AUGUST, 2021 ISSUE 130
GIPPSLAND REGION
FINDING FOCUS
Jared and Alex Moon, a father-son team based in Yanakie, gained plenty of insights by being part of the Focus Farm project. Page 11
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DAIRY
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2021
2 // GIPPSLAND REGION
Here’s your chance to make a difference
Chair’s message
NINE YEARS ago, I became a farmer director
of GippsDairy. I always had an appreciation for how properly targeted research and extension benefited our dairy industry and knew that the Dairy Levy gave our industry strength. A desire to maximise the Dairy Levy investment to the farm gate was why I nominated. The dairy industry research, development and extension structures and, in particular, Dairy Australia’s eight Regional Development Programs, have always been the envy of other agricultural commodities. GippsDairy co-ordinates and delivers regionally relevant research, development, extension and education services to the dairy industry across the Gippsland region of Victoria. It also provides consultation with farm businesses, agri-business and regional extension and research priorities.
The GippsDairy board is composed of six dairy farmers and three specialist directors. The term for each director is three years with a maximum of three-by-three-year terms. An independent panel chaired by the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria’s president or their representative interviews candidates and recommends their successful applicant. My term is complete and as such I will not be renominating. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving on the GippsDairy board, which has allowed me to meet so many passionate and inspiring people right across Australia that are also endeavouring to build a stronger and more profitable industry. There will be vacancies for farmer and specialist directors that will need to be filled at the annual general meeting held in October. If
you are considering nominating, there are many benefits. You will have the opportunity to influence the future direction of research, development and extension in Gippsland. You will also gain an excellent understanding of the dairy industry structures and continue to build on your own governance skills. Nominations are being called for now with the interviews conducted early in September. You’re eligible to apply if you’re a dairy farmer or a specialist in your area and can commit to up to 12 days a year. If you’re interested in finding out more or receiving an application form, email Sallie at sallie@gippsdairy.com.au or call 03 5624 3900.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2021
GIPPSLAND REGION // 3
Shared aspirations BY JEANETTE SEVERS
ON THE cusp of the irrigation season resuming,
Hans and Kerrin van Wees are looking at another good season, following the one just completed. Irrigation in the Macalister Irrigation District, where they farm, begins on August 15 and Glenmaggie Weir — where they get a significant portion of their irrigation water from — is full and overflowing. They rely on pasture to drive milk production and harvest their home-grown silage. “Last season we put about 600 tonne DM of silage into a couple of above-ground pits,” Mr van Wees said. He uses a mix of pasture silage, lucerne green chop and oats, grown on the support country, to feed cows, heifers and calves. The lucerne is grown on 35 ha of support country without irrigation, and in an average year is usually drilled with oats and barley to use it as a forage crop for young stock and dry cows. “We then cut it for silage in October, with a second cut of silage or hay depending on how the season goes,” Mr van Wees said. “It gives us a very reliable energy supplement that we can make cheaply. The contractors do a pretty good job and we’ve found it provides a good return on investment.”
The herd produced 395,000 kg MS last season. Hans van Wees dried the cows off three weeks early because of animal welfare concerns after significant flooding on his farm in the Macalister Irrigation District.
Continued page 4
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2021
4 // GIPPSLAND REGION Continued from page 3
The couple is in a 40:60 share farming arrangement with Jakob and Jean Malmo, at Tinamba in Gippsland. The van Weeses milk 850 cows off a 200 ha milking platform, plus 200 ha supporting country. They also own an out-block where they raise steers and cows for trading. The 40:60 share farming arrangement began in 2008. The herd is owned by Jakob Malmo, and Mr van Wees provides the labour and machinery components. “Kerrin and I pay for 40 per cent of the shed power, all of any bought-in feed and the nitrogen component of the fertiliser. A contractor spreads the fertiliser and Jakob pays for that,” Mr van Wees said. “We pay for 40 per cent of the hay and silage making, which is done by a contractor. “All fencing, grading and pasture undersowing — by direct drill — is paid for by Jakob.” Fertiliser is applied, based on seasonal conditions, once a month using urea or another nitrogen-based fertiliser. Usually, 30 to 40 per cent of pasture is undersown, with rye-grass or a rye-grass and clover mix. The van Weeses cover the labour costs of milk harvesting, calf rearing, joining and feeding out silage. The three-way cross herd — Friesian x Jersey x Swedish Red — was dried off early because of flooding in the MID in early June. The normal drying off period is five weeks, but the early start extended it to eight weeks. “We dried off early and estimate it cost us $75,000 in lost production, but it was better to look after animal welfare and staff welfare,” Mr van Wees said. “Production up to when we dried the cows off, was 395,000 kg milk solids.” Mr van Wees calves down 900 heifers and cows from July 31 each year, and this Year 230 heifers will come into the herd. “All cows are joined by AI, and all empty cows are sold in milk. Late calvers are also sold before they calve down,” he said. “We don’t carry anything extra through.”
