MARCH APRIL The Australian 2019 airyfarmer
CONSUMERS New campaign to li trust PASTURES Fer ga on delivers results LEADERSHIP Finding the courageous path DROUGHT Data helps farmers make decisions INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT YOUNG PEOPLE SHINE
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Healthy Calves. 1300 380 343 [email protected] Healthy Cows.™ www.provico.com.au X29549725 The Australian airyfarmer Vol 34, No.2 MARCH APRIL 2019 CONTENTS
NEWS $1 milk under fi re from processors 13 Milk pricing systems set for shake up 15 Labor proposes milk fl oor price scheme 21 Dra mandatory code released 34 Costs and season restrain confi dence 37 Poli cal fi ght erupts over basin plan 38 Temporary bluetongue zone hits trade 40 The importance of your mental health 41 Red focus ahead of conference 90 Women on Farms Gathering 91 TRUSTED DAIRY INDUSTRY One-stop shop for would-be manufacturers 22 Greater access unlocked to key market 23 New campaign to li trust 24 Australia’s fi nest products honoured 26 Search on for 2019 Legendairy capital 28 Dairy leads way toward sustainability 30 Burra Foods commits to long-term sustainability 31 56 GROWING BETTER PASTURES FARM PROFITABILITY Fer ga on proves it worth in trial 45 A li le mould means big problems 94 Finding pasture management’s holy grail 52 Managing ryegrass grazing in autumn 95 Plate meters and satellites for Greenacres 54 Maximising autumn with nitrogen 96 Careful management helps farm grow 56 Forage index puts science in sowing 97 Chicory thrives on SA farm 60 Maximising pasture when season is short 62 COLUMNS Plantain poten al to reduce emissions 65 At my desk 5 Forage Value Index 66 Milk Ma ers 6 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT Dairy Australia Roundup 11 NHIA News Roundup 18 Illawarra takes grand prize again 71 Update from the Gardiner Founda on 32 Holstein sale refl ects tough season 73 Dairy market report 43 Crawford family takes two grands 74 What’s on 91 Qld-bred Guernsey wins for NSW owners 78 Snippets and Titbits 92 Illawarra champ goes to a trio of mates 80 DataGene 93 Tandara takes double in Brown Swiss 82 Regional Development Program contacts 98 Gippsland Ayrshire breeders dominate 84 Top BPI cow named Jersey champion 86 Champion heifers tops Jersey sale 87 Youth Show champion beau ful 88 OUR COVER Ellie Hourigan with the 2019 Interna onal Dairy Week All Breeds Youth Show grand champion heifer Darryn Vale Tequila Sa n. Read the full report on page 88.
13 Picture: Carlene Dowie
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 3
AT MY DESK How a plan can make a diff erence The Australian Dairyfarmer is published on the 15th of every second month, in July, HERE’S a been a lot of talk lately We visited other sporting facilities, September, November, January, March in the industry about leadership, we sat down and nutted out what each Tunity and fi nding solutions to our group wanted. We engaged a local and May, for the Australian Dairy Farmers, problems. consultant to identify how our vision Level 2, Swan House, 22 William Street, Some have queried the value in de- aligned with various local and state Melbourne, Victoria, 3000. veloping another plan or have criti- government priorities and to prepare cised leaders for being out of touch, the document. We had an architect de- EDITORIAL while others have called for a unifi ed velop a rough concept design of what Editor: CARLENE DOWIE front, questioning those who have we wanted. PO Box 59, Carisbrook, Vic, 3464 rushed to government with sugges- From this, we developed a plan. Email: [email protected] tions for fi xing problems. The 30-page document (with a Phone/fax: (03) 5464 1542 I want to share a story with you handy double-page summary for the Mobile: 0475 962 221 about how taking the time to develop a time-poor politician) identifi ed clearly plan, listening to everyone’s points of what we wanted, what it would achieve ADVERTISING view and thinking about a solution be- and how it fi tted with government pri- Advertising manager: PETER ROACH yond a handout can make a difference. orities. GPO Box 257, Melbourne, Vic, 3001 I’m on the board of our local foot- But more importantly, it changed Email: [email protected] ball/netball club. the way we talked. The changerooms at our ground, like We still showed politicians and bu- Telephone: (03) 8667 1147 hundreds of others around the coun- reaucrats around the facility and let Fax: (03) 8667 1141 try, are in dire need of an upgrade. The their dire state speak for themselves, Mobile: 0447 551 316 away rooms are not-so-affectionately before presenting them with a solu- referred to as the chook sheds. The tion that went way beyond upgrading PRODUCTION home rooms aren’t much better. a changeroom. Fairfax Media Australian Community We’ve been banging on about the The outcome: fi rstly the local coun- Media production hub need to replace them for years. cil identifi ed the project as its number We whinged to anyone who’d listen. one priority for the state election. And Circulation: The Australian Dairyfarmer is We showed politicians and bureau- then by luck of being in a marginal seat, supplied free to all registered dairyfarmers crats around the place, who’d nod we were promised signifi cant funding in Australia. sympathetically, before heading off to by both sides. For a change of address, contact the next community group asked for The council has now engaged an ar- ADF Reception their help. chitect to come up with the fi nal plans We were all becoming increasingly for the $2 million we’ve been promised. Telephone: (03) 8621 4200 frustrated with the local council, who It started with being willing to work Fax: (03) 8621 4280 we saw as being uninterested in help- through our differences and develop a Email: recep on@ ing, and disgruntled at the seeming plan. Maybe there’s something in that australiandairyfarmers.com.au uncaring state politicians and bureau- for all of us. D crats. Copyright: All material in The Then two years ago we took another Australian Dairyfarmer is copyright. tack. Reproduction in whole or in part is not We were challenged by one bureau- permitted without the written permission crat to come up with a plan — a plan of the publisher. that took a much broader view of what we wanted and how it could be used in our community. Editorial contributions: Editorial So we took a step back. We worked contributions are welcome, but no as a group to develop a new vision for responsibility can be taken for their loss. the recreation reserve, which pitched Copy is preferred by email. Deadline is it not just as the sporting hub of our Editor two months before publication. small town, but a facility that would be the home of women’s football in our Printed by: Rural Press Printing. region, a facility that could be used by Published by: Fairfax Agricultural Media local health services wanting to reach (Agricultural Publishers Pty Ltd) farmers in our area, a facility that @DowieDairyEd would have the latest teleconferencing ABN 55 000 560 430. technology to allow all the clubs in our region to tap into high-level coaching ISSN: 0814-4494 and training advice and a facility that CAB Audit Figure: 9392 (March 2018) could be used as a base for local emer- www.facebook.com/ gency groups facing natural disasters. AustralianDairyfarmer The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 5 MILK MATTERS
provided by Australian Dairy Farmers Ltd Win in discount milk war
✔ Woolworths agrees to li price of payment cycles. The distribution of $1 a litre milk the additional funds will have contin- ✔ Move a game changer for dairy ued oversight and be independently ✔ Coles and Aldi refuse to budge audited. Woolworths will continue
Key points Key to consult and engage with dairy in- dustry bodies on longer term reform USTRALIAN Dairy Farmers and payment mechanisms. (ADF) has secured a major Coles has so far refused to follow Avictory in the fi ght against Woolworths with a similar initiative, discount dairy products with super- instead proposing an industry-wide market giant Woolworths commit- 10-cent levy on all milk products, ting to remove $1 per litre fresh milk while Aldi rejected calls to raise the from sale. price of its discount milk line, which Australian Dairy Farmers chief execu ve The move will see the supermar- retails for 99 cents. offi cer, David Inall, with dairy farmers ket sell two-litre and three-litre vari- Mr Inall said the retailers could Erika Chesworth, Dubbo, NSW, eties of Woolworths-branded fresh not continue selling cheap milk (NSW Farmers), and Graham Forbes, milk for $2.20 and $3.30 respectively. while simultaneously raising the Gloucester, NSW, (Dairy Connect), and Every cent of the increase will end price of other products to help Woolworths managing director, Brad up with Australian dairy farmers. drought-stricken farmers. Branducci, with bo les of two-litre ADF and Woolworths have en- “Coles has just raised the price of private label milk, which li ed in price to gaged in constructive discussions in bread due to high grain prices, and $2.20 in Woolworths’ stores in February. recent months around the damage both Woolworths and Coles have wrought on the dairy industry by $1 raised the price of roast chicken milk and other discount dairy prod- the country. This is affecting milk so there is no reason why they ucts. production and farm viability, which shouldn’t also acknowledge the Australian Dairy Farmers chief is devastating for farmers and the hard work and tight margins of their executive David Inall said the move regional communities in which they dairy suppliers,” he said. was a “game changer” for the dairy live. “We would love to work with Coles industry, which had been long frus- “It’s clear something needs to and Aldi on devising a mechanism trated by discount dairy products. change, and we want to play a con- that would get fair returns back to “It is reassuring that Woolworths structive role in making this happen. farmers because this issue is gaining has committed to deliver the full momentum and it won’t go away for 10-cent increase back to those farm- them.” ers who supplied the milk into that ‘Removing $1 milk is Coles previously stated that rath- product category,” Mr Inall said. not just intended to er than raise the price of its cheap “Removing $1 milk is not just in- milk line, the supermarket would tended to restore farmers’ fi nancial restore farmers’ fi nancial instead “continue to look at ways to confi dence, but it will also boost support Australian farmers, includ- confi dence in regional communities confi dence, but it will ing by collecting customer dona- and small businesses that rely on also boost confi dence in tions at our supermarket registers”. the industry. Mr Inall said any call by the retail- “Consumers can buy fresh milk regional communi es...’ er for public donations was a slap to from Woolworths knowing they are their suppliers. supporting the Australian farmers “We’re acutely aware of the budg- “Any suggestion that Coles can who supplied it.” etary pressures facing many of our rattle the collection tin to help strug- Woolworths attributed the move customers and have not taken this gling farmers is an insult,” he said. to wanting to protect the long-term decision lightly. We believe it’s the “Farmers don’t want a handout. sustainability of the Australian dairy right thing to do and a key step in They run businesses and like all industry and regional communities. shoring up fresh milk production businesses owners, they want a fair Woolworths chief executive Brad in Australia. We’ll continue to work price for their product. Banducci said: “In our consulta- very hard to offer great value to our “The dairy industry has suffered tion with industry bodies, includ- customers across their total shop.” from the debilitating effects of dollar ing Australian Dairy Farmers and its Under the model, the extra 10 milk for eight years, since Australia state members, we’ve heard the out- cents customers pay on each litre is Day 2011, and the retailers have an look will continue to be extremely distributed in full to dairy farmers opportunity to come to the table tough for dairy farmers right across by processors in line with the usual and help us implement change.” D 6 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 MILK MATTERS How to deal with on-farm ac vism
✔ Prepare and plan the farm for possible ac vism ✔ If approached, keep calm and communicate to those aff ected ✔ Secure the property ✔ Prepare for the media and get support Key points Key
N January 2019, The Aussie Farms Repository posted an interactive Imap of thousands of commercial farms and abattoirs across Australia based on information the organisa- tion and its affi liates have gathered over eight years. The map includes 748 farms iden- tifi ed as ‘dairy farms’ and includes some or all of business name, ad- dress, status of operation and GPS coordinates. Aussie Farms describes itself as an “animal rights charity, dedicated to The clickable map encourages members of the public to upload informa on, photos ending commercialised animal abuse or video about any site highlighted on it. and exploitation in Australian animal agriculture facilities by increasing in- intruder (car description and plate 3. Secure the property dustry transparency and educating numbers, description of individuals, • Secure all on-farm facilities possible the public”. where they were, if anything was tak- — lock sheds and gates, limit access There was signifi cant media atten- en or damaged). throughout the property as much as tion following the launch of the map, • Consult the dedicated National possible. leading to a heightened risk of activist Farmers Federation web page for ad- • If aspects of operations are open activity targeting farm properties. vice on what steps to take to limit the to public, for example retail or hos- Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) publication of the farm’s location — pitality operations, consider the is offering practical advice for dairy
✔ Australia nego a ng free trade agreement with EU ✔ EU wants to restrict product names and labelling ✔ Technical barriers should not be included in trade deals Key points Key
By Terry Richardson ADF president
USTRALIA needs to stand up to the European Union and en- Asure our local dairy industry doesn’t suffer under a new free trade agreement. The federal government is clearly enthusiastic about the prospect of securing a $100 billion trade deal. Prime Minister Scott Morrison went so far as to pledge to “acceler- ate” negotiations for greater Austral- ian export access into Europe at last year’s G20 leaders’ summit. But as part of the negotiations, that started in mid-2018, the EU is push- ing for Australia to accept and imple- Australian dairy producers would be forced to change the names of a range of ment strict labelling rules that could products, if the EU gets its way in trade nego a ons. spell disaster for our dairy industry. Called geographical indications sector, worth $4.3 billion at the farm linked to a specifi c place, but we do (GIs), the stated purpose of these gate alone, and is still the country’s have concerns with restricting com- rules is to “protect distinctive EU third largest agricultural industry. mon food names — for example, food and drink products from imita- We produce more than 22,000 the use of Camembert as a common tions in Australia”, but in practice tonnes of cheese varieties that are name, in comparison to Camembert imposing such restrictions poses a of risk each year, with a value of pro- de Normandie, which is clearly linked grave threat to existing locally pro- duction equalling more than $180 to Normandy in France. duced dairy products. million per annum and export sales A further 45,000 tonnes of local Such a move could see a ban on averaging more than $55 million. cheese production, averaging $300 locally produced Feta, Parmesan, million in domestic and export sales Haloumi and eventually Greek Yo- per year, could face future restric- ghurt. ‘The EU is pushing for tions on production and sale if strict Dairy producers will be forced to GI evocation rules are applied under change the names of these products, Australia to accept and the FTA. and consumers will be confused and implement strict labelling It is vital that the free trade agree- frustrated at no longer being able ment has benefi ts for both sides, con- to fi nd some of their favourite dairy rules that could spell sidering the ease of access European products on supermarket shelves. disaster for our dairy dairy manufacturers have to the Aus- Not only that, but European ne- tralian market. gotiators are also arguing to extend industry.’ These trade negotiations should the scope of GIs beyond the name of allow both Australia and the EU to products to include colours, fl ags, capitalise on an improved commer- symbols, script or anything that And alarmingly, the EU wants to re- cial relationship. might evoke the source of a product. serve the right to add names to the But we need to ensure this deal A quick look in any supermarket GI list in the future. frees up the trade relationship rather cheese section will show you that Greece is currently applying to than creates technical barriers such many Australian dairy manufacturers have the term ‘Greek Yoghurt’ pro- as GIs. have built their brands on their cul- tected as a GI. The future of the Australian dairy tural heritage and now face the possi- This is just a taste of things to industry depends on the federal bility of having that taken from them. come if Australia allows GIs to be in- government’s courage to stay fi rm This is a nightmare scenario we cluded in a trade deal with the EU. in trade negotiations and push back cannot let play out. The dairy industry does not op- against the EU’s demand to enforce Australia has a prominent dairy pose the concept of GIs that are GI restrictions. D 8 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 MILK MATTERS Ramping up disease surveillance
