Dairy News Australia West Vic Region February 2023

AS FARMERS, the beginning of a new year and with it, the throes of a new season, often brings a sense of optimism.

I sincerely hope that this year, some personal and professional goals can be achieved by all after a disappointing, wet and challenging end to 2022.

My thoughts are with those who also experienced hail and severe storm damage in pockets of the region in late December.

Let’s also hope 2023 is more climatically favourable, allowing the dairy industry to build on a suite of opportunities.

Currently, on-farm the challenges of dealing with poor quality forage harvested this past season and a lack of fodder is impacting milk production and making diet design a priority.

In a year of strong milk prices, it is important that all feed options are considered. During this period, I encourage you to monitor feed

and update cash flow budgets to reflect the situation at hand.

For assistance in this area, the staff in Murray Dairy are offering a program connecting farmers to skilled consultants for tailored discussions around topics including agronomy, veterinary and nutrition.

Taking Stock is a free program offering ongoing 1:1 support and can be accessed by emailing Murray Dairy regional extension officer Russell Holman on RussellH@murraydairy.com.au

Murray Dairy has also mailed out an interactive Summer Magazine containing post-flood recovery information, animal/feed factsheets, key contacts, and support, financial and wellbeing resources.

In late 2022, the Murray Dairy board, staff and members of the wider dairy community gathered to farewell outgoing board treasurer Andrew Mann and director Tom Acocks.

Both Andy and Tom have made significant

MUSTERING WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS

Murray Dairy’s annual flagship event, the Murray Muster, is set to return in 2023 — this time in Shepparton.

Held across one exciting day and evening, on Wednesday, May 31, the Murray Muster 2023 will have participants thinking outside the box about ways to attract, manage and retain a strong workforce on their farm and in the wider dairy industry.

As Murray Dairy’s premier event, the Murray Muster is an opportunity for members of the local dairy community, across southern NSW and northern Victoria, to converge upon one location to network and hear about the latest industry information from skilled professionals.

This year’s event will have a particular focus around the theme of ‘people’ and will explore challenges faced by the dairy industry around sourcing and maintaining employees on-farm.

Participants will hear from local and national guest speakers on effective leadership and workplace methods to cultivate a successful work environment.

Early bird farmer registrations have opened. Register online via the events webpage at murraydairy.com.au and go into the draw to win one of three $50 vouchers.

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contributions during their tenures, dedicating themselves to their role.

Looking ahead to a new year Chair’s message

On behalf of the board, I would like to thank them for their commitment, passion and contribution towards developing positive outcomes for dairy farmers in the Murray Dairy region and I wish them every success in their future endeavours.

I am excited to announce agribusiness professional Claire Baumber has been appointed as a specialist skill director in a 12-month co-opted position, as well as taking on the treasurer role.

The board welcomes Claire who brings with her a lifelong passion for the industry, having grown up on her family’s dairy farm at Dhurringile. Read more about Claire on page three.

Take care.

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Andrew Tyler Murray Dairy chair

This year’s Murray Muster will be held in Shepparton on May 31.

Fresh skills to boost board

WITH A strong passion for dairy and a keen interest to contribute to the industry, National Australia Bank agribusiness manager Claire Baumber is a well-placed appointment to the Murray Dairy Board.

Specialising in agricultural finance, Claire was recently endorsed by the board as a specialist skills director and will take on the roles of treasurer and chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.

She replaces outgoing board member Andrew Mann who served an impressive seven-year tenure as a director and treasurer.

Claire said her interest in applying to the board came about from a desire to gain new skills.

“I wanted to join the Murray Dairy Board to further my connection to the industry, find out what’s happening on the ground, meet people in the industry and build upon my knowledge of dairy,” she said.

The long-term Goulburn Valley local is well-versed in the day-to-day operations of a dairy farm.

“My parents were dairy farmers who milked around 160 cows in Dhurringile, near Tatura,” Claire said.

“I grew up on this dairy farm until I moved to Geelong for university at 18 years old.

“Growing up I learned all those fun things, like how to milk cows, feed calves, feed out hay or silage, change water (flood irrigation bays) and other tasks that were required on a family dairy farm.”

Claire credits her early involvement in the industry with fostering an enduring interest in agriculture.

“My passion in the industry comes from my background of growing up on a dairy farm, as well as dealing with my dairy farmer clients through NAB agribusiness.

“Our dairy farmers are amazing and should be rewarded for the hard work they do.

“Although I didn’t take over the family farm, I chose a career in agribusiness, so I still feel I am involved within the dairy industry.

“I’m excited to build that connection and work with the Murray Dairy Board and staff.”

DAIRY CHAMPION STEPS BACK

A strong supporter of agricultural education in northern Victoria, Jenny Reuther recently wound up her involvement with the Goulburn-Campaspe Dairy Farmers Charitable Trust.

In 2011 the Victorian Farmers Federation removed District Councils from its constitution, so the GoulburnCampaspe Dairy Farmers Charitable Trust was created to enable funds raised by United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) members through purchasing bobby calves to be spent in the local area supporting dairy farmers and promoting the dairy industry.

