytime, it saves a lot of time to be able to send a drone to check cows, and you still have time to address most problems.”
“Drones can save a lot of people’s time, and reduce their need to travel around the farm at night,” Ethan said.
Ethan and his colleague, Jes Sago, were demonstrating how to use drones at the expo, held at Korumburra, and at the Mt Lyall Dairy open day at Nyora.
Ethan said the sound and movement of the drone created little disturbance among dairy cows at night.
Tasmanian dairy farmer Troy Ainslie will speak at the 2025 Symposium about his life changing experience with virtual fencing.
Ethan Lewis, of Worker Bee Drones, with a small drone farmers are using to check on calving cows at night.
Dairy farmers are wanting to learn how to use drones, as they diversify their use on farm.
Photos: Jeanette Severs
Tackling steep challenges
IAN HOOKER loves his hilly farm at Loch in Victoria’s Gippsland region but it has its drawbacks.
Seven years ago, Ian broke his back in a tractor rollover accident, laying him up for nearly two years.
“It just about knocked me off but I got going again,” Ian said.
“I couldn’t do anything for 12 months and it took me two years before I got back on deck.”
Today, Ian can’t lift a lot or spend long hours standing on concrete or even sit for too long in the tractor.
The hills aren’t just difficult for the tractors, they’re also difficult for cows and prompted Ian to build a three-span Dairy Shelters Australia clear-roofed, deep-litter shelter.
The shelter is just one of the changes made at the farm.
Now aged 67, Ian and his wife Pam have employed a sharefarmer and Ian’s health has improved dramatically since he’s stopped milking.
The shelters are part of his plan to make things easier — and less messy.
“Only a third of the farm is flat enough for a tractor where you won’t make a mess as you’re driving across it,” Ian said.
“I hate mess and I hate hay being walked into the ground out in the paddock. That’s why I like feedpads and the shelters.”
The shelter was built last year and Ian says it has been better for cow health and saved on feed during a tough year.
“They’re not consuming as much as they normally would because they’re not cold and not walking as much,” he said.
Ian has been running the farm for nearly 50 years since the death of his father when he was just 19. He now has about 400 registered Holstein cows on a 218ha home farm with a 24ha outblock.
He downsized the farm in recent years to pay off debt, add a sharefarmer and build the shelter, which he sees as a long-term investment in improving productivity and protecting the land.
“As we cut back the land, we planned to sell some cows to China but that fell through, so
it’s meant we’ve pushed up the stocking rate,” he said.
“Because the stocking rates are so high, in winter the Holstein cows have become too big for the hills. They just wreck the paddocks. If I can keep them off the paddocks in winter, especially the dry herd, it’s better for everything.
“The big feedpad was part of addressing that. Everything gets fed there but there were a lot out on the paddocks at night, that’s why we needed the shelter.”
Because of the hilly nature of the farm, some parts are off limits to tractors for feeding out, adding pressure to the rest of the land.
Ian has always been a bit of an innovator.
NORCO BOOSTS MILK PRICE
NORCO, AUSTRALIA’S oldest and last operating 100 per cent farmer-owned dairy co-operative, has confirmed a farm-gate milk price increase for 2025-26, lifting the forecast full-year average price across all regions to 90.37 cents per litre – up 1.27¢ on last season’s final average. While Norco members have enjoyed unprecedented price stability over the last few years, this increase is welcomed news in the face of increasingly frequent weather events and rising input costs and has been tied directly to two measures:
ɋ 1 cpl co-operative premium – payable from January 2026 to members who complete Norco’s pioneering annual farm data survey, which underpins emissions reporting and on farm data capture aimed to help improve farm productivity long-term.
ɋ 0.5 cpl quality bonus – payable from September 2025 for milk that meets specific quality thresholds, rewarding the effort farmers put into producing quality milk, and ensuring customers continue to enjoy the freshest, best-tasting dairy delivered by Norco. Norco is the first dairy processor in Queensland and NSW to offer a direct financial incentive to farmers for collecting farm emissions’ data, recognising the time and effort required and the vital role it plays in building a more sustainable dairy supply chain.
Investing in a more sustainable and resilient future
While retaining farmers in the dairy industry continues to be a broad industry challenge, Norco is also investing in a wider set of initiatives to support farmer resilience and the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry in northern NSW and Queensland.
These include:
ɋ Farm data survey and reports – Now in its third year, the program has already delivered the largest dataset of dairy farm emissions ever compiled across the eastern seaboard and subtropical region of Australia. Norco farmers will now receive tailored insights to assess performance and help improve farm productivity and efficiency.
ɋ Cow purchase program – Originally launched after the 2022 Lismore floods, the initiative provides financial support to members to help grow or rebuild herd size and boost milk production. It continues to support recovery and profitability following the Mid North Coast floods, while also helping members achieve long term business goals.
ɋ Succession planning program – Designed to address industry decline and support
He was one of the first in Australia to build a feedpad 25 years ago, and was an earlier adapter of robotic feed systems and pellet loading machines and computers in the dairy.
He also has cow health and comfort in mind and says the herd is looking better this year thanks to the shelters, which he used for the first time late last winter.
“It’s working out really well this year because there’s not a lot of hay around. It has been a tough year and we’ve had to buy a few loads of hay, so you don’t want to waste it.
“It has been used non-stop since autumn to keep them under shelter at night, and for calving. It has been a terrible season so we’re trying to keep costs down but the July rain has
generational transition, this future-focused program provides financial and business support to help younger farmers take over family operations. The practical support preserves productivity and retains valuable agricultural land for dairy, while empowering younger generations to carry forward family businesses.
Chief executive Michael Hampson said Norco was committed to shaping a more sustainable future for Australian dairy.
“We are a proudly 100 per cent farmer-owned co-operative, and as we celebrate our 130th year, it’s more important than ever to invest in resilience-building initiatives that help grow dairy farmer businesses and secure long-term success for our members and the industry more broadly,” Michael said.
made the paddocks jump a bit. We’ve never bought hay to the extent we have this year.” They are also using the shelters as an extra calving facility this year, with the clear roof providing shelter from inclement weather. Ian and Pam’s three-span shelter is built not far from the feedpad and the soft flooring is regularly changed.
Although production has dipped to the tough season, Ian expects the farm will return to its peak of 8500 litres at the factory, which he says is pretty good for a hill farm.
Ian is enjoying the transition to a sharefarming arrangement.
“I’m happy to keep ticking along but I try to make life as easy as I can.”
“This price increase directly rewards milk quality and participation in our farm data survey, a critical step in measuring emissions and unlocking productivity insights for farmers. It’s a tangible way we’re linking sustainability with value creation.
“Beyond pricing, we continue to invest in programs that support herd growth, succession planning, and on-farm innovation, ensuring our members can thrive today while laying the foundations for a stronger, more sustainable Northern dairy sector tomorrow.”
Track record and future focus
The Norco Dairyfoods operation has already achieved Dairy Australia’s target of a 30 per cent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030, six years ahead of schedule, driven by a combined focus on emissions benchmarking, and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Combined with recognition as Canstar Blue’s 2025 Most Satisfied Customers for Fresh Full Cream Milk, Norco is demonstrating how quality and sustainability, can go hand-in-hand, meeting consumer expectations, while delivering strong commercial outcomes for its farmer members.
Loch dairy farmer Ian Hooker with his dog George outside the shelter.
Norco chief executive Michael Hampson.
Curiosity into dairy career
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
ISABELLA MOLONEY, better known as Isy, came into the dairy industry without a background in farming, and is thriving.
Isy lived in Geelong on a small acreage and, she said, had an ambition to work outdoors and in the environment.
When she was at school, Isy enjoyed the opportunity to work for five weeks on a dairy farm.
“I liked the routine of it, and the work I did,” Isy said.
After finishing school, she went on to work in an environmental conservation program.
It was a previous relationship that saw Isy move from Geelong to Gippsland, to begin working casually on a dairy farm.