✔ New project to help farms li biosecurity ✔ Uses Foot-and-Mouth Disease as a model ✔ Aims to create local educa on programs Key points Key
ROUPS of producers from across Australia are jumping on Gthe biosecurity bandwagon and ramping up their on-farm disease sur- veillance through a program called the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Ready Project. The project aims to strengthen pre- paredness for an emergency animal disease outbreak and facilitate an ear- lier return to trade for Australia follow- ing control of such a disease. While the project is using FMD as a model, it is much broader than that and improved surveillance can help producers with a host of health and welfare issues. Through the project, animal health stakeholders including produc- ers, agents and private and govern- ment veterinarians will form local pilot groups to improve surveillance through strong partnerships. Each A new project aims to strengthen preparedness for an emergency animal disease group has access to funding and tech- outbreak in Australian livestock industries, including dairy. nical resources to create a local plat- form that designs and trials education developed by the Queensland govern- programs and innovative solutions to ment in partnership with private vets animal health surveillance and disease ‘There are also pilot to improve producers’ awareness and management problems, which will as- groups running in practical skills in the detection of signs sist their industry in on-farm surveil- and symptoms of both endemic and lance. the dairy and pork exotic diseases of concern. This might include designing and industries.’ There are also pilot groups running running training workshops for pro- in the dairy and pork industries. ducers on what symptoms to look for This project is supported by Meat to identify disease/conditions of con- A sheep pilot group is based in West- & Livestock Australia (MLA), through cern, who to contact if anything sus- ern Australia and is exploring options funding from the Australian Govern- pect is seen and what happens then. for better feedback systems to produc- ment Department of Agriculture and For goats, this might include for ex- ers from abattoirs as well as gathering Water Resources as part of its Rural ample Caprine arthritis and encepha- information about how the National Research & Development for Profi t litis (CAE), Johne’s disease (JD) and Signifi cant Disease Investigation Pro- program, and by producer levies from Q fever as well as conditions like foo- gram might fi t into producers’ manage- Australian FMD-susceptible livestock trot, coccidiosis, pulpy kidney, scabby ment of their animals. They are also (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) indus- mouth and tetanus. working to improve general awareness tries and Charles Sturt University The goat pilot group is based in by producers and the community as (CSU), leveraging signifi cant in-kind South Australia and met to brainstorm a whole about emergency animal dis- support from the research partners. ideas in December. The group was ex- eases, what to look for and what to do The research partners for this cited about the possibilities and what if something suspicious is found. project are the CSIRO, CSU through could be achieved over the course The beef pilot group is based in the Graham Centre for Agricultural In- of the project for the greater good of Queensland and is working on devel- novation, the Bureau of Meteorology not just the SA industry, but Australia oping a framework for enhanced sur- (BOM) and the Australian Department wide. This will hopefully be an oppor- veillance and biosecurity practices on of Agriculture and Water Resources, tunity to create stronger connections their farms. The group includes beef supported by Animal Health Australia across the SA goat industry and to producers, local vets and state govern- (AHA). D work together to address issues, start- ment representatives and will also trial Read more about the program at ing with surveillance. a new training program, which is being
Making the best of a diffi cult situa on
‘It’s important that you don’t tackle problems alone, as this could isolate you from the many other farmers who are feeling just as you are.’
you don’t tackle problems alone, as the local successes and the world- By David Na on this could isolate you from the many leading initiatives happening here in Managing director other farmers who are feeling just as Australia. Dairy Australia you are. Global milk prices have also been Activities through RDPs such as rebounding for the past two months, ✔ Farmers should reach out for discussion groups and fi eld days are which is welcome news and is a posi- support, especially from Regional a good way to connect to others in a tive signal for future milk prices. We Development Programs similar situation. have recently released the February ✔ Hold onto something posi ve It is also important to hold onto update of the Situation and Outlook ✔ Improvements in herd gene cs something positive, as the tides will report, which provides a comprehen- Key points Key change, and it will be important for sive update of market conditions. HE current season continues to your business to be well positioned You can read more about the report build on the cost pressures of to take advantage of better farming on page 45. Tdairy farming, requiring hard conditions. Dairy Australia recently held the work and clear thinking to make the A common topic of conversation is 20th Australian Grand Dairy Awards. best of a diffi cult situation. the quality of heifers coming through, The judges refl ected on the increas- The trend of declining milk produc- as well as some herds carrying more ing quality of dairy products and the tion continues, and we have revised heifers than usual and using this as a breadth of talent across a wide range down the forecast of milk production springboard for the future. This is the of dairy, including Australia’s best for the year. The effects of this year, reward of many years of effort to im- cheeses, ice creams, yoghurts, milks particularly through reduced herd prove genetics and fertility and will be and butters. This is another strength numbers and farms exiting dairy, so important to the future success of of the industry that we often don’t means that the decline in milk produc- the industry. fully recognise. For the record, Tas- tion will continue into next season. It is timely that the Herd 19 confer- mania’s Lion Dairy and Drinks was I encourage you to reach out to the ence is being held this month in Bend- named Grand Champion Cheese for support that is around you and con- igo, Vic, starting on March 19, and will their King Island Dairy Roaring For- tact the Regional Development Pro- bring international experts in herd ties Blue Cheese. gram (RDP) that is closest to you and improvement to Australia. We need to You can fi nd out who the rest of the tap into the many resources available be closely connected into the global Champions were in our story on page in your region. Maybe you just need trends in herd improvement, as well 26. Congratulations to all the champi- someone to listen. It’s important that as celebrate and better understand ons. D
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EFFLUENT PUMPS & SYSTEMS IRRIGATION YARD WASH DISTRIBUTORS Phone: (03) 9739 6521 www.dairypumpingsystems.com.au NEWS $1 milk under fi re from processors
✔ Supermarket discount pricing analysed ✔ Norco says ACCC got it wrong Saputo says $1 milk agreement a disgrace Key points Key By Carlene Dowie
UPERMARKET discounted milk was in the fi ring line at the Aus- Stralian Dairy Conference in Can- berra in February. And it wasn’t farm- ers fi ring the bullets. Chiefs from leading processors — all of which supply private-label products René Dedoncker, Fonterra; Paul van Heerwaarden, Bega; Greg McNamara, Norco; and to supermarkets — said $1 milk and $6 Lino Saputo Jr, Saputo, on the panel at the Australian Dairy Conference. cheese fundamentally undermined the value of dairy. label milk, as the farmgate prices are litres of milk going into a kilogram of Saputo chairman Lino Saputo Jr, passed through to the supermarkets.” cheese, and a block of cheese selling who supplies Coles with its $1 a litre But Mr McNamara said that was for 6 bucks, that’s 60 cents a litre,” Mr milk in Victoria and NSW, said proces- wrong. “Fundamentally the pricing van Heerwaarden said. sors needed to demand the real value mechanism and how we discuss with Mr McNamara, whose company sup- for dairy products when negotiating retailers and set pricing, their outcome plies Coles with $1/l milk in south-east with retailers. was, in my view, fl awed,” he said. Queensland, said the discounted prod- “I go back to the days when MG (Mur- Mr Saputo, when asked about the uct was now also having a big impact ray Goulburn) was running the busi- current contracts providing an oppor- on sales to cafes and small businesses. ness and they signed a contract with a tunity for more money to come back to More operators of franchise cafes large retailer for $1 milk,” he said. “It’s processors for farmers, said he would were buying discounted milk in bulk hard to say this, but it doesn’t make “love to see that”. directly from the supermarkets, rath- any f*** sense.” er than at a higher price through the He applauded the move by Wool- route trade. worths in February to lift its price to ‘I think it just devalues All agreed that the processors need- $1.10/l but said it still was not enough. everything we as farmers ed to lead the discussion with retailers “$1.10 still doesn’t make sense when about the value of milk. you can buy water at $3 a litre, when do.’ “I think the single biggest issue the you can buy soda pop at $4 a litre or industry faces from my perspective those Powerades or Gatorades at $5 a Bega Cheese chief executive Paul when we talk about what some retail- litre,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense van Heerwaarden said supermarket ers have done in a levy and asking peo- with all the work that’s going behind to private label products had changed ple to put donations in tins, I think it produce milk, to process that milk to farmgate prices. There was no longer just devalues everything we as farmers then sell it for $1 a litre.” a domestic-market farmgate price and do,” Mr McNamara said. The processors said supermarket lower export-commodity-market farm- “We do not want a generation of wel- pricing infl uenced the farmgate price gate price. fare recipients. We want a generation for milk. Mr van Heerwaarden said more than of farmers that are business-savvy, that Norco chairman Greg McNamara half of the key dairy products — milk, spend the money in the right spots and said the Australian Competition and cheese and butter — sold in Australian we’ve just got to help retailers actually Consumer Commission got its fi ndings supermarkets was private label. come to that conclusion.” wrong in its 2018 dairy inquiry. “And without speaking too much out Mr Saputo said the company would The ACCC’s Dairy Inquiry Final Re- of school, the baseline dairy products honour its existing contracts with re- port said it found no evidence that that go into them, whether it’s butter tailers. supermarket pricing, including $1/l or milk or indeed cheese are commod- “But as those contracts expire, we milk, had a direct impact on farmgate ity prices,” he said. “There’s not the like to sit at the table with those retail- prices. “Importantly, we found that returns in there that there used to be.” ers and renegotiate the terms and con- contracts for the supply of private la- Mr van Heerwaarden said the super- tracts that make it mutually benefi cial bel milk allow processors to pass the market label products were driven by as opposed to one-sided,” he said. farmgate price paid to farmers through commodity prices. “And a lot of those “I think in some cases some of the to the wholesale prices they charge to products are being imported today — contracts are one-sided.” retailers,” the ACCC report said. whether it’s from New Zealand or else- Mr van Heerwaarden said there was “This means that processors do not where,” he said. a big need for processors to properly have an incentive to reduce farmgate Milk in cheap cheese and butter was have conversations with the retailers. prices as a result of the lower whole- valued even lower than the discounted “This is the value chain we should be sale prices they receive for private fresh milk. “And if we think about 10 creating,” he said. D The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 13
NEWS Milk pricing systems set for shake up
✔ Big southern processors looking at milk pricing systems ✔ Bega and Saputo favouring simpler systems ✔ Fonterra looking to off er por olio of choices Key points Key By Carlene Dowie
ILK pricing systems look set for a shake up as southern Aus- Mtralia processors grapple with falling supply. The heads of Australia’s three larg- Lino Saputo Jr: there will Paul van Heerwaarden: René Dedoncker: Fonterra est processors — Saputo, Fonterra and be no special deals for Milk pricing systems need operates in a network of Bega Cheese — in a wide-ranging dis- corporate farms. to be er suit the whole diff erent communi es. cussion at the Australian Dairy Confer- supply chain. ence in Canberra in February identifi ed pricing systems as one of the issues that Australia because we are not going to that may not be best for the farm,” he needed to be sorted. be doing those things. We tell our sup- said. But there appears to be a split about pliers on an ongoing basis we have one Mr van Heerwaarden said he looked how that will be approached — with class of farm whether you are producing at their company’s recent investment in Saputo and Bega indicating simplifi ed a hundred million litres or you are pro- the Koroit, Vic, factory as an example contracts as the solution and Fonterra ducing a billion litres of milk, we have of how Bega could take a different ap- talking about offering a range of price one class of farmers.” proach to help farmers. “We can handle “portfolios” to farmers. Mr Saputo said from July the former a lot of seasonal milk, we’ve got a lot of The introduction of a mandatory Murray Goulburn and Warrnambool capacity, and so, for example, there we code is also driving the change, with Cheese and Butter programs would are not looking to incentivise farms to the draft code proposing a requirement merge with 5-6 simpler programs of- produce milk in February/March when for all processors to release a standard fered. “Everyone tries to outdo every- it’s very expensive,” he said. form agreement and minimum prices at one else by offering these very compli- “So investing in assets that are going the same time. cated bonuses and structures,” he said. to fi t the farm profi le in those regions is Saputo chairman and chief executive “We need to simplify that.” how we’ve got to think about our invest- offi cer Lino Saputo Jr told the Australian Bega Cheese chief executive offi cer ments and they are 10 to 20 years out.” Dairyfarmer, Saputo would be offering Paul van Heerwaarden also identifi ed Milk pricing systems needed to better farmers the choice of fi ve or six pro- simpler pricing systems as a way to lift suit the whole supply chain. grams next year and there would be no farmer returns. “As an industry, historically we have special deals for select suppliers. “One of the things we are looking at been one of the lowest cost most com- “I will say this categorically there will is what will we do with our milk-pricing petitive dairy industries in the world, be no special deals beyond those pro- systems, which over the last 20 years but we are not there today,” he said. grams,” he said. have become quite complex and, dare Farms had become more dependent “So any of those large corporate I say, have provided an incentive for on inputs that now represented 40 per farms that want to have a sideline deal, farmers to produce milk perhaps at a cent of costs compared with 15-20pc 20 they should not do it with Saputo Dairy time of the year or in certain practices years.
