Genomics help deliver results
HUGE genetic gains are just the icing on the cake for a South Australian dairy business that’s undergone an extensive transformation in recent years.
And the rewards are paying dividends on the businesses’ balance sheet as well as delivering a better work-life balance.
Ray and Marg Pearson, sons Adrian – his wife Shannon – and Shaun have increased their herd by 50 per cent to 900 cows, replaced an old dairy with a new rotary, and now their Holstein herd is within the top 200 in Australia according to its genetic merit.
The family, from near Mount Gambier, have improved the Balanced Performance Index (BPI) of their Burrungule Dairy herd by 161 per cent - moving from an average BPI of 67 to 175 in four years. This represents a shift in the herd’s overall ranking to 137 in Australia from 576 in 2020.
Underpinning this significant rise has been the family’s focus on breeding with top bulls on DataGene’s BPI and genomic testing.
“We started with genomics because we wanted to get better quality animals through the herd and see where our calves were at,” Shaun said.
“It also helped out with choosing our export heifers too; it made sure that when we were selling groups of heifers those groups never included any of our best ones,” Adrian added.
Now, the genomic information for each heifer determines which ones are retainedgenerally those 250 BPI or above - and which cows are bred to sexed semen.
Long-term breeding advisor Genetics Australia’s Graham Heaver helps the Pearsons choose bulls to fit their breeding goals.
He said a bull’s BPI is the most important consideration for selection and then they focus on improving any issues within the herd.
“If there are traits showing up, we tend to work on that,” Graham said.
“For example, if there are more lame cows, that would become a focus. But if a bull has a serious problem, he’s not going to be a high BPI bull, a high BPI bull generally has all the traits you want.”
It’s tough for the Pearsons to determine the true production gain from their breeding approach, because there have been so many changes within their business in the past five years.
For example, they’ve seen a production increase of 5 to 6 litres per cow/day - to an average of 9,500 litres per cow per lactation - in the new rotary dairy, where each cow is fed in the bail, according to its production. Previously, in their old herringbone dairy, the herd was blanket fed.
But when it comes to their heifers - there’s no argument. Better genetics are making a mark.
Shaun explained that all heifers enter the
dairy “at a consistent size” which makes them easier to manage and break into the dairy. They are also more comparable to the cows in the herd - both in size and production.
Pulling up one heifer’s record on the dairy office computer, he points out the production capacity within the young group.
“Here’s one heifer, she’s 48 days in milk and doing 31.9 litres on 9.7kg (of wheat, canola and minerals),” he explained. “As an average, the heifer group probably does around 29 litres, which is about 80 per cent of the average cow production.”
Choosing high BPI bulls has also improved calving ease within the Pearson’s herd.
The brothers are incredibly grateful for the time it gives them back for other things.
“I think one of the best things happening with calving ease, we are not pulling many calves at night,” Adrian said.
“Years ago, we’d be driving around the cows every night checking them.
“And now once the last person drives out the gate, they (springers) stay in the paddock
until the next morning,” Shaun added.
It’s a similar story with other health traits.
For example, less mastitis saves time and money, delivering more milk in the vat consistently.
Moving forward, the family doesn’t want to lift herd numbers to more than 1000 cows and instead, will concentrate on improving their
genetic merit to lift production, health and profitability.
They will continue to focus on breeding with high BPI sires but start to investigate traits such as feed efficiency and heat tolerance.
For more information www.datavat.com.au or email abv@datagene.com.au
Shaun (left) and Adrian Pearson have improved the Balanced Performance Index (BPI) of their Burrungule Dairy herd at Mt Gambier, South Australia by 161%, moving from an average BPI of 67 to 175 in four years.
Shaun Pearson: “We started with genomics because we wanted to get better quality animals through the herd and see where our calves were at.”
Counting carbon: ins and outs
WHY are you hearing about Scope 1, Scope 2 and, particularly, Scope 3?
It is because farmers are increasingly being asked to report their greenhouse gas emissions.
Whether you’re running sheep, cattle, cropping, or mixed enterprises, you’ve heard of Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
These terms come from the international carbon accounting system developed under the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol).
The GHG Protocol was created in 1998 by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
The WRI is based in Washington D.C. and is an environmentally focussed “think-tank”.
It was designed to help businesses and governments consistently measure, report and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
The framework defines three categories of emissions, now widely used across agriculture, food, manufacturing and finance.
The WBCSD is a Geneva based coalition of over 200 chief executive officers (CEOs) from around the world, including major food related brands such as Cargill, Nestle, Unilever and Danone.
What the Scopes actually mean Scope 1 emissions are those that happen directly on your farm.
They include diesel used in your tractors, methane from livestock burping, nitrogen fertiliser emissions, and any on-farm burning.
Scope 2 emissions are indirect — mostly from electricity you purchase, for example from grid-powered pumps or dairy refrigeration.
Scope 3 emissions are the most complex.
They refer to everything else that happens outside your farm gate but is still related to your business.
That includes the emissions embedded in the fertiliser you buy, the transport of your livestock, the processing of your grain or wool, and even the production of your machinery or fencing wire.
Where it gets messy: Scope 3 in practice In theory, Scope 3 gives a complete picture of your footprint across the whole supply chain. In practice, it’s where things start to get fuzzy.
Imagine you’re a beef producer buying three truckloads of feed oats from three different farms.
One grower uses a lot of nitrogenous fertiliser, one uses a modest amount, and one uses none relying on nitrogen fixed by leguminous
pasture species.
Each of those loads carries a different greenhouse gas footprint — but unless those growers have done their own emissions modelling, you won’t know which is which.
In order to report these emissions, you’ll have to use a standard industry estimate — what’s known as an “emissions factor”.
These are published by CSIRO or government agencies and are averaged across regions or production systems.
They’re useful, but they’re not precise.
Not like money: carbon accounting isn’t exact
The more you look into Scope 3, the more you realise that it is not like financial accounting.
There are no receipts that tells you the exact emissions content of your bale of hay or your tonne of barley.
Carbon accounting is built on estimates, not certainties.
Even with Scope 1 and 2 emissions, you’re often dealing with proxies—such as applying default figures for livestock methane or soil nitrous oxide.
Scope 3 just adds another layer of guesswork.
This makes it hard for farmers to provide the accurate and precise information that are increasingly being demanded by the buyers (ultimately the big guns at WBCSD).
The reality is that most emissions estimates use standardised inputs and models.
They’re good for identifying trends and comparing options, but they’re not scientifically exact — and they never will be.
Why European buyers are pushing Scope 3 reporting
Despite the limitations, Scope 3 emissions are becoming increasingly important — especially for Australian farmers selling into European markets.
Many European companies—supermarkets, processors, and manufacturers — have signed up to net zero commitments through the Science-Based Targets Initiative.
To meet those targets, they are required to measure and reduce Scope 3 emissions from their suppliers, including farmers.
This is already influencing Australian exports of beef, lamb, wool, grain, and canola into Europe and the UK.
The EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and the new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism are all tightening expectations around emissions reporting.
Even if not yet required by law, European buyers increasingly demand full lifecycle carbon data as a condition of supply.