The labour component for the farm is very important. There is the equivalent of 3.5 people rostered on to every milking in the 50-unit rotary dairy. “It’s easier to retain staff if people don’t have to milk too many cows,” Mr van Wees said.
Irrigation upgrades welcomed Supporting the farm enterprise is a significant irrigation component, with 330 ha of the farm irrigated through a combination of pipe and risers, recycle dams and channels. “The irrigation licence, including groundwater and diversion licences, gives us about 1400– 1500 Ml,” Mr van Wees said. “Kerrin and I pay for 40 per cent of any extra (temporary) water bought in over and above the normal allocations. We’ve had to do that in drought to keep production up.” In recent years, irrigation has become easier as a result of improvements and upgrades that have automated the system managed by Southern Rural Water. “The efficiencies on the farm are to the magnitude of 30–40 per cent water savings and water use,” Mr van Wees said. “We also save up to 50 per cent in time spent irrigating. That’s where it’s so much more efficient. “We now have 100 per cent water delivery on farm, on time, and that consistency is where we’re really getting maximum production gains — because there’s no problem with water supply. “I can also be more flexible about when and where I irrigate now. I can choose the individual paddocks I want to irrigate, rather than be reliant on flood irrigation.” They can also irrigate off-season using four recycle dams that pump into the pipeline and from there to the pipes and risers. “We’ve made it so 85 per cent of the milking platform can be irrigated in the off-season,” Mr van Wees said. “The recycle dams also enable us to add in extra irrigations during the season.”
AI is used to join the three-way-cross herd of Friesian-Jersey-Swedish Red cows.
The herd was dried off early because of flooding in early June. The normal drying off period is five weeks, but the early start extended it to eight weeks.
As a sharefarmer in a 40:60 arrangement, Hans van Wees provides the labour unit and machinery components.
Fertiliser is applied, based on seasonal conditions, once a month using urea or another nitrogen-based fertiliser.
G SOUTH
LAND S P IP
Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th September 2021 • 10am - 3pm www.dairyexpo.org.au
Reid Stockfeeds
Come and visit the Dairy Expo’s Platinum Sponsor and have a chat with their experienced team of professionals.
Gippsland Dairy Expo South
Gumboot Gift
120 metre Foot Race Wearing Gumboots
Male & Female Sections Thursday 9th September at 1pm
$4,000 PRIZE POOL PROUDLY SPONSORED BY: • Lardner Cattle Scales • Korumburra Plumbers & Pumps • Jefferis Livestock Transport Pty Ltd • Argent & Walker • Walker Electrical Contracting • Countrywide Clothing • Levey Engineering • Action Pumps & Irrigation • Farm Depot • Ag-Crete Industries
• Lectaire Auto Electrics & Air Conditioning • Nacas Truck N’Ag • Devin Hance - Agricultural Engineering • Carringtons Loch • Spencer’s HBB • JJ’s Waste & Recyling • Nutrien Ag Solutions – South Gippsland Livestock • Fisher’s Timber & Hardware
Korumburra Showgrounds
Cnr South Gippsland Highway & Charles Streets, Korumburra
Matt Harms ONFARM CONSULTING Wednesday 8th September at 11am
Is your farm of FORMULA ONE standard?
