Dairy direct murray december 2014 (low res)

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Country News PUBLICATION

MURRAY Issue 15, December 2014

Niche processors find a foothold » page 12

The latest news on sexed semen » page 10 Taking the heat down » page 18 A case study for a farm upgrade » page 36

PIPE & RISER SYSTEM

Editor Geoff Adams editor@countrynews.com.au

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Writers Cathy Walker Alexandra Bathman Sophie Bruns

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Story page 12

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Photographers Ray Sizer Julie Mercer Bianca Mibus Graphic design Teresa Lagozzino Brendan Cain Riverine Herald production team Advertising James MacGibbon james.macgibbon@countrynews.com.au Published by Country News PO Box 204, Shepparton, Victoria 3632 (03) 5831 2312 www.countrynews.com.au

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Country News Reaching Australia’s richest agricultural region

Dairy Direct A sunny spring morning at Tatura and a busy Canberra office could not be further apart.

Under the shade of a white tent at Phil Lang’s dairy farm, the news of a new dairy program was announced, while in our national capital, Canberra, the ink was drying on a new free trade agreement with China.

Both events occurred on the same day and both events are crucial to the future development of the dairy industry in northern Victoria and the southern Riverina.

On the one hand, the new program will give farmers the tools to become more efficient in a globally competitive market, and at the other end of the industry the free trade agreement should open up the world’s largest market with a fairer price.

The Accelerating Change program will try to speed up the introduction of new technology and research on our farms using a well established process for spreading the word. Farmers are practical characters who want to see how new ideas work and are usually prepared to talk about their success.

This peer-to-peer approach will be applied after the technologies and research are tested on the ground.

That spring day in November was a small but important milestone for the dairy industry.

— Geoff Adams Dairy Direct 2

DECEMBER 2014

contents

Busy few months in dairying

Doing Dairy with Sophie Bruns

4

Dairy news

4–7

Animal health

8

Fresh is best in NZ trial

Warmer months bring challenges and opportunities to industry Inside this edition is some useful information about keeping cows cool during these warm months.

As always, keep a close eye on the weather. Do be aware that many of the impacts of heat stress can’t be seen until the later stages. Be sure to provide plenty of shade and drinking water and make good use of sprinklers.

It has certainly been a busy couple of months and I hope many of you have been able to capitalise on the spring pasture production.

A few weeks ago we welcomed the announcement from Deputy Premier Peter Ryan of a $1.45 million investment in the Accelerating Change project. This partnership with Dairy Australia is designed to accelerate the uptake of research and innovation on commercial farms.

The Accelerating Change project is one that has been a long while in development and this investment in increasing access to dairy research is a prime opportunity for farmers across the Murray Dairy region to optimise profitable production.

The project centres on leveraging our region’s competitive advantage in the capacity for home grown • Protect your quality

milk

on cooling • Save energy t • Stop your va erating compressor op all day

ater Chillers e of Compact W ng ra w ne ’s al Delav y Farmers.

Goulburn Valle r fo e bl la ai av are now

ON YOUR SOLUTI ILK TO REDUCE MRE TEMPERATU

Small companies put big smiles on faces of suppliers 12

pasture and reliable access to water.

Murray Dairy is currently in the process of updating the Water Trading Toolkit. Water trade is an important tool to help irrigators manage their farm businesses.

A solid understanding around purchasing and selling water is necessary in order to make good decisions and make the most of market opportunities. This toolkit will provide irrigators with good insight into the water system and trading.

A series of Plan for Risk workshops were recently held across the region. Some useful information was gathered regarding managing the risks within our business. For those who couldn’t make it to the workshops, do contact Murray Dairy for a copy of the information that was made available or visit www.murraydairy.com.au/planfor-risk On behalf of the Murray Dairy board and staff I wish you all a happy Christmas. I hope you are able to find some time to enjoy with family and friends and are able to take a well-earned break.

— Malcolm Holm Chairman, Murray Dairy

Fertilising is a balancing act

15

Research fast tracked

16

Keeping cows cool is hot topic as weather warms 18 Correct cooling is imperative

19

Milked in Kyvalley, sold to the world

20

Fine tuning grain feed production

23

Finding a balance

24

Interest breeds long career with cows

26

Does your feeding system stack up?

29

Australia’s dairy show with the lot

30

Nutrient planning – know your rights

31

Farmers jump online to become legendary champions 32 New dairy speeds milking

33

Good eye for a cow pays dividends

34

Water investment pays off

36

Cow careers insight gained

37

Expansion limited by supply

39

Walking in a family tradition

40

Collective bargaining insight offered ur milk yo t ec • Prot Calendar of events quality cooling • Save energy on

42 42

• Stop your vat lkerating r op r mi esso t you mpr • Pro cotec tyy qu l da alali

ling Water Chillers • Save energy on coo nge of Compact Delaval’s new ra Valley Farmers. p your vat lable for Goulburn • Sto are now avai g compressor operatin , all day ing dairy people Contact the lead YOUR SOLUTION rs ille ter Walie s Ch Comp MIL of Da Supp CE ne iry act rangeGV wK TO RE laval’s DeDU TURE ble for Goulburn Valley Farmers.

PERA TEM are now availa rton ple, rcury Drv, Sheppa the leading dairy peo

le, 6 MeLUTION Contact ing dairy peop YOUR SOCE 33 MI)LK 5831 30 DUone (03 Contact the lead TO REPh GV Dairy Supplies ERATURE and Cobram s MP TE lie pp Su ry n GV Dai Shepparto

Shepparton 6 Mercury Drv, 3033 Phone (03) 5831 Cobram hepparton and

10

LIES G V D A I RYL TSDU P P P TY

rton 6 Mercury Drv, Sheppa Phone (03) 5831 3033 ram Shepparton and Cob

DECEMBER 2014

3

Doing Dairy

with SOPHIE BRUNS

Sophie Bruns is a dairy farmer from Gunbower with a husband, two daughters and a mortgage.

Year gallops towards end Busy times mean all are looking forward to a break at Christmas.

I can hear the haunting sound of Christmas carols in the distance as I contemplate the disappearance of yet another year. Where did 2014 go, by the way?

For our family it has been another busy one, mostly spent working and driving my two teenage daughters around in the car — to netball, tennis, dance, friends’ houses, parties and work for my eldest — and like me the old Prado is starting to get a few kilometres under her belt.

Of course, this year hasn’t been just about driving. I set myself (and completed) the goal of running a half marathon along with 11 000 other people in the Melbourne Marathon. I was hoping to complete the race in 2.5 hours but surprised myself by running two hours and three minutes — a long way off the winning time of 1 hour and 20 minutes — but not bad for an old girl pushing 40.

On the farming side of things it has been a mixed year; increasing our acreage has been the best thing we have done and with

production up and feed costs down a bit, moving forward we are hopefully going to be able to produce our milk a lot cheaper than we have done previously.

Sowing of permanent pasture continues; this spring Rob has sown a couple of paddocks of fescue in a bid to help us out in the wet months. (Thinking about rain after this dry spring and what is apparently meant to be a long, hot, dry summer seems like wishful thinking.)

Our soil is quite heavy and pugging remains a problem for us, so in theory the dense cover in these paddocks should help. I’ll keep you posted on the success of this one.

The hay season has been kind to us with around 600 bales done and dusted and 120 rolls of silage. There have been many sleepless nights for Rob as he has gone about this task, but since it is all but done, we would certainly welcome some rain. The dust is terrible and because we also live on a dirt road we have the added bonus of extra dust when people drive past. Yippee! We

dairy news

may have to invest in some of those mouth covers just to walk outside, soon.

I have also lost count of the amount of snakes I have seen this year. I am very loud when I do the irrigating and always make sure I have my gumboots on. Because I always have three dogs trailing behind me, I am always extra vigilant. The dogs love nothing more than running through a wet paddock and their game of chasey always make me laugh.

The cows are milking well and with the AI season under way the Christmas break is starting to look very appealing. Christmas carols drive me nuts after a while but I do enjoy the company, my family and all the festivities that go along with the big day.

My two little nephews will again be home at Christmas and no doubt they will be more than happy to trail around after Rob, who takes on god-like proportions in the eyes of two four-year-olds at this time of year.

Merry Christmas to you all and have a safe and happy 2015.

UDV President Tyran Jones.

China FTA bonus Chinese tarrif barriers on milk powder and infant formula made in northern Victoria will be progressively lifted under a new free trade agreement signed last month.

world demand for our dairy products should be reflected in increased prices that farmers receive given the fierce competition for milk at the Victorian farm gate.

The agreement between China and Australia has been welcomed by UDV president Tyran Jones.

The UDV was lobbying for a “New Zealand plus” deal which was based on the outcome won by our trade neighbour.

The 15 per cent tarrif on infant formula will The new agreement is different to the New be removed over four years. However for other Zealand one, but many of the tarrifs will come key products such as milk powder and whole off sooner than for New Zealand. milk, the implementation dates are further off. “Regional communities should also feel “The announcement that dairy will receive optimistic about this deal as many of the significant tariff reductions on key items such milk processors are based in our regions and as infant formula is what we’ve been working contribute significantly to the local economy,” towards,” Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones said.

“This provides the processors with an unprecedented opportunity to market our dairy products in the highly competitive Chinese market.

“It would be reasonable to expect that increased 4

DECEMBER 2014

“This FTA will also renew confidence in our industry, enable processing plants to continue to invest in our industry and provide new jobs and employment opportunities.”

The signing of a successful FTA with China

is particularly important to Victorian dairy farmers because 90 per cent of China’s Australian dairy imports are sourced from Victoria.

“The Victorian processing sector has committed over $1 billion to upgrade processing capacity and this deal will help us realise our potential; to provide more safe, nutritious and healthy products to our biggest market,” Mr Jones said.

dairy news

Deal with the water trading specialists

Bonlac ahead, report says Chairman says news validates price promise.

The Bonlac Supply Company, which provides milk to Fonterra, is claiming to have the highest milk price in Victoria and Tasmania for most supply patterns last season.

The company has released a report compiled by independent consultant Ian Gibbs.

