JUNE, 2022 ISSUE 140
GIPPSLAND REGION
SOIL HEALTH KEY TO PASTURE Denison’s Jon Ryan and Lauren Clyne have a strong focus on growing pasture — and the soil health that underpins that growth. Pages 4 – 5. EOFY
SALE SALE CAPITAL EQUIPMSAENLE
DALE NEW SCOTTSOPE N STORE NOW sale 1st June – 30th June 2022 BONUS
On
$250
Speedrite Energiser 46000
BCF Gift Card
$ Cydectin Pour-On Pack - 17L Drench BONUS Gun
1299
ea
EOFY SALE
HOT PRICE
$
2399
- 1Tonne
ATV on sale Trailer - 8’x4’
$
383001
850
SAVE $659
on sale
3395
$
each
Bale Up Hayfeeder
each
380425
200108
• Honda GX35 engine • Lightest weight on the market • Includes 4 interchangeable sleeve heads • Comes in a custom carry case. $
1495
ea
LOW PRICE
$
ea
LOW PRICE
$
Stallion Mixer Tanker - 1000L - 60 Teat
NEW
2249
$
• For calves growing out • Holds nearly to weaners wider troughs two bulka bags • Deeper, higher off the ground.
or $55ea
design • Developed assist with theto safety of the customer • 9 feeds 18 headside • Strong & robust design • Rings won't roll away and cause damage when stored.
Norton Cattle Crush Heavy Duty Vet
Feeder
481036
$
on sale
15999 each
• Split gates on both sides for easy access • Infinite lock head bail locks in any position • Full vet section • All galvanised construction, bottom gates fully sheeted • Anti backing system, front and rear control, rear sliding gate.
With Skirt 350081 $899
LOW PRICE
1795 each
• Made in Australia from Australian steel either an end • Start with long • Extra or centre 4m ends sections available or centre • Build your feed pad feeding needs.to suit your
• Made in Australia from Australian steel • Easily transported
Basic 378877 With Skirt 378893
on sale
549
$
$
820851
• For the prevention & treatment of milk fever, grass tetany & allied mineral deficiency.
Norton Big Square Hay Feeder
9455
ea
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LOW PRICE
SAVE 12 $169
481618
each
.indd 2
each
565092
‘2 for offers’
750
$
EOFY
750154
• Includes high level, microencapsulated probiotics to aid immune function.
$
on sale
3495 each
750149
• Increases body weight gain and efficiency • Improves growth performance • Increases dry matter intake of calves post weaning • Supports gut health.
on sale
249 each
750156
$349
$
ea
BULK DEALS APPLY
820850
ea
HOT PRICE
SALE
EVERY
NEW
Cobram Cohuna Colac
Corryong Dumbalk Eskdale
Finley Foster Heywood
Kiewa Koroit Korumburra
2022_12A.indd
Leongatha Maffra Numurkah
1
bag
Powder -
SAVE $40
• Contains ionic salts an & ionophore an
• Reduce risk of milk fever • Improves efficiency. feed
21 95
$
EVERY
GE OF CAL
ea
on sale
$
6995
F MILK REP
349
• Unique Twin-Skin 100% technology • windproof waterproof, and breathable.
each
EVERY
ea
LOW PRICE
LACERS
25kg
from
Virkon S
50g 795003 1kg 795045 $8.95 5kg 795037 $65 10kg 795079$199 $325
$ $
DAY
SAVE $30
Blundstone Safety Boots #992
Size 6 - 13
199
14995
Calfcare Replacer Milk -
20kg Premium 25/20 Value 23/18 564216 564218
• Non-med icated • Ideal for nonintensive rearing systems • calf rearing For every application • Easy mix formula.
• Two hand pockets
Size 3 - 13
BONUS BEANIE
on sale
125
$
pair
8
$ 95 each
- SAVE • Protects against Coronavir$40 per
Sizes 3.5-14
ulated • 40º thermo-ins than • 40% lighter boots rubber & PVC warranty. • 12 month
Classic Mid Ladies - Rosey 23cm]
Sizes 6-12 [Height Bogs Pull On •
- 340L
• Easily transport bulk quantities of whole milk • 1½” lever or milk replacer amount of valve to control the milk dispensed • Twist on lid and contaminaminimises spillages castor swivel tion • Braked wheels for manoeuvrability smooth • Non-corro plastic rim sion wheels on rough terrain. for use
SAVE $804
WATERPROOF
$
on sale
$
14995
on sale
12995
[Height stretch inner d rubber and self-cleaning • Natural hand-laste non-marking, bootie • Non-slip,protection insole • Comfort outsole • Odour or sub-zero conditions. -40˚C rated from
Sizes 7-15
must be two
4/5/22
or more of the
same product.
Patch Floral Sizes 6-12
Removable,
on sale
69
95
each
Everyday Overtrousers
• Elasticated shoulder straps • Right hand side entry • Safety strips around each leg • Full front protection on sale • Large $ internal each chest pocket.
$
ea
USE
on sale
4295 each
Hard Yakka Brushed Fleece Crew Neck Jumper
on sale
3995
Available in various colours.
each
$
on sale
12995 pair
on sale
6995
Ultra Mid Farm Boot
Sizes 7-14 [Height
Boot
footbed contoured EVA free removal.