That means Scope 3 reporting is fast becoming a market access issue, not just a cli-
EMISSIONS REPORTING
end EcoOnline® and Climate Active Pathway®.
For most farmers, a simple Scope 1 and 2 estimate using GAF or FarmPrint probably takes one to two days to set up, and some hours each year to update.
More advanced systems like Ruminati or NetNada require more detailed data entry and recordkeeping.
If you’re aiming to go carbon neutral, you’ll need a full inventory and an independent audit under standards such as Climate Active or ISO 14064.
Keep records, not regrets Across all of agriculture, it pays to keep good records.
The table provides a rough indication of the reporting that will be required to satisfy the EU and UK Scope requirements.
A global system with local burdens There’s one more uncomfortable truth about carbon accounting.
Not every country plays by the same rules.
Unless importing countries like the UK and the EU apply carbon tariffs or enforce consistent labelling, the system will punish the transparent and reward the opaque.
The EU’s new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is a step in that direction — but so far, it doesn’t apply to agriculture.
For now, the burden of carbon reporting falls most heavily on countries like Australia, where farmers are already playing by the rules.
If Scope 3 emissions are to be part of global trade, then the rules must apply to everyone. Otherwise, it’s not just the climate that’s being distorted.
It’s the market too.
Let’s keep it fair and realistic
This isn’t to say carbon accounting is useless. It helps identify hotspots and opportunities for improvement.
Please
mate issue.
What is more, it is seemingly impossible to identify an original source of these bodies and initiatives.
A Google® search reveals layer after layer of not-for-profit organisations each with its unique acronym and shared agenda.
Tools available to help farmers
Amidst all this, there is now a selection of tools available to help Australian farmers estimate their emissions and model improvements over time.
These range from the free-of-charge GAF® and FarmPrint® to more elaborate programs such as Ruminati®, NetNada® and the high-
But we must be honest: this is not financial accounting.
It’s not exact, and it never will be.
It’s a useful framework — not a scientific instrument.
What matters now is that systems are transparent, fair, and achievable.
Farmers need tools that are easy to use, standards that are reasonable, and processors who understand that perfect information is impossible.
Let’s build a system that reflects the real world of farming — not just a spreadsheet ideal.
Because, if the people who grow the food don’t trust the system, the whole structure starts to wobble. Or worse.
PATRICK MACKARNESS
Nutrien does it for Dolly again
MENTAL health is once again a hot topic for staff at Nutrien Ag Solutions Mount Gambier.
Following a successful fundraiser last year for the Do It For Dolly Foundation, staff at Nutrien are once again aiming to increase funds and awareness for the charity.
The Do It For Dolly Foundation highlights mental health within the agricultural sector with staff this year hosting a silent auction over the past week.
Nutrien Mount Gambier’s Sam O’Connor said there would be a barbeque in store on May 9.
“We will still be collecting donations right up until that time, trying to raise as much money as we can for the Do It For Dolly Foundation and raise as much awareness as possible for the cause as well.”
He said within the agricultural industry and with younger children, mental health and bullying was a “big thing”
“We are looking forward to getting as many people as we can in here on May 9 to just get together,” he said.
“It is tough out there at the moment with the dry conditions and we understand people are doing it tough.
“It will be good to just get everyone together and have something to eat and drink and enjoy a bit of atmosphere, raising as much money and awareness as we possibly can for the foundation but just a good chance to bring people together in these times.”
Mr O’Connor said while staff members had a successful fundraiser last year, each year they
hoped it would get “bigger and better”
“We were certainly hoping to get bigger and better each year and really promote this foundation and raise as much money as we possibly can,” he said.
“The saleyards were so supportive last year,
we will be out there in our blue shirts and will be pretty easy to spot and we will be rattling cans and also have the auction items on display.”
Mr O’Connor said when a good cause was put to the rural community it would always “rally” together.
“We think this is a cause we really support and want to get behind,” Mr O’Connor said.
“I know the rural community will do the same and when they see us out there on Friday in our blue shirts, I hope it starts conversations around bullying and around mental health.”
Producers invited to join Policy committee
GRAIN Producers SA (GPSA) is calling for expressions of interest from South Australian grain producers to join its Policy Committee.
The committee would help to shape advocacy and policy priorities for South Australia’s grain industry.
The Policy Committee would become a vital part of GPSA’s governance structure, providing a mechanism for further grower feedback and considered advice on a range of industry, regulatory, and policy matters. The advice from the Committee will help inform the deliberations of the GPSA Board.
GPSA Chief Executive Officer Brad Perry said formation of a Policy Committee means that GPSA’s policy development remains grounded in the experiences and aspirations of growers.
“The Policy Committee ensures that GPSA’s advocacy remains grower-led, relevant, and reflective of the real challenges and opportunities facing our industry,” Mr Perry said.
“It provides an important mechanism for more growers to contribute to discussions on the issues that matter most.”
Mr Perry encouraged grain producers from across South Australia’s growing regions to apply.
“The GPSA Policy Committee is a unique opportunity for grain producers to play a leadership role in helping to shape the direction of our industry,” he said.
“It is about grain producers stepping forward to provide insights, guide advocacy, and help influence the major policy deci-
sions that affect all grain producers across South Australia. I strongly encourage anyone passionate about the future of our sector to apply.”
GPSA is seeking up to eight active members to serve an initial three-year term on the Policy Committee.
Sitting fees and travel expenses will be provided.
Committee members are expected to participate in a minimum of three meetings each year, offering feedback that is critical to GPSA’s engagement with industry, government and other key stakeholders.
EOIs close at 5pm on Monday, June 2.
For more information and to submit an EOI, visit www.grainproducerssa.com.au
Grain Producers SA (GPSA) is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from South Australian grain producers to join its Policy Committee.
FUNDRAISING: Nutrien Ag Solutions Mount Gambier Dean searce, Luke Norman, Suze Haase, Charlotte Hunt, Sophie Balkin and Sam O’Connor will continute to raise funds for the Do It For Dolly Foundation. (Charlotte Varcoe: 473566)
Trump, Tariffs and Tractors
PATRICK MACKARNESS
The dry season, inflation, the election and Trump tariffs have raised questions about the direction of the farm machinery market at a time when, in most years, farmers would be considering trading in major items of farm machinery for state of the art updates.
With this in mind, Agriculture Today contacted a number of machinery dealers with a view to getting some market insights.
The comments made followed a similar theme.
John Deere dealership Brandt, Bordertown’s Branch manager, Duncan Ross said that at present machinery prices were stable and that levels of stock were at normal levels.
Mr Ross said that there was a pause in pricing indicators for machinery which had not yet been ordered and configured.
He added that interest rates had come back to close to their 10-year average rate.
Kate Headlam, Principal of Hamilton based AJW Fraser Machinery a Massey Ferguson and Iseki dealership said the machinery prices were “steady” with competitive interest rates being offered.
She also stated that there was something of a hiatus in pricing announcements as the effects of the Trump tariffs were assessed.