While the report claims the company is ahead in many cases, the report also found that for farmers with a seasonal supply pattern in northern Victoria, Tatura Milk Industries was slightly ahead. The report produced tables showing a comparison between Bonlac, Fonterra, Murray Goulburn and Tatura.

BSC and Fonterra have a supply agreement in place whereby Fonterra at a minimum must pay a milk price equal to the largest processor in Victoria.

Each year BSC commissions an independent audit on milk price paid by the largest processor, however, this year BSC audited all major processors in Victoria and Tasmania.

BSC chairman Tony Marwood said BSC had a responsibility to its supply base to ensure this leading milk price was achieved and that BSC and Fonterra suppliers had a clear view on the price paid for the 2013–14 season.

“The outcome of this report is good news and validates what we said all season. It shows that all our suppliers to Fonterra received at least a competitive price and in some cases even better for the 2013–14 season. This price along with the many support services that we work with Fonterra on, help to ensure our suppliers are running sustainable, profitable businesses,” Mr Marwood said.

Commenting on the report, Ian Gibb of Farmanco Pty Ltd said: “In terms of competitiveness, BSC can claim to have been price leaders in most regions, for most supply patterns, with the exception of seasonal farms in the north, east and west and flat supply farms in the west, where other processors came out marginally ahead.”

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Sector set to expand

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Victorian farmers intend to increase investment in their operations in the coming year, with strong interest in equipment and technology, according to the latest Commonwealth Bank Agri Insights survey.

The research found 18 per cent of dairy farmers nationally intended to expand their dairy enterprise in the coming year.

Agri Insights surveys 1500 farmers about 14 aspects of farm operations, covering physical aspects, financial investment intentions and employment.

The Victorian index has grown to 10.5 points in October, ahead of the national index, which is at 8.5 points.

According to the survey farmers

If you’re selling, buying or investing, ring us today so we can work with you to realise opportunities.

across the state have indicated they will focus their investment over the coming year on the physical and financial aspects of their farming operations, with 19 per cent of Victorian farmers planning to increase their investment in plant and equipment in the coming 12 months.

Thirty-three per cent of Victorian farmers say they will boost investment in on-farm infrastructure.

Darryl Mohr, the bank’s general manager, regional and agribusiness banking for Victoria and Tasmania said a combination of favourable seasonal conditions and good prices had boosted farmers’ positive intentions, especially in grain and dairy.

(03) 5824 3833 49 Casey St, Tatura

DECEMBER 2014

5

dairy news Bright future for partnership with China Chinese delegation impressed by what they see at farm and factory.

Bright Dairy company executives Wang Ying and Ming Ben with their painted corporate brand name at an Undera farm. They formed a “love symbol” while having fun with the plastic cow.

A Chinese company that has signed a major deal with Shepparton milk processor Pactum Dairy has sent representatives to the Goulburn Valley to see how we produce milk.

A company director has told Country News they were impressed with what they saw.

In August the Pactum Dairy group began manufacturing a new 250 Ml UHT milk product for China’s Bright Dairy Group that last year had total sales of $2.6 billion, through 400 000 sales outlets.

The visiting group of 25 people from the Shanghai-based company included a film crew that spent four days with Wyuna dairy farmer John Watson, recording how the farm worked.

The group also visited the Shepparton Pactum Dairy factory.

The leadership group included two internet bloggers who have more than a million followers each.

Writer ‘Gabbi’ Shi has a largely young online audience who follow her tips and advice on travel, food and entertainment.

Bright Dairy executive director Min Ben said as a result of the trip the company had more confidence and in future the products would sell well in China.

Through a translator, Ms Ben said Chinese consumers wanted quality, safety and a functional product.

“We are excited by what we have seen,” she said.

“We have seen the factory and farms and seen

that living conditions of the cows are good.

“We trust the purity of the milk.”

She said she was impressed by the state-of-theart factory and its management.

Ms Bin said the growth rate for the high end of the milk market was “very large”.

Asked if her company wanted to buy Australian factories or farms, she replied: “It is our strategy to use global resources to satisfy customers’ demand, not only in China but global demand, so we may push the product into other markets, not only China.

“Whether to invest in Australia or not is dependent upon future product development strategy and the local investment environment.”

Directors returned

The Numurkah Show kicked off in October and Kyabram’s Neville and Jenelle McDonald took home the blue ribbon with their Champion jersey Sunshine Farm Cherry 103.

6

DECEMBER 2014

Renominating directors of Murray Goulburn Co-operative have been returned following the recent election in the northern region zone.

Natalie Akers from Tallygaroopna, Ken Jones from Gundowring and Graham Munzel from Gunbower were returned.

Ms Akers has been a director since 2011 and runs a 700-cow dairy farm at Tallygaroopna with her husband, Geoff.

Ken Jones, his wife Lynne, and daughter and sonin-law Rachel and Peter Romans run a 430-cow farm at Kergunyah in north-east Victoria.

He has been a director since 2008 and for three years has been deputy chairman.

Graham Munzel and his wife Maureen, and son Randy, run a 290-cow dairy farm at Gunbower. He joined the Murray Goulburn board in 2008.

A total of 53 per cent of eligible voters cast a vote.

Member for Rodney and Lockington farmer Paul Weller was an unsuccessful candidate.

dairy news

Investment strong but price outlook flat in short term Suppliers warned not to expect further price rises for rest of season.

Investment interest is strong in the dairy industry but a milk price increase is unlikely this season, according to the latest Dairy Australia Situation and Outlook report.

Continued supply and price volatility in world dairy markets has done little to stem the growing interest of investors in the prospect of good long-term returns.

Commercial research and analysis manager Norman Repacholi said major Australian processors have cautioned suppliers not to expect further price rises for the balance of the season and recommended careful on-farm cost management as milk prices are not expected to see an upturn until the second quarter of 2015.

But despite caution on price, a number of significant investments in the dairy industry have been announced that reflect growing confidence in Australian milk production and the high regard in which Australian product is held internationally.

“If all of these investments come to fruition it could significantly lift the industry’s long-term

profitability and transform how the industry operates,” Mr Repacholi said.

“Additionally, the signing of the China Free Trade Agreement should create new opportunities for Australian dairy despite global markets remaining oversupplied and international commodity prices in decline. Aside from increasing competitiveness of Australian dairy exports, the Chinese industry should also benefit from having a greater choice of dairy suppliers.

“National milk production is 2.8 per cent ahead of last season, reaching 2.34 billion litres, while overall weather conditions have varied significantly around the regions, particularly in northern and western states which continue to face low rainfall; our forecast for growth in 2014–15 remains steady at two per cent to 9.3545 billion litres,” he said.

“Nationally, while consumer sentiment is tilted towards pessimism, most major dairy categories are showing better retail growth with cheese and dairy spreads moving to higher average prices and consumer spending at cafes and restaurants remaining healthy,” Mr Repacholi said.

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7

animal health

A regular column from Rochester Vet Practice

Beat heat stress in dairy cows A hot cow is an unproductive cow, so keeping them cool is a must as the weather warms.

This summer has every indication of being hot and dry, so we must be aware of the problem of cows overheating. All mammals including dairy cows are capable of maintaining a relatively constant body temperature in a wide range of environmental temperatures. This ability to stabilise body temperature is essential to various biochemical reactions and processes that occur in the lactating cow. When cows are heat stressed, this constant body temperature is not maintained. The increased body temperature changes the whole metabolism of the cow leading to reduced performance and eventually (if temperature exceeds 42° C) death.

The most comfortable temperature range for lactating dairy cows is between 5° C and 25° C. Above 25° C cows will eat less in order to reduce the amount of heat generated by digestion in the rumen. They will also redirect blood from the internal organs to the skin to try to cool down which also has the effect of reducing the rate of digestion. It has been calculated that dry matter intake is 90 per cent of normal at 30° C, 75 per cent of normal at 32° C and only 67 per cent at 40° C. SIGNS OF HEAT STRESS Cows under heat stress will show the following signs and behaviours: • Eating less • Producing less milk • Becoming less active • Seeking out shade and breezes • Standing in dams — can lead to outbreaks of environmental mastitis • Increasing their respiratory rate (open-mouth breathing) • Sweating more • In severe cases becoming recumbent, followed by death.

As well as affecting milk production, heat stress dramatically lowers conception rates, shortens oestrus periods and delays or interrupts early development of the embryo.

In very hot and humid areas, conception rates as low as 10 per cent have been recorded.

It has also been shown that the fertility of 8

DECEMBER 2014

maiden heifers is less affected by heat than that of lactating cows. This is likely due to the extra heat produced by milk production.

Heat stress does not prevent the occurrence of normal oestrus (heat) cycles but it will reduce the length of the heat period from 18 hours to about 10 hours with a greatly reduced intensity. This makes the job of heat detection even harder, and inadequate heat detection is one of the most common causes of reproductive inefficiency in dairy herds.

Heat stress can also increase the incidence of early embryonic death so even though conception may have occurred, the developing embryo may die in the following two or three weeks. It has been shown that there is a critical 48–hour period around joining when heat stress will result in embryonic death later on, giving rise to variable intervals between heats. Some herds that are milking three times daily and doing their AI after the night milking have reported a perceived increase in pregnancy rate to AI. TREATMENT Where cows are severely affected by heat stress the main priority is to reduce the body temperature. This is most readily achieved by cold hosing while applying a fan to the animal to give maximum evaporative cooling.

Avoid adding to the stress; handle the animal quietly and provide cool drinking water.

Additional fluid therapy and supportive drugs may be required.

PREVENTION In our climate most heat stress is due to the effect of direct sunlight. The following points are some practical ways in which heat stress can be avoided or reduced: • Graze cows in paddocks with plenty of shade • Graze cows in paddocks with the best pasture at night because they will be more inclined to eat when it is cooler • Provide shade and sprinklers in dairy yards — putting sprinklers on timers, 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, gives maximum cooling and reduces the risk of contaminating udders with run-off from the cows’ backs • Graze cows in nearby paddocks to reduce the distance walked • Plant shade trees; especially along northern and western boundaries • Hold cows waiting for AI in a cool place, not on concrete • Provide fans in the dairy • Get as many cows as possible in-calf early to avoid having to mate in December/January • Provide plenty of cool water close to grazing areas.