25cm]
on handles • Easy pull non-marking • Farm grip g sole and self-cleanin farm a great everyday work boot
2 FOR
$
35
or $19.95ea
Bamboo Work Socks - 3pk Size 7 - 12
NEW
• Available in black & blue. on sale
$
Women’s & Men’s King Gee Bamboo Socks
2995 pack
• Assorted colours • Made in Australia.
2 PAIR FOR
se Bamboo AG Warehou - 3pk Work Socks
$
Size 6-10 500857 500858 Size 11-14
11
am 4/5/22 8:51
.indd 11
BlueTag 2022_12A
or while stocks last.
For store locations and opening hours go to agwarehouse.com.au
25
or $14.50pair
TM
8:54 am
Fuel available at these stores.
2995 pack
$
on sale
• kick for hands a. • Built in heel apply Tasmani included in the charges may last. Freight shown are not product. while stocks e stated, accessories same June 2022 or or more of the otherwis must be two 1st June – 30th E ALL STORES. Unless Offers valid . ‘2 for offers’ S AVAILABL GST inclusive NOT ALL PRODUCTin this catalogue are price. All prices
32795 AGW
Premium Quality Shirts FlanneletteSize S-6XL
• Open front /closed front.
$
HOT PRICE
Ladies Ankle
85
side • Right hand strips entry • Safetyleg. around each
pockets.
G 110
WAREHO
pair
High Mens Classic 35cm]
‘2 for offers’
$
pair
pair
on sale
$
$
Available in various colours.
• Easy your Max-Wick keepsslip & feet dry • Non outsole. non-marking
100%
9995
$
ts
Kiewa Gumboo
each
Hard Yakka Brushed Fleece Hoodie
BONUS BEANIE
199
95
• Double stormflap dome over zip with Safety fasteners • strip for better head visibility • Full Heavy protection • large duty zip • Two
warmer
weather protection sherpa face • Lined with • Unique full with fleece. and collar and hood will Comfortable 5XL to 8XL drawstring • wrist cuffs *Sizes a surcharge attract waterproof internal in sleeves.
on sale
Blundstone Safety Boots #172
Everyday Parka
Sealtex Short Vest
each
Parka Sealtex Men’sstorm proof
BONUS BEANIE
$
$
on sale each
on sale
pair
TM
same product.
Wonthaggi Yarram
Stormforce Overtrousers
280ml
$
LOW PRICE
DAY
13
or more of the
On sale 1st June – 30th June 2022 Swan Hill Wangaratta Warragul
on sale
69 95
$ DeltaSEC
795070
• Ultra absorbent bedding conditione r reduces the • Dryer bedding • Pink or black screw-in, or black pull-through bacterial risk styles • Internal collapsing flap-valve holds milk in the teat replicating a cow’s teat • Self-
or more of
4/5/22 8:37 am
Orbost Rochester Simpson
ea
DAY
Everyday Bib Overtrousers
on sale
,
• 100% waterproof windproof and breathable inner lining • Two large waterproof storage pockets.
BLUE TA
EVERY
LOW PRICE
FULL RAN
JFC ATV Milk Kart
each
k
32795 AGW BlueTag
• Medicated ultimate milk replacer • Aids intensive rearing systems • Ideal for automatic feeders • For every calf rearing application • Easy mix formula.
8995
GREAT VALUE Peach Teats - 50pk
• Calves love the taste • Aids treatment of diarrhoea • For a healthy immune system & aids digestion processes • Quick weight gain & wean earlier • BioGro certified input for organics.
label instruction us as each cleaning, and block resistant • Long-lasting s. Offers valid andsame leak-resistant. the 1st product. NOT ALL PRODUCJune – 30th June 2022 or TS price.product. ‘2 for offers’ must be two or more of the same All prices in AVAILABLE ALL STORES while stocks last. Freight this catalog . ue are GST Unless otherwise stated, charges may apply inclusive. ‘2 for offers’ mustaccessories shown Tasmania. be two or more are not included in the 32795 AGW of the same BlueTag 4/5/22 8:53 am product. 2022_12 A.indd 13
must be two
EOFY SAVE $16
waists • Elasticated • Great value for money. • Top quality
each
GREAT VALUE
404814
‘2 for offers’
220
SALE 564339
species.
follow us on faceboo
agwarehouse.com.au TM
ProfeLAC Gold CMR + Bovatec - 20kg
564004
1895
$
DAY
RE FOR THE
• Easy mix • For lambs, kids, crias and other multi
4/5/22 8:39 am
LOW PRICE
ea
LOW PRICE
SEE IN STO
ProfeLAC Shepherd - 16kg
on sale
4250
Double-Cal - 25 x 500ml • Aids in preventing the inception of Milk Fever during the first weeks of lactation • Suitable for cattle & sheep.
