Dairy News Australia - June 2018 - With Murray Region

JUNE, 2018 ISSUE 92

MURRAY REGION

DAIRY SCHOLARSHIP A Gardiner Dairy Foundation scholarship will support Dingee student Caitlyn Hocking. SEE PAGE 10

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

2 // MURRAY REGION

Chairman’s message

Focusing on the region’s future THE DAIRY industry’s leadership has been in

focus throughout May. A few weeks ago, regional stakeholders and dairy organisations including Dairy Australia, Murray Dairy, Agriculture Victoria and UDV, with the support of the Committee for Greater Shepparton, came together to discuss a strategy for the future of the industry in the region.

After extensive consultation with farmers and service providers, five priority focus areas for the strategy were identified.

These were: planning (land use, infrastructure, education, energy); water (competition, retention, adaptation); system (business man-

agement, technology, animal health and welfare); people (entry and exit, training, staff ); and profit (milk price, margins, investment).

It was positive to see the contribution of many farmers to the strategy and the commitment of all involved in its development. The final strategy will inform local research, development and extension, as well as a broader industry strategy supported by our national representative bodies.

Murray Dairy’s Pathways to Leadership brought together current, prospective and developing leaders to understand the opportunities that the dairy industry offers in leadership.

Hearing from passionate people who are contributing to our industry and to our local communities is a reminder that we are in good hands for the future.

With that, it is with some sadness — but also with great positivity — that I announce my resignation from the Murray Dairy Board.

Director Greg Ault will also step down, creating two vacancies for farmer representatives to join the board for the next stages of Murray Dairy’s strategic plan.

I encourage you to consider these roles as a way to contribute to the future of the industry.

As we come to the end of the financial year,

Murray Dairy and AgBiz Assist are offering a free one-to-one financial mentoring session to help you get on top of your books.

This is an opportunity to put some of your farm business management knowledge into practice and to streamline the paperwork. Contact Murray Dairy directly for information.

Finally, as things slow down, try to get a break and recharge the batteries after a challenging season. Be kind to yourselves and your family!

• Rick Cross Murray Dairy chair

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

MURRAY REGION // 3

Holsteins ready to line up again THE FIFTH annual National Herd Winter Fair

will be held next month, with organisers and exhibitors looking forward to another successful show.

A Holstein-only show, the Winter Fair features the popular Red Holstein Show, junior judging and dry and in-milk cattle classes.

With a strong focus on youth, the Winter Fair is held during the July school holidays to make it a true family friendly event.

Exhibitors travel from across the country to attend, with many returning year after year because they love the concept of being able to not only showcase their freshly calved autumn cows, but anything else they have that might be looking good.

The organising committee expects more than 200 Holsteins will make their way to Bendigo this year.

“We think numbers will be up on last year and we are looking forward to seeing what 2018 will have in store,” committee member Clare Modra said.

“This is the fifth year for the Winter Fair and I think we now run a very good show. As dairy farm-

ers ourselves, we know how expensive and costly it can be attending events like this so we always try to keep things as affordable as we possibly can.”

Mrs Modra said the continued support of sponsors helped make the job easier, especially platinum sponsors National Herd and Pauls.

To change things up this year, the committee will host an online sale and auction through Elders, with sale entries open to exhibitors only.

Pedigrees will appear online a week before the sale and bidding will close at 12 pm on Thursday, July 5, with winners announced shortly after.

“We thought this was a good idea to let exhibitors recoup some of their costs and make some money while they are here,” Mrs Modra said.

“The sale animals will be available for viewing at the show, as part of the exhibitor’s show string. We are also hoping it will encourage people to get out and have a chat and a walk around our exhibitors.”

Every year the committee works hard to attract great judges and 2018 is no exception.

Justin Burdette, from Windy Knoll View Farm in Mercersburg in the United States, will take on the top job, alongside associate judge Henry Bevan

The 2018 National Herd Winter Fair will be held from July 3 to 5 at the Bendigo Showgrounds.

from Queensland.

Mr Burdette has judged many shows at the top level, including World Dairy Expo, and he is excited about adding the Winter Fair to his list.

With more than 70 All American and Junior All American titles, Windy Knoll View Farm is well known for its outstanding breeding program.

Mr Bevan, from Bevandale Holsteins, rates being asked to be associate judge as the highlight of his judging career to date.

He is a fifth-generation farmer from north Queensland and a well-established fitter. He has prepared cattle for all the major shows in Australia and New Zealand and, since gaining admission

to the Holstein Judging Panel in 2016, has judged numerous shows and on-farm challenges throughout the country.