— Dr Keith Fletcher Rochester Veterinary Practice

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This has turned almost dry land into highly productive land

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Connections Project

Nathan can irrigate twice as much per day Dairy cows reap the benefits of better irrigation systems. Getting water on and off pasture is a huge benefit for Nathan Shannon. It’s what experts say will achieve the greatest growing results for the pasture at his Naring dairy farm.

But, it wasn’t until Mr Shannon’s irrigation system was upgraded through Goulburn-Murray Water’s (GMW) Connections Project that he could irrigate this way.

“The biggest benefit for us is being able to put water on and get it off in four hours,” Mr Shannon said. “I can irrigate twice as much per day and with the high flow rate I can get more again.”

For the full story about Nathan’s irrigation upgrade, visit www.gmwconnectionsproject.com.au

Fresh is best in NZ trial Experimenting with sexed semen.

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When sexed semen first hit the dairy industry about a decade ago it was heralded as a game changer.

“

However, despite the advantages, some farmers have been reluctant to use sexed semen due to its lower conception rate (70–80 per cent of conventional).

This is caused by limitations to the sexing process, because it damages sperm (lowering the conception rate) and takes a long time to complete (lowering availability). To make sexed semen commercially viable, the dose of sperm within each sexed straw is also significantly lower than a conventional straw (2.1 million compared to 10 million).

This could be about to change, with two new technologies emerging in the sexed semen space. Fresh sexed semen has prompted a great deal of interest both in Australia and overseas, and there has also been an 10

DECEMBER 2014

improvement in the frozen sexed semen process.

Sexed semen is made particularly fragile by the sorting process, making it more likely to be damaged during processing. This damage can occur at every stage of straw production, including collection, dilution, cooling, extension, freezing, packaging, storage, thawing and insemination.

Theoretically, by eliminating the freezing and thawing steps of the process, fresh sexed semen should have an improved conception rate compared with its frozen counterpart.

However, there are good, logistical reasons why most semen is frozen in Australia: frozen semen keeps for much longer than fresh, and is easier to store and handle.

Fresh semen must be used within 48 hours (or less) from sorting to insemination. If you live next door to Australia’s only semen sexing facility in Camperdown, this is perfectly fine — but if you’re located in another region or state, this can prove difficult.

Partly for this reason, geographically smaller countries have taken the lead in fresh sexed semen experimentation. The Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) in New Zealand conducted a trial in early 2012 and already uses fresh conventional semen commonly on-farm. More recently, Ireland has also conducted a large research project.

But results from both trials were contradictory, highlighting the need for more research under Australian conditions.

The Irish trial, completed in March this year, found there was no advantage to using fresh sexed semen compared to frozen. The study, which involved 15 000 inseminations, found fresh and frozen sexed semen had an identical conception rate of 87 per cent of conventional in heifers (46 per cent conception rate to first service). In cows, they found that frozen sexed semen was

actually superior to fresh, at 85 per cent.

However, under New Zealand conditions on more than 15 000 cows, fresh sexed semen produced conception rates that were 94 per cent of conventional fresh semen — an extraordinarily good result.

“

Sexed semen is made particualrly fragile by the sorting process, making it more likely to be damaged during processing.

“

The way dairy farmers think about sexed semen may be about to change for the better.

When sexed semen first hit the dairy industry about a decade ago it was heralded as a game-changer — the ability to control the gender of new calves was thought to be a major advance for the entire industry.

It offered great benefits: more heifer calves for herd expansion or export, faster genetic progress, greater culling flexibility, and reduced dystocia rates and bobby calf numbers.

The main point of difference between the two sets of results is so far unknown. New Zealand researchers have speculated that this could be due to the semen extenders used in the two trials, and the Irish trial also had a longer interval between processing and insemination.

While no official protocols or recommendations can be made yet, for those farmers who are keen to forge ahead and trial the technology, it makes sense that the usual measures to improve sexed semen conception still apply.

Use sexed semen preferentially on the more fertile cows or heifers. Make sure that individual animals are well-grown, that the semen storage and AI technique follow best practice guidelines, and that the heat detection methods are spot on for accuracy.

Fresh sexed should be used as soon as possible; the longer the delay, the poorer the results are likely to be.

— Ee Cheng Ooi, DEPI ee.cheng.ooi@depi.vic.gov.au

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Story: Alexandra Bathman Pictures: Bianca Mibus Dhurringile dairy farmer Rocky Niglia is a supplier for a smaller milk processor, Fresh Cheese Company.

Small companies put big smiles on faces of suppliers Personal service keeps farmers happy.

In an industry dominated by big processing companies, smaller companies have been attracting loyal suppliers.

Dhurringile dairy farmer Rocky Niglia signed with the Fresh Cheese Company in June last year.

“I think when you’re with a large organisation you feel lost,” he said.

“You’re just part of a big group and they’re busy running the whole organisation and there isn’t enough attention to the individual farmer.”

Mr Niglia said he could always count on the company’s milk manager, Adam Tacey.

“If something happened to me, Adam would come and milk my cows — he would stop what he was doing in Melbourne to come here and milk,” Mr Niglia said.

“I haven’t been caught in that situation but I know he has done it for other people.”

There is always a degree of uncertainty in being with a smaller company, especially one that has been operating for just six years.

“But they pay on time and Adam keeps in regular contact with the suppliers,” Mr Niglia said.

The milk price has been promised to always be 12

DECEMBER 2014

a smidge more than its main competitor — by 1.5 cents.

However the company cannot offer credit advances.

Mr Niglia and his wife Lisa were impressed when the company’s managing director Geoff Sharpe came to visit.

“He looked around the farm with a real interest about how my operation was set up,” Mr Niglia said.

“He didn’t have to do that — but he did.”

Mr Sharpe said the company sought suppliers in the Goulburn Valley because of the region’s close proximity to its factory based in Broadmeadows, Melbourne.

He said the company saw its suppliers more like business partners.

“We see it as a partnership,” Mr Sharpe said.

“It’s a two-way street where we benefit and they benefit.”

While the Fresh Cheese Company seems to please its suppliers, Mr Sharpe admitted it was hard to find more milk to enable the business to realise its plans to grow.

Toolamba dairy farmers Andrew and Fleur Ferguson were approached by the cheese manufacturer but did not switch because they

felt more secure with their larger company.

Mr Ferguson said he would always keep his loyalty, recalling memories of his father’s farm at Avenel where no other company would pick up their milk.

“We are staying with them because we have been with them for 50 years. My dad would probably kick me up the backside if I switched,” he said.

“I didn’t think we would be that much better off with the price difference.”

The Fresh Cheese Company uses milk collected from the region in its traditional Mediterranean-style cheeses, commodity cheeses, natural set yoghurt, flavoured thickened yoghurt and cream cheese products, produced under the Mamma Lucia Cheese, Puglia Cheese and The Provincial Dairy brands.

Mr Niglia said he enjoyed seeing the products from the paddock to the plate.

“I really enjoy looking for it on the supermarket shelf,” he said.

“There are only a small number of us so there is a very good chance there is some of my milk in there.

“And I love cheese — the family loves cheese.” n

A heifer and her newborn calf at Rocky Niglia’s property.

Bocconcini by Fresh Cheese Company, prepared by Seymour TAFE chef students.

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Fertilising is a balancing act Too much potassium on pasture can lead to animal health problems. boost to pasture growth using nitrogen and also replace potassium, phosphorus, sulphur and nitrogen that was removed in harvested pasture.

cases can impact on milk production and profitability.

When soil potassium levels are high, pasture plants can accumulate excess potassium which can cause a mineral imbalance in cows.

Cows are most susceptible to mineral imbalances prior to and up to three months after calving.

But, if soil potassium levels are already adequate, the pasture can accumulate additional potassium beyond what is needed for extra growth. This is called ‘luxury uptake’, and can result in hay that, if fed to susceptible animals, will predispose them to metabolic problems.

A lot of potassium is removed in a hay or silage harvest, usually between 60 and 100kg/ha. Therefore many fertiliser recommendations in spring aim to give a

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Being over-generous with potassium fertiliser this spring has the potential to cause milk fever and grass tetany next calving season.

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New dairy speeds milking Planning for the future and the desire for a better work/life balance leads to investment.

Investing in a new 50-stand rotary dairy has helped Shane and Cindy Felmingham achieve a better work/life balance on their Lockington dairy farm.

Time flies when you are busy, as Lockington dairy farmers Shane and Cindy Felmingham can attest. It has been nine years since the Felminghams purchased their first dairy farm back in 2003, and during the ensuing years they have bought two neighbouring farms and most recently finished the construction of a 50–unit rotary dairy.

The decision to build the dairy was a business and lifestyle choice — the Felminghams were spending eight hours a day milking more than 400 cows in a 15–a-side double-up dairy, and with five sons they were struggling to make time for sporting and family events, while also struggling to find workers who wanted to do the long stint in the dairy.

“We have five sons and the future is always hard to know but we want to have our business to a point that if they want to come home they can.” (Mrs Felmingham is quick to point out that she will be encouraging the boys to get a job and work for somebody else, or obtain a degree, before they would be allowed back on the farm.)

“We are certainly in it for the long haul. Why else would we invest that sort of money in our business?” she said.

The couple had also been busy rearing

additional replacements over the years to get stock numbers up, so that, when the time came, they would have a 500–cow herd to put through the dairy.

The new dairy came complete with a DeLaval All Pro System installed by Stones Dairy Service in Lockington, cup removers, auto draft, milk meters and a 500–cow yard.

Construction was completed on time and the couple cannot commend the construction team enough.

“We made the decision to get our builder Tony Milne from Katunga to organise everything,” Mr Felmingham said.

“Because we were spending so many hours in the dairy we knew we wouldn’t physically have the time to do much organisation ourselves, and it was money well spent. The whole process turned out to be a really good experience for us and we couldn’t fault any of the tradesmen.”

Prior to the build Mr Felmingham looked at about 20 different dairies, but this experience left him scratchinghis head a bit.

“Every dairy was different and if you looked at another 20 that would still be the case. You would see something different in this shed compared to another, but we got there in there in the end and we used all local people

to build ours, as well.”

The biggest advantage the couple sees, having completed the build, is the cows are spending far less time waiting to be milked.