(passion x knowledge) + (motivation x attitude) = Great Employee “We know the formula to what makes a great employee, but come along to learn the formula that makes you that an employer of choice. Let these young people share their ideas on what makes a great employer and what they seek from a career in the dairy industry. How do you make y you and your farm business stand out from the crowd?” Michelle Axford Axford, dairy farmer, Korumburra South, Emily Pendlebury Pendlebury, dairy farmer trainee, Glen Alvie Andrew Perry, dairy farmer, Kongwak, Rhys Farrelly, farm worker, Loch, Lachlan Harms, farm manager, Leongatha North, Heath Cameron, Flinders Christian College.
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
The Udder Truth! S H O W B AG
South G ipps land Shire Counc i l
WIN $5,000 CASH!
Collect a showbag at the gate for your chance to win $5,000 cash! THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING EXHIBITORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE: • GippsDairy • Farm Mapping Services • Jantec Systems • Tafe Gippsland • Boehringer Ingelheim • Nutrien Harcourts
PLATINUM SPONSOR
• Easy Dairy Automation Systems • Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland • Pioneer Seeds • Reid Stockfeeds
• Victorian Hoofcare Services • Lely Center Gippsland • GEA Farm Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd. • MaxCare • Elders Insurance
• HiTech • ProDairy • Ridley • Zoetis • Livestock Australia
Nathan Burke
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Everyone
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Achieving your goals and relying on other people to deliver
need to do is attend the So Gippsland Da uth iry Expo
11 am Thursday 9th September PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING To book phone 0418 500 520 or email dairyexpo@jaydee.net.au
FUN WITH FARM ANIMALS Plenty of fun to keep the kids entertained
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
SILVER SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
South G ipps land Shire Counc i l
M I L K
South Gippsland Dairy Expo
H A U L A G E
A project of the Lions Club of Strzelecki Deanne Kennedy Project Secretary Address: PO Box 18, LOCH VIC 3945 Mobile: 0419 878 055 Email: dairyexpo@jaydee.net.au Website: www.dairyexpo.org.au
• The bank with the heart of a farmer • Proud supporters of Gippsland’s thriving dairy industry
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• Premium milk replacer supplier using Australian ingredients • One-stop calf rearing shop and support service
• Australia’s largest dairy processor • High quality dairy products for domestic & international markets
• Your Gippsland Regional Development Program providing extension services • Visit our website at www.gippsdairy.com.au for more information
• Suppliers of quality crushed rock, aggregates, sand, soil and road gravel • Civil and general earthworks • Servicing all areas • www.rosschapmancartage.com.au
• Woolpack is an alternative to polystyrene that does not harm the earth • Sustainable insulated packaging made from sheep’s waste wool
• Partner with the local dairy company COMMITTED to Gippsland • Milk payment systems tailored to suit your farm’s production
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LAND S P IP
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Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th September 2021 • 10am - 3pm www.dairyexpo.org.au
Korumburra Showgrounds
Cnr South Gippsland Highway & Charles Streets, Korumburra
and Dairy Ex l s p p i G h t po Sou
120m Foot Race Wearing Gumboots
o o t b G m i ft u G
Male & Female Sections - Thursday 9th September at 1pm PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:
• Lardner Cattle Scales • Korumburra Plumbers & Pumps • Jefferis Livestock Transport Pty Ltd • Argent & Walker • Walker Electrical Contracting • Countrywide Clothing
• Spencer’s HBB • JJ’s Waste & Recyling • Nutrien Ag Solutions – South Gippsland Livestock • Fisher’s Timber & Hardware • Action Pumps & Irrigation
• Levey Engineering • Lectaire Auto Electrics & Air Conditioning • Farm Depot • Ag-Crete Industries • Nacas Truck N’Ag • Devin Hance Agricultural Engineering • Carringtons Loch
$4,000 PRIZE POOL WHAT IS THE GUMBOOT GIFT? • The gumboot gift is a 120-metre foot race wearing gumboots that will be held on Thursday 9th September 2021 at 1 pm • The prize pool is $4,000 - Male & Female Categories • There is no entry fee, participants will just need to turn up with an ‘I can win’ attitude.
