AUGUST 2020 ISSUE 118
MURRAY REGION
Next generation A passion for the agriculture industry has seen the Wishart sisters follow in their parents’ footsteps. Page 5
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
2 // MURRAY REGION
Coping with constant change CHANGE IS all around us.
We are officially at the end of another financial year and Murray Dairy management along with the board are putting the final touches to the Annual Operating Plan and the Budget for the 2020–21 year. I look out my window at green pastures bathed in the winter sunshine and reflect on the same period last year, which had continuing dry conditions through much of the Murray Dairy region. There was ongoing concern, with priorities centred on navigating how to make the most of spring and get through the year with the resources available to us. This year it is the opposite, with many experiencing the best autumn in memory and seeing many in the Murray Dairy region finish the financial year on a positive note and diving into the new season with renewed confidence. As we move from late winter to the cusp of spring, the way we deliver programs and resources to our farmers has changed too. Jenny and the team at Murray Dairy keep abreast of the many changes and safe operating
G E T
T H E
conditions required while operating in a COVID19 environment. The face-to-face deliveries ceased months ago and now many of us have become quite the tech savvy farmers we never imagined we could be! Check out the short videos hosted on Murray Dairy’s YouTube channel for farmers to access at any time. Timely videos are: Measuring Silage Pile Density, Managing Wet Conditions and Transition Cow Management. And, as we near spring, the Nitrogen Tool developed through Agriculture Victoria is online to answer your questions on fertiliser application and what is the most profitable for your current grazing rotation. Nothing will replace the benefits of face-toface but that armchair by the fire with an iPad on your lap in mid-winter comes pretty close! On a lighter note, I have become a regular video conference participant in my role as chair, using platforms I had never heard of until COVID-19 came crashing into our existence — learning to use digital platforms such as Zoom, Google groups, Cisco and Skype to
TO O L S
name a few. With this change also came a whole other lingo to deal with, often hearing phrases such as: “going forward” with plans to “reset” then “pivot” their business by “hitting the ground running” to establish a “new normal” which will “future proof ” things. Those of you who are engaging regularly will be able to identify with me I’m sure. On a broader scale, no-one could have imagined that by mid-2020 Australia would be entering its first recession in 30 years and we would be weathering a world-scale pandemic while grappling with a contracting economy and rising joblessness. It will be painful for millions of Australians, and while dairy is weathering the pandemic well, being an essential service, closer to home many of us watch the consternation of our children trying to navigate just what this means for them now and into the future. Reflecting on the changes that have occurred in the past six months — whether on our farms, or how we engage with our service providers, processors our employees, our discussion groups
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or even our extended families — it’s important to accept the changes going on around us and adapt. How we look at and deal with change is what matters the most, as change is a harbinger of possibilities. Wishing you a great start to spring. X Karen Moroney Murray Dairy chair
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
MURRAY REGION // 3
Flexibility keeps family afloat RODNEY WOODS
ADAPTING TO a variable climate and a lack of
water availability have seen the biggest changes to the Lang Dairies farming operation at Tatura. The Lang family started dairy farming in 1981 and now owns three neighbouring dairies, covering 1500 ha and milking 3000 mostly Holstein cows. Phil Lang, who runs the farm with his parents Werner and Josy and brother Markus, said continuing to be flexible was key to keeping the business going, when so many others have left the industry. “I guess the biggest changes have been learning to deal with variable climate,” he said. “We have had very wet years, very dry years, failed springs, extreme frosts and heatwaves so adapting the farm system to deal with that (has been the main challenge). “It’s all about having an ongoing drive for efficiency. “The pasture types we grow have changed, we are more flexible than we used to be, so we can respond. “Not every year is dry and terrible. “There are opportunities and you have got to take advantage of them when they are there. “It’s (about) building a low-cost production system that is resilient to whatever the prevailing conditions are.” While trying to adapt to climate change, the Langs have also had to deal with a lack of water availability. “Definitely the amount of water we have to use is not what it was,” Phil said. “Water is certainly more expensive than it used to be. “So for us we do our best to make the most of what we have. “We are certainly more flexible around water than we used to be. “In years where water is more available we’ll use it to grow as much as we can but in years where water is not so available, we have the ability to make do without it. “And that’s a big change from 10 years ago.” Phil explained what changes they had made to adapt to a reducing consumptive pool. “There’s more annual rye-grass and a little bit less perennial rye-grass, we grow lucerne now and we have alternative water with groundwater and drainage water and recycled town water, and we will opportunistically grow maize and sorghum and millet as the season allows.” With it being a closed commercial herd, Phil said the family had invested “quite a bit” in the breeding program. “The breeding program aims to build healthy cows that get in calf most of the time, produce a good amount of milk and live for a long time,” he said. “The health traits — resistance to mastitis, resistance to lameness — they have been the important aims as well as production.”