“In the old dairy the cows would be standing around for hours and we could only fit 100 cows in the yard at a time. If it was wet they would be standing or sitting in the mud and we would have to wash every single cow.

Now, there is no time to sit down. We are expecting to pick up at least another 10 per cent in production because the cows will be back in the paddock a lot earlier, but we will have to wait and see on that one,” Mr Felmingham said.

When the Felminghams first started out in the dairy industry they had nothing, just a work ethic and a desire. When the deregulation package came the couple made the decision to purchase 100 head of young stock and their business has really grown from that point. They have milked in many different dairies, in many different places, but they always knew that one day they would have their own farm.

“At the end of the day we are in it for the long haul and surely at least one out of our five boys will want to take the farm on,” Mrs Felmingham said with a laugh.

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Keeping cows cool is hot topic as weather warms

Farmers seek to reduce impacts of heat stress on their herd.

18

DECEMBER 2014

“Cows aren’t great sweaters and don’t all sweat at the same rate, so using sprinklers to wet them to the skin helps even this out and enables them to off-load heat. Many dairy farmers are now taking the next step by also setting up shade structures over their holding yard, and then considering installing fans to really transform their holding yard into a cooling centre, and this is great to see.”

“

It’s great to see many farmers in the Murray dairy region being proactive about managing heat stress and adding to their ability to keep their cows cool from year to year.

Dr Steve Little

“

With a dry spring behind us and a forecast for a hot summer, keeping cows cool has once again become a priority for many northern Victorian dairy farmers.

With the forecast of a hot and dry summer ahead, Murray Dairy recently hosted a seminar in Cohuna titled ‘Dealing with Heat Stress’.

Dr Steve Little from Capacity+ Ag Consulting spoke to farmers about the importance of keeping cows cool.

“Cows become more heat sensitive as milk yields increase, and if recent weather patterns continue we will have to cope with more climate variability than before. Heat stress can affect production, fertility, cow health and wellbeing and ultimately the farm’s profit margin,” Dr Little said.

“It’s great to see many farmers in the Murray dairy region being proactive about managing heat stress and adding to their ability to keep their cows cool from year to year. If you follow the basic principles of keeping cows cool by providing shade and evaporative cooling, heat stress effects can be significantly reduced.”

Dr Little said the holding yard was quite often the centre for heat stress on a dairy farm because cows were required to stand closely packed together in the sun on hot concrete for an hour or more while waiting to be milked.

Recent research studies overseas have shown the negative impacts that hot conditions can also have on dry cows.

“Up until now we haven’t focused on the effects that heat can have on dry cows.

However, recent studies indicate that it can have quite an impact on the dry cow’s

placenta and her developing udder, leading to reduced calf birth weights and viability, and reduced milk production in the next lactation. So farmers with autumn calvers should consider how much paddock shade is available for them over the hot summer months when they are dry.”

Dr Little said farmers should also take advantage of the resources and tools on the Dairy Australia (DA) Cool Cows website.

“A great new feature of the website is the upgraded weather forecast and alert service.

Rather than selecting the weather forecast from a list of towns in their region, farmers can now receive site-specific weather forecasts and alerts of hot weather events for their own farm, wherever it is. I would urge all farmers to make use of this fantastic resource by registering their farm for site-specific forecasts and alerts on the DA Cool Cows website.”

Feedback forms completed by seminar attendees showed farmers were concerned about the implications heat stress has on cow health. Over the short to medium term they indicated they would increase shade (both in paddocks and around the dairy), get bulls fertility checked, use the Cool Cows website and pay better attention to heat management in general. Over the medium to long term some indicated they would invest in better cooling infrastructure at the dairy and more permanent types of shade structures.

Correct cooling is imperative A poor cooling system can lead to milk temperature variations and the risk of increased bacterial activity. In the worst cases this can contribute to downgrading or contamination in milk tankers.

Tatura Milk supply services manager Stuart Brown pointed to increased industry standards requiring consistent refrigeration.

He said it was important to keep factories advised of late milking times and any issues which could affect milk temperatures.

“Hot milk causes serious ramifications for our end products, so please be vigilant and train your employees to be also.

“Over the summer months it is good practice to go back to your vat about halfway through milking to ensure that the vat has kicked in.

“If you don’t realise ’til the end of milking and you have a great deal of hot milk to cool, your milk vat cooling system may not be able to cope with the load and as a result it will take longer to cool.

“This may result in the bacterial load reaching a level where we cannot process the milk and

will also adulterate other milk which it comes into contact with.”

Kyabram refrigeration specialist Ange D’Augello advises farmers to ask themselves some questions about their cooling system performance this summer: • Is the refrigeration unit protected from direct sunlight and rain?

• Is the unit positioned with the condenser to take advantage of prevailing winds and have unrestricted airflow around the unit?

• Are the condenser fins clean and straight?

• Is the refrigeration unit clear from the vacuum pump exhaust to prevent oil mist and dust being induced into the condenser and preventing blockages and higher operating pressures and temperatures?

• Have the compressor and motor drive belts been checked, correctly tensioned and aligned by a professional refrigeration service person?

• Has the refrigeration system been serviced,

refrigerant, oil levels and operating pressures checked by a professional service person?

• Is the milk temperature control set accurately and has the calibration been checked?

For pre-coolers or plate coolers farmers should make sure the flow rates are sized correctly.

• Check the plate coolers are the right size for the desired task, and make sure the plate compressions have been fitted accurately and maintained over time.

Contaminants in either the water or milk that adhere to the plates will affect heat exchange capacity and reduce performance.

Blockages to the flow can restrict flow over the heat exchange surfaces.

— Source water temperature is very important. Ideally plate coolers should use the coldest available water on the farm.

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19

Story and pictures: Cathy Walker

Milked in Kyvalley,

sold to the world Taking milk from the cow to the consumer.

The split-calving herd has both Holsteins and Jerseys and they are joined using artificial insemination with A2 genetics.

There are plans to install automatic calf feeders to assist the calf manager, who has 270 calves in her care.

20

DECEMBER 2014

Victoria and Peter Mulcahy are dedicated to producing a quality product, and this is where it starts.

a top priority.

Together with his brother David who runs another two family farms nearby, the Mulcahys have their own take on “paddock to plate”.

They started their successful Kyvalley Dairy fresh milk business “from cow to consumer” processing milk in a factory at Kyabram in 2000, a decision Peter said was partly driven by a desire to stabilise their milk price.

“We thought if we made really good milk we could sell quite a lot of it,” Peter said.

“It was much harder than we expected; you’ve got to get the markets to sell your milk in.”

A particular selling point of the fresh milk Kyvalley sells in various products is a very long fridge life, with a “best before” date of 22 days. That longevity is attributed to stringent quality assurance systems, both on-farm and in the factory.

“David and I bought the family farm from our father in 1987 and planned to expand,”

“

“

There is a lull in the conversation and the only sound is chomp, chomp chomp.

Maybe it’s because there are 1300 cows in this paddock that the grass picking almost sounds loud. It’s about an hour after milking on a sunny spring morning at Peter and Mandy Mulcahy’s Kyvalley dairy farm where their fourth daughter, Victoria, is operations manager.

Peter said today the cows would remain out until about 1 pm when they move up to the 230m long covered shed to get their hard feed before heading in for afternoon milking.

“In summer, they start to make their way up at about 10 am. You can’t stress enough how important it is to keep them cool — on a 40˚ C day it can be 50˚ C in the middle of a group of cows standing in the sun,” Peter said.

Peter is quietly spoken but has good information to impart once he gets into his stride. Clearly this dairy farmer and entrepreneur rates good animal husbandry as

What motivated us was to have some flexibility and give some people some jobs.

Peter Mulchay

Peter said. “When Dad ran the farm he didn’t employ anybody. What motivated us was to have some flexibility and give some people some jobs.”

Fast forward 14 years after Kyvalley Dairy was established and it’s fair to say that expansion plan worked. The Mulcahy family business now takes milk from four other suppliers locally; the products — all fresh — go to Asia as well as Melbourne, Adelaide, Northern Territory and Tasmania.

And with a younger generation coming through the growth hasn’t stopped. >> 22

Happy Christmas On behalf of the Murray Dairy board and staff, we wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing our work with dairy farmers and industry partners to position the region for further success in 2015.

DECEMBER 2014

21

Feed manager Steve Swift spends half the day organising feed, which includes the daily rations for the milking herd in the covered feed-pad, as well as calving cows and calves in three areas.

The Kyvalley dairy plant at Kyabram exports fresh milk to Asia and around Australia.

Focusing on quality Showing off a large group of calves that had graduated to an outside paddock before being weaned, Victoria Mulcahy explained that the herd was completely self-replacing, with no outside animals entering the property for biosecurity reasons.

After secondary school, Victoria studied at Longerenong College for an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture and Diploma of Agronomy. Then after a year at home on the farm working with her father she did an exchange program through the University of Ohio, working on a 4000–cow dairy farm in Florida to learn how things are done on the other side of the world.

Such as? “It’s hot,” Victoria said. “The cows are in sheds the whole time; the confinement system is a lot different to grazing.”

She said keeping the cows cool was a

fulltime job in Florida, with the tunnel barns running sprinklers regularly on the cows, which are fed maize silage, cereal silage and lucerne silage.

“They try to feed less grain because it’s very expensive.

“The cows walk from the barn to the dairy three times a day. They make a lot of milk but a lot of cows don’t produce in summer.”

Back home, Victoria’s goal is to grow milk production from the split-calving herd that is mated using A2 bulls from Bovine Genetics.

As well as David Mulcahy’s two farms and the 364 ha she oversees with Peter, Victoria said the family’s 2023 ha at Berrigan was used to produce feed and run heifers.

“We grow 60 per cent of our own feed and I would like to increase that,” she said.

Victoria looks after staffing and rosters and

oversees the department managers including the “calf lady” — a Chilean vet who has 270 calves to care for, plus the shed, herd and feed managers.

Like her father, Victoria is enthusiastic about the different career paths dairy offers and said her younger sister Alexandra was interested in studying agriculture and potentially joining the business.

“There’s a lot to learn and there are always challenges,” Victoria said.