The original trustees were Yvonne Crawford, Tim Leahy, Greg Ault, Jenny Reuther and Peter Costello.

Ms Reuther was the inaugural secretary and has held that position for the past 11 years.

The trust has been able to support a number of projects over the years, including: Picasso Cows and Cows Create Careers in local schools, the drought officer and community car, community champions with Murray Dairy and numerous branch events.

Ms Reuther, a champion of the dairy industry over many years, was named Kyabram and Campaspe Shire Citizen of the Year in 2019.

At the recent annual meeting of the trust, Ms Reuther retired and didn't seek re-election for another two-year term.

The trust members and dairy farmers thanked Ms Reuther for her long commitment to the dairy industry as she has been championing the cause for many years.

The trust is currently looking at options for how it can support flood-affected dairy farmers.

Current trustees of the Goulburn-Campaspe Dairy Farmers Charitable Trust (from left) Craig Emmett, Robert Schloss, Jenny Reuther (retiring), Peter Gibson, Peter Costello and Hamish Crawford.

Claire Baumber is a new Murray Dairy Board member.

Cobram Cohuna Colac

Corryong Dumbalk Eskdale

Finley Foster Heywood

Kiewa Koroit Korumburra

Leongatha Maffra Numurkah

Orbost Rochester Simpson

Swan Hill Wangaratta Warragul

Wonthaggi Yarram

Underpass funding welcomed

AN ADDITIONAL $2 million from the NSW Government to build more cattle underpasses for dairy producers will improve safety on the state’s roads, says NSW Farmers.

The Cattle Underpass Scheme makes grants available to farmers so they can build an underpass beneath a state road to safely move livestock between paddocks without having to stop traffic.

NSW Farmers Dairy Committee chair Colin Thompson said the latest funding expanded the scheme and made sense as it continued the commitment to provide safer road crossing options for dairy farmers, their cattle and motorists.

“Cows typically aren’t the most fleet-footed of animals and while we don’t like holding anyone up while crossing a road, sometimes that’s unavoidable,” Mr Thompson said.

“This announcement means more underpasses, so safer crossings for animals and for our farmers, and it keeps the road users happy as well.

“It’s pleasing news for eligible dairy farmers after a pretty ordinary year in 2022.”

The NSW Government has announced grants for 50 per cent of the cost of an underpass, up to a maximum of $100,000 plus GST (previously $70,000) and for 50 per cent of the cost of signs and flashing lights, up to a maximum of

AGRONOMIST CAN HOLD A TUNE

When International Dairy Week needed a singer for the National Anthem to open the major dairy auction on Wednesday night (January 18), the organisers called on Echuca agronomist Rebecca Hall.

She did a creditable job belting out the anthem without an accompaniment, in front of about 400 people.

Interested producers can find out more and lodge an application at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/

Rebecca spends most of her time in paddocks and on farms, working for Nutrien Ag Solutions but still enjoys singing as a hobby.

She got this gig thanks to dairy connections with farmer Stu Modra who recognised her talent from outbursts of singing with children on the farm.

Scott Lord from Dairy Livestock Services rang her to ask her to sing.

“I wasn’t that nervous leading up to it, but it was different when I was standing so close to the people and the PA was fairly loud,” she said.

Asked if she sings in the paddock, Rebecca said, “only if I want to scare the snakes away”.

Cattle underpasses make roads safer for drivers and producers.

Agronomist Rebecca Hall sings the National Anthem at International Dairy Week, surrounded by livestock agents preparing for the sale.

Volunteers drive dairy week

BY JAY BRYCE

COMBAT MILK FEVER

FROM DAWN to dusk, volunteers were cracking in at the canteens, the entry gates and on rubbish duty to make sure International Dairy Week went off without a hitch in Tatura last month.

Dairy week has always been integral to the town, helping support the largest local industry by getting the community together for a week of agricultural fun, events and competitions.

It is always a major fundraiser for local clubs and organisations that are involved, specifically the Tatura Football Netball Club and Tatura Rotary Club.

Joint co-ordinator of volunteers and former Bulldogs president John Maher said about 200 volunteers were involved.

“They cook breakfast, prepare food, including hot chips and takeaway food,” he said.

“Tatura Football Netball Club isn’t just a football club. We’re a part of and work with the community.

Without Effort

“Many of the volunteers aren’t from the club, or Tatura, it’s everyone from the district.”

Mr Maher said committee meetings between the club and dairy week representatives started as early as October the previous year.

Former Tatura Rotary Club president Tom Perry echoed Mr Maher’s comments about the club’s connection to the community.

w health natural systems to elevate during transition ting grown pasture, hay and silage

“Most important is the community people, and understanding it’s a community club,” Mr Perry said.

with X-Zelit.®

He said the Rotary club mostly looked after the bins and cleaned the cow shed.

“Every morning 10 volunteers from the Rotary club will come in and pick up the bins and put out new ones. There’s about 200 bins all up,” he said.

George Ferguson and Paul Kerrins are both Tatura locals who volunteered at dairy week.

Mr Ferguson said all the volunteers were participating “for the community”.