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NEWS
“We need more control back on farm, “What if they were separate business- that they shouldn’t be overly focused where they can make decisions that are es, how would they price their milk?” on opening price, rather they should be better for their farms,” Mr van Heer- All three chief executives acknowl- more concerned with closing price. waarden said. “Do we move to pasture- edged milk supply was an issue. “We made a guarantee we would be based systems in regions that are suit- Mr Dedoncker said Fonterra was paying a leading price for dairy at the able for pasture-based systems and take looking to activate contingency plans to close of the year. Now, of course, it was cost structures down and importantly meet its contracts. very easy for some of our competitors take risk down?” The rebuilt Stanhope, Vic, factory was to have a higher opening price than He acknowledged that approach now producing three times as much what we had. would mean more seasonal milk for cheese as it had before it was destroyed “And some of the suppliers criticised processors. “But I think that’s our re- by fi re in 2014 but Fonterra was strug- us — there was a great opportunity for sponsibility to work out how we turn gling with milk supply to it. Saputo to collect more milk had they that into value and that’s the key,” he The worst-case scenario could be had a higher opening price. And I re- said. moving milk from the west to the north. minded them that’s not responsible on Fonterra Australia managing director “We don’t regret the investment, it is our part.” Ren‚ Dedoncker fl agged a different ap- state of the art and we take a 10-year Mr Saputo said the opening price was proach. view,” he said. the number on which farmers could In February, Fonterra offered north- build their budgets for the year. “We are ern Victorian farmers who were willing not going to be taking a step down; we to commit to a minimum volume of milk ‘The introduc on of a are not going to be doing a clawback,” a higher price. The company said the he said. special price for farmers who produced mandatory code is also Mr Saputo said he was optimistic that a fl atter milk curve was in response to driving the change...’ once the company convinced suppliers seasonal conditions and heightened it was “honourable and ethical” it would competition in the market and was no collect more milk “But it takes a fair bit different to the premium offered for “Yes we are under pressure, there is of time to build the confi dence,” he said. fresh milk and ones it planned to pay for no doubt about that, and we have to Mr Saputo said the company had tak- organic and A2 milk. take a long-term view.” en the same approach after it took over Mr Dedoncker hinted at the con- Mr Saputo acknowledged that the Warrnambool Cheese and Butter in 2014 ference that the company was look- company had not grown supply above and had grown milk intake by 25pc in ing at offering more of these types of 1.6 billion litres since taking over Mur- the following four years. premiums.“Farmers are all different: dif ray Goulburn last year. Mr van Heerwaarden said companies ferent age profi le, different risk profi le, The company has set itself a target to need to look at investments in light of different propensity to be able to farm get up to 2.1 billion litres of milk in three what worked best to drive growth and fl at or through a curve,” he said. years. “We are confi dent that we are go- profi tability. “Is it feasible we are in a world now ing to get there in terms of processed Growth was critical for the industry where we say there is a portfolio and milk,” he said. to be successful. you get to choose, you get a choice? We “Out of the gate, we haven’t grown “And in the last 20 years in this coun- are testing that.” our milk base from the 1.6, only because try we haven’t had growth, we’ve been Mr Dedoncker also hinted that Fonter- we are sort of changing how milk prices in decline or we’ve stagnated,” he said. ra could consider different pricing for are communicated.” “I know that when I’ve worked in in- suppliers to different factories. Mr Saputo said it was rebuilding trust dustries that are in a growth mode, life “Fonterra has a network of different with suppliers that the opening price is a whole lot easier.” communities where we are,” he said. was the guaranteed minimum price they Mr van Heerwaarden said growth “What if I don’t call it one Fonterra? would receive for the year. “(Last year) would not be brought about by proces- What if we had the Western State Butter we came out with an opening price that sors investing in more stainless steel. Company, Stanhope Cheese Northern we believed was refl ective of the dairy ”Unless we have more milk, we don’t Dairy Company and Tasmania Inc or the markets and we came out fi rst,” he said. have growth and that’s where it has got Darnum Nutritional Company? “And we did it to inform our suppliers to start,” he said. D Aussie Made Bale Up Feeders
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Phone 0458 590 766 I wwww.baleupfeeders.comww.baleupfeeders.com Calf feeder $2100 inc gst VR4420798 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 17 5 RING ROAD, BUNDOORA, VIC, 3083 PHONE 1300 844 220 NO. 195 Semen sales hit record levels ✔ Genomics helps drive semen sales ance here. Mr Gillan said there was ✔ Sexed semen sales also increase ✔ Holstein remains dominant breed also a wider range of bulls available at different pricing points.
Key points Key “All of a sudden there is three lay- By Carlene Dowie ers of pricing refl ected, whereas years ago there was one layer of pricing and AIRY semen sales hit record then it fell away really quickly on ge- levels in 2017-18, according to netic merit,” he said. Dthe recently released Semen “Companies are able to make a Market Survey 2018 report from the wider range of product available that National Herd Improvement Associa- is still high genetic merit but is still re- tion of Australia. ally good value.” This was driven by farmers having Farmers were starting to under- a better understanding of the value of stand the value of good genetics in genetics, NHIA chairman Graeme Gil- their herds. lan said. “Inbuilding good genetics actually The rapid and massive improve- Graeme Gillan: Inbuilding good gene cs helps improve effi ciencies,” he said. ment in genetics now occurring as a helps improve effi ciencies. “It’s a free kick.” result of the use of genomics was also Genomics had also allowed the de- behind the trend. velopment of more accurate ABVs for The total number of doses of semen ‘There was also a wider lower heritable traits, such as daugh- sold in Australia leapt to 2,196,456, up range of bulls available at ter fertility and some of the survival 8 per cent on the previous year and traits. up 30 per cent in the past decade. diff erent pricing points.’ “Genomics has been a boon be- Mr Gillan said although the increase cause it allows us to measure that would have also refl ected people increased steadily and was now fast more accurately than what we could needing to buy semen after clear- approaching sales of daughter-proven have done historically,” he said, ing out their tanks following the milk semen. Sexed semen price crash in 2016, the fundamental The rapid advancement in genetic change in the market due to genomics merit meant, for example, there were The survey also revealed increased was the main factor. now 140-150 Holstein bulls above 300 sales of sexed semen. “All of a sudden the range of bulls Balanced Performance Index in the Mr Gillan said he expected this to and value that people pay for bulls is Good Bulls Guide compared with just continue as the reliability of sexed se- really improving quite dramatically six two years ago. men continued to improve and people year on year,” he said. Genomics had also allowed over- developed breeding programs that Although Australia had not been seas bulls to be tested on the Austral- better accommodated it. an aggressive adopter of the use of ian reference base, providing a more Larger herds, in particular, were genomically proven semen, use had accurate indicator of their perform- becoming more aggressive with their Dairy semen sales by category Doses of sexed dairy semen sold reproduction programs, with the in- creasing use of synchronisation and technology such as electronic heat detection. The trend to sexed semen would also be driven by increasing societal concerns about bobby calves. Farmers would focus the use of sexed semen in the top end of the 18 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 NHIA NEWS ROUNDUP
Table 1: Dairy Sales by Breed by year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Holstein 1,334,892 1,530,057 1,525,776 1,470,581 1,498,275 1,597,106 1,516,992 1,609,595 1,733,733 Jersey 250,873 278,307 277,744 235,391 294,569 327,186 270,795 281,648 301,945 IIlawarra 11,578 57,584 30,738 12,738 11,915 12,281 14,540 11,216 16,845 Brown Swiss 12,897 15,292 17,581 18,552 17,965 15,351 12,545 11,832 11,481 ARB* 54,809 51,897 55,487 61,083 56,842 55,180 48,210 58,512 67,151 Montbeliarde 4322 8556 8106 7563 6852 2563 2736 1972 1770 Ayrshire 8841 11,734 8692 8530 7378 9,193 13,671 8427 7251 Guernsey 4164 5431 5759 3058 4878 4374 6043 3707 5012 Kiwi Friesian 10,826 14,794 14,105 20,560 29,246 34,577 48,475 41,375 43,278 Other 2605 12,053 1977 3068 3578 3485 6091 4721 7990 Total sales 1,695,807 1,985,705 1,945,965 1,841,124 1,931,498 2,061,296 1,940,098 2,033,005 2,196,456 *Australian Red Breed herd — whether they identifi ed those bobby calf,” Mr Gillan said. This was ability of daughter fertility, health animals by genomic testing or herd also driving a trend of increased beef traits and survival traits, and genom- testing or their own methods. semen sales. ics has been one of the key drivers to If the export heifer market was Breed help that. strong, people would be also more “Jerseys continue in a consistent likely to use sexed semen in the mid- Holstein semen continue to dominate position. The Aussie Reds, to their dle portion of the herd. sales, accounting for 79 per cent. credit, they have grown even though Beef semen increasingly would be Jersey semen accounted for 14pc of they are quite a small what I call reg- used over the bottom end of the herd. sales, Australian Red Breed semen istered group but are actually quite a “If you’ve got an Angus-cross Hol- 3pc and Kiwi Friesian 2pc. large commercial group.” stein or whatever, you can probably “Holstein continues to maintain its These three breeds were all able to sell it to someone for $200 at a week’s position and grow its use,” Mr Gillan leverage off developments in other age versus a $40 straight Holstein said. “That refl ects much better avail- countries. D Semen exports con nue to grow
AIRY semen exports from Australia Dairy semen exported from Australia “They don’t go in there and just sell Dcon nue to grow, according to the bulls. They go in and sell grass-fed low- recently released Semen Market Survey cost management system and say by the 2018 report from the Na onal Herd Im- way here’s the gene cs that work the provement Associa on of Australia. best. And here’s the breeding values that NHIA chairman Graeme Gillan said this iden fy these gene cs for you.” was a refl ec on of hard work by Gene cs Mr Gillan said it was not about promot- Australia and Total Livestock Gene cs in ing a bull, it was a more holis c approach. iden fying and working to establish mar- industry we need to collabora vely work “Even though we are late into the kets. “For us to be growing semen exports together to present — not only our ge- market, I think Australia can be well po- is a real credit because ... the breeding ne cs but our systems and how they can si oned because we have a diverse envi- values of currency around the world are translate into other countries. ronment, we have people who operate s ll the United States,” he said. “We have yet to really do anything with in diff erent systems whether its low-cost “Developing these rela onships inter- heat tolerance into countries like Indone- pasture through to high-cost part-pasture na onally is really a long-term business sia, Vietnam, and places like that where part-intense management, and we have arrangement that needs companies to they have to work their way through these animals that perform extremely invest in before they get returns.” managing ca le in hot and humid envi- well and they can go into these diff erent However, the interna onal market did ronments. environments,” he said. allow Australian companies to get more “We probably haven’t done enough on The Australian gene cs industry could value out of bulls standing in Australia, our feed effi ciency side of things to pro- also leverage off the country’s health sta- par cularly if those animals were not at mote that.” tus. full produc on capacity. Part of this involved not just selling The export market would help grow Mr Gillan said there was an opportu- bulls, but selling how the breeding values the Australian gene cs industry. nity for Australia to be er promote the were developed and the system in which NHIA played a role in the export side value of its dairy gene cs. they operated. by facilita ng the discussion between “We undersell the gene c merit of our New Zealand had been successful in the government, quaran ne people and animals and their ability to perform in di- doing that. “They sell a whole system the industry. It was vital export proto- verse environments,” he said. when they go into a country in South cols were based around science and not “I think that’s one of the things as an America,” Mr Gillan said. around trade protec on, Mr Gillan said.
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We’re proud to be a Major Supply Partner of NEWS Labor proposes milk fl oor price scheme
✔ Labor proposes minimum discussion at the Australian Dairy Fonterra Australia managing direc- farmgate milk price Conference the day after the policy tor René Dedoncker is also concerned ✔ Proposal short on detail was announced. that Mr Fitzgibbon doesn’t under- ✔ Mixed reac on from dairy Bega Cheese CEO Paul van Heer- stand the issue noting “he’s asking industry waarden said he’d spoken to Mr Fit- questions that are quite narrow”.