RULES OF ENTRY Participants must: • Arrive at the checkpoint in front of the amenities complex to receive their race number at 12.30 pm sharp • Provide and wear standard knee length gumboots with no modifications • Provide their age upon registration; handicaps will apply • Complete the race registration form prior to racing either online or at the racing checkpoint on the day. Registrations forms can be found at www. dairyexpo.org.au • Be over 18 years of age to enter the race.
The Udder Truth! S H O W B AG
WIN $5,000 CASH!
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING EXHIBITORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE: • GippsDairy • Farm Mapping Services • Jantec Systems • Tafe Gippsland • Boehringer Ingelheim • Nutrien Harcourts • Easy Dairy Automation Systems
• Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland • Pioneer Seeds • Reid Stockfeeds • Victorian Hoofcare Services • Lely Center Gippsland • GEA Farm Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd.
• MaxCare • Elders Insurance • HiTech • ProDairy • Ridley • Zoetis • Livestock Australia
Collect a showbag at the gate for your chance to win $5,000 cash! WHAT IS THE UDDER TRUTH SHOW BAG? • The Udder Truth Show Bag is a competition where one lucky farmer can become significantly richer • The prize is $5,000 • There is no entry fee, participants will just need to turn up and collect a show bag at the gate.
RULES OF ENTRY
• Answer 17 out of the 20 questions and request your card to be stamped to go in the draw for a $5,000 cash prize • Place completed cards in the designated ‘entry box’ which can be found at any of the Dairy Expo gates • The first card drawn with 17 correct answers and stamps from corresponding companies will win the $5,000 cash prize • Participants must be farmers and over 18 years of age to enter • The winner of the $5,000 cash prize will be drawn at 2.30 pm on Thursday 9th September 2021 • Registration information will be used for ‘competition purposes only’ and will be destroyed after the draw • You do not need to be present at the Dairy Expo to win the prize money!
Saving lives through skin checks and skin care awareness
FREE SKIN CANCER SCREENING The Lions Club of Strzelecki in a joint project with The Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation Inc.
Trained volunteer dermoscopists (skin screeners) will conduct FREE Skin Cancer Checks at the South Gippsland Dairy Expo To book a free skin check appointment:
LAND PS IP
SOUTH
G
Phone 0418 500 520 or Email dairyexpo@jaydee.net.au
Wednesday 8th & Thursday 9th September 2021 • 10am-3pm www.dairyexpo.org.au
Korumburra Showgrounds Cnr Sth Gippsland Hwy & Charles Sts, Korumburra
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2021
GIPPSLAND REGION // 9
Demand rising for sexed semen TOTAL LIVESTOCK Genetics’ new sales man-
ager Darren Fletcher is predicting a big shift to sexed semen and more beef sires in dairy enterprises. Mr Fletcher says that within the next few years, more than 50 per cent of semen sales are likely to be sexed. “It could even go further than that if we follow the trends in Scandinavia, especially with the Jersey breed where 70 to 80 per cent of farmers are using sexed semen,” he said. “It’s already a hot market and going to get hotter.” Mr Fletcher said farmers were wanting to move away from bobby calves. “The main driver behind sexed semen is that you can get out of the bobby calf market. You get heifers earlier and can then incorporate dairy beef to add more value to your business.” While conventional semen will continue to play a role in Australian genetics, Mr Fletcher said more farmers were seeing the benefits of investing in sexed semen. “The price difference will mean some farmers will always use conventional semen, but sexed is definitely a good investment. You’re 90 per cent guaranteed a heifer calf.” Mr Fletcher said health traits were also a strong focus for farmers.
“For a long time, the focus was on production but the last five years the AI industry has been big on fertility, health traits and longevity.” Mr Fletcher comes to the TLG role with a strong background in dairy farming, breeding and genetics. The former dairy farm owner has most recently worked as breeding advisor account manager for Viking Genetics. “I was a typical dairy farmer’s kid who left school and went out in the world to work for a few years,” he said. It took a “city girl” to lure him back to dairy farming. “I met my wife Nicole, who was a city girl but she wanted to try dairy farming,” he said. “At the time we owned a motel in Yarram but she had a friend who was a dairy farmer and they taught her to milk. “She said ‘let’s sell the motel and go dairy farming’ — and the rest is history.” They started managing a farm and progressed to share farming before buying their own property at Bena in Gippsland. As TLG sales manager based at Leongatha, Mr Fletcher will mostly be responsible for semen sales but also genomic testing and assisting clients with their embryo transfer requirements. “I want to make sure we supply a good range of bulls to suit all types of dairy farming,” he said. Mr Fletcher said breeding was his passion.