The lockdowns during COVID-19 pandemic meant she was stuck in Gippsland, but the resourceful Isy made the most of the opportunities.
“Pete and Kate offered me some casual work, then I got more involved with the farm through helping with calving,” Isy said.
Peter Neaves and Kate Mirams own an irrigated dairy farm on the outskirts of the small township of Newry, in central Gippsland, where they milk a spring-calving herd that peaks at 322 cows.
Peter and Kate received the 2024 Lyrebird Award from West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority for their environmental sustainability efforts, that have included protecting waterways and a lagoon on their property and reducing nutrient runoff, while managing a profitable dairy farm.
Sharing an environmental ethos created synergies between Kate and Peter as dairy farmers and their worker, Isy, who eventually was offered full-time employment.
“I enjoy working with the cows, milking, sunrises, and the stability of working on a dairy farm,” Isy said.
When she was at school, dairy farming wasn’t considered a career option, but Isy would like to see that change.
“Dairy can be pitched as a career, because there are pathways for development, and opportunities to build wealth and equity,” she said.
“There’s also opportunities in your job as a farm worker to specialise, for example, as a milker, or to grow pasture and make silage.”
Isy was encouraged by her employers to apply for the Don Campbell Memorial Tour scholarship and as a scholar, she was part of a cohort of young people in the dairy farming community to undertake a tour of Tasmanian farms and processors.
The tour immerses scholars in conversations about dairy farming, as they tour farms, r esearch facilities and milk processors in Tasmania.
Isy said she saw farmers using virtual fencing collars on their cows, doing multi-species cropping and soil drenching.
“I took so many notes, my hand was cramping,” she said.
The tour enabled her to expand her understanding of dairy farming as a career.
“I’m personally more invested in farming after going on the tour,” Isy said.
“I’ve learnt more about breeding, and what other farmers do.
“Pete and Kate grow multi-species crops on their farm, and I saw what other farmers are doing with multi-species crops in Tasmania.
“You don’t know what you don’t know, and now I know more about dairy farming that I can talk about to other people.”
Isabella Moloney loves working on a dairy farm at Newry.
Photo: Jeanette Severs
Carving out a VFF career
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
DOMINIC ENTER was raised on a dairy farm in Gippsland, went to university, and is now carving out a career at the Victorian Farmers Federation.
Dominic grew up on the family dairy farm in the Stony Creek area and has since pursued various educational and professional paths.
H e moved to Melbourne, completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Psychology, at the University of Melbourne.
“I was interested in learning how people’s minds work and how people interact,” Dominic said.
H e realised psychology as a career wasn’t for him and pursued construction management studies, and worked in the construction industry for a year in project management, building and retrofitting supermarkets.
Dominic moved back into the agricultural industry when he returned to the family farm after his father suffered an injury from falling off a tractor.
The return to the family farm coincided with lockdowns during the COVID-19 pande mic.
“My brother, Oliver, was sharefarming, and due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was difficult to find workers,” he said.
“So I spent the next three years working on the farm, and it was good working with O lli.”
During this time, Dominic completed several Dairy Australia courses, including Feeding Pasture for Profit, which he said was particularly valuable for learning about pasture management.
In February 2023, supported by the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Dominic participated in the Don Campbell program.
H e said the tour experiences, visiting Tasmanian farms and processors, and networking within the group, helped him develop a broader perspective on the dairy industry value chain and diversifying revenue streams.
“I was impressed by the optimism in the Tasmanian dairy industry, and the different approaches farmers were implementing,” he said.
“The Don Campbell program is valuable for gaining a bigger picture of the dairy industry.”
Dominic said some of the highlights included hearing how farmers
imple mented different milking regimes, including 10 milkings per week (10-in-7) systems, robotic pasture-based farms, and virtual fencing collars that help manage cow movement.
“There were quite a few farmers skipping milkings, only doing it 10 times a week,” he said.
D ominic was particularly interested in technologies as potential solutions to the early morning milking schedule that had previously discouraged him from staying in dairy farming.
“I kind of left the industry because I didn’t really want to be getting up at 4.30am every morning, so it was interesting to see how they do it in Tasmania,” D ominic said.
“It was good to see some different dairy farms outside of South Gippsland.
“We went to Ashgrove Cheese and I was able to talk to them about vertically integrating their product and having different r evenue income streams.
“When I looked at the robotic milking systems, I thought there were a few things we could implement — that might be something we’d be interested in doing on the family farm, and there’s a new generation of robots to make it a better system.
“We’d need to look at a few more pasture-based systems that are using it.
“I t was also interesting to see how the [virtual fencing] collars worked on different farms, especially farms with robotic milking units .”
His experiences on the Don Campbell tour provided Dominic with the impetus to apply to the University of Melbourne University to study the Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences, which he has since completed.
He also started working with VFF, working as a project manager in the VFF’s Stock Sense team.
The Stock Sense programs operate with funding from the Cattle and Sheep and Goat Compensation Fund, providing hands-on workshops for farmers, e-newsletters, and webinars, with the aim of impr oving Victoria’s biosecurity status
and providing education on animal welfare, health and biosecurity.
“I’m interested in staying in the agricultural industry, which is why I’m working for the VFF and running workshops for farmers,” Dominic said.
“I think growing up on a farm and doing the agriculture course has helped me in this role.
“I’ve also been working with a lot of stakeholders in the VFF community and learning a lot from them.”
Dominic’s particular focus is on organising workshops with a particular emphasis on biosecurity and animal welfare for farme rs in the peri-urban and small landholder communities.
H e also supports colleagues working with larger-scale commercial livestock and broad acre farmers.
Returning to the family farm in the future might be a possibility.
But Dominic said it would entail conversations with his parents and brother about expanding the operation beyond the 300cow milking herd, to support them all into the future.
“I like the lifestyle of living in Melbourne with my partner at the moment,” Dominic said.
“I enjoyed growing up on the farm and maybe that’s where I’ll want to be in 10 years’ time. There’s a lot of perks to the city, but there’s also a lot of perks to living in the country.
“But for now, it’s about exploring other opportunities, not just work opportunities, but also life opportunities.”
After growing up on a dairy farm in the Stony Creek area, Dominic Enter is now carving out a career with the VFF.
Photo: Jeanette Severs
Winter Fair passes the baton
BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
DAIRY FARMERS Stu and Clare Modra, Adam Dee and Russ Robins have guided the Victorian Winter Fair into one of the premier dairying events in the country.
But after 12 years, the organising committee has decided to pass on the baton t o the team at International Dairy Week. Mr Modra said as founders of the event, it wasn’t easy to say goodbye but the time had come.
“We are all running our own farms, not getting any younger and we are all tired — however we are filled with pride as we look back on what we have achieved,” he said.
Over a 12-year period the committee held 11 shows (one was cancelled due to COVID-19) — not bad for an event that was initially started as a one-off.
“The VWF began as a simple idea during a casual evening over a meal and a few beers,” Mr Modra said.
“It started as a light-hearted conversation to create something special for our industry and was int ended to be a oneoff event, but as often happens with great ideas, the industry had other plans.”
The committee always believed there was room in the show calendar for a winter event and hosting it in the school holidays enabled them to get the kids involved and run a great youth show as well.
Participation had grown to the point where over the past two shows, the committee hosted the biggest youth events ever.
Mr Modra said the fair really did grow beyond anything they could have ever imagined.
“We built the show up from nothing
and we were very proud when it became an integral part of the show calendar.
“It is pretty easy for us to take credit but from the very beginning, we were alwa ys well supported right across the industry from farmers to exhibitors and sponsors, and our success can be very much attributed to that support.”
He said having the ability to attract top
judges from around the world, along with the best in Australia, was another source of pride.
While they always worked together as a team, Mr Modra said there was always one person in charge.
“Clare was always the driving force behind it all really — Adam, Russ and I just did the heavy lifting while Clare was always driving the bus.”
Mr Modra said while there have been many memorable moments over the years, he said the one standout has always been consistency of the amazing quality of cows on show.
