Bega Cobram Cohuna Colac Corryong Dumbalk
Eskdale Finley Foster Heywood Howlong Katunga
Kiewa Koroit Korumburra
Leongatha Maffra Numurkah
Orbost Rochester Simpson
Swan Hill Timboon Wangaratta
Warragul Wonthaggi Yarram
Chair’s message
New season of change
BY RACHAEL NAPIER
Murray region-specific research.
join this
I CAN’T believe it’s autumn already! It’s also still very hot and dry as I write this (down here anyway).
The 2025 maize crops seem to be coming off without any bother from the elements; just the usual challenges of covering stacks in between windy patches.
While I’m sure it’s funny to watch, when the wind gets under that plastic it tends to cause a bit of panic. We used a 2-in-1 roll this year. It certainly saved having to roll out the clear film and then the plastic, but there’s still an art to it.
I think the easiest way to cover your stack is to pay someone else to do it!
The mannequins I talked about at maize sowing time were repurposed to keep the cockatoos off the almond hulls and wrapped lucerne silage bales.
Once again, they’re doing a good job. But we had a visit from about 40 Queensland and northern NSW dairy farmers in March courtesy of eastAUSmilk looking at ways they can improve their farming systems (as well as the silage contractors) — and the laughs are continuing.
This report is also a chance to share with you that Murray Dairy and Dairy Australia have evolved the way they work together in the Murray region.
Going forward, Murray Dairy will continue to champion the dairy industry in the region, service local needs and issues and engage in
Dairy Australia Murray will lead the delivery of Dairy Australia services in the region with all the familiar faces you know so well.
Navigating this change has been both exciting and intensive.
On the back of the eastAUSmilk, my mind drifted back to some of the farm tours I have been lucky to join.
It’s refreshing to spend a few days off-farm with other farmers, looking at other farms and networking. Remember how important it is to take a break, even for a few days, to recharge your batteries, re-inspire yourself, and give you some focus.
In the region, the Young Dairy Network is still going gangbusters, encompassing all young dairy people — staff, next generation farmers and some service providers.
If you have a young person on your farm, please encourage them to attend the next YDN function close to you. Give Phoebe Dillon, in the Dairy Australia Murray team a call on 0438 638 676 and chat to her about ways to get your young people along.
They’ve got a Soil and Pasture workshop happening mid-April in the Campaspe region, for example.
Murray Dairy has a great research project under way with support from Gardiner Foundation, helping dairy farmers navigate CaLD workforce opportunities.
If you would like to be involved in this project, please give Shane Byrne a call on 0402 971 593.It is in the early stages, so there is time to
Upcoming Dairy Australia Murray Events: Supporting Your Dairy Business
Bec Wyper has got a bit on with Feeding Pastures for Profit and Nutrition Fundamentals workshops in the north-east region.
The Nutrition Fundamentals one has always piqued my interest. It’s a great course to get mixer drivers to understand some of the ‘Why’ behind the ‘How’ of what we ask them to do as feed operators.
It’s also a good general workshop for understanding how to manage what feed you have and how the cow’s rumen functions. Give Bec in the Dairy Australia Murray team a call on 0493 060 095.
Hats off to the Proud to be a Dairy Farmer program and its participants this year, another cohort of young go-getters networking and learning more about the dairy world outside the farm gate.
Late March saw the Gardiner Foundation New Zealand study tour participants head off to the South Island. Another example of developing our next generation.
Both opportunities saw young farmers from right across Australia coming together to network and learn. As a parent, I also see a huge benefit in all the things available to our next generation because finishing school and landing on the farm can be quite isolating.
Hope your summer crops gave you what you need for winter. Winter cereals should be close to in the ground now, and hopefully a decent autumn break.
–Rachael Napier is the Murray Dairy chair.
At Dairy Australia, our team is committed to shaping a profitable and sustainable dairy industry by providing research, development, extension, and education services that support your farm business. Over the coming months, we are delivering a series of valuable programs to help Murray region dairy farmers enhance their skills, knowledge, and business resilience.
May Events
Employment Basics EXPRESS – National Online Program
This three-week express program is designed to improve your skills and confidence as an employer while connecting you with other dairy farmers. Delivered online for your convenience, it covers key areas such as payroll compliance, leave obligations, workplace health and safety, and employment termination procedures.
June Events
Feeding Pastures for Profit (FPFP)
A practical four-day program (Feb–Sept) that helps farmers develop confidence in pasture management, grazing decisions, and supplement feeding strategies. Includes one classroom day and three interactive on-farm days.
Milking with Mastitis Management Workshops
Previously known as Cups On, Cups Off, this two-day course is delivered by a trained Countdown expert, covering best practices in milk harvesting, mastitis prevention, hygiene, and plant washing. Ideal for farm owners and employees who milk cows.