Mr Bevan will preside over the junior ring, where about 30 eager participants will test out their skills in the junior competition on the Tuesday of the Winter Fair.

On Wednesday the dry heifer competition gets under way, followed by the in-milk classes on Thursday.

The 2018 National Herd Winter Fair will be held at the Bendigo Showgrounds from July 3 to 5.

For more information visit www.winterfair.com. au or Facebook.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

4 // MURRAY REGION

Support flows for water campaign THE GOULBURN Murray Irrigation District

community is getting behind the GMID Water Leadership Group’s ‘Give us a #Fairflow’ campaign, with the region’s producers sharing the message.

GMID Water Leadership Group co-chair and State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed said it was great to see everyone from local businesses to community members, as well as farmers, get-

it a

ting behind the campaign.

“We are pleased the Senate supported amending the (Murray-Darling) Basin Plan to reduce its 2750 Gl target by up to 605 Gl, using projects to deliver the same environmental benefits with less water,” Ms Sheed said.

“But the 450 Gl ‘up-water’ remains on the table. We were promised no more water would be recovered from irrigators if it caused more

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community hardship. This is not possible if the basin plan’s flawed socio-economic neutrality test stands.”

Ms Sheed said the test assumed if an individual farmer chose to trade water entitlements in return for government funding for upgrades, then the impact was positive or neutral.

She said the tests should not be limited to individual farmers and must also include the broader community, regional and water market impacts, particularly in dry and drought years.

“The GMID remains at risk until the test is broadened,” she said.

An Ernst & Young report commissioned by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council said more data was required to properly evaluate the individual and collective socio-economic impacts of farmers trading more water entitlements to the environment in return for Commonwealth funding for farm upgrades.

GMID Water Leadership Group member and Committee for Greater Shepparton chief executive officer Sam Birrell said on-farm projects had been a better way of returning water to the environment up until now.

“But there is a point at which any more water leaving the total pool will have a massive negative socio-economic impact. We are at that point now,” Mr Birrell said.

“A more insecure and expensive water supply as farmers compete for less water available on

Katunga dairy farmer Daryl Hoey gets behind the Fairflow campaign.

the market threatens the viability of our key industries.

“GMID farmers have contributed more water to the basin plan than any other district, and we are pleased to see river health improving.

“But we can’t afford to lose more water, jobs and production, particularly when the ministers have other, off-farm and urban options to source more water.

“The Senate agreement only gives us certainty if a genuine, evidence-based socio-economic test is applied, and the volume recovered adjusted accordingly.”

Fairflow placards are available from Opteon Solutions at 308 Maude Str, Shepparton and at Ms Sheed’s electorate office at 5 Vaughan St, Shepparton.

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MURRAY REGION // 5

Conference inspires young farmers A VISIT to this year’s UDV Annual Meeting

and Conference was well worth it, according to Numurkah dairy farmers Rachelle and Carl Moon.

The couple traded gumboots and work clothes for some city attire and headed to the conference in Melbourne last month.

“Carl received some sponsorship to attend through the Young Dairy Business Network and I received a bursary from the Australian Legendairy Women’s Network,” Mrs Moon said.

“It was meant to be pre-calving and we thought why not go, but of course we had a few cows calve which ended up making things a little difficult to get away.”

She said this was the first time they had attended the conference.

“The concept of the whole event was really great. I particularly enjoyed the professional development sessions centred around people management and goal setting.”

The fact the conference looked at the rather touchy and controversial topic of ethics also appealed to her.

“I have to say I was a little surprised by the ethics side and the fact they had an RSPCA rep-

resentative at the meeting. Ethics is going to be a big issue and we can’t pretend it is not there so I think it is great for our industry to be addressing something like this.

“As an industry we need to move forward and be more proactive in this space. Farmers generally love their animals and operate in an ethical way but what I think is ethical may not be ethical to someone else.”

Mrs Moon said the conference had a good mix of topics and she would definitely go again.

“Sometimes you just get so busy running a farm you forget to take time out and do something for yourself. It is so easy to forget about personal development when you have to get offfarm to do it.”

The Moons bought their 105 ha dairy farm at Numurkah in March 2016, just before the now famous milk price crash. They are approaching their third calving season.

“I think we have got a bit more of a handle on things now, especially when it comes to planning and knowing what works for us and what doesn’t — it has been a big learning curve, that’s for sure,” Mrs Moon said.

This spring, herd numbers will peak at around

Rachelle and Carl Moon recently attended the 42nd UDV Annual Meeting and Conference in Melbourne. The Moons are approaching their third calving season in the industry and found the conference to be informative, interesting and relevant to their business.