$
1995
$
550
$
WAREHOUSE
HOT PRICE
700078
each
• 40 x 40mm duty frame • SHS heavy 50 x 75mm STRICTLY galvanised mesh 32795 AGW BlueTag skirt WHILE 2022_12A.indd 12 • Full height 120mm STOCKS • All galvanised material used. LAST
must be two
$
Actigen Calf Supplement - 1.5kg
BULK DEALS APPLY
Minbal 4 in 1 - 25 x 500ml
on sale
each
LOW PRICE
BlueTag 2022_12A
750155
600225
592418
• Safe to use with calves in the pen • Pleasant citrus smell • Effective on all surfaces • NASAAcertified input for organic production • Biodegradable and residue-free • Successful against a broad range of pathogens • 5yr shelf life. on sale 5L
ProfeSTART® Probiotic Gel - 80ml
SuperCalf - 8.5kg
each
• Fast acting, immune building colostrum food supplement. 4kg 815303 $399 - SAVE $40
• Strong sturdy construction • All galvanised material used • Australian made.
ea
on sale
5895
815300
699
$
799
EVERYD AY
$
Kwik Start - 400g
Newtrough Round Hay Rings
2
32795 AGW
Calf Safe - 1L
on sale
8795
• Improve health and recovery during times of disease, stress, ill-thrift and gastric upset 300ml 565084 $72.95 on sale
$
Bale Up Modular Feeder
380430
ea
HOT PRICE
$
$
OptiGuard - 20kg
Optimilk Pre-Calving Pellets - 20kg
No1. Birth-12 Wks 564110 No2. 12 Wks-12 Mths 564111
• Shape base stops calves bunting the unit over • Weight 12kg • Suited for group feeding in large pens or paddock.
BioBoost Probiotic Paste For Calves - 300g • Multi-strain to promote immunity, recovery and improves digestion. 80g 821031 $37.95
Stormforce Parka
y Range Kaiwaka Everyda • Welded seams
RANGE AVAILABLE IN STORE
on sale
$
BULK DEALS APPLY
Veanavite Calf Pellets - 20kg
852805
821030
• Ideal ute drawn feeder • Tow 821034 • Simply reposition from silo to paddock to a freshcalf health, • Improves • Small and versatile, a popularlocation after each • Strong subframesupporting unit amongst refill and jack strong growth stand • 100% sheep farmers and productivity. $ Australian made.
380440
flow Newtrou@gh11L/min • 30m steel • Pump pressure 1800psi capacity of 140°C 9 Sided • Hotwash with temp Hay lance (dairy cups Bonus short braided HP hose •Feeder protection Basic 350082 for extra etc.) • Water filter• (external) aft pump 1450RPM. New & • Low revving motor/cranksh Improved
99
SAVE $796
ea
4999
• Suited for group feeding • Weight 5kg • Fits wooden rails or steel gates.
SEE IN STORE FOR DETAILS
ea
EOFY SALE
BULK DEALS APPLY
850081
each
315
Bale Up Hayfeeder - Calf
335
Milk Bar 20 Teat Free Standing -120L
LOW PRICE
All feeders fitted with Teats with “Drip Proof Technology”
4395
$
380436
409964
galvanised • Easy to use • Strong feed steel frame • Mix and calves colostrum or milk to • For pen or paddock • Self-cleaning • 2yr warranty
2999
$
on sale
Lavor each LKX1310LP Pack Dairy/Farm Washer
388021
Y EVERYDA
SAVE $610
Paton Wheeled BioCalf LickProbiotic 383012 Calf Calf Starter - Feeder 1kg - 1Tonne
• Made in Australia from Australian steel • Easily transported
2 FOR
- 420cc • Smart circuit • 4 stroke OHV engine function • 2 x built in fuel protection & Eco throttle outlets • Independent auto & USB ports, 3 x 15amp alarm • Spark arrestor tap & low engine oil push button start. decompressor • Electric
Y EVERYDA
• Designed & built to cook your pizzas, roasts or your favourite cut of steak • Added benefit to smoke your meat to absolute perfection.
3599
Y EVERYDA
101203
Global Warmer Junior Oven 101211
$
R8000IE 7.5kw Petrol Generator Digital Inverter
Terragen MYLO • Aids in digestive health of livestock • Increased animal weight gain • Quicker to wean • Liquid product easy to use • For beef, dairy or sheep • No withholding period. on sale 20L AGY00092 $275 200L AGY00097 $2695
383929
Bale Up Hayfeeder - Sheep
ea
260896
Complete 260901 Puppy 569232 Lite 260935 • Made from essential ingredients • Provides all of your dogs daily nutritional needs.
5875
on sale
Milk Bar Open Junior 10 Teat Feeder - 60L
850125
• Manifolds and tank very easy to clean • Fitted with front to rear leveller • Moulded 50L gradient indicators
r Boots
Rubbe • Leather & er Clothing • Wet Weath sories. ng • Acces CHILDREN • Farm Clothi AND LADIES
• Milk Repla cers • Calf Pelle • Electrolyte s • Shed Clean ts & Muesli • Feed ers & Teats ing • Supp lements and more.
each
• Suited for group feeding • Weight 3kg • Pre drilled adjustable aluminium hooks.