In a similar vein, Jason Hann of Russell Industries, Mount Gambier a New Holland dealer said that prices were holding up but that “… down the track is a bit of an unknown. It’s difficult to get pricing until things settle down”
While retail prices for machinery are largely stable for now, recent data suggests that manufacturing and trade conditions are undergoing notable shifts.
Trump’s newly reimposed tariffs on Chinese imports — and China’s retaliatory measures — have disrupted global component supply chains.
U.S. farm machinery exports to China have declined by over 5%, and Australian importers are watching closely.
Meanwhile, U.S. manufacturers like John Deere have begun laying off workers as farm income and orders soften, suggesting the pricing lull may not last.
A significant factor affecting U.S. machinery prices is the extent to which manufacturers rely on Chinese-made components. John Deere, Case IH, and New Holland source a variety of parts from China, including bearings, hydraulic systems, electrical harnesses, and filters.
The imposition of new tariffs on these components has increased production costs and contributed to uncertainty in price forecasting.
Although final assembly of many machines occurs in North America or Europe, the reliance on Chinese supply chains means U.S.branded machinery is not insulated from global trade pressures.
Table 1: Main Tractor Brands & Manufacturing Origins
BrandParent CompanyPrimary Manufacturing Locations
John Deere Deere & CompanyUSA, Germany, India, Brazil, China, Mexico
Massey Ferguson AGCO CorporationFrance, USA, Brazil, China
Case IH CNH IndustrialUSA, Austria, Brazil, India
New Holland CNH IndustrialUSA, Italy, Brazil, India
Kubota Kubota CorporationJapan, USA, Thailand
Claas Claas KGaAmBHGermany, France, India
Fendt AGCO CorporationGermany
Deutz-Fahr SDF GroupGermany, Italy
Mahindra Mahindra & MahindraIndia, USA, China
Iseki Iseki & Co., Ltd.Japan
Table 2: Main Combine Harvester Brands & Manufacturing Origins
BrandParent CompanyPrimary Manufacturing Locations
John Deere Deere & CompanyUSA, Germany
Case IH CNH IndustrialUSA, Belgium, Brazil
New Holland CNH IndustrialUSA, Belgium, Brazil
Claas Claas KGaAmBHGermany
Massey Ferguson AGCO CorporationUSA, Italy
Fendt AGCO CorporationGermany, Italy
Iseki Iseki & Co., Ltd.Japan
Adding to the uncertainty is the origin of farm machinery itself.
built in a diverse range of countries.
With all this to consider, it’s difficult to assess whether or not this is a good time to be buying a new tractor or header. Anything could happen. This two tables outline where leading brands sold in South West Victoria and the South East of South Australia are built.
While the local dealer network remains strong, the tractors and headers they sell are
The two tables outline where leading brands sold in South West Victoria and the South East of South Australia are built.
Festival celebrates the Kelpie
FINAL preparations are underway for the Casterton Kelpie Association’s 29th Australian Kelpie Muster on the long weekend of June 7 to 9.
This year’s theme, “Kelpie Legacy: Uniting a Nation’s Heritage,” highlights the profound significance of the Australian Kelpie in the nation’s history and the muster’s growing national appeal.
The Australian Kelpie Muster has been a cherished tradition in the south west Victorian community for nearly 30 years.
The theme for 2025 underscores the commitment to honouring the invaluable contributions of the Kelpie breed. Known for their intelligence, agility, and loyalty, these remarkable dogs have been instrumental in shaping Australia’s agricultural heritage.
This year’s muster serves as a heartfelt tribute to the enduring legacy of Kelpies and their pivotal role in our farming communities.
The Australian Kelpie Muster continues to gain prominence, attracting attendees from across Australia and beyond.
This free entry event has evolved into a national celebration, drawing visitors from all corners of the country to witness the extraordinary talents of the Kelpie breed. From the thrilling Kelpie Dash to the awe-inspiring Kelpie High Jump, the muster promises a weekend brimming with excitement and camaraderie.
A highlight of the event is Australia’s Premier Working Dog Auction, taking place on Sunday at Island Park. This auction fosters connections across the land, with dogs heading in all directions thanks to the incorporation of the online sale platform AuctionsPlus. Entries are now open for the 29th year, with sub-
missions expected to contribute to yet another record-breaking event.
Event Highlights
• Kelpie Dash: Watch as Kelpies showcase their speed and agility in a 50-meter dash.
• Kelpie High Jump: Witness the incredible jumping abilities of Kelpies as they attempt to break records.
• Kelpie Hill Climb: Cheer on Kelpies as they race up Blueberry Hill, demonstrating their endurance and determination.
Triathlon: A combination of dash, high jump, and hill climb for the ultimate top dog.
• Working Dog Auction: Australia’s premier working dog auction, featuring top-performing Kelpies. Entries are open and close on May 2nd at 5 pm.
• Kelpie Street Parade: Enjoy the vibrant parade featuring local schools, community groups and emergency service personnel. Kelpie Art and Photography Competition:
For the creative souls, the Annual Casterton Rotary Art Show and Fox and Lillie Photography Competition provide an opportunity for attendees to capture the artistic expression of the breed.
Whether you’re a long-time Kelpie enthusiast or a first-time visitor, there’s something for everyone at this year’s muster. For more information, please visit our website at www.castertonkelpieassociation.com.au or follow us on social media.
Limestone Coast included in eID Producer push
THE Limestone Coast region has been included in the first round of a new initiative which aims to boost capability and confidence in the practical use of electronic identification (eID) for improved on-farm decision making.
Funded by the State Government and Meat and Livestock Australia, eID Producer Groups will provide a supportive learning environment for sheep and farmed goat producers to learn how to use eID data to their advantage.
The eID Producer Groups initiative is part of the State Government’s eID Advantage Program, which aims to ensure producers are ready to meet mandatory individual tagging and National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) reporting requirements and move towards full traceability across the supply chain
by January 1 2027.
Minister for Primary Industries Clare Scriven said The eID Producer Groups were a “fantastic opportunity” for sheep and farmed goat producers to hone their skills and learn how to make the most of the data from electronic identification for improved on-farm decision making.
“I’m pleased to see producers embracing the opportunity to come together and not only learn from experts, and each other, share knowledge, advice and ideas,” Ms Scriven said.
“The State Government is proud to support initiatives such as the eID Advantage Program, which we have committed $900,000 towards.
“This funding was on top of the $9.3 million allocated in the budget to assist our
producers, processors, saleyards and other stakeholders to transition to mandatory electronic tagging.”
Ms Scriven said a further funding package of $4.5 million was also announced in the recent Drought Support package from the State Government.
Each group will be allocated up to $20,000 in grant funding to cover eligible activities including workshops, expert speakers and field study travel costs.
The groups are required to meet three times before May 2026.
The Limestone Coast region has been included in the first round of a new initiative. (Supplied)
Kelpie
Showcasing this iconic breed at work, Sunday’s Auction demos provide an in-depth view of the breed’s agility, work ethic and connection between owner and dog. (Nicole Cleary)
Kelpie pups are always a major attraction.
Milk spilt and support pours in
DAIRY farmers from across the Limestone Coast have been given a lifeline.