160, all going well.

“Dairy farming has been a whole new lifestyle for our family especially considering we both had

professional lives beforehand, but we are enjoying the challenges and looking forward to the future.”

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

6 // MURRAY REGION

prizes at an annual dairy industry awards night, recognising some of the milk processor’s biggest brand names.

The Dairy Industry Association of Australia’s Australian and Victorian Dairy Product Awards saw Fonterra take home 48 gongs at a ceremony held in Melbourne last month.

Since the awards began in 2008, Fonterra’s dairy foods have been recognised numerous times, this year picking up 10 gold and 38 silver medals.

Among this year’s awards, Fonterra received the Arthur E. Hacquoil Memorial Gold Medallion for the highest scoring bulk butter, and the GEA Award for the highest scoring dried milk powder.

The milk processor gained awards across a number of categories including butter, spreads,

The four cheese ricotta product won a silver award for Fonterra.

cheese, fresh milk, cream and powders, with brands including Western Star and Duck River butters, Perfect Italiano cheese and Anchor milk receiving awards.

Fonterra Australia’s manufacturing operations general manager Rob Howell said it was an “amazing honour” for the company’s dairy foods to be recognised by industry experts.

“Great dairy foods start at the farm gate, and these awards would not be possible without the high-quality milk from our farmers — this is the key to making great-tasting, superior-quality dairy loved by both the domestic and export market,” Mr Howell said.

The DIAA awards are held annually, and for gold medal winners it acts as a gateway to the Australian Grand Dairy Awards, presented by Dairy Australia.

The garlic and herb ricotta product made at Stanhope won a silver award.

Dairy Australia is calling for nominations to fill three vacancies on its board of directors ahead of elections later this year.

Three serving directors’ board terms will expire at Dairy Australia’s annual general meeting in November, with two indicating they will not be standing for re-election.

Under Dairy Australia’s constitution, at least one of the vacant positions must be filled by a milk producer.

The other two vacancies are for a director with skills in agribusiness, innovation and adoption and one with a strong background in dairy processing.

Dairy Australia chair Jeff Odgers said it was critical the board as a whole had the right mix of skills across all sections of the industry.

“This is an opportunity for new dairy leaders from right across the supply chain to play an important role in helping the industry meet the challenges we are facing,” Mr Odgers said.

The Dairy Australia board determines the policies and directions for investing in dairy industry service activities, driving organisational performance and ensuring high standards of governance.

To stand for election, applicants must undergo a selection process overseen by a board selection committee, comprised of industry representatives.

Alternatively, candidates may stand for election if their nomination is endorsed with the signatures of 100 Group A members.

Milk producers interested in standing should review the instructions received in the post and apply to the board selection committee before 5 pm on Friday, June 15.

Executive Search firm Rimfire Resources is managing applications for the non-milk producer director roles, to be advertised publicly.

Inquiries in relation to these roles should be directed to Mick Hay from Rimfire Resources on 1300 380 701 (toll free) or on (07) 3878 3411.

Dairy Australia chair Jeff Odgers wants skilled dairy people to nominate for the organisation’s board.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

8 // MURRAY REGION

Jersey breeders honoured IT CAN take a lifetime to build up a reputa-

ble dairy herd, but Col and Narelle Bacon from Colnarco Jersey Stud have done it in just over 17 years.

The Bacons, from Lockington, were recently inducted onto the Genetics Australia Honour Roll for their contribution to the Jersey breed.

They have been breeding quality Jersey cows since they bought their own farm and went out on their own in 2001.

“My parents, Norm and Margret, started Brookbora Stud back in early ’50s, which is continued by my brother Robert, wife Sandra and son Daniel,” Mr Bacon said.

“When we moved from the family farm at Tennyson to Lockington we divided half the young stock. We also purchased two small herds from Gippsland, one was from an older retiring couple who loved their cows and had very good herd records to allow us to register the remainder of the combined herds and that’s where Colnarco began.”

Mr Bacon did milk Holsteins years ago in his previous herd, but once American genetics were used in the early 1990s and Jersey production lifted greatly — and heifers began producing 30 litres — he decided to stick with the more economical-to-feed breed.

In the early days when it came to breeding, he used a lot of progeny test bulls but, with the

advent of genomics, he has now followed that path — currently using a 50 per cent young sire and 50 per cent proven sire mix.

“We have flushed a few cows over the years and when I was using PT semen I found it usually returned an average or better animal most of the time.

“Genomics is the way to go now and we have had eight bulls tested by AI companies over the years — the last bull that went to GA was in 2014.”