“The Victorian Winter Fair has been a labour of love, and it’s something we will always hold close to our hearts.
“As we pass on the responsibility to new owners, we are confident that the VWF will continue to flourish in the years to come.
“We’ve seen the passion and commitment that the team from IDW brings to the table, and we ha ve no doubt that they will take the show to new heights.
“We wish them nothing but success and are excited to see where they take the event in the future.”
Mr Modra said the committee expressed its deepest thanks to everyone who has supported the event over the years.
“We’ll be cheering on the next chapter from the sidelines, filled with pride for what we’ve built together.”
The Winter Fair at Bendigo in 2022.
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Healthier with robotic milking
AT THREE Bridges Dairy in South Australia, Chloe Krichauff is blending tradition with innovation to shape the future of farming.
Raised on the family farm, Chloe’s love for cows began early, helping her grandparents feed calves and learning the rhythms of rural life.
“From an early age I used to help my grandparents with feeding calves, which is when I first found my love for cows,” she said.
That passion has grown into a career built on care, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace change.
Three years ago, Chloe and her family transitioned to robotic milking— a move that has transformed their daily routine and herd health.
“The cows are calmer, easier to manage, and their overall health has significantly improved,” she said.
The GEA Robotic Milking System has brought flexibility and precision to the farm.
“We no longer have to stop a job to go and milk. The girls come and go as they please,” Chloe said.
With remote monitoring via phone, the family can travel and manage the system from anywhere.
“We are now proactive and not reactive to sickness due to the availability of extra data from the system,” she said.
Sensors divert milk from individual quarters, helping lower cell counts and provide extra milk for calves.
In addition, the robot’s pit design allows safe manual intervention.
“It’s safer and less stressful for the cows,” Chloe said.
Adjustable grain bins also help train heifers by keeping them calm and still.
“The CowScout collars have also made heat detection more straight forward as it is presented in a graph making it easier to track cycles,” she said.
“Don’t get me wrong, there will always be data for some cows that you’re unsure about, but with the system the number of uncertainties has decreased significantly.”
Chloe believes technology offers young farmers a more balanced lifestyle and opens doors to new opportunities.
“Life is more flexible, and your herd will completely transform. The cows are happier and healthier.”
With plans to expand into dairy products, Chloe is proving the future for farming is bright — and it’s already under way at Three Bridges Dairy.
Chloe Krichauff believes technology is providing opportunities for the next generation of dairy farmers.
Photo: Oscar Filigrana
Chloe Krichauff operates the GEA system.
Chloe Krichauff is keen on leveraging GEA’s innovations to further enhance the farm’s operations.
Cows are happier and healthier since the GEA Robotic Milking System was installed.
Photo: Oscar Filigrana
Chloe with her father Michael (left) grandfather Peter and Trixie the dog.
Photo: Oscar Filigrana
Tackling methane emissions
THE MITIGATION of enteric methane (CH4) from dairy cows has been a global discussion point for more than a decade now, just read over any conference agenda or news publication from that period and it will have been front and centre.
Many at the farm gate are now joining the chorus with Elvis Presley and asking for “a little less conversation” and more action … we agree.
Feedworks has recently launched its enteric methane abatement in dairy aggregation project across Australia.
The certified project revolves around the use of the well-known and proven rumen modifier – Agolin.
Agolin is a proprietary blend of essential oils that tweak the microbiome in the rumen to deliver increased levels of metabolic fuels for lactating dairy cows.
A recently published meta-analysis showed a 4.1 per cent increase in fat and protein corrected milk (additional milk solids), a 9.1 per cent reduction in total enteric methane and a 12.9 per cent reduction in methane/kg DMI (intensity).
Certified by VERRA, the globally recognised non-profit for greenhouse gas reduction programs, dairy businesses utilising this rumen-modifying technology will reap immediate milk solids benefits.
They can also legitimately claim they have reduced their enteric methane emissions by circa 10 per cent, due to their participation in the certified aggregation project.
The Feedworks Methane Abatement Project trades carbon credits in exchange
for a reduced price of Agolin, and then sells them to businesses part of the dairy product supply chain.
While there is no government-driven mandate to reduce enteric methane emissions today, many dairy producers want to start the journey of reducing their methane footprint to promote sustainability credentials for the dairy industry.
The great benefit of this project is not only does it provide an opportunity to reduce your footprint, it also “washes its
OMEGA-3 AND COW LONGEVITY
NEW RESEARCH shows fats, especially omega-3, are critical to cow ageing and survival, opening opportunities to optimise cow longevity through nutrition.
Dairy UP researcher David Sheedy will present the findings from his PhD studies at the 2025 Dairy Research Foundation Symposium, to be held at Wollongong, November 26 and 27.
“With each additional lactation, the likelihood of reproductive and health problems increases,” David said.
“Under current management systems, farmers try to avoid these issues by selling cows at a younger age than may otherwise be optimal.”
“If we can reduce the metabolic issues that occur with increasing age, producers could run herds that are more flexible, resilient and profitable.
“We found that omega-3 fatty acid metabolism may have a role in improving reproduction and health outcomes in older cattle, ultimately increasing longevity.”
David’s research investigated metabolic and fat markers associated with longevity in dairy cows and took about 2000 blood samples from 29 Australian dairy herds.
The study found that blood levels of
own face” economically.
them to
The cost of participation is only $0.03 per cow daily, or $9.15/cow per annum. Therefore, at current farm gate milk solids prices, one additional kg MS/cow covers the inclusion cost.
The Feedworks project offers dairy producers a low-risk strategy to commence their enteric methane emissions reduction journey.
For more information, visit https://feedworks.com.au/methane-abatement/
omega-3 fats declined substantially with increased age.
“If we can boost omega-3 levels through supplementation and meaningfully improve survival, the potential gains for herd longevity are substantial,” David said.
Following these findings, the DairyUP team is now exploring omega-3 supplementation strategies, potentially through marine-sourced products high in omega-3 fatty acids, to test the long-term impacts on cattle health, reproduction and survival under Australian conditions.
For Dairy Research Foundation Symposium details, visit drfsymposium. com.au
For more details. visit www.dairyup. com.au
Dairy UP researcher David Sheedy.
The Feedworks Methane Abatement Project trades carbon credits in exchange for a reduced price of Agolin, and then sells
businesses part of the dairy product supply chain.
Awards honour milk producers
SAPUTO DAIRY Australia’s annual Milk Quality Awards have recently recognised suppliers that delivered 100 per cent premium quality milk throughout the 2024-25 season.
Despite a year marked by significant challenges for farming communities, suppliers across SDA’s five milk supply regions maintained exceptional standards.
SDA milk supply and planning director Kate Ryan said the awards celebrated suppliers who consistently met milk grading standards across every collection, with the results reflecting the resilience and professionalism of farming teams.
“Maintaining such high standards during a challenging season is no small feat and speaks to the care, skill and pride our farmers and their teams take in their work,” she said.
Among this year’s recipients are Clint and Jacinta Knight of Tanderra Dairies near Colac, who milk 1250 Holstein Friesians with Clint’s parents, Les and Glenda.
This is their first SDA Milk Quality Award, with Clint crediting their success to consistency, technology and team training.
“If I can look at the cell count and it’s low, I can tell that everything’s going well in the dairy because everyone’s doing their job,” he said.
“Achieving quality consistently is not just about one person – the entire team is responsible.”
The Knights use digital tools to monitor vat
temperature, cooling times and cow health, and all staff undergo a structured induction process, including Dairy Australia’s Cups On, Cups Off training.
“Everyone at Tanderra Dairies has gone through an induction process and spent time working with one of our more experienced team members,” Clint said.
Mark Calder, a second-generation farmer near Leongatha in Gippsland, received his seventh SDA Milk Quality Award this year.
He milks 250 cross-bred cows with his father Bruce on a farm that’s been producing milk for over 50 years.
For Mark and Bruce, what makes the difference in maintaining their high-quality milk is consistency in practices in the shed, including ensuring udder and teat health and a hygienic milking routine.