Those who were impacted by the collapse of Beston Global Food will receive their funding in a $3 million state government assistance scheme.
The funds will be administered by the South Australian Dairy Farmer’s Association (SAFA) to assist farmers left out of pocket following the shock closure.
Farmers listed as creditors in the Beston liquidation process will be eligible while the funds will go towards investing in farm modifications, pay invoices or accounts or reduce working capital debt facilities.
While the grants will not exceed the amount lost as a result of Beston going into administration, applicants will be required to submit a plan for how the funds will be used.
Beston announced it was going into administration in September last year with milk production ceasing in December.
After a creditors meeting in February 2025, Beston was put into liquidation.
South East dairy farmer and SADA member John Hunt said mentally, it felt as if farmers had been let down by Beston.
Mr Hunt said he had lost about $700,000 from the liquidation and after having to source the funds within the business it was “more like a $1.4 million” loss.
“It has been a struggle because there was not any communication from the company so we were left floundering,” Mr Hunt said.
“I know the administrators have come in, done their work and then the liquidation so we are not going to get a result for two-to-three years and even then we do not know what the result will be.”
He said to have the government come in and provide the lifeline was a fantastic opportunity.
“They understand that dairy in the last two years has been a bit tough with the dry autumns and the amount of fodder we have got to purchase,” he said.
“I think they have realised this was through no fault of our own and they are trying to back businesses in South Australia.”
Mr Hunt said while dairy in South Australia had a turn over of about $3.5 million, it provided more than that for the state overall.
“It is still a good business, it is still generating good money for the state,” he said.
“We employ hundreds of people through the processing, tanker drivers and that sort of thing so it is a great thing for the state and for the government to come out and say they know we are doing it tough and here is about 25-30 cents on the dollar, it is going to be a huge boost to farmers at the moment.”
He said dairy farmers who were affected by the liquidation were happy with the funding assistance and thanked SADA for its ongoing advocacy.
“We have never been out there with a handout saying poor us but it is great they have acknowledged this is a really tough time on top of tough times and for them to do this is really good,” Mr Hunt said.
“There are not many strings attached which is brilliant.”
The assistance comes as the state government also announced funding for charity fodder donation.
Mr Hunt said while the autumn season dragged on in 2024, his business alone spent an extra $100,000 on fodder than usual.
“Coming into this year it is turning out around about the same,” he said.
“I think we have had a bit of a break, hopefully that keeps us going but fodder is good and then the government has also put out its $55 million support package for drought affected farmers so they are understanding that too.
“It has been a bit of a tough time, most farmers have got their own insurance, most farmers have fodder stored away but there are a few areas that have been hit really hard and
you just have a hand to get through that.”
He said next year could be different for farmers across the region but with ongoing support from suppliers, SADA and the government it was looking more positive.
“We have had support from our suppliers, that is one thing I think has kept us going because all of our suppliers contacted us and said if we needed anything, longer terms to pay, they were very forthcoming and that was probably what kept us going,” he said.
“A farmer’s worst thing is owing people money, we hate it so it would be great if the Beston board felt the same way, they could have been far more honest with us and they could have shut the business down in June just in time for the new season then let everyone off their contracts because we all could have moved on.
“The only other thing we want the governments to do is just change some of the policies around trading insolvent, they cannot just look for a safe harbour clause because Beston actually had two or three safe harbour options but they chose not to take them and that should not be allowed.”
Regardless of the tough times, Mr Hunt remained adamant dairy farming was a great industry to be in and expressed the resilience
shown from farmers across the region.
“You have to be resilient to be a farmer in any form, not every year is going to be perfect or the same and the cost of production has just gone through the roof but at the end of the day we are bound by what people will pay us for our product, sometimes it is great and sometimes it is not, sometimes the climate is good, sometimes it is not you have to be resilient to be a farmer,” Mr Hunt said.
“This season so far has not been bad, we have had good growth under the pivots, normally we do not get the rain until April 20 for the break but because last year was so drawn out everyone is hanging out for a decent amount of rain this year and I do not think we will get it until the end of May.
“I want my grandkids to farm on this farm, I want them to be here, they have to have a life.”
Minister for Primary Industries Clare Scriven said the state’s dairy industry was valued for its significant economic contribution as well as its premium products which were supplied around Australia and the world.
“We are committed to working with the SA Dairyfarmers’ Association to help ensure our state’s strong industry overcomes challenging market conditions and continues to grow,” Ms Scriven said.
Karen and John Hunt welcome support from the government.
(Charlotte Varcoe: 475611)
Top studs for Terang farmers
TERANG farmers Bryan and Jo Dickson have scored a rare double feat with both their Holstein and Jersey studs topping the latest Australian Breeding Values (ABV) lists.
The April 2025 ABV release from DataGene shows Emu Banks Holsteins continued their run at the top with an average BPI of 376. For the first time, Spring Banks Jerseys took top spot on the breed’s ranking with an average BPI of 279.
This is the first time since the formation of DataGene that one farmer has topped both major breed indexes.
It fulfills a long-held ambition for Mr Dickson. “It’s pretty cool; it’s something I have wanted to do for a long time,” he said.
Daryl Hoey had a similar achievement about 12 years ago, topping the Holstein, Jersey and Aussie Red ABVs under the former Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme, the predecessor to DataGene.
“Daryl is the only person that I know of who has done it before,” Bryan said.
The Emu Banks herd consists of about 50 Jerseys and 30-40 Brown Swiss but the bulk is Holstein, with about 900 cows.
Jerseys were reintroduced to the herd about five years ago because of strong interest in the breed shown by Bryan and Jo’s daughter Anna.
Emu Banks first topped the Holstein list in 2015 and returned to the top around 2020 and has maintained its edge since then. Spring Banks has been a regular in second spot on the Jersey list but previous leader Con and Michelle Glennen’s White Star Jerseys, from Noorat, just 10 km from the Dicksons, slipped to second spot.
“I’ve got it once – how long I can keep it I’m
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not sure because Con has a great herd, but it’s an honour to top both rankings,” Bryan said. When reintroducing Jerseys, the Dicksons concentrated on quality. “We only bought and kept the best Jerseys we could find and culled the tail,” Bryan said. They have the same philosophy with Holsteins. “Weeding is just as important as breeding. We breed for type and production and we always feed them well to achieve good produc-
tion, but we also weed out the lesser cows.”
In Holsteins, Bryan and Jo bred the second and third ranked BPI heifers. Emu Banks Rizboy Tiffany 15111, with a BPI pf 573, was second and was recently sold for $17,000 to Agri-Gene and will contribute to their bull breeding program. In third position is Emu Banks Rizboy Louanna 14977 with a BPI of 568. Three of the top five genomic heifers are owned by the Dicksons.
Emu Banks was the highest herd for the Sustainability Index at 652 and number one for the Health Weighted Index (HWI) at 361.
Bryan says he relies on facts and figures when breeding and adds that genomics and sexed semen have helped to create a top ABV herd.
The family has been farming west of Terang since 1989 and own 485ha and lease a further 200ha.
Pasture Pathways program opens
MEAT & Livestock Australia (MLA) has unveiled the new Pasture Pathways program for grazing advisors, with applications now open from interested groups to participate.