850112
Paton 1.5 Tonne Cattle Feeder
$
each
EVERYDAY
2499
$
EVERYD
AY LOW PRICE
Working Dog
now to secu r forward deliv re ery
WORKWEAR
ALL THINGS
S
ITION
199
$ Milk Bar Classic ea 50 Teat Mobile - 500L EVERYDAY
• Made in Australia from Australian steel • Easily transported
SAVE0 $113
Bonnie Varieties - 20kg
Bullmax 4 Stroke Post Driver
$
Milk Bar 6 Teat Straight Line - 36L
on sale
on sale
5650
$
• Dual axle • hitch • Rear and side slide ATV swing each gates and stock crate
T
ALL THING
C ALF & NUTR REARING
on sale
2650
$
CALF FEEDING & CARE CALF FEEDING & CARE
GREAT Lock in your VALUE orde
SAVE $389
each
HOT PRICE
NEW
OUT NOW
Calf Feeder
• Ideal grain/pellet feeder for calves weaners • Two to calves at a time 2400mm troughs for young • Small paddocks 10 – 12 areas • Adjustable feed doors for or penned types • External varying • Low profile frame for extra strength feed prevents twists and bows.
SAVE $149
ea
Assembled in Australia Honda Australia Approved
EOFY CATALOGUE
Paton Lick
383011
EOFY SALE
a Multimin Evolution Platinum and receive Purchase 6 x 500ml On or 1 x 7L Cydectin Offer strictly while stocks last 2 x 17L Cydectin Pour Terms & Conditions apply. $250 BCF Gift Card.
20 PAGE
Lavor PT70SS Diesel Heater
ALL THINGS
G
BLUE TA
• Cattle Crush es & Ramp s • Sheep Yards • Scales, EID & Weighing Equipment… • Hay Feeders and more
or while stocks last
• Radiant diesel heater (21KW, 70000 BTU) • Heating area 2 capacity 200m (approx.) • Thermostat control for maximum efficiency. Trolley available. 350909 $110
• 100-240V • Powers up to 460km of fence • 46J max. output energy.
parasites of internal and external • Broad spectrum control periods and ESI for cattle. • Nil meat & milk withholding and either
BLUE TAG
409871
200006
808084
TM
SAVE $500
EOFY
ALL THINGS
EOFY
TM
32876DN0806
EOFY
BLUE TAG
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2022
2 // GIPPSLAND REGION
Chair’s message
Be authentic about values GIPPSDAIRY RECENTLY hosted the GippsDairy Muster in Denison, at the farm of Jon Ryan and Lauren Clyne. We were blessed with a lovely sunny day, and welcomed about 270 attendees to enjoy a day of innovation, connection and inspiration. Planning for the muster began last year during COVID-19 lockdowns, and it took a brave, passionate and committed team to bring the day to life. On behalf of the GippsDairy board, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to make the day a success — including the organising committee led by GippsDairy director Michelle Axford, the GippsDairy team, Jaydee events, our hosts Jon and Lauren, and our speakers and sponsors. I often think that the best learning starts as you make your way home from the event, when you have time to ponder, and your mind starts to connect the dots. Rumination, you might call it! Into the rumen goes not just the speakers and what they said, but the casual conversations and connections, your situation and lived experience, and usually for me, a wish that I’d taken more notes. Out of my rumination for this column, I ended up with two key words: Authenticity and Values.
Authenticity can perhaps best be described as being real, and not pretending to be something or someone that you’re not. It’s probably what delivered the greatest value to me across the day of the muster; the willingness of our speakers to share the good and the bad, the truth and reality — not just the shiny and superficial. Values, because I believe these are the key to being authentic. Have you thought about your personal values? What about your business ones? Are they up on the wall and do you live them every day? Every person, and every business will have a different set of values. How then do we work together? Why does this matter — shouldn’t we just get on and do the job? It matters, because Nollaig Heffernan told us that we are competing with 88,000 vacant hospitality jobs in Australia. Lack of people isn’t just a dairy problem. Both employees and the self-employed (yes, that’s pretty much all of us) have more choices than ever about what we do for work. I found that the easiest way to figure out my personal values, is to think about what makes me really angry, and also what makes me really motivated. Usually, these things happen because they touch on our deeply held values.