The Bacons keep up to half-a-dozen bulls each year — they use some as mop-up bulls and sell the rest as herd bulls.

“We usually pick out our better genomictested bulls and use them on our heifers, which works well,” Mr Bacon said.

He always looks for high Australian Selection Index, Balanced Performance Index and Total Performance Index bulls from good cow families when it comes to AI selection.

“We don’t breed animals to breed bulls. The focus is always on the herd and producing quality females, but if a good bull comes along well that’s a bonus.”

One of those bonuses has been Colnarco Navarian.

According to Genetics Australia’s Peter Thurn, Navarian is one of the most influential sires of the era, producing cows with posi-

Narelle and Col Bacon from Lockington have been inducted onto Genetic Australia’s Honour Roll for their contribution to the Jersey breed.

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MURRAY REGION // 9

tive milk and protein, great type, high fertility and outstanding survival. He has produced a number of quality sons including Algernon, who has attracted high local and export demand.

“Navarian’s influence will live on through his many potential bull mother daughters,” Mr Thurn said.

Mr Bacon was “totally surprised” to be acknowledged. “We used to do the on-farmchallenge a few years ago, but we don’t do that anymore; all we do is milk cows and breed a few bulls.”

Colnarco is currently milking 180 cows off 121ha.

“We aim for a spring-calving herd but there is always a few cows carried over. This year we have 17 autumn calvers, which we will rejoin again for spring. We usually end up milking 40 or 50 over winter, which is nice and easy.”

The Bacons, like most dairy farmers, have found it difficult in the past few years and, like most farmers, water availability is a major issue.

It determines what feed they grow and how many cows they milk. They usually buy 100 Ml of water on the temporary market each year.

They irrigate 45 ha year-round and over-sow millet during summer.

“We have an old stand of 15 ha of lucerne which we milk off but I didn’t bother to water it at all this year — normally a summer rain would give us some feed but we didn’t even get that this year,” Mr Bacon said.

There is also a 20 ha stand of lucerne that is over-sown with cereals and cut for hay.

“We have used a similar amount of water this

year, just over less area. We decided to water the better quality pasture and forget about the poorer stuff.”

The Bacons currently supply Tatura Milk after dissolving their association with Murray Goulburn.

“Our family had supplied MG since 1949 until its terrible demise,” Mr Bacon said. “We stuck with them for 12 months but in July last year we decided to change processors.”

Looking to the season ahead they are nervous about the dry conditions.

“If we don’t soon get some rain and at current milk prices it looks like it will be another pretty stressful year,” Mr Bacon said.

“People think the dairy industry is a wonderful industry to be involved in, but when you are the one milking the cows it can be a different story.

“Farmers need to get a much better return for the work they do.”

Hay in the shed.

These Colnarco bloodlines will hit the herd in the next couple of years.

Dry conditions are a worry for the season ahead, not only for Col Bacon, but for all northern Victorian dairy farmers

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10 // MURRAY REGION

Scholarship helps dairy family LEAVING THE family dairy farm at Dingee and heading off to university in Bendigo has been made that little bit easier for Caitlyn Hocking.

She is one of four winners of a 2018 tertiary scholarship from the Gardiner Dairy Foundation.

The $10,000 scholarship over three years will help with the costs associated with obtaining her Bachelor of Business in Accounting at La Trobe University.

“The scholarship takes the pressure off me having to work as much because it helps with the cost of living expenses and books, but most importantly it takes the pressure off Mum and Dad since things have gone pear-shaped in the dairy industry,” Ms Hocking said.

“It makes a huge difference for us all and it was really surprising to be announced a recipient.”

Ms Hocking applied for the scholarship on line, was interviewed in Melbourne and attended an acceptance lunch. “I am the first one in my family to go to university so this is new for us all,” she said.

She is living in Epsom and comes home whenever she can, mostly for her mother’s homecooked meals and a dose of dairy farm air.

“Bendigo is definitely big enough for me,” she laughed.

Ms Hocking grew up helping on the farm and her parents, Rod and Jenni, will attest she has always been a good little worker.

“Growing up with two brothers I have always been a tomboy and I just loved helping Dad,” she said.

“I was probably a pain in the neck for him because I was always following him around but I have done that all through my life, I love the wide open space of the farm.”

“Caity has always a good help compared to her brothers, neither of them are interested in the farm,” Mr Hocking said.

Ms Hocking feels lucky to have grown up on a dairy farm.

“I love being outside and being busy. There is always something to do on the farm and you don’t have to drive anywhere either.