Tatura dairy farmer Phil Lang in part of his family's herd. He says adapting to climate variables is one of the biggest challenges they have had to face.
When it comes to feeding the cows, the Langs buy in all their grain but grow pasture and fodder. “In a normal year we would directly graze two thirds of the grass and then hay and silage is mostly grown from our own area,” Phil said. “We will buy in some cereal hay. “In dry years we have bought in failed crops as well.” With the industry forever changing, Phil said those who could adapt best, would continue dairying. “It’s been a wild ride for the industry,” he said. “There’s definitely been ups and downs but there have been opportunities in those ups and downs. “It certainly has hit a lot of people hard. “People still buy milk, there’s still a demand, factories are competing for milk. That’s good for us. “The future is bright enough for people who can deal with the changes.” Despite a tough few years, Phil said this season was looking promising. “(Farm gate) prices, compared to where we were a few years ago, are good,” the Freedom Foods supplier said. “That certainly helps a lot. “This season is looking good so far. Touch wood.”
The Langs milk 3000 cows.
“We have had very wet years, very dry years, failed springs, extreme frosts and heatwaves so adapting the farm system to deal with that (has been the main challenge).” The cows head for the dairy via the stock underpass.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
4 // MURRAY REGION
New director for Murray Dairy LOCKINGTON DAIRY farmer Dustin Kemp
has been appointed to the Murray Dairy board as a new director. Mr Kemp has extensive experience in the dairy industry and currently manages a 194 ha farm, milking 180 cows. He has run a mixed operation there for about three years, growing rye-grass and some permanent lucerne. “Ag is a really great industry and I’m keen on the environment I live in and the community I live in, and I think it’s worth protecting,” he said. Mr Kemp first became involved in the dairy industry in 2002, when he gained an apprenticeship after graduating from school. He has completed a Certificate III in Horticulture with Wodonga TAFE, majoring in Arboriculture, and a Diploma with Dairy Australia/TAFE SA, majoring in Agribusiness Management. Through the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Mr Kemp became involved in broader industry discussions, leading him to his current position. He has held roles as president of the Campaspe Young Dairy Network and as a
member of the Goulburn-Murray Water Irrigator Customer Representative Committee and is currently a member of the Young Farmer Ministers Advisery Committee advising Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes. “I look forward to being a part of the broader conversation of dairy in our region with our vast and innovative farming styles,” he said. Looking to the future, Mr Kemp said more change was on the way for dairy farmers in northern Victoria. “There’s a bright future in dairy and the fact that farmers here are willing to adapt to change is encouraging.” He said the industry had done everything it could in response to the coronavirus but that the optimism of farmers was varied. “It goes season by season; water is a key driver in the area and favourable seasonal conditions help out a lot.” Reappointed to the Murray Dairy board for a second term was Goulburn-Murray Water’s Mark Bailey, as was Tongala dairy farmer and board deputy chair Andrew Tyler. Having filled a casual role since last year,
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Murray Dairy board director Dustin Kemp with his wife Anna and daughters Melania (left) and Gabriela.
Finley dairy farmer Rachael Napier was officially appointed to her first term on the board. More on the Murray Dairy board of directors can be found at: www.dairyaustralia.com.au/ murray-dairy/about-murray-dairy/board
“There’s a bright future in dairy and the fact that farmers here are willing to adapt to change is encouraging.”