Our Farm, Our Plan
This program helps dairy farmers clarify long-term goals, prioritise actions, and manage uncertainty and risk. Gain structure around where your business is heading and what steps to take to achieve success.
Join Us
To RSVP for these events and more in your local region, visit the Dairy Australia Murray events page at https://bit.ly/4hFYVZq or contact your local Dairy Australia Murray team member.
Invest in your farm’s future—learn, connect, and grow with Dairy Australia Murray!
Jessica family still strong
BY RICK BAYNE
WHEN YOU have a cow family that has produced multiple national champions and is famous around the world, you want to make sure it continues.
Elmar Holsteins’ Jessica family fits that bill, and TLG’s IVF services are helping to extend the genetic gain for the most famous cow, Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 11, now aged 14-and-ahalf years old.
Elmar Holsteins is a family-owned stud, established in the 1920s and based at Leitchville in northern Victoria and run today by Steve and Deanne Hore and their son Brady.
The Jessicas have been bred and developed over the past 35 years and the success of TLG’s IVF services is giving the family new impetus.
The first 10 IVF calves are on the ground and at least 30 more are on the way.
Deanne is impressed with the results.
“Our first IVF calves were born around August-September and they’ve been nice, big, strong calves,” she said.
“They have done really well in our system and we’re more than happy.”
Elmar Holsteins has been naturally increasing numbers over the decades, more recently accelerating from 450 in 2019 when a barn was installed to 600 today.
“Some of that comes from the benefits of using sexed semen in a controlled environment with the barn,” Deanne said.
“We get really good conception rates, so natural increases happen pretty easily.”
Steve is the third generation at Elmar, Brady the fourth and the original 48 hectare home farm has grown to about 740ha over two sites, with Deanne’s former family farm added to the mix for fodder production.
The stud was started by Steve’s grandparents Elsie and Martin (whose names led to Elmar).
In 2019, the family changed the way they farm by building a 150m x 45m shed to house the milking Holstein herd, giving them shelter, fans and a sprinkle of water when needed.
Animal welfare was at the heart of the move, but avoiding production loss due to extreme conditions was another factor.
The results were stunning.
“The first four to six months offered ‘wow factor’ improvements in herd health and the flow-on effects of production increases because the controlled environment stopped our normal losses due to summer heat,” Deanne said. That success brought forward plans for a
second barn.
The following year they built a second barn which houses herd health, dry cows, calving cows and has room for heifers when joining.
The heifers are joined on natural heats wearing responders.
“We’ve eliminated reproductive programs and just use our collars,” Steve said.
“We’ve seen amazing gains with all the data and the health benefits of having cloud-based on-tap information, and it saves using artificial means such as fixed-time AI, as we try to have a more natural environment.”
They previously calved in spring and autumn, but over the past three years, have transitioned to every-day calving.
“It takes some years to transition fully through your system because you still want your milking herd re-joined in the right time frames, but we got there,” Steve said.
They have introduced a refined TMR system and improved programs and protocols to have a quality product all-year round for their Coles fresh milk contract.
“We have always supplied a liquid milk company,” Deanne said.
“I like supplying milk that people are
consuming in our country. I think that’s important, and it’s been able to work in with our system.”
Elmar Holsteins used embryo transfers for 35 years, but it was time to move to the next level.
“We’ve been very fortunate that our Jessica cow families have bought us a lot of success, so we decided to send cows to TLG,” Deanne said.
“They had expired their embryo work on-farm and we needed to take the next step and use IVF to try to continue using those genetics.
“We felt there were benefits in using newer sires over those genetics because those cows had really made an impact for us.”
Over the past 18 months, TLG has managed the animals and the IVF side, while the Hores have managed the recipient side on the farm.
“TLG has managed our donors, and when the IVF embryos are produced, we drive there in the morning, bring them back and put them in our recipient program,” Deanne said.
“That’s the only artificial program we do. We’ve used a range of sires from what was available and what we thought would best fit.
Instead of the semen being delivered to us,
it’s delivered to Total, but then we have the recipients on site so we can manage them, which is an important cog in the business, because calving and milking is still a priority in our system.
“We try not to treat them any differently. If we’re rearing a calf, we’re rearing a calf as if it’s elite genetics or from the bottom tier.
“It doesn’t matter, all we want is a really healthy calf.”
The family looks for dairy functionality.
“Our cows live in a controlled environment, so dairy strength is important,” Deanne said.
“They’re not under a lot of physical stress with no demands to walk long distances, so they can carry weight, and therefore, we don’t need a big, heavy-boned animal.”
The changes have worked.