“I just like helping Dad and I guess it helps when you are trying to get the favourite child position,” she laughed.

The Hockings bought their dairy farm 23 years ago. They remained Murray Goulburn suppliers

throughout the duration of the co-operative, becoming Saputo suppliers the day Dairy News visited.

“We don’t have any regrets staying with Murray Goulburn and I think in the long run we made the right decision for our business,” Mrs Hocking said.

The family milks 100 spring-calving cows and runs a few beef cattle. Mr Hocking said beef had helped support the dairy operation over the past few years.

“We keep all our bull calves. We do AI but we use a mop-up beef bull,” he said.

“Last calving season we kept everything. We grow the bulls out for two years and then cash them in.”

The herd is mostly Holstein, with a few crossbreeds and one lone Jersey. Mr Hocking enjoys milking cows but said the idea of milking 400 was not for him.

“I am happy to do the work myself. We dry the herd off in June and then start again in August; I like keeping things simple.”

The business is largely self-sufficient, growing its own hay and grain and feeding all the replacement stock.

Gardiner Dairy Foundation scholarship winner Caitlyn Hocking from Dingee will have financial support for the next three years while she studies accounting at La Trobe University in Bendigo.

“We grow vetch and oats for hay, and wheat and barley to go through the dairy. If we end up with too much grain we sell it on because we don’t have a great deal of storage,” Mr Hocking said.

The Hockings believe one of their keys to success has been keeping all their high-reliability water shares.

“I will never sell my water while I am farming,” Mr Hocking said.

He grew up in and around Dingee, west of Rochester, and can remember a time when there were nine dairy farmers on a double block. These days there are seven dairy farmers in the entire area.

“Some farms have got bigger but it would be very interesting to see what volume of milk is produced today, compared to what there used to be.”

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MURRAY REGION // 11

Champion Jersey is Sydney royalty AFTER LOSING Supreme Champion Senior

Cow by the smallest of margins at last year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Gavenlocks were determined to go one better in 2018.

Tallygaroopna’s Jessica and Brad Gavenlock were eyeing a third win in consecutive years after Kathleigh Gun Grace — a Jersey they co-own with the Kath family, of Forbes in NSW — took out Supreme Intermediate in 2016 and the Senior Champion Jersey in 2017.

Last year after winning the Jersey crown, the cow tied for the Supreme Champion Senior Cow title, leading to a count-back that still could not separate her from the rival Holstein.

This resulted in a tie-breaker awarding the Holstein victory.

Twelve months on and the trophy that was so nearly theirs in 2017 is now in the hands of the Gavenlocks.

“We were very excited,” Mrs Gavenlock said.

“It was more exciting that the Kath family were there to help us celebrate. It’s the icing on the cake, I guess.”

The Gavenlocks had been preparing since December to get the Jersey up to Supreme Champion Senior Cow standard.

“When she’s not showing, she lives at Jugiong Jerseys in Girgarre,” Mrs Gavenlock said.

“She’s been here since October, calved in December, and we’ve been getting her ready since then.”

The couple has been showing cows in Sydney since 2010, and Mrs Gavenlock said it was a show they always enjoyed.

“It’s one of our favourite shows. The facilities are world class, our friends show there, it’s a great competition and it’s a great time of year,” she said.

The family took three other cattle to Sydney, with a Jersey calf winning Reserve Junior Champion in the Youth Show and two Holsteins finishing third in their respective classes.

Kathleigh Gun Grace also backed up her 2017 Best Udder victory with a win in the same class this year.

The Kath and Gavenlock families with their Supreme Champion Senior Cow, Kathleigh Gun Grace, at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.

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12 // MURRAY REGION

Simple steps LEADING NEW Zealand vet Neil Chesterton visited the Murray region in April for a series of workshops and on-farm demonstrations focused on preventing lameness.

Lameness is a significant cost to dairy businesses and to herds, and in most cases it is preventable.

Improving cow flow, through good stockmanship and the maintenance of well-designed infrastructure, can help to reduce lameness.

With cows moving frequently between feeds, into and out of the dairy and yards, improving cow flow will also improve the efficiency of farm operations.

Understanding cow behaviour is the first step in designing a system that works well. Dr Chesterton gave the following examples.

Vision Cows keep a watch on their surroundings, with their almost 330-degree vision, when their head is down.

Their vision is predominantly monocular, with only 25 to 50-degree binocular vision, which enables them to perceive depth, distance and speed. They need time to interpret what they see. They also have a blind spot directly behind them of about 30 degrees.