“There are lots of opportunities for people in the dairy industry; it’s also quite a rewarding job pay-wise. People think it’s long hours and low pay and that’s not the case at all.

“Our main focus is high quality milk: it’s something everyone in the business works on every day.” n

Expressions of Interest Accelerating Change Partner Farms Murray Dairy, in partnership with Dairy Australia is seeking expressions of interest for the appointment of two partner farms for the Accelerating Change project.

Accelerating Change fast tracks the uptake of research and technology on dairy farms to optimise profitable production.

Expressions of interest close 10 am on Monday 15 December.

For details or to register your interest please see www.murraydairy.com.au or call (03) 5833 5312.

22

DECEMBER 2014

Visit www.murraydairy.com.au

Fine tuning grain feed production Echuca company’s innovative machine wins award.

THE dairy industry is all about production, production and more production.

And the hot word from nutritionists to help achieve that is more finely ground feed going into the dairy shed tucker bags.

Which means the traditional mills have needed a serious shot of technology to make the new industry benchmark.

Echuca-based Northern Feed Systems has clearly set the pace with its success this year as Elmore Field Day Machine of the Year with its attrition disc mill.

It was the company’s first major award but owners Ian Yeo and Brian Joyce are planning on many more.

In fact their next big thing is well along the road to construction — and that’s about as much as you are going to get from them.

Except an ambition that it will turn the feed market on its head.

“Our attrition mill has been two years from conception to construction and we think it is going to have some real impact in the marketplace,” Mr Yeo said.

“It comes in three models ranging in price from $11 700 to $21 000 — the biggest machine can mill 8.5 tonnes of wheat per hour.

“We have always had the standard roller mill but now the nutritionists want something even finer to help with digestion in ruminants, and that’s what we have made.

Ian Yeo and Brian Joyce of Northern Feed Systems with their award for Best Australian Agricultural Machine.

“One of its real advantages is it can mill grain types individually but work just as well with mixed grain — so you could do just wheat, or wheat, barley and corn in any mix you like.

“It will also do oats but you might have to alter the screen for that.”

The machine is also suitable for intensive beef and pork enterprises as well.

Northern Feed Systems started life in Cohuna 30 years ago with Paul Shewan at the helm.

He sold out to a New Zealand corporate in 2007 before Joyce/Yeo put in a bid to buy it in 2010.

Mr Yeo said it was not a core business for the Kiwis and not a good corporate fit so they were happy to let it go.

And he is happy they did.

“The Kiwis relocated from Cohuna to Echuca a couple of years ago to tap the labour market and set up this purpose-built facility we have today — which is a real bonus,” Mr Yeo said.

Northern Feed Systems now has a national dealership marketing its range of products, many of which are capable of both installation and service — a handy asset because the new attrition disc mills have already sold as far north as Rockhampton, across to Gippsland and west to the South Australian border.

“We try to develop one new product every year but have been so flat out right through this year (that) we are a bit behind where we

would like to be,” Mr Joyce said.

“But we have a lot of confidence in the new design we are completing that we will be making a real statement next year,” he said.

“We hope to have that ready in time for Elmore next year and see how we go again.”

Mr Joyce said the key features of the attrition disc mill included: • Producing granulated feed to fine meal for all animal requirements (dairy/ beef even granulated feed, pigs fine meal, poultry fine granulated).

• Processing mixed grains to produce one size result.

• Comfortably processing small pinched grains.

• No close contact moving parts, so hard foreign objects are unlikely to cause serious costly damage.

• Long-life parts; no close contact moving parts meaning less wear and less service required.

• Low-cost replacement consumables, at a fraction of the cost of all competition.

• Simplest coarse/fine adjustment; no tools required; easy dial turn feed size adjustment.

• Highest throughput of disc mill range, with a heavy duty magnet mounted in the feed chute.

• Backed by Northern Feed Systems’ support and service for more than 30 years. n

Murray Dairy Annual Business Forum 2015 keynote speaker Jeff Kennett A strong line-up of industry leaders are set to prompt insightful discussions around successful farm business management.

Visit www.murraydairy.com.au

Date: Wednesday 11 February 2015 Location: Rich River Golf Club, Moama Time: Industry Breakfast 7 am Forum 9 am Graduation Gala Dinner 5.45 pm For more information visit www.murraydairy.com.au

DECEMBER 2014

23

Finding a balance Maximising available resources.

Managing risk was the topic of conversation for a Murray Dairy imitative held across the region in November.

Guest speakers included Dairy Australia policy and strategy manager Claire Miller, Goulburn-Murray Water water resources manager Dr Mark Bailey, Profarmer Australia general manager Ron Storey and RMCG senior consultant Daryl Poole.

One of the take-home messages from the day was the importance of planning and knowing your business strengths and weaknesses.

“Every farm is different and it is important to plan around key risk areas. One thing is for sure: you can’t take risk out of business, so you need to find a balance,” Mr Poole said.

He said it was important to be comfortable with where your business sat.

“Know how productive you are and get as much as you can out of the resources that are available to you. Water is a critical component of your business, know it and have a water purchasing strategy — know how much you need and what price you can ultimately pay.”

Dr Bailey spoke on the impact recent dry conditions were having on water storages.

He said inflows were receding quickly and so was the chance of receiving a low reliability water allocation. Under a wet scenario there is a 100 per cent chance of an allocation by February 16; average scenario a 20 per cent chance; and if the dry conditions continue, zero per cent.

Mr Storey spoke on the complexities of the grain market.

“Grain availability will not be a problem this year but when it comes to price I have no idea,” Mr Storey said.

“There will be a lot of screenings around so just be aware of quality and keep samples from each load. That way if you do have a

dispute you do have something to fall back on.”

He said while there was a huge surplus of feed grain and prices globally were on the lower side, prices in Guest speakers RMCG senior consultant Daryl Poole, G-MW water Australia remained resources manager Dr Mark Bailey, Dairy Australia policy and strategy high because of manager Claire Miller, and Profarmer Australia general manager Ron drought conditions Storey. in Queensland and NSW. He suggested grain prices in Australia could be at their lowest point at harvest as grain farmers looked to sell some product for cash. He said locking in at least half of your requirements at this time could be a good idea.

Cohuna dairy farmer Sue Woods Dairy farmers Sheree Wyatt of Cohuna, Sue Woods from Leitchville, and attended the day Julie and Tim Hawken from Leitchville. and found the topics discussed relevant and interesting. great source of information.

“It has been a good day. I have found the • Always feed test any fodder you purchase. discussions around water particularly • Look at debt level and always interesting and informative. Today really consider your options — such as covered most of the bases,” Mrs Woods said. refinancing, and fixed interest rates.

Points of interest: • Planning never ends; continue • Know the water market and tweaking and revisiting budgets. keep up with changes.

• Identify things that you can control • Realise that risk can be opportunity and make informed decisions. and not just a threat. n • Talk to other farmers; they are a

Young Dairy Network End-of-Year Celebration Enjoy a night out with fellow Murray Dairy farmers and a surprise guest speaker to celebrate the end of 2014.

Date: Location: Time: Dress Code:

Friday 5 December 2014 Mulwala Golf Club 6.30 pm Smart Casual

Dinner provided. Drinks at bar prices.

Buses from each sub-region will be running to the event.

To RSVP or for more information please contact Murray Dairy on admin@murraydairy.com.au or (03) 5833 5312.

24

DECEMBER 2014

Visit www.murraydairy.com.au

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As a member of Holstein Australia’s Northern sub-branch, Scott Somerville was happy to hold a farm walk at his property in October.

Somerelle Laser Starlet.

Interest breeds long career with cows

A love of breeding quality cattle has kept Scott and Nirrelle Somerville milking cows for the past 22 years and Mr Somerville is the first to admit he wouldn’t still be dairying today without that love.

“I couldn’t milk cows without the interest I have in breeding. It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning; and if you are going to do it day in and day out, you might as well milk a herd of nice-looking cows,” he said.

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A focus on production and longevity spurs continued improvement of herd

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Story and pictures: Sophie Bruns

milk in her lifetime, breed on really well and live for 17 years.

“We had an old cow calve this year and she just turned 18. She has produced around that 100 000 litre figure and she owes us nothing — she has been a great cow.”

Over the years Mr Somerville has held three on-farm sales, dispersing a large percentage of his herd. The first sale he held was back just before the drought, and he used the money to buy a neighbouring property.

“In hindsight that worked really well for us because we entered the drought years understocked, but in the last sale we held in 2011 we probably sold too many, and couldn’t capitalise quite as well as we would have liked on last year’s good milk prices.In saying that though, we will probably do it again in a couple of years’ time.”

At the most recent sale Mr Somerville held the sale average was just under $3500 per cow, which he said was very satisfying especially with a number of return buyers purchasing.

Over the years there has been many good cows bred and sold but Somerelle Leader Lassco EX91 3E remains a favourite. She still lives on the property today as a 17–year–old.

“She was quite a successful show cow and has produced a few good daughters over the years; our next best cow on the place is one of

her daughters, Somerelle Sam Lassco EX91 6E who has just placed in the top four of the veteran cow class of the northern sub-branch On-farm Challenge for the fourth consecutive year.”

This year Somerelle Holsteins achieved Master Breeder status with Holstein Australia (HA).

The Somervilles travelled to Toowoomba to receive their award which also coincided with Holstein Australia’s 100–year celebrations.

“We are very proud of our achievement. Of the percentage of Holstein breeders in the society, not many achieve Master Breeder Status, so we are really happy with that,” Mr Somerville said.

Over the years, the Somervilles have bred a total of 78 ‘excellent’ cows and 688 ‘very good’ cows.

Cow families have played an important role in the breeding success of the stud, with Lass, Essie, Connie, Carol and Meg some of the more notable families.

After the success of the previous sale the Somervilles took the opportunity to add some new cow families that meet their breeding objectives through the purchase of embryos from North America, and look forward to watching the development of the 11 resulting heifers and seeing how they stack up against their home-bred contemporaries.

The couple milks 300 Holstein cows on 390 ha at Timmering, 240 ha of which is irrigated. Quite a large percentage of the farm is sown down to permanent pasture. Winter crops such as shaftal and rye-grass are sown in autumn and there is some dry-land lucerne.