“It showcases our leading industry and our facilities. We have a history in dairy in Tatura for over 100 years,” Mr Kerrins said. Their work does not go unnoticed.

Event co-ordinator Stacy Leppert said without the volunteers there would be no dairy week.

“They mean everything to us,” she said.

“They know everyone within the community. They know the grounds inside and out. They are so important.”

• X-Zelit allows springers to calve on homegrown feed such as directly grazed pasture, ryegrass silage and pasture hay

• Add it to your existing concentrate feed used in the dairy or tip it into your mixer wagon

• Activates her natural systems to elevate blood calcium during transition

Tom Perry is a past president of Tatura Rotary Club, which is instrumental in keeping the grounds clean.

George Ferguson and Paul Kerrins volunteer for the footy and netball club at dairy week. Event co-ordinator Stacey Leppert.

John Maher is a co-ordinator of volunteers at IDW and former president of Tatura Football Netball Club.

Big brands have new owners

BY GEOFF ADAMS

NEW MACHINERY franchise owners in Echuca have plans for a major new development in Ogilvie Ave.

Family owned company, Growers Services, recently announced it had purchased the Kubota, Krone, Polaris and Hardi franchises in Echuca from Echuca CIH.

Growers Services director Steven Ayling said the company would continue to operate from 35 Ogilvie Ave, but was developing plans for a

new, dedicated dealership.

He said they intended to start work on the new 3.6 hectare site as soon as they had planning approval from Campaspe Shire Council.

Mr Ayling wants to expand the workforce eventually to about 40, and sees a great opportunity to further develop the Kubota market in northern Victoria.

“It’s the number one selling brand for tractors up to 100 horsepower in Australia,” he said.

“Kubota has a great reputation in the smaller

horsepower range but they are now moving into larger machines.”

The new dealership will take Grower Services to seven locations across Victoria, NSW and South Australia.

Darren Stephenson of Echuca CIH Sales and Service said the decision to sell the franchises was a hard one after 34 years in business, including 22 years with Kubota and Krone.

“Our focus over the years has always been on creating a great experience for our loyal customers,” Mr Stephenson said.

$8,000

“I know that Growers Services have this shared focus and that ultimately customers will benefit from a dedicated dealership for Kubota, Krone and Polaris.”

Growers Services now has Kubota branches in Mildura, Renmark, Swan Hill, Ballarat and Echuca, and two specialty branches in Berri and Griffith.

PUMPSETS

PUMPSETS FROM $8,000 +GST

The Ayling family has a history going back 70 years to their first tractor sales business in Barmera in South Australia’s Riverland.

The chief executive officer is fourth generation family member, Luke Ayling.

Grower Services CEO Luke Ayling, Darren Stephenson from Echuca CIH, Grower Services director Steven Ayling and David Jackson at Echuca.

An early picture of a Grower Services dealership at Barmera, in the Riverland of South Australia in the 1940s.

VEWH water up for sale

UP TO 45,000 megalitres of environmental water (temporary trade) will be sold by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder from the Murray and Goulburn systems between January and June.

VEWH co-chief executive officer Beth Ashworth said VEWH was expecting all planned environmental watering for northern Victoria would be achieved in 2022-23 and into 2023-24.

“To date, more than 95 per cent of watering actions planned to be delivered in northern Victoria have been achieved through naturally occurring high flows or deliveries of environmental water before floods started,” Ms Ashworth said.

“Environmental water deliveries from July 2022 in northern Victoria were low in response to wet conditions, and during September to November the majority were paused as above average rainfall continued and floods commenced.

“Our demand and supply assessment confirms the VEWH has sufficient water to deliver priority watering actions for the remainder of 2022-23 and into the following watering year.”

Ms Ashworth said the watering actions could have a role in helping mitigate flood effects and

improve ecological benefits as floodwaters subsided.

“A sale will also reduce the risk that water for the environment being carried over into 2023-24 will be lost to spill.

“The VEWH flagged that it would consider selling water in northern Victoria in our annual water allocation trading strategy released in July 2022.”

She said the VEWH, a public organisation, took care to avoid affecting other water market participants when undertaking commercial water trading.

“We conduct weekly assessments of market activity before releasing water to the market to ensure the VEWH alone does not affect market dynamics and pricing, and the sale of up to 45,000 Ml will be staggered to minimise impacts.”

The water allocation will be progressively made available through selected brokers and online exchanges.

The revenue from the sale of water will be used to improve the outcomes of environmental watering in Victoria, in line with the VEWH’s statutory obligations.

For general information on environmental water trade and sales, visit: www.vewh.vic. gov.au/watering-program/trading

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THE MURRAY MUSTER 2023

Early bird registrations

Get your registrations in where farmers go into the draw to win 1 of 3 $50 vouchers.

Murray Dairy is excited to announce its annual flagship event, The Murray Muster, is set to return in 2023!

Held over one exciting day and evening, on Wednesday 31 May, The Murray Muster 2023 will have you thinking outside the box about ways to attract, manage and retain a strong workforce on your farm and in the wider dairy industry.