Cows keep their head down to watch their footing. Walking normally, a cow’s back foot will follow the front, landing in almost the same place she has lifted the front foot from and that she knows is clear of obstacles.

Even in the dark she must keep her head down so that if she stands on a sharp stone

she can quickly lift or drop her head to take the pressure off the affected foot. When a cow is put under pressure, her head is forced up, increasing the risk of foot damage if she steps in the wrong place.

Flight zone and balance points The flight zone is the space a cow needs to feel safe. The distance varies between cows and they have different zones for people and for more dominant cows. Looking a cow in the eye increases its flight zone.

Working on the edge of a cow’s flight zone, using balance points as the target of closeness or contact and moving quietly closer to encourage her to move, results in low-stress handling.

The most important balance point of the cow is the shoulder.

Walking, tracks and obstacles Cows are followers. They will follow set leaders and maintain set orders. These orders vary for collecting (walking and arriving at the dairy) and for milking.

Cows like wide laneways with plenty of space to move and a relatively flat platform to walk on.

It’s a fine balance between having a laneway that cows find comfortable to walk on and one that allows for good drainage to prevent muddy conditions (also a risk for lameness).

Laneways should follow ridge alignments or catchment divides so that water naturally drains away. A gentle camber of no more than five per cent to parallel drains works well.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

MURRAY REGION // 13

can prevent lameness slope down or up has a gradient of 1 m for every 10m, but they can tolerate steeper gradients in short sections.

A critical area that needs constant maintenance is where the gravel laneway meets the concrete of the milking yard. One common cause of the track breaking down is yard wash-down water flowing onto the gravel.

A nib wall will reduce this risk. The nib wall of up to 20 cm must have well-defined edges.

Although rounded nibs might look friendly to feet, cows often misplace the foot and slip down the face rather than taking a clear step over them.

Cows will hesitate when they are put in this situation, slowing down the flow in and out of the dairy.

The yard and milking shed Cows need space so they can move among each other in the dairy yard to re-order themselves.

You should allow 1.8 to 2 square metres per cow for larger breeds (600 to 700 kg) and 1.3 square metres for smaller ones (450 kg).

When there is adequate space, cows at the front of the line, who prefer to milk later, will wait to be passed by other cows. When there is not, cows who like to be milked earlier will push

through the herd, putting cows off balance and increasing the likelihood of misplaced footing.

Signs that cows are under too much pressure, or that there is not enough space, include sideto-side touching, elevated heads, bunching rather than following and low dominance cows reversing to escape from the head of dominant cows.

Concrete with a surface that is too smooth will affect cow flow. Grooves can be cut or the surface scabbled to reduce slipping.

If you use a backing gate, use it consistently and only to take up empty space or it will cause fear.

The backing gate should move no faster than 6 m a minute in a rectangular yard and no more than 12 m a minute in round yards. The backing gate should never be moved more than five seconds at any one movement and must never be used to push cows.

Cows are creatures of habit. Developing routines and a consistent culture around handling can help to reduce stress and will always improve cow flow.

It is important that everyone on the farm is attuned to cow behaviour and the systems in place for moving and milking cattle in a lowstress, low-pressure environment.

This wide, rounded step is not cow friendly. Dr Chesterton’s recommendation was to replace it with something narrower and square.

New Zealand vet Neil Chesterton spoke to more than 100 farmers and service providers.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

14 // MURRAY REGION

Keeping it under control THE GOULDING family has been working the land outside of Cohuna for more than 100 years.

Greg Goulding is the fourth generation of his family to run the farm, which has grown to encompass more than 1000 ha and 550 milking cows.

He is in the process of a succession plan which will see him take over the running of the farm from his father and uncle — he says until he turns 60, in 10 years’ time, and then he is out of there.

“I have worked hard over the years but I won’t be spending my life on the farm. By the time I turn 60 I hope to be retired and enjoying a life away from the dairy industry,” Mr Goulding said.

“Our focus is on consolidating the business and reducing debt, no more expansion is on the cards. I have four sons and none of them are interested in the farm — I wouldn’t want them to come home unless it changes drastically anyway, it’s just too stressful.”

The family was one of the former suppliers loyal to milk processor Murray Goulburn, supplying the co-operative for 66 years.

“I now get prices from every processor,” Mr Goulding said.

“Our business isn’t loyal to anybody, anymore and I am happy to look right across the board.

Cohuna dairy farmer Greg Goulding is feeling a little more confident about the season ahead, with recent milk price commentary starting to talk the price up instead of down.

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The Gouldings have been milking Aussie Reds for the past 20 years – they find the breed robust and strong and very suited to conditions on their farm, which include a 6km walk to the furthest paddock.