Pick three or four words, write them down, and see how they feel. It will take time, but when you’ve got them worked out, it will help you understand why you react the way you do, and where you find satisfaction in your job and your everyday life. Business values are shared values that form the basis of how we work every day. Certainly in our business, when things go wrong, we can almost always bring it back to one of those values falling down. We discuss our business values and the behaviours that go with them at the job interview stage, and recruit people who identify with our values. Then there’s how we work together. Rachael Robertson gave us a clue at the muster as she shared learnings from her year in Antarctica — respect trumps harmony, every time. Rather than seeking to have a team of people who are the same, and always at peace, we need to respect each other’s differences. When we see this as an opportunity to utilise our different skills, values and motivations to best advantage, a diverse team can achieve great things. Lauren Finger GippsDairy chair
Find and keep the best team IDENTIFYING BEST practices in the
dairy industry was the focus of Dairy Muster at Denison on May 5, where automatic dairy systems, carbon accounting, soil health, nitrogen use, staff recruitment and management, cow collars and genomic testing were on the discussion list. Dairy Muster in Gippsland was hosted on a dairy farm at Denison, part of the Macalister Irrigation District, the largest irrigation district in southern Victoria. The MID covers 54,753 hectares, with 33,500 ha under irrigation, and about 90 per cent of that country is under pasture or fodder crops. Guest speakers alternated with breakout stations where industry and dairy farmers presented topics and discussed their own management practices and adopted innovation. Nollaig Heffernan and Rachael Robertson led discussion about leadership, team management and employee recruitment. Becoming an employer of choice required recognising that dairy competed directly against other industries — and one farm competed against another — for staff recruitment and retention. That included recruiting for specialist skills — agronomy, herd management, calf rearing — as well as generic farm labourers, said Nollaig Heffernan, who brought a background of psychology and change management to her presentation about dairy
farmers being market aware as employers of choice. “You need to identify what you need in your farm business and what is your unique selling point that makes you a good employer,” she said. Nollaig strongly recommended employing a second-in-charge role on dairy farms, then trusting that person to do their job. “Dairy farmers have phenomenal observation skills and can transfer that skill set for managing cows and pasture and weather, to identifying staff and managing employees. “But in agriculture, too often the farmer is head down working hard, and that can blind you to identifying your own and other people’s skill sets. “Your best value investment may be employing or contracting someone to do a job, allowing you to focus on other work.” She said it was also important to have systems and data in place to identify and substantiate acceptable standards of behaviour and employment in the workplace. That included industry standards of animal welfare and milk quality, and other standards of workplace behaviour that encouraged and attracted employees. An induction process that clearly defined roles was key to this; as was allowing employees to fail safely at a task, rather than setting them up to fail. Continued page 3
Nollaig Heffernan discussed the dairy farmer as an employer of choice, competing in a tight market for labour.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2022
GIPPSLAND REGION // 3
From page 2
Nollaig used an example that compared a grunting farmer who expects employees to read his or her mind to one who provides a welcoming and inclusive workplace for employees and service providers and takes the time to explain what needs to be done. “Identify how your employees benefit your farm, and how you want to reward those employees by investing in them rather than thinking of them as a cost to your business,” she said. “A key to this mindset is valuing yourself. Model to your employees how you value yourself and your time and commitment to the farm. That includes taking time off.” Nollaig stressed the importance of investing in people’s skills development — on-farm and off-farm — and showing you appreciate them, so they want to work for you. “Being an employer of choice depends on how you treat employees and how you treat service providers. “You can measure and connect actions and activities to how much difference it makes in your business over time.” Nollaig also recommended having a system that is adaptable to high staff turnover, given Australia’s strong reputation for employing backpackers and other short-term visa holders in agriculture. Antarctic Expedition team leader Rachael Robertson spoke about the importance of regular team meetings and establishing values in the workplace that everyone understood and agreed to.
Antarctic Expedition team leader Rachael Robertson spoke about the importance of respect in a team.
She spoke about how easy it was to make the mistake that everyone in the team will or should be friends. “It’s much better to have respect for each other’s roles and responsibilities in the team, than to be friends,” Rachael said. “Then in a crisis everyone knows what they’re doing.” With 120 people housed together for most of a year in an isolated, inhospitable environment, common sense was a highly rated value. Rachael said people applied for the Antarctic Expedition mostly for financial reasons or to escape relationships, and were from a range of nationalities, cultures, industries and ages.
YOUR LOCAL PARTNER IN GIPPSLAND
Embedding respectful behaviour into team culture was necessary and led to compassionate treatment and collaboration between people. “The number one value we chose for our team was respect. Respect always trumps harmony,” Rachael said.
“If you only focus on harmony, bullying goes underground and leads to unsafe practices and unsafe mental health. “With respect, team members can work together to deal with crises.” The other key relationship behaviour was integrity. It meant people were encouraged to speak directly to each other when there was a disagreement or tension, because speaking to a third party was discouraged. “People want to be valued; they notice and remember how you made them feel,” Rachael said.
Ridley have been your animal nutrition partner in Gippsland since 1987. Year-in and year-out, we've been on-farm with local dairy and beef farmers, from Pakenham to Orbost.
We're not just nutrition specialists - we're locals too. We understand farming in Gippsland and we're committed to helping you boost productivity and profitability, supported by a team of the best technical experts in the business. For the best nutrition for your animals, trust your farm to the team that's been supporting Gippsland farmers for over 30 years.
To get in touch with your local Ridley rep, give the Gippsland Team a call on 1300 531 833.
CAROLINE BROWN
TRISTAN FRANCIS
Caroline and her family also manage a dairy farm in South Gippsland, bringing an abundance of practical experience.
Tristan is also a keen coach and mentor with Wonthaggi Power in the Gippsland League.
LUKE WIEBENGA
CHLOE CAMPBELL
Luke's a keen horse rider, motorbike rider and shooter.
She and her family live locally, raising a collection of animals on a small acreage.
ANDRE NEL
ROGER HAZELL
This wealth of knowledge is supported by the practical know-how he's gained managing his own farm in northern Victoria.
He brings an international perspective and unique skills to the Gippsland team, with agricultural and veterinary industry experience across the UK, New Zealand and Australia.
Caroline brings extensive expertise in ruminant nutrition to the team, with over 16 years at Ridley on top of an Agricultural Science degree from Melbourne University.
Luke has a keen business sense and an active interest in increasing the efficiency and profitability of farms.
Andre has over 30 years' experience providing technical nutrition support to dairy, beef and sheep farmers, both locally and internationally.