Pasture Pathways is a training and development initiative designed to equip new, graduate, and developing advisors with additional skills and knowledge needed to provide enhanced pasture agronomy and grazing management advice to red meat producers across Australia.
MLA’s Program Manager for Adoption Sally Leigo said Pasture Pathways is an 18-month development program aimed at addressing the shortage of pasture and grazing land management advisors.
“Organisations providing pasture agronomy and grazing land management advisory services are invited to apply to participate in this innovative program,” Ms Leigo said.
There are up to 10 places available and the program prioritises participants in Northern Australia, with half of places designated for regions including Queensland, the Northern Territory, and northern Western Australia.
“Northern Australia faces a significant gap in local pasture and grazing land management advisory capabilities compared to the more intensively managed southern regions,” Ms Leigo said.
“This is due to the distances in Northern Australia, the extensive size of grazing properties and the prevalence of native pastures, which require different management. Expanding advisory services in northern Australia will be instrumental in enhancing local expertise and providing better support to red meat producers in these areas.”
The Pasture Pathways program commences in July 2025 and concludes in December 2026. It features training in MLA programs and guidance from experienced advisors, development of personal skills critical to a sustainable career in pasture adviso-
sors.
ry, a combination of face-to-face workshops, online learning, and self-paced e-learning and networking opportunities with industry experts, advisors, and MLA managers. Applications close 18 May 2025. Interested businesses and individuals can submit an Expression of Interest to Program Manager Ben Reeve at breeve@meridian-ag. com.au
This program will be managed and delivered by Meridian Agriculture, co-funded by the MLA Donor Company (MDC), with training provided by more than 25 industry experts.
Pasture Pathways builds on MLA’s commitment to supporting innovation and excellence in Australia’s red meat and livestock sector.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has unveiled the new Pasture Pathways program for grazing advi-
Anna Dickson and one of the prizewinning cows.
Shelters add to cattle comfort
WHILE south east South Australia and Western Victoria struggle with low rainfall and warmer than usual temperatures, one family of dairy farmers in Tasmania is making changes protect their herd from the wet and the cold.
The move to add shelters for farm animals is a change in the way farmers in cold and hot climates are considering.
Kent and Annette Anderson’s cows enjoy then ultimate room with a view as they give birth under shelter on the rolling hills overlooking Stanley in northern Tasmania.
But it’s not the scenic attraction of The Nut in the background that appeals to Kent and Annette, it’s the health and welfare benefits that come from birthing in a Dairy Shelters Australia structure.
Kent and Annette moved to Vegasoul’s Spring Farm in 2023 after share farming for three years at the owner’s sister farm, Nutview, where they were introduced to the benefits of calving under shelter.
After supervising calving in the paddocks for more than 20 years in the dairy industry, they weren’t about to go back.
“We had a calving barn on the other farm and when we calved here last year without it, we said we’d never calve without a shelter ever again,” Kent said.
The farms are owned by a Hong Kong investor and overseen by New Zealand consultant Hamish Edge. Kent and Annette are sharefarmers on a milk solids basis. With support from two full-time staff and two backpackers, they milk 720 Holstein-Jersey cross-bred cows on about 340 hectares.
The farm had a Holstein herd under the previous owner but changed to the cross-bred system to increase milk solids and to lessen the impact of the cows on the land.
“We get a lot of rain,” Kent says. “We don’t talk inches; we talk metres.”
Kent and Annette enjoy a close relationship with the farm management and were keen to discuss the best shelter options, not only to create a better environment for the cows but to protect the land.
And that’s where the Dairy Shelters Australia structure became an essential part of the farm’s infrastructure – with more likely to come.
“We put the calving shelter in this year and it’s bloody brilliant,” Kent said. “All we had before was an open calving pad and it always got boggy and muddy.”
The Nutview farm had a traditional enclosed barn and while that was helpful, Kent and Annette discussed the option of the clear roof, deep litter Dairy Shelters Australia shelter with Hamish and their former vet, Neil Leighton, who has now joined the Dairy Shelters Australia team.
“For an enclosed shed this size you’re looking at $350-$400,000 but the Dairy Shelters
Australia option was considerably cheaper and we think it’s even better with the sunlight and warmth they let in,” Kent said.
“We found out some more information about Dairy Shelters Australia and then met them at AgFest and it all happened very quickly.”
The decision to build two side-by-side shelters was made in May last year but with calving due to start on August 5, the pressure was on.
With no builders available locally, a team from Victoria flew down to do the work.
“We were worried about the weather so they organised a team to come across from the mainland,” Annette said. “They got here in June and had it up in 13 days. They were great. It was bloody cold but they were here at half past five in the morning and worked till it was dark.”
The shelters were ready in time and the 2024 calving period finished with great success.
“There are so many benefits,” Annette said. “Your cows are warm and dry and right there beside the dairy. The clear roof brings in the sunshine and warmth so it’s better for the cows and people.”
“You don’t have health issues like you do out in the paddocks and you don’t trash your paddocks when they’re in the shelter,” Kent added.
The existing calf shed was at maximum capacity so part of the new shelter was partitioned off to house some older calves.
The success has prompted Kent and Annette to start planning more clear-roof shelters
“We’ve got 1000 square metres with the current calving shelter but if we bumped it out to 6000 square metres, on a bad day the cows could go into the paddock and eat for two hours and then come back to the shelter,” Kent said.
“It would be much better than being in the water and the mud. They could lay down in the warmth and they wouldn’t be trashing the paddocks and we wouldn’t have the cost of repairing pastures all the time.
“There are multiple health benefits for the cows and you reduce the risk of many calving-related diseases if they are warmer and sheltered. You always get one of two stillborn calves but you don’t lose any due to the elements. This time of year, can be pretty tough here.
Kent and Annette say the Dairy Shelters Australia shelters are good for the reputation of the industry.
“There are a lot of people who don’t understand what farmers have to do at calving time,” Kent said. “You might see a dead cow but it’s not the fault of the farmer; it’s what sometimes happens in dairying. But with these, you reduce the risk of things going wrong because they’re in a better environment and they’re in a safer spot where we can check on them.
“By having the shelter, we alleviate a lot of that risk so it’s got to be good for the industry.”
There has been a lot of interest in the structures. “We’ve had so many neighbours call in to have a look and they’re all impressed,” An-
nette said. “This is the way that things are going to go.”
While they have no plans to go a total barn system, Kent and Annette say having multiple clear-roof shelters would bring great management flexibility.
“From October to May it lends itself to get the cows outside here,” Kent said, “We’d like the capacity to house them all over the winter months and just give them a few hours out in the paddock to eat and then they can come back here out of the elements.,
“It’s better for the cows, the paddocks and the farmers.”
for raising calves and housing cows during the harsh Tasmanian winters.
The dairy herd shelter. A paddock with a view.
Celebrate spud-tacular taters
ELISABETH CHAMPION
elisabeth.champion@tbwtoday.com.au
A Limestone Coast farmer a-peeling for shoppers to enjoy a potato or two this month, as the world celebrates International Day of the Potato.