Fertility is up and production has increased more than 25 per cent since bringing the herd into housed conditions.
“We’ve got a really good genetic base, so when we feed them well, they do well and we get the rewards,” Steve said.
They will continue using IVF.
“Jessica is 14 and it was time to bring her home; she’s done her job,” Deanne said.
Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 11 in 2018.
Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 11 showing off her Champion Best Udder at International Dairy Week in 2015.
Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 11 with her Elmar Holsteins family, led by Steve and Deanne Hore, in 2014.
NEW SALEYARD OPERATOR TAKES OVER IN SHEPPARTON
The Shepparton Regional Saleyards has a new name and a new manager as the RLX company took the reins in March.
The facility will be known as the Goulburn Valley Livestock Exchange, reflecting its role as a regional facility, business manager Ty Stanton said.
RLX has been awarded a 10-year lease by Greater Shepparton City Council, with a further four, five-year options.
In the short term, RLX will be sprucing up the facility and ensuring safety standards are implemented.
“There is still some work to get things up to where we want to be,” Mr Stanton said.
Mr Stanton, who is from the Rutherglen district and runs his own Charolais stud, said signage would soon be going up around the site, including a large new sign at the northern end on New Dookie Rd.
There are no plans to change the sale days, with most of the processes that
buyers and vendors are accustomed to remaining the same — cattle on Tuesdays, sheep and lambs on Friday.
Special dairy sales are also a regular on the saleyards calendar.
The business employs three full-time people, with more on sale days, and a sub-contracted droving team can boost the numbers to 10 or 12 on a big day.
Mr Stanton said the business intended to reach into the community and sponsor community activities, as the company does in other areas.
He also has an interest in education and hopes that students studying agriculture can visit the site to learn another aspect of livestock management.
RLX has a network of livestock selling facilities, handling about one million cattle and three million sheep annually.
RLX is owned by Palisade Investment Partners, a global infrastructure and asset manager headquartered in New York.
Practical gains of research
THE C4MILK Project is a three-year collaboration involving Dairy Australia, Dairy Australia Murray, the Gardiner Foundation and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, which began in the second half of 2023.
The project has research activities in inland south-east Queensland and northern Victoria, with a broad aim to improve farm profitability through increasing milk yield and maintaining feed-related costs.
Farms in both regions are increasingly reliant on conserved forage for feeding cows and reducing exposure to climate variability, so growing combinations of crops with consistent yields and high quality that are cost-effective to grow and feed is important for driving productivity.
Currently, more investigation is needed into the longer-term effects of forage crop species, crop sequence and time on the productivity and sustainability of existing forage crop production systems.
The research activity in northern Victoria is exploring the impact of crop-on-crop effects in intensive fodder production systems — offering farmers in the region and beyond vital insights into more sustainable and profitable forage cropping practices.
By deeply understanding soil health, nutrient cycling and optimal crop sequencing, the project provides data-driven strategies to enhance farm resilience and efficiency.
At the heart of Victoria’s C4Milk activity is Dairy Australia team member and Murray region’s research and innovation coordinator, Yvette Williams.
Yvette has always been driven by a deep curiosity about the intricate details of dairy farming — a passion that began in her early research days and continues to fuel her work today.
With a PhD from the University of Melbourne focusing on dairy cow nutrition in the Kyabram region, Yvette has spent decades delving into the biology of cows and their digestion processes.
As a respected professional on the value of C4Milk, she is committed to ensuring the research remains scientifically robust and practically relevant for dairy farmers in Victoria, and across the country.
“We’ve been fortunate to secure research sites in the Murray region, which allows us to guide the direction of the research,” Yvette said.
“We coordinate the sites, ensure reporting requirements are met, and make sure the science is solid. We’ve designed the experiments well, and they’re progressing as planned.”
C4Milk is just one example of Dairy Australia’s broader investment in research and innovation.
With the loss of major research institutions in northern Victoria, Dairy Australia is stepping up by collaborating with organisations like the Birchip Cropping Group and the Irrigation Farmers Network.
These partnerships facilitate field experiments to test break crop strategies, enhancing crop yield and quality in intensive fodder systems.
One of the key objectives of C4Milk is understanding the cumulative effects of crop rotations over multiple years. Yvette likens this
long-term approach to a marathon rather than a sprint.
“It’s about seeing the full picture. A single-year snapshot doesn’t tell us enough,” she said.
“Long-term research helps us understand the true agronomic and economic impacts of intensive cropping systems.”
By integrating data across multiple seasons and different environmental conditions, C4Milk ensures that its findings reflect realworld variability, making the recommendations more robust and applicable to different farming contexts.
Combining scientific findings with practical experience, C4Milk is already offering farmers actionable strategies to improve productivity and resilience.