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
MURRAY REGION // 5
Sisters love life on the farm SOPHIE BALDWIN
COWS HAVE always featured heavily in the
lives of sisters Emmalea, Kaitlyn and April Wishart. Growing up on the family dairy farm, Rowlands Park at Cohuna, the girls have always shown a keen interest in what was going on. Whether it’s showing cows, rearing stock, milking, driving tractors or sowing, the girls have got every aspect of farm management covered, something that is a great source of pride for parents Rick and Tina. The girls’ continued interest in farming is now what keeps Rick and Tina motivated, especially when they start to question themselves. However the trials, tribulations and tough times, especially over the past few years, have only served to bring the family closer together as they negotiate their future. “We all share the same interest and are a really close family as a result,” Tina said. “The girls each have their own strengths. When they were younger Emmalea was the boss, which used to create a few arguments, but now they are all young adults and they share the load and work really well together.” The business has gone from a peak of 400 cows to about 270, with Rick and Tina now doing all the work themselves. “We haven’t had any workers for the last couple of years and it has been pretty hectic," Tina said. “We would love some time away but having the girls in isolation and home from school due to COVID-19 has been really helpful.” Emmalea, 21, is in her final year of studying exercise science in Bendigo and is planning to get her masters next year. Katelyn, 19, has just started an agribusiness course in Bendigo. April, 16, is in Year 11 and completing a school-based apprenticeship in dairy agriculture. “By the time April leaves secondary school all the girls will have completed their Cert III
Kaitlyn Wishart from Rowlands Park Holsteins with Bluechip Brazzle Whynot at International Dairy Week in Tatura earlier this year.
in Ag,” Tina said. Emmalea said she always wanted to work on the farm, but her parents had encouraged her to try something else first. “I will graduate at the end of the year and hopefully do my masters next,” Emmalea said. “I think it has been very wise of my parents to encourage me to try something different and now I am not too sure what I will end up doing.” A future agronomy course has also sparked her interest.
“I have always been the one who has helped Dad with the tractor work and sowing and I would really like to increase my knowledge in that particular field.” Emmalea may not know where she is going to end up, but she knows her future will involve some sort of farming and she does have plans to eventually settle in the area. “I am sure one of us will end up on the farm — I’m just not sure which one of us that will be. “Kaitlyn knows so much about the showing side and the pedigree of the animals, while April is the odd jobs girl and basically does everything from getting the cows up, milking and feeding calves — she basically keeps the place running.” Kaitlyn is hoping the skills she learns in agribusiness will relate in years to come. “I can always see myself working in ag and you can incorporate business knowledge into any aspect, which I think will be really helpful,” she said. Her passion is the breeding side of things and she knows the pedigree of every cow in the herd. And she knows every cow in the herd. “I really love the animal side of things, including raising calves," Kaitlyn said. “If I don’t end up on the farm physically, I will still have a few show cows of my own because I just can’t see myself not having any in my life.” Kaitlyn’s first year at uni might have been upset by COVID-19 but she said spending
lockdown on the farm had been great. “We haven’t been together as a family for a year or so now, so it has been really nice,” she said. “Even on the days Em and I have lots of uni work, we can still help Mum and Dad out on the farm with a few odd jobs.” She said the whole COVID-19 pandemic had helped highlight the importance of producing food in Australia. Even though she is the baby of the family, April has the same amount of input and works just as hard as everyone else. She said the past few years had been frustrating as she watched her parents struggle with the implications of the high cost of producing milk and the stress of water. “You can tell what is going on and I just keep wondering why it can’t be the other way, the whole water thing just seems corrupt,” April said. She would like to think there was a good future for dairying but it depends on lots of things including water, weather and milk price. “I can’t really see myself working in the city. I used to want to do beauty, but I can’t think of anything else I want to be but a farmer.” She is looking forward to completing her Certificate III. “Mum and Dad want me to do something else, but farming might be the only thing I want to do.”