Darren Fletcher says that within the next few years, more than 50 per cent of semen sales are likely to be sexed.
“Being a dairy farmer, you tend to have a part of the business that interests you; some are grass, some are machinery, some are breeding. I loved the breeding; watching the heifers come through from calves and seeing them
raised and joined and then standing in the dairy in front of you.” TLG was recently purchased by Genetics Australia but continues to operate as a standalone business.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2021
10 // GIPPSLAND REGION
Production boost expected in Gippsland GIPPSLAND DAIRY farmers who
responded to the Situation and Outlook survey are significantly more positive about the industry’s future, and 85 per cent are positive about their own business. Levels of optimism have returned to similar points reached in 2011 and 2014. Farm gate prices and favourable seasons are key drivers of this increase, plus notably lower concerns with input costs during the past few years. Last financial year, profitability was significantly more widespread than in 2018–19 (87 per cent, up from 66 per cent). In 2020–21, the vast majority (89 per cent) expect to make an operating profit. This has helped to support more farmers investing in their business and higher levels of on-farm capital investment. In the next six months, climate and farm gate prices are the most commonly expected challenges and issues with labour accessibility are expected to be more common than in previous years. About 10 per cent changed their milk factory and about 15 per cent intend to change their processor. The proportion of Gippsland farmers who are intending to increase their milk production is higher than the national
average, yet a smaller number intend to increase their herd size.
GARDINER GRANTS HELPING COMMUNITIES A towable spray unit to maintain Loch Memorial Reserve and seating at Neerim Recreation Reserve are among 30 projects from across Victoria’s three main dairy regions funded through the Gardiner Dairy Foundation Community Grants Program. Now in its 19th year, the program is delivered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). The grants of up to $5000 help not-forprofit organisations in small Victorian Dairy communities deliver projects to benefit local people. Projects funded across Gippsland included: ■ Fish Creek — to grow access to literacy activities for students at Fish Creek District Primary school by funding the development of the “Kids Own Reading Pavilion”; ■
Intentions of Gippsland dairy farmers from the Situation and Outlook report.
Hill End — to grow awareness of local history in the dairy industry for Hill End and surrounding districts by developing a book of local memoires and transcripts for publication;
■
Loch — to support volunteers to maintain the Loch Memorial Reserve by funding the purchase of a towable sprayer unit;
■
Maffra — to maintain community facilities through providing a ride-on mower for the local RV park to benefit the local tourism economy and support community activity;
■
Foster — to improve access to support facilities and programs for local youth by
extending the “Youth Pop Up” activities at Manna Gum Community House. ■
Mirboo North — to support volunteers in cataloguing and collecting community history for future generations to come, and support visitors by providing funding to purchase technology equipment.
■
Neerim — to improve community access to seating at Neerim Recreation Reserve by installing a grandstand;
■
Nyora — to grow volunteer vitality and organisational capacity by upgrading the freezer at Nyora Cricket Club;
■
Wonthaggi — to improve the State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts’ ability to support the community by delivering an art-therapybased well-being program.
■
Toora — to improve access to technology to develop digital literacy and learning opportunities that will enhance education outcomes for the primary school’s students.
■
Poowong — to improve access to sun-smart play equipment for the children and families of Poowong Kindergarten by replacing worn shade sails at the centre.