Whether it’s refining crop rotations to
improve soil health or optimising fodder systems to boost milk production, the research is providing critical insights that farmers can implement now and in the future.
The science of C4Milk is continuing to grow momentum.
The first winter season crops were planted and harvested in 2024, and current summer crops are nearing completion at the irrigated site.
This winter will see the last of the rotation strategy treatments applied with a range of different crop types planted at both sites.
“We aim to finish off with several sequential seasons of cereal-based crops to see what residual effects the break crops may have,” Yvette said.
The project is currently due to end in June 2026.
As more data is obtained, Yvette’s focus will shift to addressing the tangible implications and advancements for dairy systems across the Murray region.
By collaborating with leading experts and leveraging the latest research, she is helping to shape a future where dairy farming is not only more productive — but also more adaptable in the face of challenges like climate variability and resource constraints.
“The more we can understand and adapt, the better equipped we’ll be to support our farmers and the industry as a whole,” Yvette said.
Australia’s dairy industry thrives on continuous innovation, and Dairy Australia plays a pivotal role in collaborative research that delivers tangible benefits for farmers.
Through key investments and partnerships, Dairy Australia ensures that research translates into practical solutions, driving productivity, profitability and sustainability on farms across the country.
With a firm commitment to evidence-based progress, Dairy Australia fosters industry-wide collaboration to address key challenges and opportunities, ensuring the Australian dairy sector remains globally competitive.
To find out more about Dairy Australia’s services, including how it is supporting industry through herd and feed innovation initiatives, visit https://www.dairyaustralia. com.au/whatwedo or contact your regional office.
– This article has been written by Dairy Australia Murray in collaboration with the Gardiner Foundation
Goulburn Valley Livestock Exchange business manager Ty Stanton.
Murray Dairy’s Yvette Williams and Bec Wyper.
Managing BEF in dairy herds
BOVINE EPHEMERAL eever (BEF), commonly referred to as three-day sickness, has been recently confirmed in cattle herds across Australia through laboratory diagnostics.
As an arthropod-borne viral disease, BEF is primarily transmitted by mosquito vectors and is expected to spread throughout the southern regions of the country, persisting until cooler temperatures and frost reduce vector activity.
Clinical manifestations
Dairy producers should conduct routine health assessments to identify early signs of BEF, which include:
Lethargy and generalised malaise.
Ptyalism (excessive drooling) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
Lameness and pronounced joint stiffness.
Pyrexia (elevated body temperature) and myalgia, leading to anorexia, social withdrawal, and a tendency to seek shade and water sources.
Additionally, BEF has been associated with reproductive consequences, including spontaneous abortion in pregnant cows and transient sub-fertility in bulls, which may persist for up to six months post-infection.
Disease management
The severity of clinical symptoms is often correlated with body mass, with younger and lighter cattle experiencing a milder course of disease (one to three days).
In contrast, mature cows and bulls may require intensive supportive care.
Veterinary intervention is recommended for cases in which cattle remain recumbent for extended periods.
The administration of anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents, under veterinary guidance, can significantly improve clinical outcomes.
Recommended supportive interventions: Ensure access to adequate shade, potable water and high-quality roughage.
Implement assisted recumbency management by repositioning non-ambulatory cattle at least twice daily to mitigate secondary complications.
Position recumbent cattle with their heads elevated above the abdominal plane to reduce the risk of fatal aspiration pneumonia and ruminal dysfunction.
Producers should also refrain from transporting recently recovered animals to processing facilities for several weeks to allow for complete muscle recovery and prevent potential carcase downgrades.
Furthermore, adherence to medication withdrawal periods is critical to ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
For further information on BEF management, dairy producers can access resources from Dairy Australia at: https://bit.ly/3Fy9Uqe Dairy Australia Murray offers specialised workshops on herd health and disease management for regional dairy producers.
To register for upcoming training sessions, visit https://bit.ly/3wYZWY0or consult your local Dairy Australia representative for tailored guidance.
– From Dairy Australia Murray.
You know the positive impact quality nutrition has on milk production. Supreme mixers have your back, with proven mixing and consistent nutrient delivery you can count on every time you head out to feed.
Dairy producers should conduct routine health assessments to identify early signs of BEF.
Dead stock service suspended
BY GEOFF ADAMS
A STANHOPE knackery has ceased collection of dead stock, leaving just one service provider in northern Victoria.
Auld’s Stock Removalists ceased collecting dead stock from farms on Monday, March 17.
The business will continue to take live animals to be euthanased from the Goulburn Valley.
Business manager Loc Rivett said the company had been in discussions with Victorian authorities about how to manage dead stock collection and as a result had to cease collections.