The farm is largely self-sufficient for all its fodder needs except grain.

Like on all dairy farms, staff members play an important part in the day-to-day management and Mr Somerville couldn’t do it without his reliable employees. Ian (Jack) Taylor has been working at the farm for nearly 10 years, while Darren Sagrera has been employed for three years.

The business has been supplying Tatura Milk for five years and recently signed a contract under its Sustainability Program to continue supplying the company for another three years.

“Dairying is a trying industry and a lot of farming families are still teetering on the edge or just starting to get ahead,” Mr Somerville said.

“As an industry we have a long way to go and if there is to be a sustainable future we will have to be paid more for our milk. There are less farmers milking more cows and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of youth around to replace the older generations.” n

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DECEMBER 2014

Co-op

Does your feeding system stack up?

Every feeding system has its strengths and opportunities.

With a hectic workload, it is often difficult to find the time to sit back and have a closer look at the opportunities to improve your feeding system. Yet it is these very opportunities that can better reward you for all your hard work.

We are in an era where information is power. Every dairy farmer has the power, but it is often buried somewhere.

Farm information on feeding can tell us how well we are using our resource.

Maybe you wish to grow milk production.

Should you increase the number of cows milked or should you feed the cows better?

How exposed is your business to a change in seasonal conditions, feed price and milk price?

How might you respond to a change, because every year is different?

Using farmers’ own data, it is possible to address these questions.

Do the opportunities lie with diet quality, feed supply/budgeting, feed purchasing, stocking rate or pasture management?

With this in mind, DEPI has been running Feeding Impact to help farmers unlock more of the potential of their feeding system to increase profit and decrease volatility.

Farmers participating in the new DEPI Feeding Impact activity had different approaches to feeding.

Annual pasture consumption ranged from 5.6 to 10.1 tonnes/ha, concentrate feeding was between 0.76 and 2.2 tonnes/cow, silage and hay fed was between 0.7 and 3.2 tonnes/cow and milk production was between 359 and 632 kg MS per cow.

There is no right feeding system, with a wide range of successful approaches to feeding being used by dairy farmers.

However, this range indicates that there is something that each farm can learn from the others, and this could be used to improve the bottom line of their own business.

Research Project 3030 provided a taste of how things can improve over time.

Cows grazing rye-grass pasture and being fed supplements consisting of home grown silage, purchased hay and purchased concentrate produced 520 kg MS per cow in the first year of the research project with significant reliance on purchased feed (1.75 tonne concentrate/cow and a similar amount as hay).

By the third year, 600 kg MS per cow was produced and concentrate feeding had decreased to 1.27 tonnes per cow. This

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was achieved with the same cows and same pastures.

The difference this made to the bottom line was enormous.

By the end of the project the Partner Farms supporting the research were also able to identify better quality lower-cost forage sources better suited to their production systems.

Better feed conversion, better quality feed, better availability and at a lower cost per unit of energy meant the farmers had greater control over their farm feeding system and greater knowledge.

It was these key learnings that contributed most to the improvement in the bottom line and supported the key findings of the research.

There is a story behind every feeding system. Understanding this is the key to unlocking the potential of your own feeding system.

If you are interested in being one of 10 farm businesses in the next round of Feeding Impact, phone Greg O’Brien at DEPI on 03 5624 2288.

— DEPI

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Australia’s dairy show with the lot From managing mastitis to making and cooking ricotta, there will be a range of seminars at the 2015 International Dairy Week.

There will be 16 seminars and speakers split between three days during the event, starting at 9 am on Tuesday, January 20.

Seminars will include topics such as managing mastitis with Erica Oakes from Dairy Australia, accelerating calf growth with Allan MacGillivray from ProviCo, and the gene market with Shane Ashworth from Total Livestock Genetics.

On Wednesday, January 21 seminars will begin again at 9 am and include presentations on transition feeding with Dr Ian Lean from ProviCo, genetic solution specialists SemexWorks presenting on its new program, and adding value to Holsteins through genomics with Graeme Gillan from

30

DECEMBER 2014

Holstein Australia.

On Thursday, January 22 seminars will start at 8 am with an Immunity+ and diseaseresistant genetics presentation and finish at 2 pm after a seminar on how to make a blue cheese sauce and raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake with Jason Chesworth from Hunter Belle Cheese.

International Dairy Week, Australia’s premier dairy event and one of the top five cattle shows in the world, will be held in Tatura from Sunday, January 18 to Thursday, January 22.

The seminars will be held at the Tatura Tennis Club in Albert St (across the road from the event’s main location at Tatura Park in Hastie St).

• For more information on International Dairy Week, including seminars, visit https://internationaldairyweek.com.au n

Jersey champions at Tatura Park during International Dairy Week this year.

Semex global dairy solutions manager Jay Shannon will talk about the company’s breeding program during International Dairy Week.

Nutrient planning — know your rights

Autumn is approaching and many dairy farmers will be starting to plan crop and pasture rotations. This is also a good time to plan fertiliser use to ensure that crop and pasture growth targets are met and feed budgets are filled. Blindly applying fertilisers at set rates is no longer an appropriate way to manage fertiliser use. Nutrient planning is about applying the right source of fertiliser, in the right place, at the right rate, and at the right time. This is known as the 4Rs, the aim of which is to get the best pasture growth response from the fertiliser used. Nutrient planning will often result in using less fertiliser on some parts of the farm, and more where it is really needed.

Right source Traditionally the main source of nutrients coming onto dairy farms has been in the form of synthetic fertilisers such as super phosphate, urea, potash and blends. Today there is increasing interest in using alternative fertilisers such as composts, manures or biological stimulants. Application of these products should follow the same principles as synthetic fertilisers. The supplier of the product should provide a chemical analysis so that you know exactly what nutrients you are applying and can calculate an appropriate rate.

This will also allow you to compare different fertiliser products on a “dollar per kilogram of nutrient” basis.

Alternative fertilisers such as composts and manures contain nutrients in organic forms which are not immediately available to plants. The amount and timing of nutrient availability varies for different products, so consult your agronomist when planning to use these products.

The right source of nutrient to apply will depend on the cost per unit of element that is required, as well as the combination of nutrients that are required. In some cases applying a more expensive product that will not be lost (for example through leaching)

before plants can access it, will improve nutrient-use efficiency.

Effluent can also be a valuable source of nutrients that can reduce synthetic fertiliser costs. About 10 to 15 per cent of the daily manure output generated by the dairy herd is collected as effluent. The nutrient concentration in effluent does vary, so getting effluent chemically analysed before applying it is important.

Bought-in feed is another source of nutrients coming onto dairy farms that should be considered when nutrient planning.

Different feed sources have different nutrient concentrations and a substantial percentage of these nutrients are excreted by cows and will accumulate in feed-out areas.

Right place — creating farm management zones Soil fertility varies depending on soil type, past fertiliser use and previous management.

Generally, fertility levels are higher closer to the milking shed where cows spend more time and also where effluent is more commonly applied. Areas further from the shed where cows spend less time and are more often conserved generally have lower soil fertility.

Dividing your property into management units based on soil type, past management and future rotation enables more accurate management of soil fertility. These ‘farm management zones’ should have similar fertility and nutrient requirements.

Soil fertility can be monitored in each management zone independently with annual or biannual soil tests. This minimises the costs of soil testing, while maintaining the benefit of ongoing monitoring.

Right rate: soil testing and using response functions.

Applying an appropriate rate of nutrients is key to efficient and profitable fertiliser use.

Soil testing is crucial to inform you of the current fertility of your management zones.

Use of fertiliser response curves will inform

you if an economic growth response to the application of fertiliser is likely. The best response to the application of fertiliser will occur where soil fertility is lowest, providing there are no other factors constraining growth, for example poor pasture quality, soil compaction or salinity. A soil test will also tell you if there are other soil factors constraining plant growth. If these soil constraints are not addressed, an economic growth response to fertiliser application is unlikely.

Where soil fertility is very high, pastures will not respond to the application of fertiliser.

That fertiliser would be better used in areas with lower fertility or not applied at all. Research has shown that if fertiliser is withheld, soil fertility will not crash, it will decline slowly over a number of years. This decline will be quicker in lighter than heavier soils. As long as soil fertility remains above critical levels, crop or pasture yields are not impacted.

Right time A nutrient plan should aim to apply fertiliser at a time when plants are actively growing without stress, and when the likelihood of nutrient loss is minimised. This will depend on the type of fertiliser being applied and the crop or pasture species it is being applied to. Applying fertiliser when soil temperature and moisture level is appropriate will increase plant uptake. For example, ryegrass responds best to nitrogen fertiliser when soil temperatures are above 4°C. Avoiding the application of nitrogen when soil is waterlogged or dry will reduce losses. Fertiliser application should also be avoided when runoff from heavy rain or irrigation is imminent, allowing at least four days, if possible.

Fertilisers should also be applied at a time when the additional growth will be utilised, either grazed or conserved. Applying fertiliser to grow extra feed that is not used is not profitable.

— Nick O'Halloran, senior project officer, DEPI DECEMBER 2014

31

Farmers jump online to become legendary champions Program teaches skills to help promote dairy industry to the public.

An innovative and timely new online training program is helping dairy farmers enhance their communications skills to become confident spokespeople for the Australian dairy industry.

The free, nationally accredited Developing Legendairy Champions course, created

by Dairy Australia, provides farmers with practical skills and tools on talking publicly to a range of audiences — from the press to the general public, to members of council or at the local primary school.

The inaugural group of 13 farmers completed the highly successful course as a pilot through Dairy Australia’s education partner, the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA).

The Developing Legendairy Champions online program supports the industry’s

Legendairy communications platform, which launched last year to put the spotlight on the Australian dairy industry and the highly professional people behind its products.

Recognising the busy lives farmers lead, the training is completed from home at a time that suits them. Participants learn how to write press releases, participate in a mock press conference, and produce a video of themselves to use online and via social media.

The NCDEA’s Jillian Goudie, who facilitates the webinars and assists students throughout the program, said: “This program has immediate benefits that focus on helping the individual to develop. I don’t know of any other industry in which you can so effectively pick up such relevant skills in such a compact format with real outcomes.”