■
Wonthaggi — Wonthaggi Citizens Band will help children to experience selfexpression through music by providing 10 weeks of brass band lessons, additional band rehearsals and an end-of-term concert for the children of Wonthaggi and surrounds.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2021
GIPPSLAND REGION // 11
Put the spotlight on your farm business GIPPSDAIRY OFFERS a variety of support
services to farmers, but none are quite like the Focus Farms. The two-year project has been running in Gippsland for more than 20 years and includes monthly support group meetings and three open days. It’s designed for farm businesses that are looking to grow, planning the transition of farm/ business ownership, want to develop their business skills and capability, make timely farm operational decisions, and are interested in farm decision making in a collaborative group learning environment. Jared and Alex Moon, a father-son team based in Yanakie, recently finished participating in the Focus Farm project as Focus Farmers. At the time they owned a farm and leased another. The family has been on the home farm for more than 60 years and is one of only two soldier settlement families left in the area. The project didn’t only highlight how important it was to be flexible in your business, but also how important it was to continue building on the foundations of your business. “We all know we should calculate our results and see how our cows are tracking. But you get lazy, and you’ve got your rules of thumb so you just do that. And one of the things the Focus Farm did for us was make us actually do it,” Jared said. “You do things for that long, it just becomes habit. We actually review our budget now, whereas we just put it aside once it was done in the past.”
The application process includes filling out a written application and then doing an interview with a panel. Alex and Jared found the process petty straightforward. “There’d never been a Focus Farm in Yanakie, and we were in the process of doing succession planning, making it a great time to sign up,” Alex said. Jared has been on discussion groups since 2009 and was happy to open up his farm to others. When they started as the Focus Farm, their plan was to buy the farm they were leasing while also running their home farm. “We assumed the lease farm would be similar to run, but it was completely different. So being Focus Farmers and having other people’s input through the support group made a huge difference,” he said. In the end the Moon family didn’t buy the lease farm, instead they consolidated back to the home farm. “You gotta be flexible with what you do. We didn’t have to do what we started out to do. It wasn’t set in stone. If it doesn’t work, change it,” Alex said. The Moon family didn’t hesitate to be completely transparent about their operations and welcomed the feedback they received. “We went into the Focus Farm with the idea that we put everything on the table because it’s pointless for people to be giving their suggestions if they don’t have all of the information,” Jared said.
Jared and Alex Moon say they have greatly benefited from being involved in the Focus Farm project.
The Moon family was open to suggestions and combined with a great support group they were able to make improvements to their farm. “We had a good group, and we had realistic input. We made the majority of the improvements they suggested,” Jared said. “We did a farm walk one day and someone said we would need to get the grass off for silage. And before they’d actually left we had the tractor out.” Another improvement to come out of the Focus Farm was a new dairy at their home farm. It meant they had to milk nearly 600 cows at their lease farm for almost six months. The 214 ha farm was made up of two small farms and half of another farm and is designed to milk 250 cows. “We had a dairy that was 48 years old, that was still somewhat efficient,” Alex said. “I know when my father built it, he sat back and did what everyone else did and changed from a walkthrough to a herringbone. But the exits were the real issue.” They are now able to milk their cows more efficiently, milking 300 cows in less time than it used to take them to milk 200 cows. “From when the last cow comes off, to when you put the first cow on the next round on, it’s about 45 seconds,” Alex said. The new dairy has been a direct result of getting input and suggestions from other people. “If we hadn’t participated in the Focus Farm project, we wouldn’t have built the new dairy. I suppose the Focus Farm project also pointed
us in the direction of doing what we’ve done to the home farm, like looking at the laneways,” Alex said. The Moons might not have ended up buying their lease farm, but they gained valuable experience along the way. “I’d know what to look for now before leasing another farm. I’d look at the watering of cattle capability of the farm. The laneways at the lease farm were very rocky. We spent a lot of money on them and they were still bad. We had a lot of feet problems,” Jared said. The other big takeaway for the Moons was to use the free advice available to farmers like feed companies, nutritionists, fertiliser companies, field services and GippsDairy. “Now we actually have the feed reps come out and have a look at our cows,” Alex said. “It makes a huge difference. “I didn’t think I’d actually learn anything but I learned heaps. There’s more benefits than there are drawbacks to participating in a Focus Farm.” The Focus Farm project has been beneficial to their business, and they would do it again if given the choice. “If anyone’s thinking of doing it and they’re sceptical, just do it,” Jared said. For more information and to register y o u r i n te r e s t , p l e a s e c o n t a c t D o n n a Gibson, GippsDairy on 0447 277 288 or donna@gippsdairy.com.au
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2021
12 // GIPPSLAND REGION
Dairy expo time again STRZELECKI LIONS Club will be hosting South Gippsland Dairy Expo in Korumburra on Wednesday, September 8 and Thursday, September 9. For more than 20 years the expo has been providing the local dairying community with an event that showcases the latest in innovation, products and services available to the dairy industry. Highlights include the chance to win $5000 in the Udder Truth show bag competition, sponsored by South East Organic Fertiliser. The rules are simple: collect a show bag at the gate, answer 17 out of the 20 questions and request your card to be stamped by the corresponding exhibitor. The first card drawn with 17 correct answers, with the exhibitor stamps, will win the $5000. Participants must be farmers and over 18 years of age, with the announcement about the lucky winner to take place at 2.30 pm on the Thursday. Participating companies include Boehringer Ingelheim, Zoetis, Elders Insurance, Ridley, Jantec Systems, Victorian Hoofcare Services, GippsDairy, Farm Mapping Services, Pioneer Brand Products, Easy Dairy Automation Systems, Reid Stockfeeds, Lely Center Gippsland, TAFE Gippsland, HiTech, Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland, Nutrien Harcourts, ProDairy, GEA Farm Technologies Australia Pty Ltd, MaxCare and Livestock Australia.