He did not close the door to resuming the service at some time in the future.
The VFF expressed disappointment with the cessation of the service.
VFF Livestock Group president Scott Young said the VFF was working with Agriculture Victoria to understand the reasoning behind the halt and what options there are to reinstate the service.
“It’s an absolutely vital service for local farmers and it’s critical we get a solution as soon as possible,” Mr Young said.
There is another service available to farmers, based at Shepparton’s Daldy Rd knackery, called the Goulburn Valley Stock Removers.
Owner Peter Loffell said his business provided the service across the immediate Shepparton region including Tatura, Kyabram and Katandra.
Mr Rivett was disappointed with criticism that had been levelled at his Stanhope business as a result of the cessation of the service.
“We’re a private business; we don’t get any government subsidy for the service,” he said.
“Some of the people critical of the decision have not bothered to contact us.”
He said the business worked in a sensitive biosecurity area and there were compliance costs.
The VFF said it was working with the Victorian Government to sort the issue out.
Mr Young said while the service remains halted, it’s important farmers are aware of their responsibilities and the options that are available for the collection and disposal of dead livestock.
“It goes without saying that the health and welfare of our animals is always our top priority,” he said.
“I would urge farmers to follow best practice advice for deceased stock disposal while a solution is worked on.
“Animal welfare and biosecurity is incredibly important to farmers and the industry and that must stay top of mind at times like this.
“Certain processors and facilities that take deceased livestock will only collect them under certain conditions and farmers are encouraged to have a plan to dispose of dead livestock and to know the facilities in their area that are available.
“There are resources and help available to guide farmers through Agriculture Victoria via their website or by calling 136 186,” Mr Young said.
On-farm burial
When planning for on-farm burial, Agriculture
Victoria says there are many factors that must be considered.
These include the environment, statutory controls, logistics and safety.
To reduce any impact on the environment, a burial site should be located:
At least 200m from any groundwater supply (stock and domestic bore).
At least 2m above the watertable level (measured from the bottom of the pit).
At least 200m from any surface water (creek, river, lake or spring), excluding dams that are not seeping into groundwater or flowing off-site.
Away from surface water drainage features, low points or areas at risk of erosion.
On clay soil of low permeability and good stability.
Away from underground and above-ground
EASTAUSMILK ROCKS FINLEY AND BLIGHTY
Thirty-six dairy farmers descended on Finley and Blighty recently to visit “some very impressive dairy farms”.
eastAUSmilk CEO Eric Danzi said the farmers from Queensland and NSW visited eight different dairy farms, mostly around Finley and Blighty plus one over the border south of Echuca.
The 29 Queensland farmers were funded under the Dairy Farmers Technology Uptake Program through Queensland DPI’s ‘Bush Boost Fund’.
The seven NSW farmers, from northern NSW and the south coast, were funded by eastAUSmilk.
“The farm systems varied immensely, including pasture, hybrid and a range of TMR systems including free stalls, dry lots and compost barns,” Mr Danzi said.
“The eight farms varied from a small 200-cow herd, four farms were milking just over 1000 cows, one was
milking around 2000 cows and one over 3000 cows.”
There was a lot of technology to see including full robotic milking platforms, rotary dairies, various cow monitoring technologies and robotic sprayers.
“We also heard from several speakers at our dinners in Blighty and Finley,” Mr Danzi said.
“We heard from representatives from Garlock about their impressive products including greases, sprays and additives for both fuel and oil.
“Rob Miller from Milton in NSW spoke about his cheap fit-for-purpose feedpad and approach to investing in land and minimising expenditure on depreciating assets.
“Ron McCalman and Tom Kindred from Murray Irrigation Ltd spoke about the local irrigation scheme and their proactive approach to helping farmers best utilise irrigation and Murray Irrigation to
build their business.
“We also had a panel session of hosting dairy farms on the last night.”
Mr Danzi said the tour was a very worthwhile exercise, which the visiting farmers greatly appreciated.
“It was great to see so many young people attend and a special thanks to the Daley girls and Clewley kids for attending in force and taking in so much on one of their first dairy trips,” he said.
“One of the farms we visited said that this was the most positive and inquisitive group that had ever visited their farm.”
Mr Danzi said the trip was successful in connecting dairy farmers across the two states of different ages and experiences, where they were able to share thoughts and learnings to bring new ideas back onto their own farms.
The trip will be followed up with an online Zoom session to encourage ongoing discussions and further learning.
infrastructure (such as powerlines, telephone and fibre optic lines, gas lines, waterpipes or sewerage).
Above the one-in-100-year flood level.
At least 200m from another burial area.
On elevated land but with a slope of less than five per cent (preferably less than two per cent).