Key points Key zgibbon since the announcement “And a fl oor price for farmers is By Mike Foley and was concerned about how much interesting but only in the context of thought had gone into the policy de- what does it mean for the whole value SHORTEN Labor Government velopment. chain and he was buying into that?,” will task the Australian Com- Mr van Heerwaarden said Mr Fitz- he said Apetition and Consumer Com- gibbon was keen to set a price based Mr Dedoncker said he had been mission with testing the effi cacy of a on the cost of production which he surprised to learn of Labor’s plan. minimum farmgate milk price and to noted varied according to different “Regulation is a serious challenge and make recommendations on the best milk systems, locations and seasonal could change the face of the industry design options. conditions. and not necessarily for the good,” Mr Labor believes government inter- “If I talk to farmers up in northern Dedoncker said. “My initial reaction vention is needed to save the dairy Victoria, the cost of production at the was ‘it’s too hard, regulation is always sector and dairy farmers and as such start of the season when water cost bad’.” brought a motion to debate its policy 100 bucks and now its costing 550, ADF chief executive David Inall said for a dairy fl oor price to parliament in the cost structure is changing within the organisation was committed to February. It was defeated. the year,” he said. “How do you practi- working constructively through this It was doomed to fail on the num- cally set this?” proposal “because farmers are telling bers, but pursued by Labor in an at- us that something must change to se- tempt to create negative headlines for cure the future of the Australian dairy the Nationals. ‘This is a na onal industry,” he said. Labor agriculture spokesman Joel emergency. It’s not an “We appreciate the recognition Fitzgibbon said the dairy industry from the federal Opposition and other was “broken” because farmers and op on to do nothing.’ stakeholders, but there are no imme- processors could not make sustaina- diate or simple solutions to address ble returns, while supermarkets were Norco chair Greg McNamara said all problems affl icting farmers.” generating marginal returns. “This is a industry needed to be more united in President of the United Dairyfarm- national emergency,” he said. “It’s not its approach to federal and state par- ers of Victoria (UDV) Paul Mumford an option to do nothing.” liamentarians. welcomed the ALP’s acknowledge- Mr Fitzgibbon expects the policy “How do we stop people racing off ment that changes were needed in the would be implemented by an inde- to government, and fi ve different or- embattled sector, but said his organi- pendent authority and implemented ganisations turning up at parliament sation would have to look over any regionally, calculating a fl oor price house and having a different view proposals carefully before giving it above the production cost of milk in about what the industry does,” he their stamp of approval. each district. asked. “We are pleased they see the need He said any Labor scheme would “Presenting a paper to Joel Fitzgib- for change and that farmers are doing avoid the pitfalls of past experience bon around setting a fl oor price. Has it tough at present, but equally, those with the wool price, which collapsed the industry discussed it? We haven’t with long memories will cast their dramatically in the 1990s, and was even had the conversation. minds back to the old wool fl oor price based on a guaranteed purchase of a “How do we have those conversa- scheme, which did not go so well,” Mr set amount of production. tions internally and nut it out, so we Mumford, who farms in Gippsland, “We will direct the ACCC to assess, all get a fair say in it but we actually Victoria, said. “What we defi nitely test and design a scheme. We’ll be present a proposition that actually don’t want is the wool fl oor price making it clear, we don’t want to hear makes value.” scheme 2.0.” why it’s diffi cult, we want to hear how Saputo chairman and chief execu- He said the UDV welcomed any- we best make it work,” Mr Fitzgibbon tive offi cer Lino Saputo Jr said govern- thing that boosted farmgate prices said. ments needed to “stay out of the way” from current unsustainable levels, but Agriculture Minister David Little- when it came to markets. said there were a number of regional proud dismissed Labor’s fl oor price He also said the terms of the pro- nuances to work through. . move as a stunt that had already been posal were vague, making it hard to Dairy Connect chief executive dismissed earlier in the year by the pass judgement on the idea. “We will Shaughn Morgan welcomed the fed- ACCC, in its review of milk prices. “It’s have to see what’s in the details of that eral focus on the industry, but said a cruel hoax to try and politicise the to have a better defi nition of whether he would hold judgement until more issue,” Mr Littleproud said. it makes sense or not,” he said. detail emerged. “The devil is always in The proposal was met with mixed “I can tell you that speaking to some the detail. We will welcome the atten- reaction from the dairy industry. dairy farmers, I don’t think that is go- tion on this issue, which acknowledg- Some of the biggest names in dairy ing to solve the problem. That’s not es the market failure of the Australian processing were taking part in a panel really where the problem lies.” dairy industry,” he said. D The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 21 One-stop shop for would-be manufactuers
✔ Online hub of informa on for dairy products for domestic and inter- manufacturers and exporters national markets. ✔ More than 200 webinars available With tools tailored based on manu- ✔ Covers all areas in easily facturing and export goals, Are You accessible format Trade Ready? includes a self-assess- Key points Key ment questionnaire, which produces AIRY farmers looking to manu- a PDF summary for the user to down- facture and export dairy prod- load and helpful links containing up- Ducts can now access a new one- to-date information. stop-shop for the latest expert advice. “These are in-depth self-assessment Dairy Australia’s Dairy Manufactur- A number of farmers have entered tools aimed at predicting what you ing Resource Centre is an all-inclusive or have considered entering the know, and need to know, to get start- online hub containing the latest infor- manufacturing space in recent years. ed in the export space,” Mr Olmstead mation and advice on manufacturing said. and exporting for current and pro- Australian Specialist Cheesemak- spective dairy manufacturers. ‘The centrepiece of ers’ Association secretary Alison It aims to address the challenges Lansley said she would not hesitate that most commonly face dairy farm- the Resource Centre to recommend the Resource Centre ers seeking to enter the manufac- is the Manufacturing to dairy farmers and manufacturers, turing or export sectors, including however large or small their business. investigating government funding Workforce Webinar “You need to be across a range of programs, keeping abreast of changes series, an aff ordable rules to enter the manufacturing area in legislation, or even co-ordinating or the export area and a Resource training. subscrip on-based Centre is so needed to help people go Dairy Australia program manager program of webinars through the maze,” Ms Lansley said. Ian Olmstead said a number of farm- “Any dairy farmer or cheesemaker ers had entered or considered enter- featuring insights from or small to medium manufacturer will ing the manufacturing space in recent global dairy experts.’ greatly benefi t from these resourc- years. es — to have something that guides “The Dairy Manufacturing Resource them through the different processes Centre equips you with and directs tainability reports, technical research and regulations at all different levels you to the tools and knowledge you studies, decision-making tools and in- is invaluable. need to successfully make the jump sights from industry experts is easily “The Are You Trade Ready? section into manufacturing,” Mr Olmstead accessible. of the site is especially great because said. Also readily available are details of it pulls out virtually every issue that I The centrepiece of the Resource Dairy Australia’s other manufacturing can think of for those considering sell- Centre is the Manufacturing Work- support initiatives, as well as advice ing within Australia or exporting their force Webinar series, an affordable on accessing manufacturing-related dairy products.” D subscription-based program of we- funding through national and state The Dairy Manufacturing Re- binars featuring insights from global funding programs. source Centre is now live and can be dairy experts. In an industry fi rst, the website also accessed online at
✔ Thai Australia Free Trade nity to increase exports of Australian Agreement improved dairy to the Thai market,” Mr Myers ✔ Australia’s seventh-largest dairy said. export market “We have shown the Thai Govern- ✔ Allows dairy to improve posi on ment that we are a collaborative part-
Key points Key ner of the Thai dairy industry, and we USTRALIAN dairy farmers will look forward to continuing to enhance have greater access to a key the trade relationship.” Aexport market following signifi - In 2017/18, Australia exported cant improvements to the Thai Aus- 36,000 tonnes of dairy products to tralia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA). In 2017/18, Australia exported 36,000 Thailand, worth more than $130 mil- The changes to the agreement will tonnes of dairy products to Thailand, lion. save Australian dairy exporters $1.3 worth more than $130 million. The agreement will allow Austral- million in tariffs in the next two years, ian dairy to maintain and improve its after Thailand increased special safe- leading position in the Thai market by guard measures on products such as ‘This presents an exci ng providing high quality, competitively milk fat, whey and cheese, and ex- opportunity to increase priced dairy products to Thai custom- panded the tariff rate quota for skim exports of Australian ers and consumers. D milk powder. For more information on tariffs Dairy Australia international mar- dairy to the Thai market.’ for key export markets, access Dairy ket access manager Peter Myers said Australia’s Export Market Dairy Tar- the changes to the agreement would tralia’s seventh-largest dairy export iffs Guide at
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 23 New campaign to li trust
✔ New communica ons front foot, and ensure approach called Dairy that our consumers are Ma ers exposed to credible and ✔ Aims to demonstrate transparent information an understanding of about the health of dairy public expecta ons and our commitment to and values doing the right thing as an ✔ Dedicated website industry. to provide answers “Our new approach to to key consumer communications does ex-
Key points Key ques ons actly that — provide our most engaged consum- AIRY Australia ers with information they is leading the re- need to make informed D sponse to changing opinion of industry.” consumer expectations Starting this month, Aus- for the dairy industry tralians will see ads featur- and its products by ing three dairy farmers on launching a proactive their televisions, at the cin- new approach to commu- ema and on the web, which nications this month. promote the industry’s val- The Dairy Matters ues and commitments. communications ap- The ads will focus on proach will highlight the core themes including en- industry’s values and vironment, health and nu- standards and demon- trition. strate an understanding To support this adver- of public expectations tising, a new website — and values.
24 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 Vital consumers understand what farmers do
IPPSLAND dairy farmer Lauren Fin- Gger said Dairy Australia’s new cam- paign was good news for farmers. “The popula on is becoming more and more concentrated in the city, increasing the gap in understanding of where our food comes from and how it is produced,” she said. “These days, less and less people grow up on farms, so the basic things farmers take for granted need to be explained. “It’s really important that consumers understand what we as farmers do and how we do it — and even more impor- tantly, why we do it. “The industry’s social licence to oper- ate is essen al — without it, we haven’t got an industry, and I don’t have a busi- ness.” Lauren Finger at her Gippsland dairy farm.
‘The community’s approval and trust is key to the long-term sustainability of the industry.’ ing farmers, and how farmers care for the environment. It will address sources of confusion on dairy and health, and answer other frequently asked questions on farm- ing, processing and products. In addition to having access to readily available answers on a range of questions, consumers will be able to submit new questions. The launch of the Dairy Matters communications approach and website will be accompanied by a comprehensive engagement pro- gram with key health influencers in- cluding dietitians and GPs, drawing from the latest consumer research. Farmers can access Dairy Matters communications resource kits in- cluding key messages, channels and frequently asked questions through their local Regional Development Program from late March. D Farmers can also access the web- site at
✔ Australian Grand Dairy Awards and technical specialists includ- celebrate 20 years ing guest judge, US-based specialty ✔ Mundella Foods Greek Honey cheese buyer Mariah Christensen, the Yoghurt Grand Champion Dairy 12-strong judging panel critiqued more Product than 400 products across 18 catego- ✔ Lions Dairy and Drinks King Island ries to determine the fi nest Australian Roaring For es Blue Cheese Grand dairy produce. Champion Cheese Key points Key In addition to naming 18 category champions, two grand champions USTRALIA’S best dairy and were awarded for being the overall cheese products were an- highest scoring dairy product and Anounced at this year’s Austral- cheese on judging day. ian Grand Dairy Awards, held in Mel- Western Australia producer, Mun- bourne in January. della Foods took home Grand Cham- Celebrating its 20th year, the Aus- pion Dairy Product award for its Greek tralian Grand Dairy Awards (AGDA) Honey Yoghurt, praised for being thick Receiving the Grand Champion Cheese are the most prestigious dairy awards and creamy with the perfect balance of award Tasmania’s Lion Dairy and Drinks in the country, highlighting the qual- sweet, subtle natural honey fl avour. na onal business manager specialty ity and excellence of Australia’s best Mundella Foods’s Fiona Loke said cheese - industrial and interna onal cheeses, ice creams, yoghurts, milks receiving the highest accolade at the Chris O’Keefe, head cheesemaker Ueli and butters. 2019 Australian Grand Dairy Awards Berger and na onal business manager Led by chief judge Russell Smith was a proud moment for Mundella. Lisa Di Benede o. alongside a suite of cheesemongers “To be recognised as the Grand