The day celebrates the economic, cultural and nutritional values of potatoes around the world.
More than 383 million tonnes of potatoes are produced around the world each year, with developing nations contributing more than half of that.
Australia produces around 1.3 million tonnes of potatoes a year.
Mingbool potato farmer Terry Buckley is one of 13 potato farmers in the district and despite pressures farmers are facing, he said the future was bright in the industry.
Mr Buckley said with potatoes having complex genetics, the possibilities for cross-breeding, without the need for genetic modification, was immense.
“There are 5000 varieties of potato - that’s just what is being commercially used,” he said.
“There’s thousands of varieties and they say they’ve just found another 45 varieties that they didn’t know they had.
“It’s incredible, they come in every shape and colour and size you can imagine, so it’s got all this genetic potential to go on and make potatoes into something, to change them.
“You just switch genes on and off a bit, and then you can make new things because they can then test DNA now you can much more quickly get to work it out what you’ve got.”
Mr Buckley said because of this, potato
farming was only in its infancy.
“Within the last 15 years, the leaps in DNA or gene monitoring and stuff has come so far,” he said.
“I think we’re just on the start of something great because the genetics thing and China’s been actively trying to get people to eat and grow spuds and get away from rice, because rice is too hard with the water.
“So it’s the most productive crop you can grow, pretty much for land use area - you get a lot of a lot of production from a small area.
“So I just think potatoes provide opportuni-
ties for all sorts of things.”
He said potatoes had the potential to adapt to the changing climate and improve its levels of sustainability with reduced inputs., making it a sustainable crop now and in the future.
Plus, he said, there was still a high demand for the vegetable, despite negativity around the health aspects of potatoes.
“Carbohydrates, they bang them all in together, but they’re very different, and so potatoes won’t do the things that rice and pasta will, as far as fat goes,” he said.
more spuds like that, I would eat more spuds.’
“It’s the dressings and toppings that tend to be the fattening component.”
While potatoes are a top staple for many households around the world, Mr Buckley said they could be better through cross-breeding.
“It is a fault of our industry, we could still grow potatoes with better taste and better flavours and make them more enjoyable,” he said.
“We’re still working on that, there’s too much focus on appearance rather than what they can actually be.
“So we’ve got work to do, but yes, there is huge opportunity in the industry.”
“There was a guy in Adelaide that only ate potatoes for a year - In the end, he was fat and he thinned down from eating potatoes.”
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Despite the bad reputation, he said people still loved their potatoes.
“People love their spuds, and they just really wanted permission to go and eat them,” he said.
“They’ve copped a bad rap out of the health system but they really would like to eat more spuds and interestingly, when we give potatoes to people, they’ll often say to me, ‘if I could get
The dirt on spuds THERE are more than 5000 improved varieties of potatoes.
Potatoes are rich in vitamin C and potassium.
Potato skins contain a dietary fibre which aids in digestion of food.
Around two-thirds of the world’s population includes potatoes as an element in their diet.
Potatoes are the third most available food crop globally, after wheat and rice.
They contain antioxidants.
They can be used to produce bio-based products including biodegradable plastics 159 countries produce potatoes, with a total of 17.8 million hectares.
*Facts gathered from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
While potato growers, like many farmers, battle challenges such as diseases and drought, the industry showed no signs of slowing down.
“I can’t even imagine anything that’s really going to take over from potatoes -if you were predicting what’s going to take over, it’s only really rice and pasta,” Mr Buckley said.
International Day of the Potato will be celebrated around the world on May 30.
Potatoes are being harvested across the Limestone Coast.
Potatoes are rich in potassium and vitamin C.
The harvest is coming along at the Buckley farm.
Terry Buckley is nearing the end of his potato harvest for the season.
Dairy sales average $4850
DEMAND remains strong for Australian Jersey cows with all 23 lots being sold in Dairy’s Finest showcase sale last month.
The sale at Moama on April 14, as part of the Jersey World Conference tour averaged $4850.
Top lot of the night was Attaview Aldrin Inch 4 selling for $7500 for Reece and Toni Attenborough to Lloyd Akers from Loxleigh Jerseys.
Dairy Livestock Services auctioneer Brian Leslie said the catalogue represented the best
of Australian Jersey herds.
“Overall, we had a good result, reflecting the dry times in southern Australia,” Mr Leslie said.
“They all sold and we had a lot of interest, especially online where we had 382 logged on to the Stocklive platform watching the sale.”
Cows were sold to buyers from South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland. “The breeders put their best
cattle forward and they should be very proud of their offerings. The buyers should be happy with what they picked up and the cattle will do a great job for them. It was an excellent catalogue and I think we’ll hear a lot more about the cattle sold in the sales.”
Mr Leslie said the top lot was a good buy.
“The Inch family is one of the emerging families in the breed and she attracted strong competition,” he added.
There was also strong demand for semen packages with sexed semen straws selling for up to $350 per straw.
Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett thanked vendors for providing quality lots to support the sale.
“Jerseys are a growing breed in Australia and I’m sure the buyers will appreciate the efficiency and profitability of the modern Jersey cow,” Mr Barrett said.
South African farmers look to boost herd quality
WITH 17,000 dairy cows across 15 farms under their Just Milk banner, South African farmers Edgar and Lynda Brotherton are looking to Australia to boost the quality of their herd.
With one of the largest herds in South Africa, Mr Brotherton wants to stabilise numbers but increase milk production through genomic testing and selective breeding.
Mr Brotherton was hosted by Genetics Australia to join the World Jersey Conference tour presented by Jersey Australia late last month, and addressed a sponsors’ breakfast in Warrnambool. He was joined by Roy Dixon from CRV Xseed Genetics, the exclusive distributor of Genetics Australia’s Jersey semen in South Africa.
“The main purpose of our visit to Australia is to visit breeders of the bulls we’ve used,” he said. “It is our intention to use more Australian genetics and it has been fantastic to meet the breeders and put faces and names to the bulls we use.”
Just Milk is a management company based in the Eastern Cape that manages dairies. The milking herd comprises 17,000 cows and the total herd size including calves is 25,500. Just Milk also has cheese processing facilities, partnerships with piggeries and runs a small beef operation.
Just Milk is a unifying brand, not a single corporate entity. It operates on farms with various land ownership and profit-sharing structures. “We personally own some of the properties, 50
per cent share in some and 25 per cent share farmers in others,” Mr Brotherton said. “This model allowed land investors an opportunity to gain exposure to dairy farming.”
Very few animals have been brought into the herds from outside, resulting in selective breeding and an optimal animal suited to the Eastern Cape conditions.
Mr Brotherton says his interest in Australian genetics stems from the similarities between the two countries’ farming conditions.
“We’ve got low rainfall areas with irrigation that can have temperatures up to 40 degrees for 5-6 days in a row, and we’ve got coastal farms like Gippsland with rolling hills and dryland farming.
During their growth phase, Just Milk reared about 1000 surplus heifers every year to be on standby for new projects.
The Just Milk cow originated from a black and white herd crossed to Jersey after Mr Broth-
erton toured New Zealand in 1995.