Away from conservation areas and areas of cultural sensitivity.
At least 200m from the boundary of neighbouring privately owned land.
At least 300m from any sensitive use (such as a neighbouring house).
Out of view of the public (by either being far away from public areas or by screening).
For further information about disposing of dead stock, go to the Agriculture Victoria website.
Murray Irrigation CEO Ron McCalman spoke to a group of visiting NSW and Queensland farmers.
The VFF says dead stock removal from farms is “an absolutely vital service”. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
IDW set the scene for sale
BY JEANETTE SEVERS
INTERNATIONAL DAIRY Week 2025 was used as an opportunity for vendors to show their cattle for sale in the recent Brood Cows and Banners sale.
The January 29 sale of cows and heifers was on-farm at Eastview Holsteins, Congupna, with invited vendors Elm Banks Holsteins and Tomargo Holsteins, along with single lots with Calivil Park, Winwood, Parrabel and Ashen Plains prefixes.
“These cattle represent some of the best cow families in Australia and internationally,” Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said.
“This is one of the greatest offerings of Holstein cows and heifers in a long time.”
There were 50 Holsteins and one Jersey for sale.
The highest price paid was for lot 27A, Elm Banks Moovin Roxette-Red, VG85, born July 2022, calved 13/10/24, and AI’d 17/1/25 to Alpha-RC.
Elm Banks Moovin Roxette-Red was Intermediate Best Udder, first Best Udder and honourable mention Intermediate Champion Red and White, second two-year-old cow, at IDW 2025; and fourth in the Junior two-yearold Holstein Show, IDW 2025.
She sold for $16,500 to J. Cawcutt, of Ripplebrook, Victoria.
Stephen and Leanne Coombs, Kalulla Park Holsteins, Tamworth, NSW, were among the bulk buyers and bought two of the top-priced cattle, lots 3 and 8, both put into the sale by Chris and Mary Gleeson.
Lot 3, Elm Banks America Alanna, sold at $11,000. On her second lactation, she calved in October and has since been AI’d with sexed semen to Hoa-P.
Lot 8, Elm Banks Movie Lulu, sold at $8500. On her first lactation, she calved in July and was AI’d with sexed semen from Duckett Pazzle Hijack.
Lot 1, Elm Banks Warrior Okabargo-Red, sold at $12,000 to Scott and Pip Robinson, Eastview Holsteins. Lot 1 was first Summer Yearling in Youth Show and second Summer Yearling Holstein Show at IDW. This two-year-old
heifer is due to calve in late March to sexed semen from Hastoric-Red.
Lot 2, Calivil Park Awesome Nugget-Red, put into the sale by Dennis and Sue Culton,
sold at $8000. This six-year-old cow was AI’d in December to Alex-Red-P (sexed), and won the Victorian On Farm Challenge 2024 fiveyear-old cow category. She was purchased by
Gorbro Holsteins takes the top sellers
BY DJEMBE ARCHIBALD
HOLSTEINS COW sold to a high of $11,500 in an autumn sale at the Goulburn Valley Livestock Exchange on Friday, March 21.
The top seller was Mitchmantle Latenite Shimmer, bought by Gorbro Holsteins in Cohuna.
“She’s a very good heifer,” Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brain Leslie said.
“They (Gorbro Holsteins) actually bred the mother of her so they know the cow family, and they’ve obviously bought the heifer back into the program for the breeding and the quality of her.”
They also walked away with the second-highest seller, Mitchmantle Mirand Indiana, which sold for $8800.
"She was an outstanding red and white cow and I would predict a really big future for her in the show, and she was backed by a really strong pedigree,“ Mr Leslie said.
The third-highest sale of the day was Lindon Latenite Bonnie-Red-Po, from Tyler Gordon of Undera, who sold to Jamber Farms in Jamberoo, NSW, for $7250.
“She was a 12-month-old heifer and is a strong potential heifer,” Mr Leslie said.
The sale average for the day was $3600. Buyers stretched from Tamworth, NSW, down to the Western District and into the Gippsland area, as well as a few locally.
“The cows were all high-quality and all presented well,” Mr Leslie said.
the principals of Shannon Pastoral at Katunga.
Lot 4, Elm Banks Jagger Gilly, was bought for $9000 by the principals of Woodlawn Pastoral of Finley, NSW. On her first lactation, this young cow calved in November and was AI’d to sexed Jerry Lewis on December 30. She was second two-year-old at the Victorian Winter Fair 2024.
Lot 17, Eastview Jagger Bonnie, just over three years old, generated a lot of interest. She was AI’d in May to Alex-Red, and sold one month short of calving, at $8500. This young cow was purchased by Mark and Megan Meyland, of Ashen Plains Holsteins, Waaia, and Profit-A-Bull Genetics, Tatura.