“These may take more time, but the cost is repaid in reduced mastitis,” Mark said.
Both farmers said the recognition was a source of pride and validation for their teams.
“We’ve been putting in the hard yards, doing that little bit extra and it’s paying
STEP-UP BOOSTS SOUTHERN MILK RETURNS
SAPUTO DAIRY Australia has advised its suppliers of a $0.15/kg MS step-up for exclusive supply in its southern milk collection regions.
This step-up brings SDA’s weighted average milk price to $9.15 to $9.25/kg MS in the southern region (including Gippsland, south-west Victoria and South Australia, northern region and Tasmania).
SDA milk supply and planning director Kate Ryan said while SDA continued to navigate variable conditions across global and domestic markets, this step-up reflects recent value realised by the business and our commitment to offer a competitive milk price for our loyal supplier base.
“We appreciate the strong partnerships we’ve built with our farmers and we remain committed to fostering a sustainable dairy industry.
“In what continues to be a challenging year
for farming communities, our team of field services, milk quality, agribusiness and feeds experts are also supporting and connecting suppliers with our partnership programs and services that best suit each farm’s unique needs,” she said.
The announced step-up is retrospective and will be automatically applied to all qualifying milk supplied since July 1 by suppliers who entered into an exclusive Milk Supply Agreement for the 2025-26 season, as published on SDA’s website.
The payment will be made to eligible suppliers with their October proceeds during November.
The milk prices quoted above are a weighted average across SDA’s supply base.
Milk prices achieved at individual farm level will vary based on specific milk supply circumstances and a variety of factors on-farm.
dividends in quality milk,” Mark said.
Kate said the awards recognised and thanked SDA’s suppliers for their commitment to quality and care.
“The quality of our dairy products begins with the exceptional milk we receive from our dedicated suppliers,” she said.
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Bruce (left) and Mark Calder from Leongatha received their seventh quality award.
Clint Knight from Colac received his first milk quality award, crediting the families success to consistency, technology and team training.
Saputo announces a step-up of $0.15/kg MS for southern suppliers.
Ridley expands in Tasmania
RIDLEY HAS reinforced its long-term commitment to Tasmania with the acquisition of the Carrick feed mill in 2024, and the rollout of two new De Bruyn’s Transport delivery tankers.
With Barastoc dairy feed now being produced in Tasmania, Ridley says it is helping local dairy producers access fresh, nutritionally optimised feed that’s tailored to the unique demands of the state.
This move not only boosts supply certainty but also allows for faster, more responsive service for farms across the region, Ridley says.
The new De Bruyn’s Transport tankers are a symbol of Ridley’s partnership with trusted Tasmanian operators and its investment in the local supply chain.
By working together, Ridley and De Bruyn’s are making sure feed gets from mill to farm efficiently and reliably, supporting productivity on the ground.
“I’m excited about the opportunities this brings to Tasmanian dairy farmers,” Carrick mill site manager Dee Brierly, who has overseen the transition to Ridley, said.
“I’m here to make sure our mill delivers top-quality feed when you need it.”
John De Bruyn Jr said De Bruyn’s Transport had partnered with Ridley (Carrick mill) for 25-plus years and was “excited with our new truck and tanker fleet supporting the Ridley supply chain and the local farming community”.
Carrick farmer Graeme Arnold said “it’s just much easier now”.
“No more tipping trailers — the De Bruyn’s drivers just back in, hook up the hose, and
they’re done,” Graeme said.
“The new tankers have really cut down the time they need to be here, which makes a big difference.”
With more than 30 nutrition and technical experts backing operations, Ridley says its investment at Carrick is more than just a new mill — it’s a commitment to the long-term growth of Tasmania’s agricultural sector.
“Local farmers can expect ongoing support, reliable supply, and feed solutions designed for every stage of the dairy and livestock life cycle.”
AUSTRALIA’S DAIRY farmers can better plan for their futures, with the Federal Government dropping two of the most damaging elements of its superannuation tax proposal.
Earlier this year, industry representative body Australian Dairy Farmers brought to light the industry’s concerns around taxing unrealised gains and failing to index taxation thresholds.
ADF president Ben Bennett said the original proposal to tax unrealised gains put family farm businesses at risk.
“Farmers can now plan for the future with confidence, knowing their hard work and succession plans are safe from this unfair proposed taxation,” Mr Bennett said.
“These changes offer a better direction in recognition of the realities of productive, assetbased farm businesses.”
As announced by the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, under the reworked approach, realised earnings on super balances between $3 million and $10 million will have a higher concessional tax rate at 30 per cent, and balances over $10 million at 40 per cent, with both thresholds indexed to inflation.
“These are important wins for common sense,” Mr Bennett said.
“This outcome shows the importance of national advocacy and what can be achieved when agriculture stands together and sticks to the facts.
“It’s a great result for farmers and small businesses right across the country.
“The government’s willingness to listen and act means more certainty for family-owned farms to invest and plan for the future – that means to keep growing, keep employing and keep investing in their local communities.
“While these changes address the most distortionary elements, the remaining higher tax rates still pose risks for investment confidence and intergenerational planning on farm.
“These changes offer a better direction that recognises the realities of productive, assetbased farm businesses.
“Proportionate super settings let dairy farms keep capital on farm – backing resilient regional jobs and secure, local milk supply.”
Why it matters for dairy:
ɋ Planning certainty: Prolonged policy uncertainty has already delayed decisions on modernisation and retirement planning. Clear rules, worked examples and transitional guidance will help farmers plan with confidence.
ɋ Asset-heavy, cash-flow-variable: Dairy businesses hold value in land, livestock, water and plant—assets that aren’t easily liquid.
ɋ Succession and continuity: Many multi-generational farms use superannuation structures as part of their succession planning.
A bit of wrestling going on as the girls try to get their heifers in order for judging.
Future champions on parade
YOU HAVE to start somewhere, and the recent Shepparton Show in Victoria was an opportunity for some young cattle handlers to head out into the ring. Their animals were clipped, trimmed and cleaned for the big debut, and their
were smiles all round as the future of the dairy industry demonstrated there handling skills.
The all-breeds youth show attracted a range of entries from across the region, and entrants were as young as three.
Hello heifer ... Hunter Collins, 3, with heifer Lollipop, getting ready to parade at the youth competition. Hunter is the son of Chris and Jackie Collins from Merrigum. His foray into show parading was successful with a placing deserving of a ribbon.
Experts share nutrition insights
THE INAUGURAL Kemin Industries Dairy Forward Forum was held in Melbourne in October.
Along with local speakers, international industry leaders from North America and Europe joined around 60 key industry professionals.
Key speakers included Dr Phil Cardoso, Professor at University of Illinois, the US; Dr Giulia Esposito, Associate Professor at University of Palma, Italy; Trent Dado, partner and consultant at GPS Dairy Consulting, the US; Matt Dalgleish, founder and director of Episode 3 and Dr Emiliano Raffrenato, Kemin Global technical services manager.
According to Kemin Ruminant ANZ area manager and event organiser Matt Bastian, the one-day conference was an opportunity to expand knowledge on topics relevant and important to the Australian and New Zealand dairy market.
Key objectives for the conference were clear; advance the Australian and NZ ruminant industries’ knowledge around forage quality, transition cow management, practical applications of rumen protected amino acids and to gain key insights into global agricultural trends for dairy, beef, sheep and grain markets to help producers make more informed decisions
“We wanted to bring together some of the most influential names in ruminant nutrition from around the world, so that our whole industry can benefit from their expertise” Matt said.
The program was structured to have sessions from technical experts like Dr Cardoso, Dr Esposito and Dr Raffrenato, with follow up sessions highlighting a practical application in the ANZ farming intensive farming systems. This gave attendees the opportunity to be taken through the scientific theories, while also gaining insights into practical, on-farm adoption and application.