According to REDgum Communications facilitator and coach James Freemantle, who

led the webinars, the course also provides a structure to help recast public opinion.

“Having these skills can enhance other people’s experience of what dairy means. We looked at how the industry wants to be viewed and how people within it can help to communicate that view,” he said.

“The participants were incredibly proactive and eager to learn how to best represent their industry.”

The webinar format also allows participants to interact with each other.

The course formally launched in August and will run a minimum of four times a year, with spaces available for 15 farmers each time.

To find out more and register your interest, visit www.legendairy.com.au/dairy-farming/ our-people/developing-legendairychampions n

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‘‘

We believe dairy farmers are the backbone to our community

’’

Research

fast tracked Mr Ryan also announced the Victorian Government would invest a further $342 000 through From left, farmer Phil Lang, deputy premier Peter Ryan and Murray Dairy the Department of chief executive officer, Leanne Mulcahy at the launch of the accelerated Environment and change program.

Primary Industries to support the $2.9 million The 30 satellite farms, which will have varying Murray Dairy Accelerating Change Project. herd sizes, will have either already invested in Mr Ryan said the project would draw on the research and technology or will be intending skills of farmers to demonstrate how research to do so. and technology could economically benefit They will meet bi-monthly to share dairy businesses. knowledge, ideas and exchange findings.

He said two open days per year would be held on each ‘partner farm’ to provide the extension Murray Dairy chairman Malcolm Holm said the project would be a critical link to enable of learnings to the other farms involved in the local and regional communities to gain best project. advantage of the accelerated adoption of The project will involve measuring the feed research and tehnology onto the farm. intake of animals, analysing the farm system and monitoring the growth of pasture and Extension and communication of project crops. findings to farmers is a key part of the project and will see workshops, partner farm open A steering group will identify the key goals days and farm walks offered, as well as regular and monitor the actions which are driving updates. n success.

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A $2.9 million project to increase the speed of take-up of new research and technology on northern Victorian dairy farms has been developed by Murray Dairy.

The Accelerated Change program has received a funding commitment from the Australian and Victorian governments.

The program, which will focus on pastures and irrigation, will see the research and technology put into practice and tested on selected dairy farms where other farmers can see the results.

Initially two partner farms will be supported by up to 15 satellite farms each, before the learnings are extended to 380 leading dairy farmers who will be engaged by the project.

Murray Dairy will soon be looking for the two partner farms through an expression of interest approach, which will have herd sizes from 450 and above.

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan was at a Tatura dairy farm on Monday to announce the funding which is being provided through the Murray-Darling Basin Regional Economic Diversification Program.

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Bob Miller spent a busy five days judging the Northern Victoria sub-branch On farm Challenge during October. He is pictured with his wife Kaye and grand-daughter Lorilee Schultz.

Story and pictures: Sophie Bruns

Good eye for a cow pays dividends Early purchase leads to herd of excellence.

When Bob Miller tells you he likes an animal you sit up and listen; after all, he knows his dairy cows. The Canadian-born cattle photographer and dairy farmer from Mil R Mor Holsteins in Orangeville, Illinois, purchased one of the world’s most famous and well known cows — Glenridge Citation Roxy — way back in 1974 for $15 000. Roxy went on to be named International Cow of the Year and Queen of the Breed twice and this exceptional cow has bred daughters who are 11 generations of ‘excellent’ in the Mil R Mor herd.

Mr Miller obviously has an eye for a good cow so during October he spent a busy five days judging the Holstein Australia Northern Victorian sub-branch On-Farm Challenge, looking at 283 entries across 37 farms.

“I have been very impressed with the type of the cattle I have seen here in Australia and the longevity, which I believe is superior to what we have here in the US. The breeders have all been very passionate about their cows and it really has been a pleasure,” Mr Miller said.

34

DECEMBER 2014

“I love the concept of the On-Farm Challenge.

I had never heard of it before but I am a real fan of judging cows in their work clothes and it has been a wonderful experience to see so many good cows across so many farms.”

Mr Miller said while there were similarities between dairying in both countries he noticed Australian herds were bigger in general and he also couldn’t get over the availability of water.

“There is just water everywhere here compared to home. We have to have our pipes six feet under the ground because it freezes. Our cattle are kept inside for five months of the year where the temperature gets to minus 40, but during the summer months they do get the opportunity to graze outside.”

Mr Miller and his family milk 140 cows on about 1000 ha. They are largely self-sufficient for fodder with half the farm sown down to corn annually.

About 80 per cent of the herd’s genetics can be traced directly back to the Roxy line, and Mr Miller credits Roxy as one of the best investments he has ever made.

“At the time we bought Roxy instead of a house,” he said with a laugh.

He said a couple of years later he knocked back an offer of $100 000 for the cow, and while he thought he might have made the wrong decision at the time, his love for the black and white bovine meant he was never going to part with her anyway.

Roxy went on to make more than $1 million for the family in direct cattle sales alone — and you can’t put a dollar value on what she has generated for the Mil R Mor herd over the years (she has 632 excellent descendants in her line).

“She was a great cow — and not just pretty too, she knew how to milk. I started my farming career with $300, one daughter and one in the hopper; it has been a roller-coaster but Roxy really changed our lives,” Mr Miller said.

These days he still keeps an eye on the breeding and said the Mil R Mor Holsteins herd had enjoyed success with bulls such as Sanchez, Atwood, Aftershock and even Raider.

He is not afraid to use “old” proven bulls that have a proven pedigree over the generations. n

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20/11/14 3:09 P

Water investment pays off Upgrades to farm irrigation systems and laser grading have assisted in providing an opportunity for increased farm production for some farms in the north samples of the Victorian Dairy Farm Monitor Project.

When farms undergo significant development, there is generally a period when the business suffers a loss to production and income as the farmers integrate the development into their system. It can take a few years before the farm will see an improvement above the position it was in prior to the redevelopment.

Farm NO039 is an example of one such farm which has undergone significant farm development.

The farmers installed an automatic highflow border-check irrigation system capable of delivering up to 20Ml/day. Most parts of the farm have been laser graded. The farm development initially caused significant delays to their production, however they are now seeing the benefits.

They are still building and refining their business and developing their skills to achieve the most out of their investment. They appreciate that the operating environment in 2013/14 has helped influence their profits and are positioning themselves to manage seasonal variability in the future.

Farm development In 2011/12 an automatic border check irrigation system was installed on half of the farm which was then sown with perennial pasture. About 18 per cent (20 ha) of the farm was also laser graded in the same season.

After seeing the benefits from these works, the farmers have subsequently installed new channels and outlets on an additional 32 ha and re-sown perennial pasture on 2 0ha.

Production management The farmers have also developed their skills in pasture management, having completed a Feeding Pastures For Profit course and

consulted with pasture management specialists.

The principles of this course are reflected in their pasture consumption figures — the 15 tonnes dry matter per hectare achieved is the highest seen in the Dairy Farm Monitor Program sample.

A conscious decision has been made to only conserve a true fodder surplus and in 2013/14 nothing was conserved. Their focus is on lifting the amount of home-grown feed in the diet, recognising it is their cheapest source.

The farmers believe the improvements in their irrigation system and layout have helped increase their pasture consumption, but it is only through improving their skills that this has been achievable.

They sourced fertiliser advice and have since lifted their low phosphorus levels. While fertiliser is improving their soil fertility it’s not the main driver of their improvements in pasture consumption.

The irrigation upgrade has improved their

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Production and financial indicators, Farm NO039, 2013/14

water-use efficiency and decreased the labour required to irrigate. In other words labour efficiency has also improved. There are also lifestyle benefits because the automatic system enables convenient irrigating especially at night. All these business improvements have allowed them to convert a part-time employee to full-time.

The farm is running more cows over the same usable area with an increased stocking rate from 2.4 to 3.4 cows/ha in 2013/14. In future the farmers are monitoring the balance of cows numbers against their profit performance because they feel their cow numbers may be on the high side. At the same time they’ve also increased milk production per cow and per hectare.

The farmers acknowledge that their cost of

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

Pasture grazed (tonne dry matter per ha)

6.4

11

14

15

Labour efficiency (cows per full time equivalent)

87

112

117

111

Milking cows (number)

220

270

310

310

Milk solids (kg per cow)

515

478

491

528

Cost of production

66%

39% to 98%

($/kg milk solids)

$5.45

$5.75

$5.48

$5.66

Return on assets (farm)

2.7%

1.6%

-1.0%

12.2%

Return on equity (farm)

0.2%

-2.5%

-7.5%

17.1%

Return on assets (North)

7.0%

7.6%

2.2%

11.3%

Return on assets (Victoria)

6.2%

5.0%

0.7%

8.5%

Return on equity (North)

7.6%

8.4%

-2.9%

14.7%

Return on equity (Victoria)

7.8%

4.4%

-7.3%

11.6%

production is slightly above average compared things better. While a farmer can make the to others in the north sample. One of the expenditure on capital developments it’s reasons for this is the high cost of purchased not a silver bullet for improving the farm’s hay. They are looking at ways to reduce this financial bottom line. It requires effort and cost in future years. time to integrate the infrastructure into the Table 1 shows some of the production and farm system and continually look for ways to financial indicators of the farm from 2010 improve. to 2014. NO039 entered the top performing The Dairy Farm Monitor Project is a group for the state for the first time. Their returns on assets and on equity in 2013/14 joint initiative between the Department were higher than the average for the north of Environment and Primary Industries region and for the state. and Dairy Australia. For more information Overall the farmers have indicated that about the project visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/ modernising the farm irrigation system has dairyfarmmonitor been worthwhile. They’ve seen improvements in production, particularly pasture production. — Farm management economist Olive Montecillo and specialist farm business They’ve made a conscious effort to develop economist Claire Waterman their skills and seek information to do

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Cow careers insight gained Rana Jafari from McGuire College, Caitlin Hay from Wanganui Park Secondary College, Janelle Graham from Numurkah Secondary College and Gabby Fabregas from Kyabram P-12 College.

Students benefit from dairy presentation day.

More than 55 excited secondary school students were recognised at a Cows Create Careers — Manufacturing presentation day in Shepparton recently.