Lot 23, Tomargo Recluse Phar Tilly, was sold at $8500 to Georgia, Lincoln and Jade Sieben, of Brindabella Holsteins, Torumbarry. This young cow was AI’d in July to sexed semen from Havadream, and was awarded third place in the three-year-old cow class at IDW. Lot 33, Elm Banks Move Berry-Red sold to Kaenta Trust for $8500. She calved in October and was AI’d in December to Heritage-P (sexed).
Lot 44, Elm Banks Side Crystal, a rising two-year-old heifer, was awarded second place Summer Yearling in the All Breeds Youth Show and fourth in the Summer Yearling Holstein Show, at IDW. Due in May to sexed semen from Tentastic, this heifer was sold at $5500.
Lot 46, Elm Banks Haniko Misty, on her second lactation, and AI’d in December to sexed semen from Hendrix, sold at $10,400. She was purchased by D and D Chesworth, Tomargo Holsteins, at Cobram East.
Lot 51, Elm Banks Advancer Tiffany-Red, a heifer, was first Winter Yearling Red and White show. This heifer was AI’d in October to Hastoric-Red (sexed) and sold at $7500. The average for the whole offering was $5900. The average for Elm Banks was $6090. The average for Tomargo Holsteins was $6170.
Dairy cattle from a Kyabram stud brought prices up to $18,000 at a Dairy Livestock Services auction at the Goulburn Valley Livestock Exchange on March 13.
The dispersal sale of Karl and Kristy Cash’s Junnash Holsteins attracted buyers from Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Cows averaged $3630, while joined and unjoined heifers down to three-dayold calves averaged $1290.
The top price lot was a five-year-old, Junnash Altitude O’Kalibra-Red, classified VG 88, which sold for $18,000 to Andrew Crawford of Numbaa, NSW. The second-highest lot was $14,000 for Cherrylock Apple Crumble-Red, classified VG 86 and sold back to her breeders B. & J. Gavenlock of Tallygaroopna. Other noted sales included six-yearold Trefern Lauthority Blessinrae, EX, selling for $10,000 to Glomar Holsteins of Sale; and two-year-old Johnstone Park Moovin WB Chalou, VG, which sold at $10,000 to Paul Schubert of Muswellbrook, NSW.
Seven-year-old Bluechip Diamond D Daisy-ET sold for $10,000 and Andes Mayfield Julie VG85 sold for $7000. Auctioneer Brian Leslie was impressed with the strong demand for the top lots.
Lot 27A sold for the top price of $16,500 at the Brood Cows and Banners sale.
Lot 23 was bought by Brindabella Holsteins, for $8500.
Mitchmantle Mirand Indiana sold for $8800.
Mitchmantle Unstopabull Indiana, Lot 12, sold for $5400.
The sale ring for the Mitchmantle Holsteins auction.
Sharp rise in farm injuries
THE LATEST AgHealth Australia data has revealed a concerning increase in on-farm fatalities and serious injuries in 2024, which saw 72 deaths and 133 serious injuries reported.
AgHealth Australia’s farm safety research manager Kerri-Lynn Peachy said the latest statistics were troubling and a stark reminder for the need to prioritise farm safety.
“There is still a lot we don’t know around the circumstances of each of these tragic incidents, but with figures for deaths and injuries more than doubling the 2023 numbers, we must heed the warning,” Ms Peachy said.
“While we actually expect some fluctuations in the figures annually, 72 is a lot higher than the last five-year average of 53 farm deaths.
“Quads and side by sides were the leading agents causing fatal injury in 2024, so I urge people to ensure they’re taking all the safety precautions available to them when operating these common farm vehicles.
“It’s clear from the data we must urgently improve our actions and attitudes, working in collaboration across the agriculture sector, to drive improvements in farm safety, which in turn will increase productivity.
“Even one death on-farm is too many and we all have a role to play in bolstering farm safety as the sector aims for zero on-farm fatalities.”
AgriFutures Australia rural futures senior manager Ulicia Raufers said the data, which is collected from a number of resources including media reports, is crucial to help the industry take swift action to address emerging safety concerns.
“We cannot afford to let this worrying upward trend of on-farm deaths and serious injuries continue,” Ms Raufers said.
“It is on each and every person living, working or visiting a farm to take farm safety seriously and turn these figures around.”
As part of the upcoming Ag Safety Data Net (ASDN) dashboard, real-time injury data will be available to highlight the number of incidents and their contributing factors.
This information can help inform and engage farmers, farm workers and industry stakeholders to emphasise collective responsibility for farm safety.
The new ASDN platform will for the first time report at industry, regional, state and national levels.