“We started using New Zealand bred Jersey bulls like Manhattan, Maunga, Murmer, Presley, Nucleus and Kingpin, especially Manhattan,” he said.
“One of the reasons we chose the New Zealand bulls was that the black and whites we had been milking were too big. We figured the smaller New Zealand Jersey would bring them down quickly and they certainly did that and they bred us a very good cow.”
They then moved to Genetics Australia through supplier CRV. “Some of the older bulls that worked very well for us included Badger, Tahbilk, Aussiegold and more recently Stark, Ventura, Goldband, Bedford and other genomic bulls.
“It has been very nice here in Australia to see some of the mothers and daughters of the bulls we’re using and we were very impressed with what we’ve seen.”
South African farmers Edgar and Lynda Brotherton.
Moo-vement for Aussie cows
DAIRY farmers from around the world will be spreading the word about the quality of Australian Jersey cows after a successful World Conference tour.
Visitors from United States, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, France, England, Jersey Island, South Africa and Colombia took part in the tour across Victoria and New South Wales.
It was the first time since 2011 that the conference was based in Australia.
Jersey Australia general manager Glen Barrett said the conference, which started in Melbourne on April 6 and ended on April 21 at the Royal Sydney Show, had lived up to expectations.
“It has been a very successful world conference,” Mr Barrett said. “The guests have been very impressed with the cattle they’ve seen and we’ve had some great engagement with industry facilities and researchers.”
Mr Barrett said positive feedback about the quality of cattle had already generated international sales interest for genetics export companies.
“People were impressed with the quality of the cows and the world-leading support of the dairy industry and we are confident this will lead to more sales of Australian Jersey genetics around the world,” he said.
Mr Barrett said he was aware of a 5500-straw order and more sales were expected to be confirmed in response to the tour.
New Zealand visitors were particularly impressed with the quality of the Australian cows and the way the dairy industry functions.
“People have seen that Australia has highquality cows and they will take the message home that they should be using more Austra-
lian Jersey genetics,” Mr Barrett said.
Jersey Australia president Geoff Akers said he was proud to recommend Australian Jerseys to breeders across the world.
“Over the past 30 years, Australian breeders sourced the best genetics from around the world and today we are very proud the Australian Jersey that is absolutely world-class,” he said.
Genetics Australia was premium sponsor for the tour and export manager Rob Derksen said the conference was a real success.
“As premium sponsor, it was a great oppor-
tunity to showcase Australian Jerseys to visitors from around the world,” Mr Derksen said.
“In my view, Australian breeders, through the use of the world’s best Jersey bloodlines and cow families, now have the best population of Jerseys available,” he said.
“As the need for sustainability puts pressure on current farming practices worldwide, the efficient Jersey breed will play an important role in feeding the world in future.”
Genetics Australia hosted several international visitors for the tour, including Edgar and Lynda Brotherton from Just Milk and Roy Dix-
on from CRV Xeed in South Africa. “It was beneficial for them to see Australian Jersey herds, bull mothers, cow families, farming systems and the bulls,” Mr Derksen said.
Jean Macky from STNZ as well as several New Zealand Jersey farmers also attended and said the Australian Jersey had a real role to play in NZ.
“Jean was confident that as more farmers see the results of Australian Jerseys in NZ sales will grow,” Mr Derksen said.
Several of the NZ visitors ordered semen while in Australia.
Conference attendees inspect a farm.
de Bruin is a cut above the rest
A well-known South Australian man has been awarded one of the highest honours by the Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) .
Owner of Mayura Station Scott de Bruin was recently awarded the Honorary Life Membership Award.
The prestigious accolade was announced with an audience of 500 of his peers, marking a fitting finale to the AWA’s annual conference, WagyuEdge’25.
Mr de Bruin has played a pivotal role in the growth of the wagyu industry within Australia.
His journey with the wagyu industry dates back to 1998, when he welcomed one of the first-ever shipments of full-blood Wagyu cattle to Australia.
The following year saw the purchase of four bulls to establish Mayura Station’s full-blood Wagyu herd.
Mr de Bruin’s contributions to the wagyu industry and the AWA were enormous, and his mark shaped the way Australian Wagyu beef is presented, understood, and valued around the world.
Recognising early the significant opportunity to lift and elevate Wagyu from the traditional commoditised beef pricing and value model, Mr de Bruin was an early pioneer in driving forward the branded beef movement, ensuring Wagyu beef told its origin story and was delivered in premium packaging, push-
ing forward the premium messaging that the breed is now known for.
This visionary direction helped lead Australian wagyu to its current position as the worlds ‘luxury beef.’
In a time when lean beef reigned supreme, Mr de Bruin took the opportunity to drive education of the unique characteristics of wagyu by developing awareness and desire through culinary influence of the wagyu product, establishing lasting relationships with chefs both in Australia, and worldwide.
Mr de Bruin is a champion of insights into cut quality, preparation, and drove early education into how intramuscular fat differs from traditional beef.
His efforts helped elevate wagyu’s profile in the premium food scene, both in Australia and internationally.
An advocate for integrity in the marketplace, Mr de Bruin is also a champion for truth in labelling.
He pushed for clearer classification of wagyu-cross products and supported systems that gave buyers greater visibility of breed composition, meat quality scores and product provenance.
During his tenure as AWA President, Mr de Bruin oversaw several initiatives.
Most notably, he led the development and launch of the world’s first wagyu-specific Esti-
mated Breeding Values (EBVs) and introduced single-step genomic analysis – setting new global benchmarks in genetic evaluation.
He was also instrumental in establishing the inaugural Elite Wagyu Sale, further lifting the breed’s profile and market presence.
“I am truly honoured to have been presented an Honorary Life Membership with the Australian Wagyu Association,” Mr de Bruin said.
“From branding and education to genetics, I’ve always believed in driving innovation that strengthens the entire supply chain.
“Seeing the industry embrace these advancements has been incredibly rewarding.
“It’s a privilege to contribute to an industry that continues to push the boundaries of excellence, and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a committed association that shares this vision.”
On his remarkable journey, he attributes his impact to a blend of curiosity and a willingness to take risks.
“If you want to see what’s inside an egg, you’ve got to crack it open.”
AWA President Laird Morgan presented the award with high praise for de Bruin’s legacy.
“Mr. Scott de Bruin, founder and driving force behind Mayura Station, has been a pillar of the Wagyu industry since 1998, when he welcomed one of the first-ever shipments of fullblood Wagyu cattle to Australia,” he said.
“Just a year later, in true pioneering fashion, he laid the foundations for what would become one of the most respected and recognisable herds in the country.
“But Scott didn’t just build a herd—he helped build the modern Australian Wagyu brand.
“He saw early on that Wagyu wasn’t just about genetics or marbling—it was about storytelling, quality, and global identity.
“In 2004, he sold the very first boxed fullblood Wagyu beef out of Australia. And he didn’t stop there. Scott championed premium packaging, culinary education, and deep engagement with chefs to ensure consumers understood what made Wagyu different—and why it mattered.”
He said Mr de Bruin had “He’s done more than most to lift Wagyu out of the commodity space and into its rightful place as the world’s luxury beef.”