RID23969
Sometimes Rachael found herself reminding crew members who were driven to risky behaviour that the medical crew consisted of one doctor supported by carpenters and an IT specialist. Risky behaviour occurred because team members would identify there was a lack of policy framed around activities.
Tristan enjoys building strong working relationships with our Gippsland farmers focusing on improving nutrition and production.
Chloe has a varied vocational background including customer service and science based roles, with a keen interest in seeing best health outcomes on farm.
Roger grew up on a UK dairy and beef farm before completing a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2022
4 // GIPPSLAND REGION
Soil health key to pasture JEANETTE SEVERS
JON RYAN and Lauren Clyne, of Denison in
The 44-stall rotary dairy has automatic drafting and automatic cup removers.
The health and ability of soil to open up is a focus of pasture management.
Urea and humate are mixed in milk vats in an old dairy shed, and spread on pasture as a foliar spray.
Dairy Muster attendees took advantage of the opportunity to look at another farm.
central Gippsland, milk 370 cows off 100 irrigated hectares, aiming to produce 500 kg/milk solids/cow on a grazing regime supported by fodder, maize and 1.2 tonnes/cow of grain. They also have 101 ha of dryland turnout paddocks to grow out heifers for self-replacement and selling about 30 per cent of them into export markets. The 101 ha includes 61 ha purchased earlier this year to better enable them to grow out young cattle, including steers. “Market strength means we choose to join our larger Jerseys to Friesian semen to capture that export option,” Jon said. “We have used sexed semen successfully over the heifers. We feel it’s a good opportunity we can use over time as we learn more about it.” The herd of Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cows was split-calving, then transitioned to spring calving in the past two years. “This year we had a failure in our joining — 36 per cent of the cows were empty — we carried them over and I’m joining cows now for an autumn calving,” Jon said. He’s carrying over 10 per cent of them. “They’re older cows and with a higher cell count history. We’re still milking them but haven’t joined them.”
There are two additional full-time labour units for general farm work, animal management, milking and tractor work. On both farms, Jon’s and Lauren’s focus is on growing pasture — and the soil health that underpins that growth. Supporting that pasture growth is 800 megalitres of irrigation, mostly flood irrigation, with a pivot irrigating 20 ha of undulating country. Shandied effluent is used to irrigate 50 ha of the farm. On average, they irrigate 15 to 20 days out, and incorporate a re-use dam. Pasture growth is accelerated using a ureahumate foliar spray, that Jon mixes using vats in a disused dairy on the farm. It is applied following the cows’ grazing, at a rate of one litre per hectare. “Our focus is on soil health outcomes and always looking to improve pasture quality and producing grass for grazing,” he said. “I’ve found if you fertilise with soluble urea you can do a lot of damage to your grass. Mixing soluble urea with humate gives it stability and avoids leaf burn. “I put a bit of molasses in the mix as well; it’s another source of food for the plant if the Brix is indicating there needs to be more sugar available for the bacteria and fungi to react. “When I’m spraying it’s also nice to smell the molasses in the mix.”
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2022
GIPPSLAND REGION // 5
Jon supports the application of foliar sprays for efficient uptake of nutrients by measuring soil health, and adapting application to weather and pasture growth, and grazing rotation. “We did soil tests in January, identifying where we’re short nutritionally,” he said. “For example, we identified boron and molybdenum were low in the nutrients through our soil tests, so we combined it in the humate.” They now do soil testing every couple of months; previously they relied on soil tests twice a year. “We also do foliar testing every couple of months, just prior to grazing, so we know what’s being presented to the cows,” Jon said. With the advent of winter weather and longer grazing rotations, foliar spraying has been increased almost double. “We’ll focus on doing visual soil assessments, opening up the soil and supporting biological means to measure application,” Jon said. “One day a week, we measure grass growth across the farm. We do a few test strips. We might spray 30 per cent more on a strip through a paddock, or we don’t spray a strip, so you can visually see if there is a difference to the effects of application.”
Moving away from intense application of granular fertiliser is part of Jon’s and Lauren’s philosophy of reducing waste and outputs on the farm. They lay woodchips in laneways and calf pens and after six months replace them. The manure-laden woodchips are composted over the following six to nine months before being applied to paddocks. “Soluble humate granules or biochar can be mixed into the compost, if soil tests identify we need something more,” Jon said. “The amount of worm castings in the soil tells me there’s a lot of things we’re doing which are going right. When I put out those compost materials, the worms are working.” The couple is also passionate about environmental stewardship — on the farm, in the wider catchment and downstream in rivers and lakes. “We also need to maintain our biodiversity,” Jon said. “We’re going to revegetate a biocorridor that links 40 ponds, which will slow and spread floodwater over a greater area and lay sediment down on our paddocks, improve the ecological health of our rivers and the catchment, and reduce damage to fences, trees and riverbanks. “We all have a responsibility for managing our environment.”
Lauren Clyne and Jon Ryan hosted the Dairy Muster in Gippsland on their farm at Denison, and discussed some of their motivations as dairy farmers.
The 370-head herd comprises Friesian, Jersey and crossbred cows.
Jon Ryan will leave a strip of pasture bare of foliar spray, or double or triple the volume, to visually measure the outcome.