26 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 Champion Dairy Product is a testa- Table 1: 2019 Australian Grand Dairy Awards Champions ment to the hard working team we Award category Producer Product have at Mundella,” she said. VIC “We’re extremely proud of the Greek Honey Yoghurt and it’s great to see it Fresh Unripened Cheese Montefi ore Cheese Aust Montefi ore Trecce be awarded today.” White Mould Apostle Whey Cheese Apostle Whey Cheese Tasmania’s Lion Dairy and Drinks Southern Briez was named Grand Champion Cheese Hard Cheese Floridia Cheese Floridia Cheese Pecorino for its King Island Dairy Roaring For- Pepato ties Blue Cheese. Applauded for its Goats, Sheep or Buff alo That's Amore Cheese That's Amore Buff alo Rico a beautiful network of blue, grey mould, Milk Cheese it was the sweet, fruity fl avours that Natural Yoghurt Jalna Dairy Foods Jalna Biodynamic Organic give the cheese its distinct fl avour that Whole Milk Yoghurt the judges loved. Ice Cream Dooley's Ice Cream Dooley's Premium Chocolate Lion’s head cheesemaker, Ueli Berg- Ice Cream er, accepted the award on the evening Dairy Gelato Fritz Gelato Fritz Gelato Hazelnut and said receiving the overall best Bu er Fonterra Brands (Aust) - Western Star Salted Bu er cheese award was a great achievement Cobden for Lion Dairy and Drinks. “This makes us and the team at Lion WA extremely proud,” he said. Semi-Hard Cheese Dellendale Creamery Dellendale Creamery “We have won the Grand Champion Torndirrup Appenzelle award before and it means so much to Flavoured Cheese Dellendale Creamery Dellendale Creamery the business, the team and the local Torndirrup Na ve Herb community.” Flavoured Yoghurt Mundella Foods Mundella Greek Honey For the second year, the Austral- (Grand Champion Dairy Yoghurt ian Grand Dairy Awards also opened Product) voting to the Australian public with a Milk Parmalat Australia - Harvey Harvey Fresh Farmhouse Gold People’s Choice Award. Queensland Fresh Full Cream Milk producer Maleny Dairies was recog- TAS nised as the people’s pick with their Blue Cheese Lion Dairy & Drinks - King King Island Dairy Roaring Farmer’s Choice Non-Homogenised Island (Grand Champion For es Blue Full Cream Milk proving most popular. Cheese) Dairy Australia’s Australian Grand Washed Rind Cheese Lion Dairy & Drinks - Burnie Tasmanian Heritage Red Dairy Awards Convener, Alexandra Square Kury, commended the 2019 champions QLD for their success during a diffi cult year. Modifi ed Milk Barambah Organics Barambah Organics Light Milk “Congratulations to all of our award- winning products,” she said. “The dairy industry has recently The annual Australian Grand Dairy The Australian Grand Dairy Awards are been through challenging times, in- Awards recognise and reward excel- Australia’s most prestigious national cluding signifi cant drought, so to see lence and quality in Australian dairy dairy awards and the highest accolade such high-quality products across the produce, paying tribute to the achieve- for Australian dairy producers. D board this year was phenomenal and ments of the highly-skilled specialists Visit
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 27 Search on for 2019 Legendairy Capital
✔ Nomina ons open for Legendairy Capital ✔ Finalists to be selected from each of eight regions ✔ Up to $10,000 available for community projects Key points Key HE search is on again to fi nd Aus- tralia’s unsung dairy communi- Tties to recognise their contribu- tion, hard work and community spirit, by becoming Australia’s Legendairy Capital for 2019. Dairy Australia’s bi-annual Legen- dairy Capital program celebrates re- gional communities around the coun- try by highlighting how dairy farmers and the industry contribute to their town, their community and the Aus- tralian economy. Nominations are encouraged from regional communities across Aus- tralia’s eight dairy regions to put their town in the running for up to $10,000 in community grants. One fi nalist from each of the eight regions will receive $2500 to invest in a community project and one of those towns will then go on to secure the coveted title of Australia’s Legendairy Capital 2019, receiving an additional DairyTas regional manager Jonathan Price presents the Legendairy award to grant of $7500. Ringarooma dairy farmers Simone and Marcus Haywood. Dairy Australia community rela- tions manager Natasha Busbridge said DA was excited to open the nomi- ‘These characteris cs are what pull rural and regional nations for this year’s program to farming communi es through when mes are honour and celebrate regional com- munities’ strength and resilience and diffi cult.’ the vital contribution dairy farmers made to towns across the country. “We celebrate the resilience of lator and start restorations on the “An integral part of our economy, Australia’s dairy farming communi- schools historical dairy. Australia has a lot to be thankful for ties through the Legendairy Capital Locals from dairy regions, Gipps- in its rural and regional communities program. It’s been another tough 12 land, South West Victoria, the Mur- and it is only fi tting that they be rec- months for the dairy industry, with ray region, Tasmania, NSW, South ognised for their extraordinary contri- extremes in weather as well as higher Australia, Western Australia and the bution, particularly during the tough input costs putting many farmers un- Subtropical region are encouraged to times that many farmers are experi- der pressure. nominate their communities for the encing,” Ms Busbridge said. “Despite this, we still see farmers prestigious title by telling their unique In its third year, Dairy Australia’s continuing to support their communi- story of how their town is Legendairy. award-winning Legendairy Capital ties and help create strong bonds that Nominations open in April 2019. D program was set up to showcase com- are the cornerstone of these small For more information on Dairy munities that are the epitome of the towns.” Australia’s Legendairy Capital pro- Australian spirit of mateship, loyalty In 2017, Ringarooma in Tasmania’s gram, including how to nominate, and hard work. north-east was named the national visit
Dairy leads way toward sustainability
✔ Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability report released ✔ Shows marked improvement in key areas ✔ New targets refl ect emerging issues Key points Key
USTRALIAN dairy farmers and processors are setting their Asights on a sustainable future after navigating diffi cult market and environmental conditions in recent years. The latest Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Report shows farmers are delivering on key goals as they work to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of dairy communities, pro- vide best care for their animals and reduce their environmental impact. Australian Dairy Industry Council chair Terry Richardson said the re- port highlighted the positive on-farm outcomes of the industry’s Sustain- ability Framework. “While it’s been a tough few years on farm, dairy farmers are showing they are taking tangible steps toward sustainability in their farm opera- tions,” Mr Richardson said. “Whether it’s natural resource man- agement, animal health and welfare, or farm business management, our Aussie farmers know how important sustainable farming is.” The report shows 81 per cent of The latest Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Report has been released. farmers are safeguarding some of their land for conservation and biodi- from 29pc in 2014. versity — up from 45pc in 2015. Now linked to both the Paris Agree- Five things to do More than one-third of farmers have ment and the UN 2030 Agenda for created a formal biodiversity plan for Sustainable Development, the report to make the farm their farm. features revised targets to a 2030 Dairy farmers are also working to timeline. more sustainable make their farming operations more The positive fi gures from Australian 1. Re-invest in infrastructure such as resilient and sustainable by reinvest- dairy farms come as the Sustainability waterway fencing or energy and water ing in on-farm projects and undergo- Framework’s goals and targets have effi ciency systems. ing formal training. been reviewed to refl ect changing ex- 2. Safeguard some of land for conserva- Latest fi gures show 84pc cent of farm- pectations of consumers. on and biodiversity. ers have made investments in their op- The new targets also refl ect emerg- 3. Use the Dairy Carbon Calculator at erations such as cooling infrastructure ing issues, technological advances,
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 31 UPDATE FROM THE GARDINER FOUNDATION
Dairy needs courageous leadership
✔ Dairy leaders urged to be courageous ✔ Look to create the future they want ✔ Understand the cost of not taking ac on Key points Key By Carlene Dowie
USTRALIA’S dairy industry lead- ers have been exhorted to step Aoutside their comfort zone and be courageous to help tackle the indus- try’s problems. Global leadership expert and author Margie Warrell draws on her back- ground growing up as one of seven children on a Gippsland dairy farm to explain how courage is at the core of transformational leadership. Ms Warrell told the Gardiner Founda- Margie Warrell: anybody can eff ect posi ve change and be a leader. tion’s Australian Dairy Leaders’ Lunch- eon in Melbourne in February that lead- “Good leaders ... take time to try to things and likewise we are wired to de- ership was at the heart of all positive understand what is going on for those fend our way of seeing things.” change in the world. around them, and that’s listening for People needed to get comfortable Anybody could effect positive change both what’s being said and also what’s with challenging how they saw things and be a leader, regardless of their posi- not being said,” Ms Warrell said. and become willing to take risks, even if tion, formal authority, title or age. The next level was the future. they did not think it was going to work. “I think at the heart of your ability to People needed to lift their eyes be- “The more often we do things that lead the change and to adapt to the en- yond the immediate “default future”, are uncomfortable for us, the less un- vironment and to fi nd the opportunity one, two or fi ve years from now, to the comfortable they become,” she said. in what they call a very VUCA world “invented future” or what might be pos- By getting into the “courage zone”, — a world of volatility, uncertainty, sible in 10, 15, 20 or 25 years. where they were willing to try new complexity and ambiguity — is going to “The default future, that’s what’s things, people could fi nd the opportu- require courage,” she said. probable, if you keep going on with the nity and innovate in an environment “Courage starts from the inside out.” ways things were happening before,” where there was uncertainty. Ms Warrell said leadership was not she said People often discounted the cost of about what people did but who they “But really to create the change and not taking action. were as people. to be able to fi nd the opportunities in “We are wired as humans to focus “Your ability to connect with other the changes that are afoot comes from more on what could go wrong than what people, to get them to think bigger, to what’s the invented future we want to could go right,” Ms Warrell said. “Actu- make it safe for people to share ideas, create. ally there is a far bigger cost of sticking to build trust, to really tap into the po- “A leader who cannot inspire people with the status quo than most people tential of others, to build the collabora- with a vision that gets people on board like to admit or to acknowledge.” tion, to get the ingenuity, all of that re- towards something that they feel ex- Building trust was also critical to ally comes from how you show up and cited about is like a river without water good leadership. how you connect,” she said. — dry and depressing.” “Can people count on you to do the “And sometimes our fear of losing Leaders also needed to embrace the right thing and to trust you?” she asked. face, our fear of making a fool of our- discomfort of change. “Do people know that you genuinely selves, our fear of making a mistake, of “All of us have a set of mental maps care about what they care about? That not having what it takes gets in the way about how to get from point A to point you’ve got their back? ... of us connecting with other people in B,” Ms Warrell said. “That you would do and say what that way.” “And it is based on assumptions and is needed to be said, even if you knew Leadership happened on three lev- beliefs and past experiences and your other people would fi nd it hard to hear. els. own stories about what can and can’t “You know anywhere trust is missing The fi rst was dealing with what was be done and your own biases. ... it exacts a steep hidden cost.” happening right now — and that need- “We are wired to always look for evi- Ms Warrell said it was vital for people ed to come from a position of listening. dence that supports our way of seeing to develop a wide repertoire of skills 32 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 UPDATE FROM THE GARDINER FOUNDATION
for dealing with situations and not fall thinking alike, they come from people back into approaching challenges the ‘The more o en we having that sense of safety where they same way. People needed to under- can speak up, they can challenge, and stand the stories they told themselves do things that are together you come up with better ide- about problems. as.” “So take a step back and say what is uncomfortable for us, the Ms Warrell encouraged those in the another way I can look at this because less uncomfortable they room to think about what they could the story you are telling yourself about do individually and collectively to cre- the problem may actually be the big- become.’ ate change. gest part of that problem,” she said. That was going to require an element “Because our stories create emotions of discomfort, of laying pride on the — it may be that you are ambitious and Ms Warrell said this also meant not line and trying things where this wasn’t you are excited and saying what can we focusing on the doors that were closing a guarantee of success. create here. or closed but fi nding the open doors. Gardiner Foundation chairman Bruce “But maybe you are like there’s no It was also vital to create a culture Kefford said the dairy industry always way out here, it is just not possible, it where those who might not see them- sought effective leadership, “probably is impossible to deal with these people, selves as leaders or changemakers more when things get tough”. I don’t have what it takes, we are never were encouraged to step up and lead. “We have an industry in need,” he going to get this happening. “If everyone you know thinks exact- said. “(If the story) is leaving you feeling ly the same way as you think, you are ”This room has many of the leaders resigned or resentful or hopeless, then missing out on a lot of people thinking that the industry has to bring to bear, that is getting in the way of taking other differently or sharing opinions,” she we have put in a pretty good effort but I actions that could produce better out- said. think the effort we need now is greater comes. “Make it safe for others to share and and teamwork we need is greater and “Take a step back and ask what’s an- pushback and challenge — the best the conviction we need to follow that other story I can tell here.” solutions don’t come from everyone with is going to be greater too.” D Gardiner awards 7 ter ary scholarships HE Gardiner Dairy Founda on has Tincreased the number ter ary schol- arships it awards annually from four to seven. Three new scholarships in honour of the late Niel Black have been awarded to students in each of the major Victorian dairy regions. The four other scholarships are named in recogni on of services to the dairy industry by Shirley Harlock, Jacob Malmo, Bill Pyle and Doug Weir. Scholarships are awarded to students from Victorian dairy regions who are commencing study in 2019. The 2019 Gardiner Dairy Founda on Ter ary Scholars are: Carley Einsiedel, Boisdale (Bill Pyle scholarship); Isabella McCluggage, Allansford (Niel Black schol- arship); Jasmine McJames-Court, Pound Creek (Shirley Harlock scholarship); Lau- ren Brewer, Warragul (Doug Weir schol- arship); Lauren McIlveen, Camperdown (Jacob Malmo scholarship); Olivia Be s, The seven scholarship recipients: Isabella McCluggage, Olivia Be s, Sharna Granite Rock (Niel Black scholarship); and Hagendoorn, Jasmine McJames-Court, Lauren Brewer, Lauren McIlveen and Carley Sharna Hagendoorn, Cohuna (Niel Black Einsiedel. scholarship). Niel Black le a bequest to the Gar- DAIRY research centre in Terang and an ment of young professionals who might diner Dairy Founda on, part of which will advocate and supporter of the United not have had the opportunity to pursue support a ter ary scholar from each Vic- Dairyfarmers of Victoria for more than 50 higher educa on and who intended to torian dairy region. Mr Black was involved years. bring their skills back to a dairy region in in most aspects of the dairy industry. He Gardiner Dairy Founda on chief execu- the future. was a pioneer of the herd improvement ve offi cer Dr Clive Noble said the ter - Applica ons for 2020 ter ary scholar- industry, a founding partner of Demo- ary scholarships supported the develop- ships will open in August 2019.