“Everyone is looking for milk and I think the factories are going to have to work hard to get their milk in the future.”

The business is currently supplying Fonterra and Mr Goulding is looking to add some autumn calvers to the predominately springcalving herd to produce a flatter milk curve.

“This spring, herd numbers will be up around 600. We will start to cull a few of the springcalving herd and bring our autumn herd numbers up to flatten out our milk supply.”

This autumn he did buy 40 Holstein cows to increase autumn herd numbers but the majority of the herd is Aussie Red. The family started with the Reds about 20 years ago.

“I love their health traits and their fertility is brilliant. For a big herd we are running at 10 per cent empties at the moment and I am pretty happy with that,” Mr Goulding said.

“We don’t have much of a mastitis problem — their resistance is pretty good and we haven’t had a mastitis case for at least a month.

“They are also easy calving. I check the cows after milking but that’s about it, they seem to end up spitting out their calves.

“They are just a robust animal very suited to our conditions. The walking on our place soon sorts the cows out here. It is 6 km to the furthest paddock and we have found over the years that the big cows can’t really handle it.”

The dry conditions over autumn have left Mr Goulding feeling uneasy about the season ahead in terms of fodder production.

“It’s a struggle to get feed growing at the moment. The cows are getting a small pick out of the paddock and they are on three mixes a day, one at lunch time and two after milking which takes up hours of manpower.”

He is ploughing through the silage pits.

“We had seven bunkers — two from spring and five from the season before but the way we are going there might not be any left this year.”

Mr Goulding said the spring-calving herd normally spend their dry period on the run-off block out near Mt Hope. This year the grass has struck but lack of rain this season has meant there is no feed and there may not be any point in sending the dry cows out there at all.

“If we don’t get any rain in the next few weeks I don’t know what will happen. Quality hay is starting to get hard to find and it is also pretty expensive.”

As the years go by, Mr Goulding said life on the farm seemed to get busier and busier.

In a bid to reduce some of the workload, he is looking to introduce some additional permanent pasture plantings to the milking platform.

“I am looking at sowing some lucerne because I am sick and tired of ripping up paddocks and the cost of that now is insane. We do have some permanent pasture already but it is predominately annuals.”

The paddocks the furthest from the dairy are always the first to be dried-off and are usually where the corn is sown.

“We are self-sufficient for silage but we always buy in quality hay like vetch,” Mr Goulding said.

Water is a huge issue for every northern Victorian dairy farmer and the Gouldings do use the temporary water market to purchase a couple of hundred megalitres each year.

“A few months ago I was feeling very uneasy about the year ahead, particularly when they were talking the milk price down,” Mr Goulding said.

“The last month or so it looks a little bit more positive and I do feel a bit more confident then I was.”

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

16 // MURRAY REGION

A lifetime with Jerseys FOR MORE than 50 years, Waaia farmer Dick Maloney has enjoyed working with Jersey cows.

The oldest member of the Goulburn Murray Jersey Breeders Club, Mr Maloney, 88, is in semi-retirement but still attends club meetings and takes an interest in farming.

Never one for showing in the ring, Mr Maloney said one of the best developments in Jersey breeding was the advent of on-farm competitions, where the judges visited the cattle on the property and were able to form an opinion based on how the cow looked in a working environment.

Mr Maloney’s family started dairying at Korumburra in Gippsland, “but the wind and rain chased us out of there”.

“There was nothing between us and the sea and when the wind blew, she really blew.”

The family’s Yenolam Jersey Stud was established in 1965 and after the family moved to northern Victoria, Mr Maloney joined the Goulburn Murray Jersey Breeders Club.

The club brought together farmers to discuss issues of mutual interest and also provided a social aspect for farming families.

Mr Maloney has appreciated the even temperament of Jersey cows, combined with high production and excellent fat and protein content.

He recalled one of the top Jersey cows he

Dick Maloney with Jerseys bred by his neighbours, John and Margaret Cockrell at Waaia.

ever saw was a Twilight cow owned by Frank Cox from Kyabram.

“She was a big cow with a lovely udder. A great cow all round.”

Despite the rigours of milking seven days

a week and with no public holidays, Mr Maloney said he enjoyed the routine, but was concerned about where the industry was headed into the future.

He believes it is much harder to earn a solid

living today, than 50 years ago.

His son Neil and wife Wendy ran the farm in recent years, but the challenging conditions in the industry led to the decision to sell most of the herd and move out of dairying last year.

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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA JUNE 2018

18 // MURRAY REGION

Getting bigger, getting out, getting in or just getting better?

