“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 49
Only one chance to get wet By Brad Lester MILKING once a day has saved Tarwin Lower dairy farmers Steve and Sarah Arbuthnot from the wet winter. The practice – which is becoming more conventional in South Gippsland – has resulted in less track damage, fewer cow health problems and eased pressure on pastures already waterlogged. And that is despite farming on river flats alongside the Tarwin River and Anderson Inlet. “We used to have to put sawdust on the hill laneway to stop the cows from slipping, but ever since we have gone once a day, we do not have to do that anymore,” Sarah said. “Even being so wet, we have had no problems with sore feet. Some farmers have been getting a lot of footrot because of their cattle standing in the mud but we’ve had none of that.” They are using all of their paddocks – avoiding the need to agist off-farm at a cost and to retain their organic status while also taking part in a Bovine Johnes program. “This is the first year since 1995 that our sandy ridges have been wet.
Usually it does not matter how wet it gets, we usually have these high dry spots still,” Steve said. After six years of milking once a day, the Arbuthnots approve of the approach. The Arbuthnots have another secret to battling the wet – organic farming. While there is little farmers can do to escape wet feet with so much rain, Steve believes organic farming has resulted in a healthier soil biology and plant root structure that has helped bind the soil together, to an extent. The smaller cows better suited to organic farming are causing less pugging due to being lighter on their feet. “This country can’t hold up to the big hoofed animals. We have a lot more Jersey and cross-bred cows to keep the frames a bit smaller,” Steve said. Ayrshires, Brown Swiss and a lot of New Zealand genetics are among the mix, allowing the Arbuthnots to run more cattle to the acre with pleasing milk ability. “A lot of New Zealand cattle are not grain fed, which is similar to what we are trying to achieve with organic farming, whereas in Australia, they
tend to have to grain feed cattle to get high production,” Steve said. “We might lose a bit of income by milking once a day but our costs are down, we only have to employ one person and we have a better quality of life.” The couple believes organic farming results in more interaction with cattle so they can better monitor animal health and address issues before they become problems. They treat problems with minerals and make their own drenches, using garlic and ginger for calves, and cider vinegar for older animals. The fact some cows are 16-years-old is proof of the healthy way of the organic approach. Fertiliser is typically chook manure although paddocks are too wet for tractors at the moment. Milk is sent to the Warragul based company Organic Dairy Farmers Co-operative and manufactured into such products as Parmalat organic milk and five am yoghurt. “Going organic is not something you do for the money. There is no reason why all farmers should not be looking beyond the end of their nose and starting to look at more sustainable farming,” Steve said.
Coping fine: by milking once a day, Steve Arbuthnot believes his farm is holding up well in the wet.
Working in the wet
Young farmers offered cash grants
LOOKING after your soils during wet weather was hot on the agenda at a field day hosted by the South Gippsland Landcare Network last Friday.
YOUNG farmers committed to a career in agriculture can now apply for Victorian Coalition Government grants of up to $10,000 to enhance the productivity and sustainability of their businesses.
Over 60 people from across Gippsland ventured into the Strzeleckis to Tetoora Road Hall to listen to talk about landslips, track design and drainage in periods of wet weather. The field day was tremendously well received by the crowd, most of whom had experienced their own problems at properties caused by the previous few months of heavy rains. Guest speakers included Roger Wrigley from the University of Melbourne and Monash University, Frank Mickan from the DPI, Geoff Trease from the South Gippsland Seedbank and Bruce Gardner from Melbourne Water. Another feature of the day included a farm walk on a nearby property, which like some properties in the area is extremely steep, and has a large amount of problems with sub-surface run-off and landslips. This allowed participants to study and view a landslip on site, with the guest speakers providing information to participants.
With landslips appearing all over the hills this season, Mr Wrigley gave an explanation of the importance of whole farm planning in order to mitigate future landslips on your property, as well as ways to better understand how and why your landslip formed. His talk also included the best way to design track drainage to ensure your farm is able to cope with wet weather. Looking after flatter paddocks was also discussed. Mr Mickan from the DPI summarised different types of sub-surface and surface drainage that can be used to improve drainage in flat areas. He highlighted the importance of understanding soil types and characteristics when deciding which drains were best for you. Mr Trease from the South Gippsland Seedbank spoke about the most cost effective way of removing the threat of landslips by planting out slips and soaks. Mr Gardner from Melbourne Water spoke about water sensitive farm design funding options for farmers in the area. The Landcare network thanks the Strzelecki Lions Club for providing lunch on the day.
Successful: the day brought many keen farmers to hear about dealing with soil in wet weather.
Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the Victorian Government had allocated $1.2 million to the First Farm Grant Program, which would continue for one year or until the funds were allocated. “The First Farm grants are part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s comprehensive assistance package designed to support young people pursuing a career in food and fibre production,” Mr Walsh said.
“The program was due to expire under the Labor Government, but the Coalition Government allocated additional funds to reinstate the grants. “Food and fibre production underpins the well-being of rural communities and is crucial in ensuring Victoria’s economy grows strongly and is competitive in the future. “In this year’s budget we announced a range of initiatives to encourage more young people to take up a career in agriculture. “Farmers who were under 35 on July 1 are eligible to apply for the grants, and I would encourage them to do so.” Mr Walsh said grants include up to $3000 for business planning and an additional grant for development activities, totalling a combined value of
Shares smile on Murray Goulburn MURRAY Goulburn Co-Operative informed its suppliers last week that directors had declared a full year dividend of 12 per cent on ordinary shares held by suppliers. In a letter to suppliers, managing director, Stephen O’Rourke said that the dividend combined with the previously issued bonus of one ordinary share for every 10 ordinary shares held by suppliers in Murray Goulburn Co-Operative meant that MG suppliers have, in effect, received a total combined return of 23 per cent on their shares during 2011. “This dividend continues Murray Goulburn CoOperative’s strong record of dividend payment and represents an extremely important component of your total return from supplying and owning Murray Goulburn,” he said. Mr O’Rourke said that in the past six years the divi-
dend had been 12 per cent in five of those years and eight per cent in 2009 following the global financial crisis. “The one-for-ten bonus issue in April 2011 reflected the growing value of the cooperative and recognised the loyalty of dairy farmers who had supported Murray Goulburn through some difficult seasons,” he continued. The dividend announcement represents $26 million in payments to Murray Goulburn Co-Operative farm businesses and followed the recent July milk payments worth $160 million including the final step-up. “These milk payments and dividends provide important cash-flow for Murray Goulburn dairy farmers who are seeking to consolidate the position of their farm businesses,” Mr O’Rourke said. “Importantly, the combination of these two recent announcements has injected almost $190 million into our regional economies.”
up to $10,000. “This will allow young farmers to improve their management skills as well as prepare for future challenges, while also providing capital investment for their enterprise.” Young farmers who were on the waiting list for the First Farm Grant last year will need to apply again, as some of the eligibility criteria have changed to provide greater consistency across the government’s range of initiatives for young farmers. The First Farm Grant Program will be delivered through DPI and administered by the Rural Finance Corporation. The program will conclude on June 30, 2012. Selection criteria and other information can be viewed on the DPI and Rural Finance websites.