Kemin is a global family owned and operated biotechnology company based out of Des Moines, Iowa. It is Kemin’s mission to sustainably transform the life of 80 per cent of the world’s
population thr ough their products and services.
With a company tagline of ‘compelled by curiosity’, it seems fitting Kemin continues to invest in upskilling and education, as part of the commitment it makes to the intensive
livestock industry.
Due to the success of the event, Kemin intends to host the event again in coming years.
For more details, conatct Kemin Ruminant ANZ area manager Matt Bastian.
Dairy forum attendees (back, from left) Matt Bastian, Kah Heng Liong, Carmen Coetzee and Trung Nguyen. (Front, from left) Cameron Shaw, Thong Jin Koh and Matias Cassineri.
Kemin Industries held a dairy forum in Melbourne for key stakeholders.
“I can truly say: The Astronaut A5 Next is the best colleague I’ve ever had”
Alessandra Cabrini, herdmanager
“ The Astronaut A5 Next gives me more control, and the cows more comfort.”
When the Lely Astronaut A5 Next takes over the repetitive process of milking, you can allocate your expertise where it is needed most: managing herd health, farm management, and spending time with your family.
Insights from the Lely Horizon app ensure the link between you and your animals by putting the right information at your fingertips.
The new automatic milk filter eliminates the need to replace filters manually - making the process easy, convenient, and less labourintensive. The Astronaut A5 Next also supports the use of Ear Tag ID for basic identification.
Stay ahead of your future Visit our website to learn more about the Astronaut A5 Next.
Automatic milk filter
Eartag ID
Dairy is central to success
BY RICK BAYNE
DIVERSITY HAS been the key to success for Michael Wohlstadt’s farming enterprise at Lyndoch in South Australia’s Barossa Valley — but he’s known as The Dairyman for good reason.
Recently named Producer of the Year at the 2025 Delicious Harvey Norman Produce Awards, Michael said his adherence to traditional mixed farming had kept him in good stead for 45 years and counting.
However, dairying was his first love, and it’s still the core of his business, even though his 20 Jerseys might be one of the smallest commercial herds in the country.
The farm has a lot more than cows and Michael advocates the value of farming that produces food by farmers adding value to their production, whether it be with cows, pigs, mushrooms, vineyards or adding on B&Bs.
“I used to milk cows to sell milk as a commodity to a processing factory, but about 15 years ago, I shifted across a different model,” he said.
“Typically, farmers don’t produce food — they produce a commodity — but nothing leaves here as a commodity; it’s all converted to food.”
Michael farms on 32 hectares of alluvial flats in a secluded valley at the foothills of the Barossa Ranges.
When he bought the property, it was a grazing farm turning off 200 lambs a year.
Today, along with the cows, about a quarter of the land is dedicated to vineyards, there are about 80 free-range pigs, a small herd of vealers, an oyster mushroom enterprise and two B&Bs.
“When I moved to the Barossa when I was about 12, mixed farming was very common, but it has gravitated to a monoculture — either vineyards or hill country grazing,” Michael said.
“What I’m doing is very atypical, but the mix has worked well for me.”
However, it all stems from dairy.
“Dairy is the centre of everything,” he said. When he was starting, Michael’s main interest was milking cows and he has stuck with Jerseys over the years.
“I like their higher butterfat content, but for me, it’s a bit like, why do people follow their favourite football team?
“My first exposure to milking cows as a young teenager was with Jerseys and you become committed to them.”
Keeping with his traditional farming methods, Michael milks the cows in a four-stand walkthrough milking machine.
“It’s very old-school,” he said.
“Everything we do is old-school. Our way of farming and scale is designed to take people back at least 50 years.”
With such a small herd, the old walk-through is sufficient for his needs.
“It’s in a shed that I built about 40 years ago and the stand was second-hand when I bought it.”
Milking is done in about an hour, with Michael still handling the task at age 68.
He calves year-round, using AI and a homegrown bull for the heifers.
He breeds for type and well-attached udders with good teat placement that leads to good production.
The herd peaked at about 40 cows when he started and was selling milk as a commodity. Today, he just needs to produce enough to make his home-grown products.
About half the land is dedicated to the dairy cows.
It’s mostly dryland, but with some irrigated pasture which has been helpful over recent years
The cows are producing strongly, averaging about 6000 litres, about 300kg of butterfat per
lactation and about 240kg protein.
After the switch to home-grown produce, he makes butter and cream, butter milk and has recently expanded into Italian cheeses — ricotta, stracciatella, mozzarella and buratta.
The male dairy calves are taken to veal.
The pigs — a mixture of heritage breeds, Berkshire, Hampshire and Tamworth — are raised on a combination of whole milk, skim milk and whey.
“It’s probably the only milk-fed pig herd in Australia,” Michael said.
All animals are treated with respect.
“There’ s a very close connection to the animals,” Michael said.
“They’re not just a number; they all have a name and they have personalities.
“You’re better able to care for them if you know them as individuals.”
Continuing to evolve the business has kept farming more interesting for Michael and he has deliberately continued to build up diversity and scope of the product offering to justify employing people.
Michael describes the venture as “non-industrial farming”.
“Farming in the modern world can be tough,” he said.
“Prices aren’t great, costs are high and climate is a challenge and some of the results of that work is either a weight bill for something delivered or a
transaction in a bank account.”
Michael prefers the independence and personal touch that comes with producing food compared to a commodity.
“I deal with chefs and get feedback from them so I can deliver the product they are looking for,” he said.
“I go to two farmers’ markets and have a strong following of regular customers and they keep me up-to-date with how they cooked last week’s purchases or how their dinner party was fabulous.
“There are two values that come from this — the enhanced financial uplift that comes from controlling all steps in the process and the non-monetary benefit in the association, connection and feedback from the work you put in.”
Michael has no plans to retire and will continue his traditional farming styles and aim to maintain the right scale and mix and quality.
“A lot of foods have lost their flavour, taste and appeal, and that’s largely a result of industrial scale production.”
The Producer of the Year award, nominated by chefs, is a career highlight for the veteran farmer.
He hopes the award shines a light on alternative farming pathways and encourages other farmers to consider making their own product.
“It’s not for everyone and you don’t have to convert everything you do, but it could be complementary to commodity production.
“It’s an alternative that’s worthwhile looking at for farmers.”
Michael Wohlstadt’s 20 Jerseys might be one of the smallest commercial herds in the country.
Michael Wohlstadt describes his business as “non-industrial farming”.
Michael Wohlstadt’s pigs — a mixture of heritage breeds, Berkshire, Hampshire and Tamworth — are raised on a combination of whole milk, skim milk and whey.
Keeping with his traditional farming methods, Michael Wohlstadt milks the cows in a four-stand walk-through milking machine.
Michael Wohlstadt makes butter, cream and butter milk and has recently expanded into Italian cheeses — ricotta, stracciatella, mozzarella and buratta.
Some of Michael Wohlstadt’s products. He was recently named Producer of the Year at the 2025 Delicious Harvey Norman Produce Awards.
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Michael Wohlstadt is The Dairyman.
North-west Holstein showcase
BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
THE HOLSTEIN breed was front and centre last week, with the North West Subb ranch hosting a successful Stars of the Future Sale and a series of on-farm walks followed by Holstein Australia’s annual awards dinner at the Moama Bowling Club.
The sale averaged $5170 across 33 lots, with Elmar Divinci Jessica 5344 topping the sale at $11,000.
Sub-branch president Ross Gordon said it was a great couple of days, culminating in a successful awards night with four local members achieving master breeder status – Craig Lister from Calister Holsteins, Rob Gundry from Gunwilla Park, Rick and Tina Wishart from Rowlands Park and Jade, Georgia and Lincoln Seiben from Brindabella Holsteins.
“We had a really successful night with around 110 attendees.
“It was great to see so many people and it is really encouraging to see so many young faces in the room.
“The online sale was well supported and prices were fair for both buyer and sellers,” Ross said.
He said the farm walks went off really well with Brad Somerville and Chad Gordon also managing to sell a couple of cows straight from the paddock.