“I have always been the one who has helped Dad with the tractor work and sowing and I would really like to increase my knowledge in that particular field.” Emmalea, Kaitlyn, Tina and Rick Wishart.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
6 // MURRAY REGION
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
MURRAY REGION // 7
Cinnamon popular with voters AVONLEA-YF WINDBROOK Cinnamon-ET,
a cow part-owned by Blighty farmers, has continued her winning ways despite dairy shows being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cinnamon was named Semex Holstein Australia All-Australian People’s Choice in an online competition. Cinnamon is syndicate-owned by Adam and Meg Marshall, Adam’s father Lindsay Marshall, the Marshall family’s herd manager Kit Davidson and Adam’s Gold Coast-based friend Craig Devlin. The cow is housed and looked after by its breeder John Gardiner, at Avonlea Holsteins in Cardinia. The competition pitted previous AllAustralian three-year-old winners against one another, with Cinnamon receiving the most public votes. “It’s always nice for the animal to be recognised by a group of judges, but to be recognised by the wider public is an incredible honour,” Adam said. “Cinnamon won the three-year-old AllAustralian award in 2018 and she’s up for the award again for six-year-olds right now. “The winner of that will likely be announced
at the end of July.” Cinnamon had a year off from shows in 2019, returning to competition at the National Holstein Show at International Dairy Week in January this year. She finished as Reserve Senior Champion at the national event, an impressive finish in Adam’s eyes. “She finished second in her class (cow, six years in milk) and second overall to the same cow that finished first in her class,” he said. “The winning cow was also bred by Avonlea. “We didn’t quite keep enough milk in one of her quarters so she was a bit lop-sided. You can’t win when that happens but to get reserve champion with that shows the quality of cow she is. “A lot of credit needs to go to John, without him Cinnamon wouldn’t have had the success she has had. “He actually bred an All-World champion, but has said Cinnamon is easily better than that cow. “We also have to give credit to the Flanagan family at Woodlawn Holsteins who were a part of the original partnership in 2017,” Adam said. “They helped with the early development of Cinnamon and helped her become the strong performing cow she is.
Avonlea-YF Windbrook Cinnamon-ET has been named Semex Holstein Australia All-Australian People’s Choice after an online voting competition.
“Cinnamon is not just a good type cow, she is also a good production cow. “She produced 16 700 litres of milk in 307
days, when the average Holstein produces 8500 litres in a year.”
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
8 // MURRAY REGION
Farmer encourages other farmers to seek help ROSS READ has suffered with mental illness
for much of his working life — but for a long time, he did not realise it. Mr Read grew up on a Toolamba West family dairy farm, which he took over with his brother in the 1980s, and spent the next 23 years in partnership with him. The cumulative effect of tough seasons, financial challenges, industry changes, rationalisation and collapses took a toll on him. Like so many farmers, the millennium drought was the last straw. Mr Read said the loss of control caused by drought and subsequent floods pulled the trigger on his mental health issues. “For most farmers, you’re not aware of the pressures you’re under — certainly the drought took a toll,” he said. “I always thought how I dealt with things was normal, and I withdrew, and in most agriculture industries you’re your own boss — so that’s easier to do. “It got to a point when my mental illness was taking over and it was affecting my marriage and my farm.” That is when Mr Read decided to visit his local
GP, who then referred him to the psychologist he has been seeing for the past 12 years. “Having someone to talk through what’s going on in your head was a good thing, and I’ve been able to get help to understand where the negative voices come from and how to problem solve it,” he said. He also used his farm as a way to reconnect with the land and regain control of his surroundings. “I can now use the farm as a means of deescalating my anxiety — it’s about managing my environment.” Mr Read said the most important thing was to discuss how to manage mental illness. “Men aren’t that great at getting in touch with how they are feeling, which is why talking to a professional is important. “I wouldn’t be in the position I am now without seeking professional help. “For farmers, you see nutritionists and agronomists and all sorts of experts helping look after the farm; so that’s why I think mental practitioners are in the same boat — except they are looking after me so I can look after myself and the farm.” Mr Read has worked as a Murray Dairy
extension officer for the past five years and said having support from colleagues was essential. “Mental illness is not something that you can fix, it’s not a cold — it is something that is with you for life so it is essential to learn how to take control of it. “Even working at Murray Dairy, when I feel I’m losing control I can do some activities to help put everything back in balance.” Mr Read now takes part in an ambassador speaker program, the next step in his recovery journey. “I’m hoping that being able to articulate my story will encourage at least one person to be able to seek help a little bit quicker than I did — I was 38 when I sought help.” He now lives next to the farm where he was raised and hopes his own children will grow up with better support services than he had as a child. If you need support, or know someone who does, call Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800, Lifeline on 131 114, the suicide callback service on 1300 659 467 or visit: ReachOut.com or www.beyondblue.org.au/
Ross Read was 38 years old before he sought help for his mental illness
2020 01 28 Dairy News February copy.pdf 1 24/01/2020 5:45:21 PM
Damian DRUM MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NICHOLLS
Contact my office for assistance with Federal Government issues 426 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, VIC 3630 damian.drum.mp@aph.gov.au damiandrum.com.au
DamianDrumMP 03 5821 5371
Authorised by D. Drum, National Party of Australia, Shepparton.