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 33 NEWS Dra mandatory code released
✔ Dra mandatory code released for comment ✔ Requires processors to release standard form agreement on set date ✔ Will outlaw retrospec ve step downs Key points Key
HE Federal Government released a draft mandatory dairy code Tof conduct in January, following consultation across all eight dairy re- gions last year. Agriculture Minister David Little- proud said the draft code was re- leased as part of a second round of consultation to ensure everyone was able to have their say. The second round of consultations was held via teleconference and in Victoria in Feb- ruary. Damian Drum, David Li leproud and Anthony Pea ng on Mr Pea ng’s Toolamba, Vic, “A mandatory code will be an in- farm during the fi rst round of consulta ons on the mandatory code. dustry-defi ning moment so I want all dairy farmers, processors and stake- “Milk levies come and go but the farmers and processors and improve holders to stay involved in shaping mandatory code would help balance farmers’ bargaining power.” it,” Mr Littleproud said. the market power between dairy Mr Littleproud said the draft code
34 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 NEWS
would require processors to publicly a code and we’re getting on with de- The code would cover about 87 release their standard form agree- livering it with as much consultation dairy processors and 5800 dairyfarm- ment on a set date each year. as possible.” ers with the voluntary code to remain “The code will also establish a dis- A Regulation Impact Statement has in place as it is being developed. D pute-resolution process, preventing also been released for comment to re- More information about the code unilateral changes to agreements, and fi ne assessment of the cost the code and consultations can be found at outlawing retrospective step downs,” would have on farmers and proces-
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 35
NEWS Costs and season restrain confi dence
✔ High input costs hi ng milk Inputs were the key as hay and the end of the season,” Mr Droppert produc on grain prices and irrigation water were said. ✔ Impacts area from Northern expected to stay high for the balance The Situation and Outlook report Victoria through to Queensland of the year. showed that global dairy markets ✔ Anecdotal evidence of more “It will take until late spring into were positive with growth in import farmers exi ng industry summer, when the new crops of hay demand in China of 3pc, Japan 5pc Key points Key and grain are harvested, for a change,” and south-east Asia 6pc. By Alastair Dowie he said. “Until then there is nothing to Mr Droppert said global supply was disrupt prices, particularly for hay.” partly balanced on the back of small HE Australian dairy industry Mr Droppert said hay prices were increases in New Zealand, matched to continues to be at the mercy of expected to be more volatile due to Europe which was slightly lower. Thigh feed costs, water prices and large variations in hay quality. He said commodity prices were seasonal conditions. National milk Dairy Australia was now forecasting “well supported” and that provided production is currently about 4.8 per 2018/19 milk production to reach 8.45 comfort when converted back to cent below the 2017/18 season with to 8.65 billion litres, a fall 7 to 9pc rela- farmgate pricing — particularly at the areas hit by drought most affected tive to 2017/18. current exchange rate of US72 cents. and northern Victoria showing a fall The Situation and Outlook report The report said there was also of 22.6pc for December alone. said Queensland and New South growth in higher-value areas includ- Figures announced in the Dairy Wales were expected to be hardest ing fl avoured milk, premium dairy Australia February Situation and Out- hit by the ongoing feed shortage and desserts, cheese and dairy spreads. look report show the impact of rising drought conditions. Mr Droppert said anecdotal evi- feed costs and high cow culling per- Anecdotal evidence showed that dence showed confi dence levels centages. the number of dairy farmers exiting among dairy farmers were down, Dairy Australia senior industry ana- the industry was higher than normal particularly in northern Victoria and lyst John Droppert said milk produc- and culling rates were well up. north to Queensland. In Gippsland, tion levels were expected to deterio- “Cow numbers are critical and levels were mixed depending on the rate further as cost inputs bite. these are expected to be down 5pc by season. D VR4335264 XIN R TO IS O K C
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 37 NEWS Poli cal fi ght erupts over basin plan
✔ Labor promises to remove cap on basin buybacks ✔ Proposal to hold more water in Menindee Lakes ✔ Both would mean less water for irrigators Key points Key By Mike Foley
IPARTISAN support for the Mur- ray Darling Basin Plan is drying Bup and the upcoming federal election presents a stark choice for the future of the $13 billion reform to recover water from irrigation for the environment. Political reactions ran hot in Feb- ruary following the release of the Labor-commissioned report on the Menindee fi sh kills, prepared by a panel from the Australian Academy of Sciences. Labor environment spokesman The Labor Party is proposing changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan in light of Tony Burke said the scientifi c evi- problems in the Menindee Lakes, including fi sh deaths. dence showed signifi cant changes were needed to the Basin Plan, includ- ing potentially a rewrite of its major this will not be a barrier to being able ture ecological disasters like the re- feature, the water recovery target. to do that,” Mr Burke told ABC radio. cent series of large scale fi sh kills. Federal Water Minister David Little- “If you don’t remove the cap on The reserve strategy could result in proud rejected Labor’s position and buyback, what do you do if the more water for the environment and backed the current form of the Basin (MDBA) does end up recommending less for river towns in Queensland and Plan, which he said was due for com- more water needs to be returned to NSW along the Barwon-Darling River. pletion by 2024. the rivers?” It would also mean the Southern Basin Mr Burke said he expected the The Academy report recommended in Victoria and NSW would likely need weight of evidence in the report, and more buybacks from willing sellers to supply more water to meet the others, would prompt the Murray of irrigation entitlement — including eastern states’ commitments to SA. Darling Basin Authority to review the 70Gl more in the Northern Basin. To date, an interstate agreement volume of water available to irrigation Mr Burke backed these recommen- has prioritised fl ows from Menindee across the basin — also known as the dation, despite Labor having last year to meet cross-border requirements. sustainable diversion limit. voted with the Coalition to create new Putting the lake system into recovery “I would be astonished if the MDBA laws to reduce irrigation recovery in mode would likely see more water doesn’t go with the latest scientifi c the Northern Basin by 70Gl. from Hume and Dartmouth dams go information available and work out if ANU professor and chairman of the to SA, making less available for irriga- the sustainable diversion limits are in- Academy of Science’s panel Craig Mo- tion. deed sustainable,” Mr Burke said. ritz said his review found that “there Federal Water Minister David Little- Mr Burke also pledged in February isn’t enough water in the Darling sys- proud said it was “deeply disappoint- to remove the government’s 1500-gi- tem to avoid catastrophic outcomes”. ing” that Labor had politicised water galitre cap on voluntary water irriga- “This is partly due to the ongoing reform. tion buybacks, saying it would ensure drought. However, analysis of rain- “Many fi ndings and recommenda- the environment received its fair fall and river fl ow data over decades tions in this document are political, share of water under the Basin Plan. points to excess water extraction up- not scientifi c. It’s a shame the Aus- The buyback cap was made as an stream.” tralian Academy of Science seems to amendment to Basin Plan by the Ab- The report called for changes to the have done the Labor Party’s bidding bott government in 2015. legal status of northern water licences and opened itself up to claims that he Mr Burke conceded that commu- to enable new pumping embargoes on who pays the piper calls the tune,” Mr nities would be nervous about more Commonwealth-owned environment Littleproud said. buybacks, but argued they may be water and for a new management re- “The recommendation to scrap needed if efforts to return water to the gime for the Menindee Lakes. the 1500GL cap on water buybacks environment fall short. It said Menindee should be re-engi- is purely political. Scientists should “By removing the cap we are mak- neered by an environmental-recovery not be concerned about how water is ing clear that if we end up having to strategy, with a minimum of 400GL recovered; only how much of it goes provide more water for the rivers then held in reserve to insure against fu- down the system, when, and what en- 38 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 NEWS
vironmental outcomes that produces. Farmers are becoming more con- “The Coalition continues to choose ‘Unfortunately, the shock cerned about potential negative so- to recover water in a way which cio-economic impacts from the $13 doesn’t cost jobs, and clinched cru- move by the Senate billion Murray Darling Basin reform, cial agreement from all states on this to consider legisla on following Labor’s announcement it is December 2018.” would scrap the cap on water buy- National Irrigators Council chief to remove the 1500Gl backs. executive Steve Whan agreed with Mr The National Farmers’ Federation Littleproud’s assertion that drought cap on water buybacks has launched a petition, which it will had been the determining factor in provided in the Water present to Labor and Greens repre- the fi sh kills. sentatives, who have committed to “The panel does acknowledge the Act, is just the start.’ rewrite laws that limit the amount of impact of drought and management water that can be recovered through of Menindee Lakes,” he said. “But, it fi ndings, but argued the current form voluntary buybacks by the Common- seems to miss the fact that the Dar- of the Basin Plan is addressing the wealth. ling’s NSW tributaries have experi- need for more Northern Basin fl ows, NFF chief executive Tony Mahar enced the lowest infl ows in recorded which was identifi ed by the report. said farmers were weighed down by history. “The key (Australian Academy of the weight of “headline-grabbing, po- “For the last six months of 2018, the Sciences) fi nding, that fl ows in the litically-motivated attacks” on farm- NSW Northern Basin rivers received northern rivers needs to be improved, ing by ill-informed politicians. infl ows less than 1 per cent of the av- is exactly what the Basin Plan sets out “We are asking farmers and ba- erage for the 10 years prior. to achieve,” Mr Mues said. sin communities to help us do this,” “We also know that for the 10 years “As noted in the AAS report, this is Mr Mahar said. “One way is to sign prior, 80pc of the infl ows into those especially challenging during drought. the petition to let MPs and Senators rivers stayed in the river and were not “Some of the Academy’s recommen- know why a removal of the 1500Gl cap extracted. No irrigator has pumped dations are dealt with by actions that would be a disaster. anything on the Barwon Darling for are already underway. For example, “Unfortunately, the shock move by more than a year.” Basin governments are working to- the Senate to consider legislation to MDBA executive director of science gether to plan for when the drought remove the 1500Gl cap on water buy- and knowledge Colin Mues said the breaks to return suffi cient fl ow in the backs provided in the Water Act, is agency would consider the Academy’s Darling River.” just the start.” D
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 39 NEWS Temporary bluetongue zone hits trade
✔ Temporary bluetongue zone from some Victorian properties. And a but not declared by the producer. After around Echuca li ed in Dec 2017 review into the program, which imple- a surveillance program by Agriculture ✔ China bansheifers from the zone mented at temporary exclusion zone Victoria, the zone was lifted in Decem- ✔ Key points Key Limits sale opportuni es 100 kilometres, around Echuca, Vic, is ber of the same year. still underway. The Federal Department of Agricul- By Jamie-Lee Oldfi eld The temporary was put in place in ture said in February last year Animal October 2017 after BTV antibodies were Health Australia would review the Na- TEMPORARY bluetongue virus found in a mob of local dairy heifers, tional Arbovirus Monitoring Program, zone lifted in December 2017 is later found to have come from a perma- which monitors the spread of econom- Astill restricting trade to China nent bluetongue zone in northern NSW, ical-important insect-borne diseases such as BTV. According to AHA “the report has been made available to the Steering Committee (National Arbovi- rus Monitoring Program Steering Com- mittee) for their consideration, discus- sion and determination of next steps; it is not available publicly. The committee is scheduled to meet in March for their next steps.” Victoria’s acting chief veterinary of- fi cer Dr Cameron Bell said: “Victoria is working with other jurisdictions and in- dustry stakeholders to review national bluetongue virus surveillance and re- sponse protocols through the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program Steering Committee.” The Agriculture Department did not want to comment on the review. With cattle producers 95km from Echuca having as recently as November had heifers refused export to China, the placement of the temporary zone is still a contentious issue. Landmark International’s Andy Ingle said it was unlikely the restrictions to China would be lifted anytime soon. “Under the NAMP guidelines, the zone should be removed for China ac- cess after two years, which would be in late 2019 however it is highly likely that China may continue to simply state that the zone will remain in place for this market,” he said. “The temporary bluetongue zone continues to severely limit available numbers of breeding Hol- stein heifers and as a result exporters are pushing business to the likes of New Zealand and South America to ensure supply of animals.” Mr Ingle said the negligence of the producer and agent providing incorrect information on the origin of the cattle, whether intentional or unintentional, had dramatically impacted exports for some producers. “Then the negligence of the Victorian DPI investigating this has resulted in approximately one- third of south-eastern Australia’s dairy producers being locked out of a major source of income at a time of drought and challenging milk prices,” he said. D 40 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 MENTAL HEALTH The importance of your mental health
✔ Iden fy the support network While the stigma associated with cating how you are feeling is hard and ✔ Communica on is the key mental health problems is slowly re- at times hardest with those who are ✔ Stay connected to avoid feeling ducing in Australia, in rural communi- closest to you. Having vital conversa- isolated ties the stigma of “too tough to speak tions can save lives. ✔ Seek help up” about your emotional and mental • Stay connected, staying connect- Key points Key health is rife and the suicide rates are ed to your community and support By Warren Davies consistently 40 per cent higher than network helps negate the feeling of The Unbreakable Farmer the rates in metropolitan areas. isolation, especially when you are struggling. It also promotes conver- AIRY farming can be a challeng- sation and gives you the opportunity ing business, with mounting ‘You need good mental to share and gain wisdom from those Dbusiness and seasonal pres- health to help you get around you. sures, focusing on how you are trav- • Seek help, not always the easiest elling as a person, and the state of through life’s challenges, of steps, recognising the seriousness your mental health can at times be of a mental health challenge and the neglected. to have healthy importance of gaining the right sup- I understand this all too well. This rela onships with others port can infl uence the rate of your was me, focusing on the day-to-day recovery. operation of my farm, I overlooked and to enjoy life.’ To normalise the conversation the steady decline in my mental about mental health it needs a whole health until it was nearly too late. Mental illness is made harder in ru- community approach to nurture a The harsh reality of being a dairy ral communities with reduced access safe environment that removes the farmer become all too evident to me to local services and professionals. stigma making it more acceptable for with the constant battle of economic Additionally, people generally have people to seek help. This starts with pressures, commodity prices, water feelings of embarrassment or fear to awareness and education, followed by issues, fl ood and drought all had an ask for help, so they manage their acknowledgement and action. impact on my young family, relation- problems by themselves. Your mental health is critical to ships and fi nances, but most signifi - However, recognising when help your overall health and wellbeing. cantly on my mental health, all cul- and support are needed, either for You need good mental health to help minating with a decision to leave our yourself or for someone else, is very farm. important. Generally, people living in rural I learnt four vital lessons from my WHERE TO GET HELP communities are known for being journey. resilient people, they face stressors • Identify your support network, • Emergency on 000 caused by a range of factors such the people who you love and trust • Virtual Psychologist on 1300 807 266 as isolation, weather, nature of their and can call on for support when you or 0488 807 266 work and fi nancial issues, which is are struggling to cope or simply need • Lifeline on 13 11 14 why mental illness in rural communi- a chat. • Headspace on 1800 650 890 ties is of major concern. • Communication is key, communi-
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 41 MENTAL HEALTH