HA president Gino Pacitti said the subbranch did an outstanding job of showcasing their cows and the region, and they put on a great couple of days.
Gino said he was also impressed by the support shown for the awards night.
“The master breeder awards were due recognition for the breeders and for the first time ever we had a three-time master breeder in John and Cherie Gardiner from Avonlea.”
Gino said there were 190 entries in the photography competition and the quality of animals was supreme.
“I would like to thank the judges and everyone who continues to support the competition.”
Two dairy legends in Richard Anderson from Rochester and Jeff Harrower from Cohuna received a distinguished services award, while Duncan and Helen and Nathan Smith from Hightop Holsteins in Zeerust were awarded cow of the year with Murribrook Goldwyn Verbena.
Duncan simply said Verbena is just awesome.
“I just cant put it any better than that. She is the perfect cow for us.
“She is placid, a gentle giant and a pleasure to work with,” he said.
The family bought her in 2021.
“We headed off to the sale at Murraybrook with the trailer and Verbena was coming home with us no matter what we had to pay for her,” Duncan said.
Gino said the four finalists in the cow of the
year competition were all worthy winners and were a typical example of an animal well-bred for longevity and production.
Janelle and Brad Somerville and children Ethan, Connor, Leah and Abbie hosted visitors as part of the North West Sub-branch farm walks.
Photos: Sophie Baldwin
Richard Anderson (left) and Jeff Harrower both received distinguished service awards from Holstein Australia.
Holstein Australia senior classifier Sean Millar, interim CEO John Crowther and member services’ Amanda Moyses enjoyed the farm walks.
Holstein Australia master breeders for 2025 (Back, L-R) Tina and Rick Wishart Rowlands Park, Cherie and John Gardiner, Avonlea, Fred DeCicco, Benevento Park, Suz and Rob Gundry, Gunwilla Park, Craig Lister, Calister Holsteins, and Jade Sieben, Brindabella Holsteins; (Front) Daniel DeCicco, Benevento, and Lincoln and Georgia Sieben, Brindabella.
Holstein Australia 2025 awards night.
All ears on listening tour
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
IN HIS first 100 days in Dairy Australia’s CEO role, Dr Matt Shaffer has travelled around Australia, visiting dairy farms in every region. He was close to the end of his tour when he joined dairy farmers at the GippsDairy AGM on October 16 at Traralgon, Victoria.
“I’m three months into this new role and coming close to the end of a listening tour around Australia’s dairy regions,” he said.
“The best part of my role [as CEO] is coming and talking to people like you tonight.
“I like talking to people one-on-one or in small groups.
“I’ve been trying to hear from farmers about what their concerns are, what keeps them awake at night, what they view the future as.
“I want them to tell me what they think Dairy Australia does well and what we don’t do well.”
There was one more region to visit, in Western Australia, before he had finished his ‘listening tour’.
Matt said there were themes he had identified through the conversations.
“Emplo yment, succession planning and farm business skills comes up a fair bit. Those are some of the big ticket items that are concerning people,” he said.
“In various regions, farmers are concerned about some of the regulations that are coming in that are quite region-specific, that could affect right to farm or land use planning.
“Effluent management is one of the issues that I keep hearing a bit about.
“So it’s been quite interesting to see what farmers are talking about and what concerns them and what we can do to help.
“Some things we can’t do anything to help, and we have to be clear about that too.”
Matt said he would be embarking on another tour of all dairy regions after Dairy Australia releases its new strategic plan at the national organisation’s AGM in November, to be held at Wollongong, NSW.
He will be responsible for shaping the future direction of Dairy Australia to align it
with a five-year strategy that was developed under the leadership of his predecessor.
“Dairy Australia needs to work in a better way and be more integrated with our farme rs,” Matt told the gathering at the GippsDairy AGM.
“That’s the core of what I told the Dairy Australia board [when he was interviewed for the CEO’s role] and that’s the core of how I want to work.”
He iterated that his primary focus would be Australia’s dairy farmers.
“I want to make sure I can hear farmers, that people can talk to me whenever they want to talk to me, pick up the phone,” Matt said.
“I like hearing what folks have to say, whether it’s good news, bad news, or indifferent.
“Even if it’s not always easy to hear, I’m always willing to hear it.
“We just need to have those conversations.
“I also need to spend time with the DA staff to make sure that that all works well.”
In answer to a question from the floor about supporting young dairy farmers, Matt’s response was to collaborate on finding out what the issues and solutions were and how to apply those solutions.
“That’s my philosophy with all farmers,” he said.
“I’m not here to dictate what you should do.
“I expect to listen to what you want and maybe provide a bit of advice.
“It’s more about how Dairy Australia can help farmers to make decisions and meet them where they are.”
Matt Shaffer, recently appointed CEO of Dairy Australia, has spent part of his first 100 days in the role touring Australia and visiting dairy farms.
Drone tech delivers on farm
BY SOPHIE BALDWIN
TACKLING INNOVATION can be a challenge for some dairy farmers, but not Reece Donhardt, who hails from the hills of Nangkita in South Australia.
Reece was recently awarded Innovative Farmer of the Year at the South Australian dairy awards after embracing the use of drone technology on his wife Chelsea’s family farm.
Reece said it was an honour and a surprise to receive the award.
Coupled with CASA accreditation, the drone technology has enabled Reece to get in and spray areas on the dairy farm previously inaccessible, boosting productivity and saving on physical labour.
Reece said looking to upgrade their boom spray was the catalyst for the change.
“We began investigating drone technology, and we could see there were some real management benefits for our farm.
“We have had our drone for 12 months now and it has been a great help and enabled us to get into areas we have never been able to before.
“We have some hilly country covered in blackberries and the drone has been a great help there too,” Reece said.
He said the beauty of a drone was it doesn’t damage pasture.
“There are no wheel tracks and no sinking in soft ground – the drone just flies over the top and does its job,” he said.
“Anyone can learn to operate a drone in a couple of hours, you just have to get your head around the controls.
“When I was a young teenager I used to fly radio control and I really enjoyed it back then — this is an extension of that really.”
Reece said they purchased the drone in Adelaide and it cost about $40,000 to set up.
“You need to have a trailer and a batching system capable of holding a fair bit of water and chemical because the drone is always flying back for filling and battery changes.”
So far the drone has completed around 350ha of spraying.
“The worst thing about this technology is it continually changing and getting bigger and better and what you buy now will certainly be out-of-date in a couple of years time,” he said.
The dairy business has never been afraid to adapt and invest in technology.
“The family have been innovative for as long as I have been here – 30 years ago they adopted rotary technology and milk meters at a time when it really wasn’t all that common,”
Reece said.
“In 2021, six robots were installed at the Minbee farm followed by eight robots at Nangkita in 2023, and that has been a real game changer and delivered into areas we never even thought possible.”
Reece said the voluntary milking system had improved herd health, lameness and fertility.
“All these little wins add up and if you get 10 of them suddenly you are 10 per cent in front.
“We have such happy, comfortable cows now which is a credit to my brother-in-law Jake Connor who looks after the herd side of things.”
Automation has also extended to calf rearing.
The family milks 750 seasonal calving cows across three farms on 550ha (one farm milks 350 and the other 400).
The majority of the herd is Holstein with a few cross breeds and Jerseys.
The family runs a grazing system and the cows are fed silage in the paddock, there is no mixer wagon involved.
The original farm was purchased in 1930 and the Mount Jagged farm in the early 2000s, they have always been run as separate entities.
Reece said this season was looking quite good compared to last year’s devastating
his innovative farmer award.
drought and they were expecting to get some silage on the ground soon.
“The season is about six weeks behind, but it is certainly looking better than last year.”
They have access to irrigation on one of the farms which keeps the cows going over summer.
Reece said he had always loved farming.
He has worked in the dairy industry for the past 20 years and seven years ago made the move to Chelsea’s family farm.
“My role is more machinery based. I do a lot of the spraying, fertiliser and feeding out
DAY 1 - THE SYMPOSIUM
rather than herd health.