The funds raised from the dairy expo have helped Strzelecki Lions Club to distribute more than $600,000 back into the community during the past 22 years and the club acknowledges Platinum Sponsor Reid Stockfeeds, which has supported the expo since its inception. The club also thanked gold sponsors SRH Milk Haulage, Easy Dairy Automation System, Ross Chapman Cartage & Earthmoving Contractors, GippsDairy, Burra Foods, Rabobank, ProviCo Rural, Ridley, Farm Mapping Services, Woolpack by Planet Protection Packaging, Evans Petroleum, Nutrien Harcourts, Saputo Dairy Australia, GEA Farm Technologies Australia Pty Ltd and Metalform Ag.
What else is on? Matt Harms, from OnFarm, is hosting a session called ‘Is your farm of FORMULA ONE standard?’ Matt is back by popular demand on the Wednesday at 11 am. Panel members include: dairy farmer Michelle Axford, dairy farmer trainee Emily Pendlebury, dairy farmer Andrew Perry, farm worker Rhys Farrelly and farm manager Lachlan Harms. Sponsor: South Gippsland Shire Council. Free skin check. The free skin cancer screening bus is a joint project between Lions Club of Strzelecki and the Lions V Districts Cancer Foundation Inc. Book in for a free skin check by phoning 0418 500 520 or emailing dairyexpo@jaydee.net.au
The South Gippsland Dairy Expo is on at Korumburra on September 8 and 9.
Keynote presentation. On Thursday at 11 am, Nathan Burke, former champion footballer with St Kilda Football Club and current coach of the AFL Women’s Western Bulldogs team, will share his experiences regarding “Achieving your goals and relying on other people to deliver.” Sponsors: Reid Stockfeeds and National Australia Bank. Farm animals for the kids. Get up close, pat, feed and hold a fantastic team of calm and well looked after animals. Sponsor: Poowong Dairy & Hardware. The Gumboot Gift. On the Wednesday at 1 pm, the prestigious 120 m gumboot footrace will take place. There are male and female sections with a prize pool of $4000. Sponsors: Countrywide Clothing, Jefferis Livestock
Transport Pty Ltd, Farm Depot Warragul, Argent and Walker Trading Pty Ltd, Korumburra Plumbers & Pumps, Walker Electrical, Lardner Cattle Scales, Levey Engineering, Ag-Crete Industries, Nacas Truck N’Ag, J.J’s Waste & Recycling, Spencers HBB, Nutrien Ag Solutions — South Gippsland Livestock, Devin Hance — Agricultural Engineering, Carringtons Loch, Action Pumps & Irrigation, Lectaire Auto Electrics & Air Conditioning and Fisher’s Timber & Hardware. Opening hours are 10 am to 3.30 pm each day. Entry cost is $15, with free entry for children aged under 16 years. Exhibitors or patrons with any questions can contact Deanne Kennedy on 0419 878 055 or email dairyexpo@jaydee.net.au