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Contact our regional team Visit dairyaustralia.com.au/ofop Call 1800 548 073
*Overnight accommodation and meals for all farmers participating in two-day intensive workshops will be provided at no cost thanks to support from the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government. All participants will need to arrange their own travel.
24/5/22 2:20 pm
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2022
6 // GIPPSLAND REGION
Farm thrives with happy staff RECOGNISING WORKING on a dairy farm is
Shiona Berry recognises respect is a big part of managing employees on the farm.
Joel Jennings and Gary Chisolm are general farm workers employed by Caleb and Shiona Berry. Rosters are set one week in advance for everyone involved in the farm business.
When the high-producing herd grew from 400 to 800 cows, Shiona and Caleb Berry realised they had to employ people and went about developing systems to help them.
Shannon Myers has worked for Caleb and Shiona Berry for nine years, predominantly working with tractors, including to deliver silage to the feedpad.
about shift work, makes it easier to accommodate your own and employees’ family and community life when rostering roles and responsibilities. That’s the message from Shiona Berry, who runs Glen Alvie Dairies with husband, Caleb, at Glen Alvie in West Gippsland. They milk 750 to 800 high-producing cows in a split-calving herd off 250 hectares, with an additional 60 ha of shelter belts and calf raising area, a 162 ha out-block and 399 ha of leased country. Pastures are perennial rye-grass and clover, and they grow maize. Both pasture and maize are harvested and chopped for pit silage. Pasture is also harvested as hay in round bales. Silage is fed on the feedpad. Summer pastures are over-sown with chicory for strip grazing. The only bought-in feed is grain, fed in the bail. The couple employs six workers across milking, cow jockey, maintenance, tractor and calf rearing duties, and their daughter, Ella, as a relief milker. One of the workers is also second-in-charge to Caleb and Shiona, helping with roster allocation and stepping in with responsibility when the couple isn’t available. The roster is split, so workers begin in the early hours of the morning, bringing cows into the 50-unit rotary, and finish at lunchtime. The
second shift begins at 9 am and finishes at 5 pm after afternoon milking. Shiona said having two shifts rather than expecting people to work in split shifts meant if overtime is needed, their employees are willing to stay for an extra hour. But more importantly it is about looking after their family life. “The key to our rosters is family life for everyone,” she said. “People are home having dinner with their families, and available for after school and community activities, like sport.” Shiona and Caleb are strong on values in the workplace that reflect home life. It pays off, with some employees on staff for nearly a decade. “Our values include having a family life apart from work, and getting the job done at work — whether it’s milking, cleaning the shed and staff room, feeding the cows. It’s respecting ourselves and everyone else,” she said. “Dairy is shift work, so respect means recognising that.” Caleb and Shiona studied agriculture at Dookie College, majoring in dairy. They became sharefarmers with a family farm, before purchasing their first farm. They have since studied business management and business governance courses. In 2006, Caleb and Shiona started employing apprentices. Since growing from milking 400 to 800 cows, in about 2008, they began employing workers
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2022
GIPPSLAND REGION // 7
for specific roles. Now they have a diverse workforce, that includes Australian and Filipino workers. They also focus on minimising risk in the workplace. Asset investment includes many laneways throughout the farm, side-by-side vehicles instead of motorbikes, a dedicated calf shed and calf raising paddocks, electric fencing for strip grazing, and a farm plan with all paddocks numbered. They use a calf trailer, a ‘calfeteria’, and are onto using their second milk trailer to transport milk from the dairy to the calf shed. The 50-unit rotary includes automatic cups off, automatic drafting, rubber matting on the floor, and machinery is automated as much as possible, using GPS coordinates to reduce risk. “Our motto is, if you’re uncomfortable, don’t do it,” Shiona said. “We have enough jobs that need to be done every day, that no-one needs to do a job they’re not comfortable with.” It’s an attitude that especially applies to driving tractors or side-by-sides in their steep country. “Caleb will teach people to drive in the hills, but if someone isn’t comfortable doing it, we don’t make them drive tractors in our paddocks,” Shiona said. “It’s too dangerous for people to do jobs they’re uncomfortable doing.” Every new employee goes through a formal induction process, then works alongside another team member for a fortnight.
“On the first day, I go through the induction process with them, we drive around the farm with a map, and I show them where everything is,” she said. “One of the workers will do an induction for milking, and the same with the cow jockey role. “Then the new employee will double up for a fortnight or a few weeks, to build their familiarity with our processes. They buddy up with different team members. “The buddy is responsible for saying when the new employee is competent in their role.” There is a weekly team meeting, where issues are raised and everyone is encouraged to input their ideas for resolution. It’s also an opportunity to remind everyone of basic safety and do briefings about, for example, fertiliser application or calving season. Shiona sets the roster every week, and each employee receives their own roster and the name of the person they’re working with, for example, in the dairy shed, so if that person is late, they can phone them directly rather than Caleb or Shiona. The team uses two online apps. Tanda is used to manage rosters, timesheets and leave applications. A WhatsApp group enables the entire team to communicate daily. Twice daily, the milkers post a photo of the temperature and vat quantity on the WhatsApp noticeboard. The cleaning roster for the staff room and facilities is on the WhatsApp noticeboard. Team members can post information about cows, gates and equipment that needs maintenance, among other information. There are also specific team meetings precalving, to discuss processes and procedures.