“There are not many jobs you get too passionate about, but dairying is certainly one of them,” he said.
Session 1: Making the Power of the Cow Work for You
THE NORCO DAIRY RESEARCH FOUNDATION SYMPOSIUM DINNER 2025
DAY 2 - DAIRY AUSTRALIA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & THE FARM TOUR Dairy Australia Annual General Meeting
The drone and trailer set up cost the family about $40,000.
Implementing drone technology has been a game changer for SA dairy farmer Reece Donhardt.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven presents SA dairy farmer Reece Donhardt with
A splash of moo-dern art
A LIFE-SIZED fibreglass cow named Snowy has helped students at Bulleen Heights School in Melbourne take out top honours in a national competition that’s inspiring thousands of Aussie kids to learn where their food comes from.
The school was crowned overall winner in Dairy Australia’s Picasso Cows program — a unique initiative blending creativity and classroom learning to bring agriculture to life.
Their winning cow design combined vibrant artwork, multimedia storytelling and a deep dive into how dairy farmers care for animals, the land and the food they produce.
“It’s such a fun way to connect kids with real-world learning,” Bulleen Heights teacher Emma Gray said.
“Painting the cow wasn’t just about creativity, it sparked so many great conversations about sustainability, nutrition and how milk gets from the farm to our fridges.”
Two other schools, both in NSW, were also recognised. Medlow Public School’s painted cow Bessy won best learning journal, while Kelly’s Plains Public School was awarded best cow design for Mootese.
Now in its 17th year, Picasso Cows has reached more than 150,000 students across Australia since it began in 2007. The program gives primary school students a handson, engaging way to explore the ‘farm to plate’ journey, the role of dairy in a healthy diet and how farmers care for animals and the environment.
“Picasso Cows is all about helping the next generation understand where their food comes from,” Dairy Australia’s schools engagement advisor Jennie Annand said.
“It’s exciting to see students bring their learning to life through such creative and thoughtful work.”
As part of the program, participating schools receive free learning resources and decorate a near life-sized fibreglass cow to reflect what they have learnt. The students also keep a journal documenting their
progress, from exploring jobs on a dairy farm to learning how dairy supports strong bones and teeth.
In the first round of the 2025 program, 48 schools took part across both rural and metro regions, reaching more than 6000 students.
Winners receive cash prizes, including $2000 for the overall winner and $1000 each for the learning journal and cow design categories.
Picasso Cows is proudly supported by the Gardiner Foundation, whose chief executive
Allan Cameron is part of the judging panel.
“Bulleen Heights stood out for how they structured their learning — from what they knew, to what they wanted to know, and how they explored those questions,” Allan said.
“Their videos showed real depth and joy in the learning process.”
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Bulleen Heights School was the overall winner with Snowy.
Photo: Marcel Peeters
Mootese, created by Kelly’s Plains Public School, won best cow design.
Celebrating a 25-year pivot
THIS YEAR, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its sustainable irrigation program and the long-term partnerships that have been central to its success.
The joint initiative between West Gippsland CMA, Agriculture Victoria and local farmers has resulted in a remarkable transformation of irrigated land and water use across central Gippsland.
Since launching in 2000, the successful program has delivered more than 1200 irrigation impr ovement projects in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) and across the Lake Wellington Catchment — home to important river systems like Latrobe, Macalister and Avon rivers.
“The CMA is incredibly proud to celebrate over two decades of effort to reduce the environmental impact of irrigation by keeping water and nutrients on farm and out of local waterways that flow into the Gippsland Lakes,” West Gippsland CMA CEO Martin Fuller said.
“We’re pleased to share what’s been
achieved in partnership with Ag Vic, Southern Rural Water, Gippsland Water, Wellington Shire, the Environment Protection Authority Victoria, GippsDairy, Food and Fibre Gippsland and of course the irrigation community,” he said.
“Thanks to the sustained, collective efforts of farmers, agencies and local irrigation communities, we’re now seeing a total of 47 gigalitres of water worth $85 million dollars being saved every year.
“That’s a huge financial benefit for irrigators and a boost to water security for the region’s agricultural industry.”
Encouraging irrigators to embrace sustainable irrigation practices has been key to the program’s success and over the years attitudes have shifted.
“Twenty-five years ago, environmental challenges weren’t as well understood,” explained Anthony Goode, the CMA’s Sustainable Irrigation Program coordinator, who has worked on the program for 14 years.
“It’s a huge credit to those farmers who put their hands up in the early days to get
involved and trial new irrigation methods and systems for the benefit of the wider irrigation community,” Anthony said.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say we’ve now partnered with nearly all landholders in the MID, achieving 94 per cent coverage of the district with farm irrigation plans.
“Combined with the 179 spray conversions, 299 reuses systems and 70 best practice surface irrigation projects, it adds up to a remarkable, long-term transformation of irrigated farmland.”
More than 46 gigalitres of nutrient-rich water carrying an estimated 23 tonnes of phosphorus is being retained on-farm every year for the benefit of soil health and pasture productivity.
This reduces the need to buy-in synthetic fertilisers all while protecting surrounding waterways from run-off. “A classic win-win,” Anthony said.
Agriculture Victoria irrigation extension officer Alexis Killoran said the transformation doesn’t end with the investment into farm plans and irrigation infr astructure
on-farm.
“There is also a continual demand from farmers and their staff for irrigation training and demonstrations,” Alexis said, leading to farmers “irrigating to best practice standards using modern infrastructure”.
Following the success of the past 25 years, the program is forging into the future.
Now, even more irrigators are set to benefit as it expands beyond the MID for the first time, with producers in Thorpdale coming on board as well as farmers along Latrobe River and in the upper reaches of the Lake Wellington catchment.
Looking ahead to the next 25 years, Anthony is excited to continue working with partners and farmers to keep land and waterways healthy and in good shape for future generations.
“Our vision is to reach a point where we can proudly say that the irrigation community is having zero impact on waterways and is actually benefiting waterways and catchment health. That will be a fantastic day,” he said.
Celebrating 25 years of sustainable irrigation are Anthony Goode, Alexis Killoran, Bonnie Dawson and Brad Missen.
Auto feeding changing game
RAISING HEALTHY calves in a modern dairy world is both rewarding and relentless.
Those first few weeks shape a cow’s entire productive life, but traditional feeding routines can be tough — long hours, strict schedules and the constant worry about whether every calf is getting what it needs.
That’s where technology is stepping in to lend a hand.
Automated calf feeders — like the GEA Calf Feeder system, known for delivering consistent and customisable nutrition to feed calves with up to four drinking stations — are quietly transforming how farmers approach calf care.
But what makes them different — and are they worth the investment?
Think of an automated calf feeder as a smart feeding station. Instead of mixing milk by hand and sticking to rigid feeding times, the system: Prepares milk at the right temperature, every time.
Lets calves drink small, frequent meals — just like they would naturally.
Tracks each calf’s intake and drinking speed, flagging any changes that might signal illness. Cleans itself regularly, reducing the risk of bacteria build-up.
Syncs with your phone or computer, so you can check in even when you’re out in the paddock.
This can mean:
Healthier calves — consistent nutrition and early alerts for illness mean fewer setbacks. Time back in your day — less time mixing
and bottle-feeding means more time for other jobs.
Better growth rates — calves often gain weight faster and hit breeding targets sooner.
Peace of mind — data takes the guesswork out of calf rearing.
On the Zweck family farm — Donava Holsteins in South Australia — the shift to automated feeding has been a game-changer.
“It’s a huge labour-saving and reliable system,” Justin Zweck said about their GEA automated calf feeders.
He said system saves between one and 1.5 hours per calf feeding, thanks to the fully automated calf feeders.
In a recent social media post, the family shared an update on one of their first calves raised on the robotic calf feeder, now milking in the GEA robotic system.
“She is definitely kicking goals — 3.3 milkings a day, 36kg of milk a day, and only 16 days into lactation,” the family posted.