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
MURRAY REGION // 9
Jerseys rise to the challenge NORTHERN VICTORIAN breeders have
taken home titles in the Jersey Australia-Semex Great Australian Challenge. Tallygaroopna’s Geoff and Natalie Akers, of the Goulburn Murray Jersey Club, won the Three-Year-Old Class with Loxleigh Valentino Empress 5940. Mr Akers said it was a great thrill to have success in such a large competition. “She’s a big strong Jersey cow with a really well attached udder,” he said. “She’s got plenty of rib and is a bigger than the average Jersey. “She’s a Valentino daughter and her mother won our local on-farm challenge last year, so she’s had success in competition as well.”
Loxleigh Valentino Empress 5940 is due to calve at the end of July and Mr Akers hopes to have her in next year’s competition as well. “We’re always hopeful, she’s got good breeding behind her so we’re trying to get that successful offspring.” The awards were presented on July 15 via Zoom. “It hasn’t got quite the excitement if everyone’s in the room, but as a national competition everyone had the opportunity to be online to hear the awards,” Mr Akers said. Cows from northern Victoria won three of the five classes, including supreme champion. Tallygaroopna’s Ben Pedretti of Froglands Jerseys won Supreme Champion and Mature
Supreme Champion and Mature Class winner Meldan Vanahlem Violet presented by Tallygaroopna's Ben Pedretti from Froglands Jerseys.
Class with Meldan Vanahlem Violet. “It’s nice to have found a cow that developed to the same level as previous winners who have gone on to great things,” Mr Pedretti said. “She’s very balanced and a real powerhouse cow. “She has a real youthful mammary system for her age and she’s a very fertile cow.” The Two-Year-Old Class was won by
Numurkah’s John and Margaret Cockerell with Warrain Valentino Empress 1. The Four-Year-Old Class was won by western Victoria’s Chris and Pam MacKenzie with Jireh Ares Sunbeam and the Five-Year-Old Class was won by south Gippsland’s Darien and Alex Mathews with Langdale Valentino Madge.
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DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
10 // MURRAY REGION
Young herd worth its weight in gold THE CAVALLARO family, from Katunga, has
taken out a gold award for producing some of the country’s best milk as part of Dairy Australia’s 2020 Milk Quality Awards. The awards recognise farmers producing the country’s best milk based on bulk milk cell count (BMCC). Gold awards are given to the ‘Top 100’ dairy farmers nationally for milk quality and Alex Cavallaro said while it was nice to be recognised, the family didn’t do it for awards. “Even if they didn’t do it (the awards), we still would be doing the same things but it’s nice to see we are being recognised," he said. Mr Cavallaro, who farms with his parents, Cosimo and Rosie, and his wife Anna, said the family had milked about 2500 Friesian cows ever since they started dairying in 2000 and explained the secrets to their success “We keep a young herd,” he said. “We cull pretty heavily on any old cows, we don’t employ people — just have a family-run business — and keeping an eye on the cows and selling off mastitis cows instead of treating them for too long (are reasons for our success).”