you get through life’s challenges, to when everything gets too much for just reach out, it could make a huge have healthy relationships with oth- you and you become overwhelmed difference in your life. ers and to enjoy life. that there are people, services, and No one should travel their journey It’s important to remember that resources that are there to help you, alone. D Warren Davies: The Unbreakable Farmer ESILIENCE, persistence and determi- drought; all having an impact, but most Rna on are the words to describe War- signifi cantly, was that on his mental ren Davies. Born and bred in the eastern health. These events all tested his resil- suburbs of Melbourne, Warren is the son ience, persistence and determina on and of small business owners. had a massive impact on his young family, A leader throughout his primary school rela onships and fi nances all culmina ng years, this confi dence was eroded once with the decision to basically having to entering secondary school, where he walk off the farm. was subjected to bullying and not fi ng Although with his skills, work was easy in. His academic achievement began a to fi nd, managing large-scale opera ons downward spiral. This is where his skill from Victoria to South Australia, it wasn’t of resilience was developed, a skill that the same, he couldn’t se le, he assumed would be called upon me and me again that he had lost his iden ty because not in future years. only was the farm his career, it was his In 1982 his family made the massive Warren Davies is a keynote speaker and home, his life, In his eyes he had failed decision to move to the country and workshop facilitator, who learned hard and carried the guilt of failing as a hus- pursue his father’s dream of becoming a lessons in life through his me as a dairy band and father. farmer. This gave Warren an opportunity farmer. Being an avid reader of books he to reinvent himself. A direc on, a career searched for a be er way, he began the path: he was going to be a farmer. The next 16 years were to be defi ning journey of piecing back together his life, Mentored by one of the best farmers in years for him. but the road has been long. He now im- the district, Warren honed his skills and, The harsh reality of being a farmer parts his skills as a presenter and speaker by the age of 22, he had purchased his soon became evident: high interest and pays forward his unique stories, their fi rst farm. rates, low commodity prices, fl ood and moral relevant to everyone. VR4441799
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42 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 DAIRY MARKET REPORT Domes c condi ons remain challenging
By Sofia Omstedt Industry analyst Dairy Australia
✔ Challenging seasonal condi ons in Australia ✔ Global markets remain balanced ✔ Australian milk produc on to be down 7-9pc for year Key points Key
ESPITE the start of a new year, the stories in Australia’s dairy a modest growth in local milk pro- Domestically demand for dairy Dregions remain the same. High duction, stocks of dairy in China has remains stable. While sale volumes feed costs continue to play havoc on started to run low. only grew modestly over the past 12 drought-affected regions and Dairy Towards the end of 2018, China months, sale values increased more. Australia’s recently released Situa- re-entered the dairy market and in- Healthy growth in higher value sub- tion and Outlook report shows that creased purchases of dairy products. categories, such as fl avoured milk, water costs continue to weigh heav- In 2019, China is forecast to be an ac- premium dairy desserts and probi- ily on farm profi tability. tive buyer on the world market and otic yoghurts, drove value growth Overall input costs on dairy farms looks set to partly absorb some of for these major categories. are likely to remain high for the bal- the extra supply available this year. Cheese sales continued to expand ance of the year. While domestic and butter sales grew 0.9pc in the conditions remain diffi cult, global past 12 months, marking the fi rst markets offer slightly better news. ‘What is certain is that increase in sales volume since the The strong New Zealand produc- need for a mely and global butter price rally. tion season continued to weigh on Limited feed and water availabil- global markets during the end of eff ec ve autumn break ity in combination with high tem- 2018. New Zealand experienced a peratures and limited rainfall will favourable start to the 2018/19 sea- this season cannot be further impact milk production this son, with weather conditions across overstated.’ year. Australian milk production most dairy regions remaining sup- has continued to lag 2017/18 levels, portive of pasture growth through The most notable development on tracking 4.8pc lower for the current the spring. For the (June to May) global markets has been the dispos- season to December. season to January, milk production al of the European stockpile of skim The year-on-year gap has in- is up 4.9 per cent on a volume basis. milk powder (SMP). This has helped creased as the season progresses, This contributed to a fall in prices of to improve global commodity prices with December intakes down 7.8pc major dairy commodities. as it has removed a key downside in- compared to December 2017. From 2019, global markets have fl uence overhanging the market. Dairy Australia’s forecast for started to recover. The Global Worth noting is that most traders 2018/19 milk production has been Dairy Trade (GDT) platform deliv- are cognisant of the fact that the updated to refl ect the continuing ered price increases for the past six product has been sold more quick- challenges on-farm. The current events, partly driven by a stronger ly than it is likely to be consumed. forecast is for a national decrease demand from major markets. Hence, much of the product has of between 7pc and 9pc relative to Demand for dairy has grown in simply moved from public to private 2017/18. the past year in China, Japan, south- balance sheets. Global demand is improving and east Asia and in the Middle East and Nonetheless, recent sales have looks set to balance global markets North Africa region. Greater China been at progressively higher prices, in the months to come. (PRC, Macau and Hong Kong) is and fresh SMP prices are also mov- When and if any improvements home to close to 30pc of the world’s ing up, to the point where SMP and in global markets will translate to a dairy exports. butter are currently offering better better domestic outlook is still un- In 2018 dairy imports to China re- returns than cheese. The impact of clear. mained subdued, which impacted reduced SMP stock overhang and in- What is certain is that need for a global commodity prices for major creased butter production are clear timely and effective autumn break dairy products. Combined with only on the graph. this season cannot be overstated. D The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 43 VR4433408 GROWING BETTER PASTURES Fer ga on proves its worth in trial
✔ Fer ga on uses irriga on Table 1: Pasture Yield Summary system to apply fer liser ✔ Less labour intensive 2017 Aston 2018 Jackpot ✔ Fer liser immediately available Q3 Fer ga on Q4 Broadcast Q3 Fer ga on Q4 Broadcast to plants and distributed more evenly Pre-graze yield (kg DM/ha) 24795 24609 20550 19580 Key points Key Post-graze yield (kg DM/ha) 15585 16250 10790 10760 FERTIGATION trial in south- DM Intake (kg DM/ha) 9110 8359 9760 8820 east Queensland for the past A two years has shown it pro- DM Growth (kg DM/ha) 11460 10539 11460 10500 duces more pasture and cuts labour Av. Growth Rate (kg/ha/day) 61 54 75 67 and fuel costs. The trial compared a fertigation Irriga on (mm applied) 335 313 371 349 system — injecting water-soluble fer- Total fer liser cost ($) $2192* $1367 $1881* $1356 tiliser through the farm’s centre piv- *Bulk Easy N price ($786/tonne in 2018; $516/tonne in 2017) ot irrigation system — with a broad- cast nitrogen application system. Table 2: Summary of set-up costs for fer ga on (shu le vs bulk storage) The project was undertaken in the 2017 and 2018 ryegrass seasons at 1000L shu le (ex GST) Bulk storage (ex GST) McInnes Brothers 500-hectare dairy Pump and fi ngs $2900 $2900 farm at Harrisville, Qld. A centre pivot irrigation system Installa on of power point $150 $150 was used to compare fertigation Consultants me to design, obtain $300 $300 against traditional broadcast meth- quotes, organise ods of applying nitrogen fertiliser to Pipes, fi ngs associated with bulk $500 a grazed and irrigated annual rye- storage unit grass pasture. One-quarter of the pivot area was Purchase of bulk storage tank $3863 fertilised after each grazing with (22,946 L) Easy N liquid fertiliser and one quar- Set-up Cost $3350 $7713 ter was fertilised with broadcasted Cost of each shu le (1000L, ex GST) $795 (ex GST) 2017 urea for a comparison. In addi on there is a refundable $896 (ex GST) 2018 The Easy N was bought in 1000-li- deposit of $440 per shu le tre shuttles for the trial and applied using an EcoDose fertigation system Cost of bulk load of Easy N (19,000L, $516 (ex GST)/1000L 2017 injector pump. Irrigation agronomist ex GST) $786 (ex GST)/1000L 2018 Pat Daley, from Daley’s Water Service Pty Ltd, provided the advice and sup- Table 3: Comparison of labour costs port for the purchase, installation 2017 2018 and use of the fertigation system. Q4 Broadcast Soil moisture monitoring equip- 50 minutes to load and spread urea $167.50 $145 ment (EnviroPro SDI 12 unit with a (a) Over whole pivot/season $670 $580 tipping bucket) was installed in each quarter to monitor irrigation and Q3 Fer ga on 20 mins/new shu le + 5 mins/fer ga on event $67.50 $45 rainfall. (b) Over whole pivot/season $270 $180 Pasture dry matter yield was meas- ured before and after grazing, and Labour Savings TOTAL (a) – (b) $440 $400 results indicated that the fertigation quarter produced slightly more feed Applying smaller amounts more of- • The fertigation quarter was less la- on offer. ten enabled a more optimum growth bour intensive than the broadcasted Fertiliser, irrigation and rainfall rate, and liquid fertilisers aren’t as quarter. events were recorded. volatile, reducing potential losses to • Managing the soil moisture profi le Benefi ts of the fertigation system the atmosphere. with the assistance of soil probes included labour and fuel savings, in In times of extended wet weather, was effective. addition to savings on repairs and a spreader might still be required to • Grazing management is a key fac- maintenance of machinery. avoid unnecessary irrigation appli- tor of a cost-effective ryegrass sea- The liquid fertiliser was imme- cations (and for application of nutri- son. diately available to the plants and ents other than nitrogen). • Getting the right advice upfront could be distributed more evenly Observations made during the when considering fertigation should (provided the irrigation system had project included: ensure that the right size injector an even distribution uniformity) • The EcoDose fertigation pump was unit is purchased. compared with granular fertilisers. relatively inexpensive to purchase. • Soil testing before planting high- The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 45 VR4433406 GROWING BETTER PASTURES
About the trial The 18ha annual ryegrass grazing paddock allocated to the fresh herd with a 56-metre centre pivot was used for the trial. In the cooler months it is planted to a straight ryegrass sward. One quarter of the pivot area (Q3) was used for fertigation (Easy N) and one quarter (Q4) used for broadcasted granular urea. Each quarter was 4.52ha in area. It was important that the irriga- tion system had a good distribution uniformity (DU) so as to ensure the evenness of water and nutrient appli- cation. An irrigation systems check was preformed prior to the project, and the DU was deemed to be greater than 90 per cent. The farmers opted for a liquid fertigation system (as opposed to a soluble system) due to convenience Measuring pasture dry ma er yield using the C-DAX machine and ease of use. The EcoDose injec- tor pump fertigation unit was pur- chased, at a cost of $2900 (excl GST), and installed at the centre pivot site. This unit uses a positive displace- ment plunger pump with variable speed motor to give precise doses of nutrients proportional to the fl ow rate. A controller allows the opera- tor to easily dial up the required fl ow rate (litres per hour) and it will im- mediately adjust the speed of the pump. As part of the trial a reference The Ecodose injector unit. Par cipants of the fi eld day held in guide of injection rate per hour was October 2018. developed for different application rates, which allowed for injection lighted potassium defi ciencies, if not comprises silage, grain mixes, cot- rates to be altered as per irrigation corrected there may have been an ton seed, brewers grain and hay. The scheduling needs. adverse effect on pasture growth. herd also grazes ryegrass during the Results of the trial • No detrimental effects were ob- cooler months, and if seasons are fa- served to applying nitrogen through vourable, grazes summer pastures or A comparison of weather data for the the pivot, smaller amounts of nitro- legumes. two years of the trial indicated aver- gen were applied regularly as op- The stale herd grazes pastures age rainfall and a milder winter in posed to one big application. throughout the year and is supple- 2017 compared with 2018. • A comparison of the true cost of mented with a mixed ration once or In 2018, less rainfall was received, each option demonstrates that buy- twice per day, depending on the sea- and minimum temperatures were no- ing in bulk (setting up a bulk storage son and herd numbers. ticeably lower, particularly during tank holding 19,000-litre) will gener- Pasture production is mainly rye- the winter months, where there were ally be more labour effi cient (and grass in the winter months. A range many more mornings below zero as more cost effective in years when the of pastures and crops are grown as compared with the previous year. bulk purchase price of Easy N is sig- conserved feed to supply the PMR Interestingly, in spring and early nifi cantly cheaper compared to the ration, including corn, barley and lu- summer, minimum and maximum shuttle price). cerne, in addition to some ryegrass temperatures were much higher in About the McInnes farm silage. Other legume crops are grown 2018, which contributed to an earlier in the summer to be grazed such as fi nish to the ryegrass season, with The McInnes farm comprises mostly cow pea. the fi nal recorded grazing occurring irrigated crops and pastures. The Irrigation comprises of two centre in mid-October, a month earlier than dairy herd, which supports 500 milk- pivots on the home block, with areas in 2017. ers, is split into two herds, the “fresh of 18ha and 12ha, with the remaining A total of eight ryegrass grazings herd” and “stale herd”. blocks irrigated by soft hose travel- were recorded in 2017 compared The fresh herd is fed a partial lers. Water is sourced from Warrill with seven grazings in 2018. The ini- mixed ration on a feedpad. The PMR Creek. tial grazing in each year was in June. The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 47 VR4433409 GROWING BETTER PASTURES
Days between grazings varied from ume of water was applied to the ferti- fi ts derived from improved nitrogen 18 to 26 days. gation quarter in each year. Fertiliser use effi ciency was a key outcome A comparison of dry matter pro- costs varied; in 2017 the bulk Easy N of the trial. Precision is paramount duction showed that the fertigation price was noticeably lower than the and it is important that the irriga- quarter provided more feed on offer following year. tion system is operating at optimum than the broadcasted quarter. See Table 1 for a summary of pas- water use effi ciency. The initial set In 2018 this difference was 970 ture yields. up of dosing systems requires some- kilograms of dry matter/ha and in Set-up costs for the fertigation sys- what complex calculations but once 2017 the difference was 186 kg DM/ tem are summarised in Table 2. Al- established, the system is very easy ha. Interestingly, the cumulative DM though more expensive to set up, use to use. growth for the season was exactly of the bulk storage system was found The results of the fertigation on- the same for the fertigation quarter to be more cost effective over time. farm demonstration highlighted in a in both 2017 and 2018. For the broad- A record was kept of the labour practical sense the on-farm and off- casted quarter, a difference of 39kg utilised to fertilise both the fertiga- farm benefi ts of improved nitrogen DM/ha was recorded for cumulative tion and broadcasted quarters. This use effi ciency. Such benefi ts warrant DM growth when comparing the two information is detailed in Table 3. further scientfi c investigation with years. Fertigation saved labour resources more replications over a longer trial Utilisation was higher in 2018, at in both years of the trial. This labour period. D 47 per cent and 45pc respectively saving would be reduced even fur- In 2017 the project was funded for Q3 and Q4. In comparison, utili- ther with a bulk tank setup. through the Australian Govern- sation in 2017 was 33pc and 37pc re- The trial showed that there were ment’s National Landcare Pro- spectively. While not signifi cant, the no detrimental effects to pivot hard- gramme, and in 2018 was funded fertigation quarter had higher daily ware by applying nitrogen fertiliser through the Dairy and Fodder Wa- growth rates (not including the fi rst through the system. Also, managing ter for Profi t program. The project grazing) in both years. the soil moisture profi le with the as- was delivered by the Dairying Bet- A greater volume of irrigation wa- sistance of soil moisture probes was ter ‘n Better program, a joint ini- ter was applied to the trial site in shown to be an effective means to tiative of Queensland Dairyfarm- 2018, refl ecting the drier winter con- manage irrigation. ers’ Organisation and Subtropical ditions experienced. A comparison The importance of obtaining spe- Dairy, with support from the Dairy of the fertigation and broadcasted cialist advice before installing a ferti- and Fodder Water for Profi t pro- quarters indicated that a greater vol- gation system to maximise the bene- gram. Methods of fer ga on
ERTIGATION is the injection of fer- Injection system designs vary and this is the use of a venturi-style injector, Ftilisers, soil amendments and other some of these designs are considered which requires a differential in pres- water-soluble products through an irri- out-of-date practices. sure either created by a bypass valve gation system. Batch Mixing: A common design is or a pump. This method is difficult to There are many different ways of ap- the batch type mixing that is very low manage as the differential can change plying fertiliser via a fertigation system. cost but is not proportional to flow and depending on the irrigation location at This article provides an overview of the has little to no control over the injec- any given time. different methods available. tion rate. A drum or tank is filled from Positive Injection: Positive injection Best practice design is one that al- the discharge side of the irrigation or dosing is the preferred option. It al- lows flexibility of concentration rates. centrifugal pump. The bottom of the lows for greater control of dose rates. This is important in cases of potential drum or tank has an outlet pipe that It gives the option of using liquid nutri- soil saturation. It is also desirable to is connected to the suction side of the ents or soluble nutrients. It is also eas- have a system that gives precise doses pump. The desired kilograms of fertilis- ily automated which can allow for clean of nutrients proportional to the flow er is mixed in the drum or tank prior to water flushing. rate. opening the outlet valve. For example, This information is from a fact sheet It is very important that the irrigation 20 kilograms may be mixed to irrigate developed by Pat Daley from Daley’s system uniformity is at optimum. The 1ha of area. (This will over time damage Water Service in conjunction with the same will apply with traditional broad- the irrigation pump.) Dairying Better ‘n Better team as part casting. Venturi Style: A similar method to of the Let the Benefits Flow Project.