“It’s nice to see numbers like this proving the complete system works — from calf shed to dairy — helping cows understand a completely voluntary system.”
Labour hours are down, calves are thriving, and the data helps the family make better decisions for their herd. – from GEA.
•
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“It’s a huge labour-saving and reliable system,” says Justin Zweck about their GEA automated calf feeders.
The GEA automated calf feeder in action at the Zweck family farm in South Australia.
Justin Zweck says the system saves between one and 1.5 hours per calf feeding.
Operating the GEA automated calf feeders on the Zweck family farm in SA.
Tech makes joining easier
MANAGING HERD fertility has become increasingly complex with year-round calving.
For one family-run farm in Winchelsea, Victoria, the CowManager system has become the backbone of their reproduction strategy.
With 600 cows and four calving seasons, James Parish embraced technology to simplify joining, improve health monitoring, and lighten the daily workload.
The Parishes have a pasture-based system but they feed a lot of grain, batch hay and buy local hay in the area to feed the cows and young stock.
They calve four times a year — in February, May, August and November.
The family relies on shared data and connected tools to stay on top of things.
“Every milking cow has a sensor. My brother uses the platform and so does my father; we all keep a close eye on the cows together,” James said.
With constant joining and a heavy focus on animal health, they needed a system that would give reliable insights and real-time alerts.
“We started using the CowManager system two years ago. We chose the CowManager sensors for the back-up support and because we prefer ear tags over collars,” James said.
“The Fertility Module is important because we’re joining all year round, and we just use AI. And the Health Module is important as well for seeing how the cows are eating, and if we have any sick cows,” he said.
means more strategic decisions.
“We use the Insemination Window to select the right cows for sexed semen. If they’re not in the right window and they’re too early, then we’ll not join them in the morning and wait ’til the pm to join them.”
Frequent calving can increase the risk of health issues, but CowManager’s alerts are helping them act earlier and faster, according to James.
“The health alerts from CowManager are really good. They pick on rumination and eating and can tell you how the cows are performing.
“But for sick alerts, the temperature alert is the best. It gives you very quick information on whether a cow is actually sick and needs treating.
James said CowManager integrated seamlessly with their dairy software.
“We use Jantec in the dairy and it was as simple as ringing up Jantec to make sure it all works properly. We haven’t had any issues since.
“The benefit of them being integrated is that all the CowManager alerts go straight into Jantec. So, all of the heat and health alerts automatically come up when we want to draft.”
He said one of the biggest benefits had
““You get notifications from the app all day so if something happens and it needs your attention, you’ve got all information straight away.”
been heat detection.
“We were using stickers beforehand, but after two weeks of using both stickers and CowManager, the stickers disappeared. We just rely on the CowManager system now for heats — it’s more accurate.”
James said all the data in the system was easy to find and very easy to understand.
“You can look up individual cows to find pretty much anything. The reports on the PC are really handy as well. It gives you early indications of how many you’ve got in calf, any suspect aborted cows that you can get rechecked.”
The added control of sexed semen timing
“Just because we’re calving so often, the temperature alert from CowManager picks up a lot of cases of milk fever. We can see from the phone straight away if a cow is down and needs treating.
“You get an alert, and you know which cows to look out for. Whereas before CowManager, we were checking every cow individually to make sure that she wasn’t sick.”
With the whole family now involved in managing the herd through a single platform, there’s more confidence in every decision.
“I’d recommend CowManager to anyone who asks what system we’re using, or if anyone has any doubts about getting a system,” James said.
From CowManager.
POWER UP YOUR ROUND BALING
MCHALE V6750 baler is part of the McHale family of specialist rural machinery developed by two Irish brothers,
Over the past 35 years they have developed a range of specialist farm machinery focusing on balers and bale wrappers for the production of round and square baled silage, and round bales of hay and straw.
The McHale V6750 is a semi-automatic variable chamber baler fitted with a 15-knife chopper unit and heavy-duty rotor.
It is equipped with a double drive system, which allows the machine to operate in the toughest of conditions. The double drive system aids belt rotation and bale formation.
The machine comes with centralised grease
blocks as standard. Automatic greasing is available as an option on all V6750 machines. Net and bale density can be adjusted from the cab through the Expert Plus control console.
The V6750 is fitted with a 15-knife chopper rotor.
The feed rotor or chopping unit boasts a heavy duty rotor and comb.
The flights are welded on both sides for superior strength and, on the drive side, the rotor is fitted with a double row bearing with a long service life.
The star-shaped feed rotors ensure a high-capacity flow of grass into the bale chamber.
The flights on the rotors are laid out in a spiral formation to achieve consistent crop flow.
James Parish says one of the biggest benefits of CowManager has been heat detection.
THE
Padraic and Martin McHale.
The McHale V6750 round baler at work.
JD’s next-generation balers
JOHN DEERE has revealed its next generation of round balers designed to deliver superior performance, intelligent connectivity, and premium quality bales for Australian farmers.
The fixed and variable chamber balers feature advanced automation for increased productivity, along with user-friendly features, such as an optional built-in bale weighing system, and new endless belts that ensure reliable net feeding, even in sticky conditions.
All of the new generation models are equipped with advanced Isobus capabilities, which provides complete machine integration into the John Deere Operations Center, so farmers can monitor bale quality as they go.
An optional moisture monitoring feature measures the average moisture per bale in real time and alerts the operator on the tractor display if the content deviates from the pre-defined setting.
Tracking each bale size, drop location and moisture levels, and documenting this data in the John Deere Operations Center, enables the farmer to access business-critical information such as the number of bales per paddock and dry-matter maps and securely stores all invoicing-relevant information when leaving the field.
The wrapping baler models, C442R, C452R and C462R, are designed to produce high-quality silage and feature an optional built-in bale weighing system, with advanced strength gauges on each of the four transport table rollers for on-the-go measurement of individual bale weights.
The
With a wrapping arm speed of 40 revolutions per minute, the wrapper components match the baler’s productivity, avoiding any loss of time during the baling process.
The Isobus AUX-N control enables operators to map multifunction joystick buttons, so the driver can control the main baler functions via the CommandPRO lever.
Designed and built to suit many of todays farming
The new variable chamber models, V452M and V462M, offer a 10 per cent increase in driveline power intake as a result of the 540 rpm Power Take-Off clutch, boosting productivity by up to eight per cent in demanding conditions.
New endless belts with rougher skin design ensure reliable net feeding even in sticky, wet crop conditions, and have been proven to last 10 times longer compared to belts with lacers.
All of the new round baler models feature hydraulically actuated knife engagement, enabling the operator to engage or retract the knives from the comfort of the cab.
The higher knife engagement force ensures the crop is cut consistently and uniformly.
Maintenance of the balers is made easy with simple access points, long greasing intervals, and a chain auto-lube system.
The G5e touchscreen provides intuitive operation, and baler automation allows for hands-free unloading, enhancing overall ease of use.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand small ag and turf marketing manager Erin Wagstaff said delivering a smarter, more connected baling experience supports farmers to get the most out of every paddock and every bale,.
“This new generation of highly efficient and reliable balers will have a powerful impact on productivity, sustainability and Australian farmers’ bottom line,” Erin said.
The new generation balers are available to order from local John Deere dealerships now, with delivery expected in early 2026.
Featuring 3 x PTO driven rotors designed to integrate different fodder products together and give you a more even and consistent feeding. There versatile design is ideally suited for both feed pads and in field conditions. Performance and durability is built into every machine with our all steel construction, 13mm Titan series floor chains, high capacity 1200mm wide cross conveyors and heavy duty chassis. With sizes from 12m3 to 28m3 and a host of options to choose from, there’s a McIntosh Beater wagon to suit your individual needs.
John Deere reveals its next generation of round balers. Photos: Stefan Longin
The balers offer user-friendly features including an optional built-in bale weighing system.
G5e touchscreen provides intuitive operation, and baler automation allows for hands-free unloading, enhancing overall ease of use.
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