“At a time when lean meat was still king, Scott went out and told the world a different story,’ he said.
“He helped chefs, retailers, and ultimately consumers see Wagyu not just as a product— but as an experience.”
Mr De Bruin was the ninth person in AWA history to take home the Honorary Life Member award, joining a small collective of the industry’s most influential leaders.
Success sees Koroit Ag field days expand in 2026
THE success of the region’s newest field days - the Koroit Ag Fields Days - means they will return and expand in 2026.
Organisers have confirming they will stage a two-day event on a larger site next year.
The field days will be held on February 2021 at the Koroit showgrounds with extra land to be added to the mix.
The annual horse show will return to its traditional show date in November, allowing more field day and show activities on the oval.
There are also plans to run a dairy cow competition and DemoDAIRY Foundation has agreed to support another series of innovation seminars.
The inaugural Koroit Ag Field Day in February was hailed a success. It was designed to fill a gap left by the end of the Sungold Field Days at Allansford in 2020.
Field days coordinator Julie Houlihan said the response to this year’s event as part of the Koroit Show had exceeded expectations.
“This year was a bit of a trial to fill a gap and to see if there was demand,” Mrs Houlihan said. “The exhibitors were really enthused about the number of people coming through the gates and the response they got, but most thought it was a lot of work to do for just one day. They thought it was a goer but would prefer two days.
“We had nearly 60 exhibitors this year and probably knocked back 15 to 20 and they all say they want to come back.”
Traditional show events like poultry, sheep, flowers and cooking will be held over the two days but Mrs Houlihan said it was too hard to run the event with horses on the oval.
“We only had a relatively small area to fill so didn’t advertise it too widely, but we’ve already been fielding calls for next year and this
time there will be more space.”
The introduction a dairy cow section during the field days is likely to attract more interest. “There are not many dairy cow shows around at the moment so we think there will be a lot of interest from farmers who like to show their cattle,” Mrs Houlihan said.
There are plans to establish a field day organising committee, including exhibitors, community groups and supporters.
The show committee has also applied for a Federal Government grant to boost the event.
DemoDAIRY Foundation provided major support for the 2025 event’s innovation technical presentations and workshops. Deputy chair and local dairy farmer Chloe Brown said the Foundation was keen to support the reintroduction of an ag field day with a focus on technology and innovation and looked forward to continuing the partnership.
WagyuEdge’25.
HONOURED: Owner of Mayura Station, Scott de Bruin has received an AWA Honorary Life Membership Award. (Supplied)
Concern levy unfair to farms
MEMBER for South-West Coast Roma Britnell is concerned a rebadged fire levy in Victoria is unfairly targeting farmers.
She said the proposed Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), replaces the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) which was established in 2012 as a recommendation from the Black Saturday Royal Commission, to enshrine funding for fire fighters.
It is being positioned as a levy to support volunteer emergency services organisations such as the CFA and SES.
“In reality it is massive tax grab. It doubles every household’s existing levy. Rents will likely increase as the cost is passed on by property owners,” she said.
“To add insult to injury, farmers are hit the hardest – their levies have nearly tripled.
She said the State Government had made an exemption for the 28,906 active CFA volunteers (who are often farmers) on their home but it didn’t cover the rest of their farm.
“They are offered a measly exemption - an average of $108 per farmer “.
The ESVF will fund government agencies (000, the SES, CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria) that were previously funded from general revenue.
Ms Britnell said she was repeatedly raising the issue in the Parliament and objecting at every opportunity and trying to block the legislation passing the Victorian Parliament.
Succession planning should be a priority
RUNNING a family business is more than just a job- it’s a legacy built on hard work, shared values, and long-term commitment.
At Mellor Olsson Lawyers, we understand the importance of protecting that legacy through thoughtful, well-structured succession planning.
Whether you’re looking to retire, step back, or simply plan ahead, a clear succession plan helps ensure a smooth transition, protects business assets, minimises tax liabilities, and reduces the risk of conflict between family members.
The process begins with open and honest communication.
At Mellor Olsson, we work closely with business owners to review existing structures and discuss future intentions.
A key early step is determining how involved the current generation wishes to remain- whether that’s maintaining some control, transitioning gradually, or handing over completely. It’s also essential to engage the next generation, including those not directly involved in the business, to set clear expectations and avoid assumptions.
Once a shared direction is established, the next step is formalising the plan.
This may involve reviewing trust deeds, updating company constitutions, drafting shareholder agreements, and putting in place comprehensive wills and enduring powers of attorney.
Succession planning isn’t something that’s done once and forgotten. It should evolve with the business.
Establishing a Family Charter or Code of Business Principles, supported by regular governance meetings, helps provide clarity, accountability, and direction for future generations.
Mellor Olsson Lawyers works with clients across a broad cross-section of South Australia, with permanently staffed offices in Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Clare, and the
To start a conversation about your business’s future, speak with Mellor
Barossa Valley.
We are proud to offer practical, up-todate legal advice tailored to the unique needs of family-run enterprises.
With the right legal guidance and a clear plan in place, you can protect your business and pass it on with confidence.
To start a conversation about your business’s future, speak with our Regional Partner, Matt Dorman. With the right advice, you can take the next step with confidence.
Mellor Olsson
Concrete troughs aid stock water intake
THE beneficial utilisation of concrete troughs has been apparent to farmers for many years.
These benefits include the ability to contain stock, better water quality and faster weight gain.
Troughs are a must have when stock need to be contained in yards. In nearly every set of sheep or cattle yards you’ll find at least one trough.
Concrete troughs provide clean, fresh water, encouraging more feed to be consumed, which creates a continuous cycle of improvement in weight gain, contributing to revenue increase.
Concrete troughs are low maintenance, durable and livestock proof. The concrete ensures longevity, durability and coolness of the water, while regular clearing will maintain high quality water.
Bigger troughs that are well positioned allow easier access for stock which leads to higher water intake.
The Agriculture Victoria website states “Willms et al (2002) reported that yearling heifers that had access to clean water pumped from a well, spring or river gained 23 per cent
more weight than heifers with access to dam water only.”
“It is known that dry matter intake is highly correlated to water consumption - the more an animal drinks, the more it eats and vice versa (Murphy et al 1983).”
“It is also found that when dam water was pumped to a trough, the trough was preferred over dam water. This suggests that cattle might prefer to drink from a trough and avoid entering the dam.
CCP Civil & Precast P/L has supplied water troughs throughout Victoria and interstate for well over 25 years, with the product tested and inspected for quality.
It offers a wide variety of troughs that are made with steel reinforcement mesh so they are there to last.
There is lots to choose from with troughs ranging from 180 litres to 4550 litres, different styles and heights, as well as troughs for pigs and horses.
To find what you are looking for, contact the team today on (03) 5231 5231, pop in to 78 Forest Street, Colac or visit www.ccpcivilprecast. com.au
CCP Civil tanks provide clean, fresh water to stock. (Supplied)
Olsson Regional Partner Matt Dorman.
Victorian Member for South-West Cost Roma Britnell is concerned about the impact of the proposed new fire levy.