Mr Cavallaro said the biggest change they had implemented on-farm was changing crops to adapt to the water availability issues. "We used to grow summer pastures but we’ve gone from permanent pasture to annual rye-grasses. “They are not as reliant on water and you get better quality feed.” According to Dairy Australia, focus on low cell counts helps increase milk yields and can improve the milk income received by farmers. Most processing companies pay a premium for milk with a cell count below 250,000 cells/ ml and Dairy Australia analysis estimates that a farmer milking 300 cows who lowers their BMCC from 250,000 to 100,000 would be financially better off to the tune of $39,000 a year. Data for the Milk Quality Awards is supplied to Dairy Australia by dairy companies across the country. To be eligible, dairy farms must have data for a minimum of nine months in a calendar year. Monthly averages are then used to calculate the annual average BMCC for each farm.
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To learn how to feed smarter, contact your local Ridley team of Dairy specialists Gippsland (Pakenham & Maffra) Northern Victoria (Gunbower) Western Victoria (Terang) Tasmania (Carrick) New South Wales (Taree) New South Wales (Tamworth) Queensland (Toowoomba)
1300 531 833 1800 832 644 1800 100 151 1800 655 600 02 6557 3300 02 6765 0444 07 4699 1777
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RID22254_Ridley_Dairy_News_Australia_DairyNewsMurray_T42_QuarterPage_186mmHx129mmW_FA.indd 1 12/6/20 2:26 pm
Other northern Victorian winners: Ashdale 55 Pty Ltd Ashley J Fiedler BD & KL Mitchell C & R Cavallaro JR Campbell CL Freemantle Pty Ltd Coowonga Family Trust D & M Colbert JW & VL Douglas C & N Hibberson SG & SJ Jones
RA & HJ Doolan Pty Ltd RJ & JR Rixon Pty Ltd RJ Perkins & SF Evans SJ & AK Christopher SC & VJ Winchester H & S Stephens NJ Wild WJ & A Stammers To see the full list of winners, visit: dairyaustralia.com.au/farm/animalmanagement/mastitis/milk-qualityawards/2020-milk-quality-award-winners
DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA AUGUST 2020
MURRAY REGION // 11
Grant to deliver farm safety officers FARM SAFETY officers are the latest step
towards preventing farm injuries and deaths in Victoria. The Victorian Government will provide the VFF with a $3 million Making our Farms Safer grant to employ two farm safety officers and deliver new resources. As part of a four-year program, the farm safety officers will develop an online platform with a range of resources to help farmers adopt better farm safety and health practices. A program involving on-farm visits to advise farmers of the risks and changes that can be made to improve safety is being developed. VFF president David Jochinke said the health and safety of everyone on farms was the priority. “Safety on farms is paramount, because it concerns the wellbeing of our workers, families and ourselves,” Mr Jochinke said. “The agricultural sector is one of the most dangerous workplaces in Victoria, not just for
farmers, but everyone present on the farm. “As a father, there can be no bigger priority in a parent’s life than the health and wellbeing of your child. “It’s incredibly tragic that children under the age of 15 make up more than 15 per cent of preventable death and injuries on farms.” On average, there are about two serious injuries on Victorian farms every day and in the past five months, six people have died while working on a farm. Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said workplace deaths were devastating and needless. “That’s why we’re working with industry to reach as many people as possible and change the attitudes around farm workplace safety,” Ms Symes said. “We want our farms to be safe places for those who live, work or visit them. “The work that the VFF will carry out with
VFF president David Jochinke says the grant will help deliver the resources and tools needed to make Victorian farms safer.
this grant will make a difference in achieving this for all Victorian farms.” Quad bikes were the most common form of farm fatalities this year and have been the most common form of injury for more than a decade. Statistics from the Victorian Injury
Surveillance Unit reveal that 388 Victorian children under 14 years old were treated in hospital in 2018–19 because of a farm-related injury — about seven per week. To contact the safety officers for advice, email: wr@vff.org.au
ARE YOU PLANNING YOUR FARM BUSINESS NEEDS FOR THE COMING SEASON AND BEYOND Dairy Australia’s Our Farm, Our Plan program equips and supports farmers to set goals and plan for short to long-term business success. What’s in it for you: One-to-one farm business planning support Tools to assist in defining your business needs Clear business goals now and for the long-term An action plan to reach your goals Take control with Our Farm, Our Plan now by visiting dairyaustralia.com.au/OFOP or contact Lachlan Barnes on lachlanb@murraydairy.com.au | 0438 092 352.
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