DAIRY FARMERS in the Murray Dairy region of northern Victoria and southern NSW are no strangers to change.

There is significant change occurring in the operating environment, from markets and policy to climate and water.

Recognising this, Murray Dairy has developed its Accelerating Transitions project to support businesses undergoing any transition — succession, growth, farm system change or exit.

As part of the project, Murray Dairy has partnered with AgBiz Assist to offer a free consultation service to dairy farmers. Sixty farm businesses in the region have already benefitted from the company offering support and planning.

There are two separate sessions that dairy farmers can use: ■■ The Transition consultations provide direction for business succession, transition, expansion, contraction or any other major business change. A trained adviser will run you through the implications, tips, tricks, who to speak to, how to prepare to engage professional services (such as an accountant

or lawyer) and leave you with a clear path to proceed with confidence.

■■

The Farm Business Mentoring consultations provide the chance to upskill or implement a farm business practice or process that you need to help improve your business and feel in control of the administration, finance and record keeping side of your operation.

AgBiz Assist adviser Jim Moll has been delivering the consultations and said while the sessions were varied in content, they consistently provided greater clarity for the farming family to move forward.

He said many businesses take up both sessions.

“Often talk of succession leads back to an understanding of how profitable and secure the business is, so farmers will complete a business mentoring session to determine this before proceeding with a succession session,” Mr Moll said.

“It’s like needing to know how big the pie is before you decide how to slice it.”

Brian Hinneberg, also of AgBiz Assist, said

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consultations were tailored for the participants.

“It gives each family the opportunity to discuss their particular circumstances with an independent consultant,” Mr Hinneberg said.

“For some families it is the first time they have discussed these deeper issues and find the guidance of a trained facilitator a positive experience.

“There is no one right way to consider the future, but all agree that setting the family priorities and then having a document to refer back to is an important step. It opens up the commu-

nications between family members.”

Murray Dairy regional extension officer Lachlan Barnes is keen to see many farmers through the project, but stresses that with limited places available, they should get in early to secure a session.

For more information or to book a session, email Lachlan Barnes at Murray Dairy at lachlanb@murraydairy.com.au or phone 0438 092 352.

This project is supported by a grant from the Federal Government through the Building Better Regions Fund.

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Diary dates June Stepping Back workshop

Taking Steps workshop

UDV Milk Price Structure sessions with Phil Shannon

Strategies for succession and stepping back from the farm.

Understanding sharefarming, leasing or shared equity arrangements.

UDV is seeking to develop a simpler milk price model and will discuss how current structures have developed, components of a simpler system and the next step for farmers, industry and UDV. Discussions will be followed by supper/light lunch

Friday, June 15 10.30am – 3pm Agriculture Victoria offices, Tatura

Thursday, June 21 10.30am – 3pm Agriculture Victoria offices, Tatura

Employment Basics workshop

Tuesday, June 19 9.45am – 2pm Agriculture Victoria offices, Tatura

Employment Basics workshop

Tuesday, June 26 9.45am – 2pm Tragowel Hall, Tragowel

Monday, June 25

7.30pm Cohuna (RSVP for venue details)

Tuesday, June 26

11am Kyabram Club, Kyabram

Tuesday, June 26

7.30pm Shamrock Hotel, Numurkah RSVP by Thursday, June 21 by phoning Chris Paynter on 0448 038 901, Patrick MacDonald on 9207 5521 or email: cpaynet@vff.org.au

Event dates and venues will be advertised via Murray Dairy website, local media and the fortnightly eNews.

For information on the events above please contact Murray Dairy on: (03) 5833 5312, admin@murraydairy.com.au or visit www.murraydairy.com.au

Free Dairy Business Management Support Murray Dairy and AgBiz Assist are facilitating free consultations for dairy farmers in the following areas: Business Mentoring A one-on-one consultation to support you to implement a farm business practice or skill, including record-keeping, accounting, budgeting or business analysis.

For information or to organise a session, please contact: Lachlan Barnes Regional Extension Officer Farm Business Management P: 0438 092 352 E: lachlanb@murraydairy.com.au

For those who understand basic farm business management but want a hand putting the theory into practice.

The aim of this consultation is to help you feel more on top of your farm business management.

Succession, Growth and Transition Consultations A one-on-one consultation for those looking at transition, during which you will discuss your business goals, review your position and understand your options going forward.

The aim of this consultation is to help you feel more confident to make decisions about your farm business transition, whether that be buying or selling, expanding or contracting, succession or exit.

This project is supported by a grant from the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund.

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