Employees appreciate the recognition that dairy is a shift work industry. Shannon Myers has been employed by Shiona and Caleb Berry for nine years as a tractor driver and is a relief milker on the day shift.
Caleb and Shiona Berry purchased side-bysides to reduce risk for themselves and their farm employees. Joel Jennings and Gary Chisolm use one of the side-by-sides for carrying fencing equipment.
In a meeting at the end of every week, Caleb, Shiona and their second-in-command, Ben, plan the following week’s chores and roster team members against jobs. However, there are specific roles for some employees. Stephen Fitzgerald is employed for maintenance and tractor work. Jimmy Palermo is in charge of the milking shed. Shannon Myers is responsible for collecting silage and distributing it on the feedpad, as well as tractor work. The remaining workers alternate between milking, cow jockey, calf raising and general farm duties. Caleb and Shiona also encourage skills development, and help their employees identify courses to up-skill — calf rearing, animal husbandry, AI, Cups On Cups Off — and encourage them to attend discussion groups. Caleb and Shiona have also hosted VCAL students on their farm.
Shiona and Caleb Berry have brought experience, learning from mistakes, routine and technology into managing their large team of employees.
“I think a lot of our team management skills is about making mistakes in the past, learning from them and evaluating what we could do better,” Shiona said. “We realise we’ve invested in building an asset, but Caleb and I can’t run this on our own, so we have to respect the people who work for us.”
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2022
8 // GIPPSLAND REGION
Keen bidding at Riviera sale JEANETTE SEVERS
A 98 per cent herd dispersal at Koonwarra
in May saw a Jersey heifer sell at the top price of $9500, with her sister selling at $7250, in a strongly contested sale with more than 100 registered bidders. Scott and Tahnee Wilson, Riviera Farms, Nyora, have been sharefarming in South Gippsland, but May 16 saw the dispersal sale of their herd of Holstein, Jersey and crossbred cows and heifers, for a sale average of $2400. Dairy Livestock Services managed the sale at Koonwarra Livestock Selling Centre with a live online simulcast managed by Elite Livestock Auctions. Elders’ Michael Robertson was the auctioneer in the ring. There were registered Jerseys of Jugiong breeding on offer, along with two heifers from direct daughters of EX 94 Bushlea Nathan Belle. There were also a number of registered Holstein cows among the 100 autumn and freshly calved cows, and winter and spring-calving cows and heifers on offer. The sale began with straws of semen selling for up to $175 each. The livestock component opened strongly with four-year-old autumn-calved Holstein cows selling in pairs, with the second pen lifting to
$3100 for Lot 4, replicated for Lot 6 in the third pen. Springers also pulled in prices up to $3100. Holstein cows sold to $3500, for an average of $2660. The higher producing cows achieved the highest prices. Registered Holstein cows sold to $3200. Holstein heifers sold to $2750, for an average of $2440. Registered Jersey cows, autumn-calved, sold to $2600, with spring-calvers going out the gate at consistently higher prices, up to $4000. The Jugiong, Attaview, Wanstead and Emu Banks studs were looking for additions for their herds, and all bid successfully on Jersey cows and heifers. There was also spirited bidding from online registered buyers, and local support from Gippsland dairy farmers was strong. Jersey cows sold to $4000, for an average of $2315. Crossbred cows sold to $2500, for an average of $1900. Standout heifers were two rising-two-yearold spring-calving Belle heifers, embryo transfer daughters to EX94 Bushlea Nathan Belle and sired by Galaxies Celebrity. Lot 146 sold to $7250 and Lot 147 sold at $9500, both purchased by Bryan and Jo Dickson, of Emu Banks Holsteins and Jersey Stud near Terang. The heifers’ selling prices brought the average sale value up to $4650 for Jersey heifers.
Scott and Tahnee Wilson (with two-year-old Marley Wilson) in front of their Belle daughter Jersey heifers, after their successful dispersal sale at Koonwarra in May.
Bryan Dickson told Dairy News Australia that the purchase of the heifers was part of a re-establishment of he and Jo’s herd, as they look to increase the Jersey component to 40–50 cows, and reduce the number of Holsteins they milk. “We’re getting back into Jerseys, and looking to add Belles into our herd. These two heifers score really well and if they work out I can breed from them,” Bryan said. “We’re reducing our herd size from 1000 to about 700 milkers and bringing a lot of heifers in from our out-block this year.” The overall average for the Riviera Farms dispersal sale was $2400, for a 98 per cent clearance. Cattle went to dairy farms across Gippsland, south-west and northern Victoria, and into NSW.
Brett Williams and Madeleine Williams, with one-month-old Henry, of Poowong North, bought five Holstein cows.
Lot 147, Riviera Celebrity Belle ET, born 26/7/2020, from dam Bushlea Nathan Belle 2, sired by Galaxies Celebrity, sold for the top price of $9500. This heifer and her sister, both PTIC, were bought by Bryan and Jo Dickson, of Emu Banks Holstein and Jersey Stud near Terang, and will form a nucleus of Jersey cows for their herd.
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