McGuire College won the overall $500 school prize, and the winning team was awarded to The Awesome Three (Lisa Benfold, Rachel Claney and Jordan White), also from McGuire College.

Cows Create Careers — Manufacturing is a Dairy Australia program that introduces food and technology students to dairy manufacturing careers and education pathways. Six schools from northern Victoria participated in the program this year: McGuire College, Benalla P-12 College, Kyabram P-12 College, Numurkah Secondary

College, Wanganui Park Secondary College and Rushworth P-12 College.

The winning teams from each of the other schools included: Lauren and Aiden (Lauren Wright and Aiden Gingell) from Benalla P-12 College; Cha Chim (Elizabeth Duddridge and Harold Childs) from Kyabram P-12 College; Legendairy (Abbey Baker, Rachel Fischer and Janelle Graham) from Numurkah Secondary College; and Kaylie (Kaylie Carbis) from Wanganui Park Secondary College.

The program involves students visiting a dairy manufacturing site and student teams working together to complete dairy manufacturing assessment tasks, with curriculum material provided to schools at no cost.

Dairy industry advocates who have deep industry knowledge visit the schools to support and encourage students throughout the program. In northern Victoria, industry advocates from Chr. Hansen, Locheilan Farmhouse Cheese, Murray Goulburn and Fonterra volunteered their time to host schools and talk to students about dairy manufacturing careers and pathways.

Cows Create Careers — Manufacturing program manager Dr Mani Iyer believes the Dairy Australia program is an innovative channel to build awareness of dairy career pathways.

“The program provides a platform to introduce secondary students to the Australian dairy industry, dairy processes and products,” Dr Iyer said. n

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Expansion limited by supply Industry must grow at farm gate in order to capitalise on global opportunities.

The Australian industry appears well placed to tap into export markets, however it currently sits at a ‘crossroads’ due to its inability to grow milk supply which has significantly reduced the sector’s role in global dairy trade, says specialist agri-lender, Rabobank.

In a recently-released report, Australian Dairy — More milk matters, Rabobank says the global dairy market would remain ‘an engine for growth’ but the Australian dairy sector would need to reignite growth at the farm gate if it was to be in a position to fully capture the opportunities.

Rabobank senior dairy analyst Michael Harvey says without improved profitability on-farm, the dairy industry is unlikely to see the milk production growth that will be required for the whole industry to tap into the opportunities that lie in regional export markets.

“The dairy processing sector is evolving rapidly and is poised for growth,” Mr Harvey said.

“This period of change will have ongoing implications for milk producers. Very simply, dairy processors are in search of more milk supply and stronger supplier partnerships.

“Right now, we are seeing record investment in the processing sector, with more than one billion dollars committed in the past few years.”

However, the processing sector needs to prove that the opportunities it sees and the investments it has made can lead to not just improved margins, but also a better return to Australian dairy farmers, Rabobank warned.

“Many offshore customers place a strong importance on high-quality, safe products with strong traceability across supply chains, and these factors mean that Australia is a favoured exporter, but the sector also needs to be able to match export customers’ growth,” Mr Harvey said.

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He said if milk producers in conjunction with the dairy processing sector could align the vision and strategy to cope with complex and volatile global markets, the opportunity for the sector could be “golden”.

Meeting the sector’s ambitions to lift production to 15 billion litres by 2020 will require a fundamental shift in milk supply growth, Rabobank said.

The 2013–14 season closed at 9.2 billion litres and 2014–15 should see milk production expand by two per cent, but achieving the goal of 15 billion litres by 2020 would require average annual growth of eight per cent.

Mr Harvey said rebuilding confidence levels to underpin investment was an important factor on the road to recovery for the Australian dairy sector.

“For the majority of the farm sector, 2013–14 was a profitable season on the back of record-high farm gate milk prices.” n

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Margot and Stephen Henty.

Walking in a family tradition A productive family partnership ensures success.

As Stephen Henty walks across his dairy farm at Cohuna in northern Victoria, he can’t help but muse over ties that have connected the family to the land for more than a century.

Stephen’s grandfather, Cecil Henty, was one of the original farmers in the area, purchasing the farm in 1909 in a tendering process shortly after the land was split into irrigation blocks.

Stephen’s mother, Mary, kept the farm going in difficult circumstances after the early loss of her husband and Stephen’s father, Jack.

Today it is Stephen and his wife Margot who keep the farm thriving.

“It’s nice to know the land you walk on has been walked on for three generations by the same family,” Stephen said.

However, it’s the family who have made the 90 ha farm special.

“I’m only here because my mother was strong to keep the farm going after Dad died and I’m only here now because I have a strong wife,” he said.

Stephen grew up on the farm and despite being only 15 when his father died he never

had ambitions to do anything else.

“Fortunately, my father was able to pass on some of his knowledge prior to his passing.

I was only a kid,” he said.

Stephen was at boarding school when his father died but he continued his education and went on to Dookie Agricultural College before returning to the farm in 1973 aged 22.

In the 40 years since, Stephen and Margot adapted and moved with the times.

He says the farm’s dairy and machinery were fairly rudimentary in 1973 but progression has been constant.

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were put on a bit of paper and stuck into a “The only way we can stay in the game is to box on a bridge. You would give four days’ stay ahead of the cost-price squeeze,” Stephen notice and you may or may not get it when said. you wanted it. Now it’s all done online As irrigation farmers, their biggest challenge with 24 hours’ notice. The whole thing has is water. changed.”

“We have to be more productive with less,” According to Stephen, however, the Stephen said. “The pressure wasn’t on us quite main reason for success isn’t new-fangled as much back when I started. We would milk equipment and systems but a productive 30 to 35 cows per hour. You need to milk many more than that now to be competitive.”

They now milk 220 to 230 cows, mostly Holstein but with some Jersey crosses, in a 16-double-up herringbone dairy.

Because we’re Production has been consistently above irrigation farmers, 600 kg MS/cow for the past decade, with only we like to measure minor falls during the drought. success not only in “Because we’re irrigation farmers, we like to measure success not only in milk produced milk produced but but pasture consumed,” Margot said. pasture consumed.

“Except for the drought years we have been consistently above 10 dry matter tonnes per

Margot Henty hectare.’’

New technology has helped them keep ahead of the game, improving land and water family partnership. resources, plant and animal genetics, and “The main thing that kept me farming was most recently replacing old infrastructure that I married Margot, who has grown into with new equipment to make irrigation easier, dairy farming. She was a school teacher and more efficient and more productive. didn’t have a dairy farming background but has become an avid dairy farmer and “When I first came home our water orders

“

spokesperson for irrigation.’’

Stephen has played his part in the industry by advocating for dairy research and development and supporting Dairy Australia’s regional development programs. He remains adamant Australia needs to do more research and development across all agricultural industries to ensure the country can meet world demand for more food.

Margot has been heavily involved in water services, including a Goulburn-Murray Water farmer representative group and as a director of Waterpool Co-op.

“My interest in geography led me to have an interest in the management of water as a resource,” she said.

Margot is also a strong advocate for women in dairy.

“Women are very much part of the team in dairy,” she said.

“They contribute physically as well as doing the books. One of the strengths of dairy is that it’s a team effort. It’s better to have two heads thinking of things than one.”

Stephen and Margot have one long-term employee, Stephen Baker, who does the morning and night milking, and a new apprentice, Damian Boyer. n

“

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calendar of events Better Soils for Better Dairy in the North East (Murray Dairy) Upper Towong — Tuesday, December 2

Please check www.murraydairy.com.au for updates or phone (03) 5833 5312.

Murray Goulburn Supplier Christmas Party Wangaratta — Friday, December 12 Murray Dairy Accelerating Change Expressions of

Through the Seasons Discussion Group (DEPI) Strathmerton — Thursday, December 4

Interest Close (Murray Dairy) Monday, December 15 at 10 am

Young Dairy Network End of Year Celebration (Murray

International Dairy Week Tatura — Sunday, December 18 to Thursday, December 22

Dairy) Mulwala — Friday, December 5 at 6.30 pm

Annual Murray Dairy Business Forum (Murray Dairy) Moama — Wednesday, February 11

Focus Farm Open Day (Murray Dairy) Kyabram — Tuesday, December 9 at 10.45 am Murray Goulburn Supplier Christmas Party Kiewa —Wednesday, December 10

Murray Dairy www.murraydairy.com.au Phone: (03) 5833 5312 NCDEA www.ncdeagotafe.vic.edu.au Phone: 1300 468 233 DEPI www.depi.vic.gov.au Phone: 136 186

Collective bargaining insight offered Guide discusses opportunities and realities for farmers.

Dairy Australia has published an easy-toread document for dairy farmers interested in forming collective bargaining groups to negotiate with milk buyers.

“The Collective Bargaining Guide provides practical advice and insights for farmers, and may help those who feel they are not on a level playing field with large milk buyers,” Dairy Australia managing director Ian Halliday said.

“Dairy farmers also need to be better informed about the opportunities, realities and potential pitfalls in entering into collective bargaining arrangements.

“Successful collective bargaining relies, among other things, on strong leadership, members who share the same priorities and risk appetite, good governance, and persistence.”

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy chair Dr Michael Schaper said the guide provided farmers with the key information they needed when considering collective bargaining.

“The ACCC is keen to encourage collective bargaining arrangements as they can be a great way for small producers to work together with suppliers for mutual benefit.”

The ACCC has a range of publications to help farmers seek ACCC approval for collective bargaining arrangements. The ACCC’s staff members are also available to assist with the approval process.

The Collective Bargaining Guide will assist dairy farmers around Australia, but was originally developed as part of the Northern Dairy Industry Strategy.

It recognises that market dynamics have

changed, with some dairy farmers electing to deal directly with retailers and other buyer channels.

Dairy has been one of the prominent users of collective bargaining authorisations approved under the ACCC. Farmers can form a group and collectively bargain under the terms of the authorisation granted to Australian Dairy Farmers as the peak industry body, or apply separately to the ACCC for their own authorisation.

“While collective bargaining has not always been successful, the goal of the guide is to make collective bargaining more straightforward for dairy farmers,” Mr Halliday said.

The guide can be downloaded from the Dairy Australia website at www.dairyaustralia.com.au

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Bull Fertility:

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