Farmsafe Australia chair Felicity Richards emphasised the importance of data and evidence in shaping educational resources and engagement initiatives.
“2024 has been a shockingly tragic year and we need to draw a line in the sand as an industry to ensure the safety of our people,” Ms Richards said.
“By having access to this data and evidence,
through the ASDN, we will be better equipped to shape our educational resources and engagement initiatives in ways that directly address the challenges our farmers are currently facing.
“We know that every statistic we review is more than just a number — every stat carries a personal story and represents a human life, a family and a community affected by the risks of agricultural work.
“Our challenge is to transform those numbers into real-life safety awareness messages that resonate deeply and motivate our people to change their attitudes and behaviours towards safer practices, ensuring that we all return home safely every day.”
AgHealth Australia has been leading research into deaths and injuries on-farm since 2004, providing the most comprehensive evidence on which to build prevention approaches to
enhance the safety and wellbeing of people in Australian agriculture.
Breaking down the 2024 statistics
Side by sides were involved in 14 deaths, up from four in 2023.
Quad bikes were involved in 10 deaths, up from five in 2023.
Tractors were involved in eight deaths, up from five in 2023.
Queensland saw the largest spike in serious injuries, going from 11 to 61.
More than 75 per cent of injuries reported on-farm occurred in Queensland and NSW.
The annual report, prepared by AgHealth Australia and funded by AgriFutures Australia, is available at: https://agrifutures.com.au/ product/non-intentional-farm-related-incidents-in-australia-january-2025
TECHNOLOGY MAY REDUCE DEATHS FROM QUAD BIKES
An 82-year-old man was killed when a quad bike rolled down a levee bank on a remote NSW property.
The next day, a teenage girl and a woman in her 70s were flown to hospital after two separate quad bike crashes on farms in northern NSW.
The same week, a coroner called for tougher safety laws after the 2023 death of a 14-year-old girl who died when she lost control of a quad bike on a property in Tasmania.
Days after those warnings, a young girl was flown to hospital after falling off a quad bike and getting crushed under its wheels on a farm in Queensland.
A fortnight later, an 83-year-old man died after a quad bike crash in Lilydale, Tasmania.
Soon after, a teenage boy suffered head, arm and pelvis injuries in a crash on a Queensland farm and a woman was flown to hospital after an accident in Western Australia.
Each of those incidents made headlines in just 27 days in October last year.
In late November, there were two fatal accidents within 24 hours in NSW — a man was killed on a farm in the state’s southeast when the quad bike he was riding rolled over, and a farm manager drowned on a farm located between Orange and Dubbo, when the side-by-side vehicle he was driving rolled into a creek.
Quad bike accidents are a leading cause of fatalities and injuries on farms,
New technology may help reduce the number of injuries and deaths on quad bikes.
with 210 deaths since 2011, including a spike in 2024, according to Safe Work Australia data.
Since 2001, there have been more than 57 deaths in NSW from quad bike incidents. A further 21 people have died on side-byside vehicles.
Concerns about the vehicles, which are known to tip or roll at speed or on difficult terrain, have prompted many corporate farms to introduce technology to monitor riders and change their behaviour.
Specialised GPS devices, developed in a partnership between technology companies iTRAK and Digital Matter, are being used on about 150 properties in Australia and New Zealand.
The gadgets give farm managers data on their workers’ riding speed and allow them to map out slow speed areas and no-go zones.
A recent analysis by the companies has shown the average farm has gone from 187 unsafe riding incidents per month to fewer than 10.
Knowledge and data is crucial on busy farms, where vehicle user manuals may go unread, iTRAK managing director Stewart McConachy said.
“You can throw a book at a farmer, but nine times out of 10 it makes a great paper weight,” Mr McConachy said.
“What you’ve got to do is ... change the behavioural habits of people.”
Aurora Dairies was an early adopter of the technology, winning a WorkSafe Victoria award in 2021.
The company was moved to act after three non-fatal accidents in one year.
“It’s pretty clear speed and terrain are the leading cause of incidents, so this technology was able to reduce those risks,” Aurora’s chief executive Ben James said at the time.
Since late 2021, consumer laws have dictated that all quad bikes be fitted with a device that prevents crush injuries by holding the vehicle off the ground in the event of a roll over.
National safety guidelines say children under 16 should not ride adult-sized quad bikes, though it is not a legal requirement in all jurisdictions.
Mr McConachy said many corporate farms are moving away from quad bikes due to the dangers.
But GPS technology can be used on all vehicles to improve safety, he said.
“Farmers need to be forced to make change, they need to be led to the trough.” – with AAP.
Quad bikes and side by sides were the leading cause of fatal injuries on-farm in 2024.