Batch Mixing Venturi style Posi ve injec on
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 49
GROWING BETTER PASTURES Finding pasture management’s holy grail
✔ Diff erent approaches to managing and measuring pasture ✔ Need to understand advantages and limita ons of each Key points Key By Marian Macdonald
ERFECTION in pasture manage- ment is the holy grail of dairy Pfarming: getting it right is both incredibly important and diffi cult to achieve. Australian Dairyfarmer spoke to experts in the fi eld about the latest developments and the pros and cons of different approaches. Creator of the Feeding Pastures for Profi t course Phil Shannon said his ap- proach refl ected the practicalities of managing pasture as a key component of feeding cows profi tably. Pointing to Tasmanian research re- leased last year that showed only a minority of farmers used tools such as plate meters to measure grass, Mr Shannon said it made sense to offer other ways to address key questions. “A priority farm manager question is: ‘How do I put the strip fence in the Under Feeding Pastures for Profi t, pasture alloca on is based on visual observa ons right place and know how much sup- of pasture growth rates and factors likely to aff ect future pasture growth. plement to feed the cows on a daily basis?’,” he said. observations of pasture growth rates non said. “Historic growth rates or While acknowledging that Feeding and factors likely to affect future pas- leaf appearance rates can be used as Pastures for Profi t did have a focus on ture growth. a guide but how often are two seasons leaf counting, Mr Shannon said more “If you are on the correct rotation the same?” recent participants were advised to today, but better growing conditions Mr Shannon recommends the “Body concentrate on understanding canopy (longer days, more moisture, warmer of Evidence” process to determine how closure. weather and so on) are forecast, the much supplementary feed cows were Pasture allocation is based on visual rotation should be adjusted,” Mr Shan- offered.
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52 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 GROWING BETTER PASTURES
Changes in supplement levels were very similar result. It provides farmers already being introduced on farm. tested by visual observations and any with choices.” Optical sensors fi tted to drones or de- milk response. While back calculations are common ployed on satellites had the potential “If you’re allocating a consistent practice, research fellow at the Tas- to make pasture measurement less la- amount of pasture each grazing (a key manian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) bour intensive. aim of Feeding Pastures for Profi t) and Pieter Raedts said they did have their “While these methods can be faster, you know the amount of milk you’re own limitations. for leaf stage and canopy closure you producing and the amount of supple- “Back calculations are a good tool still have to look in the paddock,” Mr ment you’re using, then a quick back but no algorithm can replicate what is Raedts said. calculation will give you a more ac- happening on farm exactly,” Mr Raedts “Put simply, optical sensors use im- curate idea of how much pasture the said. agery to estimate the amount of bio- cows are eating,” Mr Shannon said. “Back calculation doesn’t correct for mass, commonly using NDVI (Normal- “The back calculation is based on changing bodyweights and you won’t ized Difference Vegetation Index) or scientifi c research that describes the know whether the cows have fi nished ‘greenness’ of the pasture. herd requirement. grazing because they are satiated or “That can be a problem. NDVI is they have depleted the grass in the paddock, for example. ‘As farms grow, it’s “It is very diffi cult to have an accu- rate measure using any method, so my becoming more and advice is to accept that it’s not an exact more important to science, understand the pros and cons of different techniques and fi nd some- have good pasture data thing that you’re comfortable with.” without tying up skilled Instruments towed behind a quad bike that measure pastures were an al- individuals on weekly ternative for farmers who like the con- cept of plate metering but struggled to paddock walks.’ incorporate them into their routines. “Plate metering is cheap but time- “The rough old rising plate meter is consuming,” Mr Raedts said. “Tow- a good tool but, while plenty of farmers behinds are quicker but costlier and own one, the percentage who physi- you still need to travel through the cally take one out into the paddock and pastures.” use it as part of their decision process “They measure compressed or un- is pretty low. compressed height of the grass and “There are concerns about accuracy, specifi c equations are used to estimate too. There aren’t many people around from that how much grass is in the pad- who can calibrate and use a plate me- dock. ter well. “These equations vary depending Instruments towed behind a quad bike “The plate meter is a useful tool for on pasture species and paddock condi- that measure pastures are an alterna ve those that can use it with confi dence tions.” for farmers who like the concept of plate but Feeding Pastures for Profi t offers Mr Raedts said the next wave of metering but struggled to incorporate an alternative method that delivers a pasture management technology was them into their rou nes.
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 53 GROWING BETTER PASTURES
ture.io offers readings based on more frequent, higher resolution images than had been available. Pasture.io’s CEO, Ollie Roberts, agreed that relying on NDVI readings alone was fl awed. “Satellite imagery using NDVI with- out a complete feedback loop will overestimate low covers and underes- timate high covers,” Mr Roberts said. “We use red, green, blue and near- infrared light spectrums from the satel- lites, NDVI, EVI, LAI and SAVI, among 27 calculated indices. “These are combined with meteoro- logical data and farm records to create much more accurate and reliable pas- ture measurements. “The results are constantly ground- Pasture.io is a system that uses satellite measurements and allows farmers to input truthed, so the system continually im- data to help manage their pastures. proves itself. “I’ve used plate meters and tow-be- known to lack accuracy in our dairy a satellite, optical sensors can’t see hinds for years and, while both of them pastures, particularly when the bio- through cloud at all.” have a role to play, they are time-con- mass exceeds 2500 kilograms of dry While Mr Raedts was unaware of suming and challenging to use reliably matter per hectare due to saturation. any ready-to-use drone technology for on anything other than ideal pastures. “They can also be unreliable if condi- measuring pastures, new software us- “As farms grow, it’s becoming more tions are not ideal, such as when only ing satellite imagery had been released. and more important to have good pas- some areas the paddock have shadow Developed in Tasmania specifi cally ture data without tying up skilled indi- from clouds and, if you are relying on for dairy pasture management, Pas- viduals on weekly paddock walks.” D Plate meters and satellites for Greenacres COMBINATION of tradi onal plate crepancy to become less and less,” Mr Ametering and pioneering satellite Greenacre said. “While I’m s ll doing the technology is the key to pasture manage- weekly pasture walk across all of the pad- ment on a Tasmanian farm where abso- docks, I hope to get to the point where I lutely every blade of ryegrass counts. can just use the satellite data and check James Greenacre is currently milking it by pre-and-post-graze plate-metering 980 cows on 210 hectares under pivot ir- a few paddocks every few days to make riga on at the farm he manages in Cressy, sure what I am measuring correlates to where the average annual rainfall sits at what the satellite is saying. about 600 millimetres. “During busy mes, like calving, I could “At the moment we are milking fi ve minimise pasture walks for a couple of cows per hectare and feeding three kilo- weeks. grams of grain per cow per day so pasture “In the long run, it is possible that James Greenacre and farm owner Rob is very important,” Mr Greenacre said. satellite technology could do away with Bradley. Rather than observing leaf emergence the need to plate meter altogether even rates, Mr Greenacre uses growth rates, Six months ago, he switched to the Tas- though I like taking the dogs for a walk average pasture covers and seasonal con- manian-developed Pasture.io program and seeing the farm on foot.” di ons to determine rota on length. and began matching the plate meter re- Mr Greenacre is also using the Pasture. “With plenty of urea, I’m fi nding we’re sults with satellite data. io system to track and schedule fer liser approaching canopy closure before the Feeding plate meter results into Pas- applica ons, generate a real- me pasture 2.5-3 leaf stage,” he said. ture.io helped to calibrate the algorithms wedge and produce a grazing plan for “I have been maintaining a shorter that interpret the satellite informa on team members. rota on length and shorter pre-grazing to suit the unique characteris cs of the “Pasture.io is great and you can do (2600 to 2800kg dry ma er/ha) but now Cressy farm. more and more with it but it’s a tool that we are hopefully through the repro- During that me, Mr Greenacre has rather than a silver bullet,” Mr Greenacre duc ve phase, I will be trying to push out seen a steady improvement in the ac- said. to grazing at around 3000kg DM/ha on a curacy of the automated readings. The “It relies on you feeding good informa- 25-to-28-day round.” plate meter and satellites now rou nely on into it (like pasture walk informa on Mr Greenacre uses a rising plate meter return results within 50 to 80kg DM of and grazing events) but if you do this it on weekly farm walks and had been re- each other. can provide you with a lot of helpful in- cording the results in the Pasture Coach “The system con nues to learn from forma on.” so ware. you so, going forward, I expect this dis- —Marian Macdonald
54 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019
GROWING BETTER PASTURES
James Clyne has completed Dairy Australia’s Feeding Pastures for Profi t twice to fi netune his pasture management skills. Careful management helps farm grow
✔ Completed Feeding with their children, with the result some heifer rearing. Pastures for Profi t course that the next generation benefi tted The farm is situated in the Macal- twice from becoming owners of their own ister Irrigation District, with a 1500 ✔ Uses Excel spreadsheet to plan farms and Alan and Christine could megalitre August-to-May irrigation pastures plan for retirement. right, supported by a swamp, which ✔ Electronic pasture monitoring James and Erin are on a fi ve-year is fi lled in May and provides water for system lease, in partnership with Alan and growing pasture during the winter,
Key points Key Christine, with a transition plan to and a 130ML bore. By Jeane e Severs full ownership for July 2021. “My Some 30ha is dryland, 80ha is sup- role, as well as farm manager, is to ported by pivots and other sprinkler AMES and Erin Clyne, Newry, work with Dad for fi ve years, learning irrigation and the balance is fl ood ir- lease a farm, attached infrastruc- the ropes,” James said. rigated. The bore runs one pivot and Jture and herd from his parents, He and Erin lease the 230ha farm some sprinklers on 30ha. Alan and Christine, in an arrange- and own separately an additional Soils are a mix of river alluvial soils ment based on a family meeting 15 75ha. They employ four fulltime milk- and deep loam soils, laying over clay. years ago. ers. They also have a permanent six- The country has a historic issue with At that time, Alan and Christine month backpacker role — this per- bloating, so clover is excluded in the Clyne underwent estate planning son also milks and is responsible for pasture mix. 56 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 VR4433407 GROWING BETTER PASTURES
He utilises an Excel spreadsheet to record day-to-day grazing, with colours to indicate paddocks where spraying, irrigation and grazing is oc- curring. He also has an electronic pasture- measuring system attached to the motorbike and he rides that through the paddocks to gather data. That is followed by pasture walks. “I assess all paddocks visually Calves are raised on the main property The Clyne composite herd calves 50:50 to see if I agree with the electronic un l weaning. autumn:spring. data,” James said. “Under the pivot, growth is quick- er. In the fl ood paddocks, growth is slower. What’s the saying — if you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it. This is all about using data that helps with decision making. “I use the pasture-measuring data to feed my cows grass — in peak spring, that’s 14kg grass/day. “I also use Rumenate — I start at 15 litres and go up to 40l. I also supple- mentary feed what I’m comfortable with — for me, it’s 3-10kg, from the bottom to the higher producing cows, but they still go out and eat 14kg of grass. “I extend the rotation and put silage into the fodder mix when the pasture cover is below 2500 (kg of dry matter a hectare), for a few weeks in a row.” The farm’s 50-unit rotary dairy platform includes automatic cup removers and yield-sense and cell- sense monitors. The monitors pro- James Clyne aims to feed his herd up to 14kg of grass a day. vide milk (in litres), fat and protein percentages and cell count on each Prairie grass is endemic to the cow’s production. area. “The soil is very fertile for set- ‘I assess all paddocks “We installed them as soon as we ting prairie grass seed,” James said. started,” James said. “At that time, “From autumn to December, it’s visually to see if I agree we were milking 700 cows, so the milking-quality feed, but after that it cost was quite equitable against herd turns rank. In peak spring, we have to with the electronic data.’ testing.” graze every 15 days to control it. The herd has since grown to 1000 “Prairie grass is such a strong com- 18 tonnes/ha off the contract block cows, with an expected increase to a petitor, I fi gure I might as well work — into pits in autumn. 1050-head herd in May this year. with it. So I sow ryegrass to bulk it With a good early growing season, “I have more data and the cost of out.” the annual pasture bulked and he installing the sensors was spread The 30ha dryland is sown to annu- harvested 260 round bales, slightly over fi ve years,” James said. “With al ryegrass pastures, while the rest of below his target of 300. Last summer, 300 more cows, now, the cost has the farm is oversown perennial rye- he harvested 150 bales, so is show- been minimalised. grass pasture. ing steady improvement. He also har- “I use the data to feed to produc- In spring 2018, James oversowed vested 450 tonnes of grass silage, the tion, using a 10-day rolling average; ryegrass into 120ha and, with 100 same as spring 2017. the cows get fed based on it. per cent irrigation for a couple of “I try to get as much hay as possi- “I haven’t herd tested in 2.5 years months, the growth was phenom- ble and I’m still learning how to get a and I love every second of it.” enal. He also sowed 4ha of millet for good hay yield,” James said. The composite herd calves 50:50 grazing, but has not seen the benefi t, James has completed Dairy Aus- autumn:spring. All heifers are bred to after the crop turned up its toes at tralia’s Feeding Pastures for Profi t artifi cial insemination to Jersey, with the fi rst summer heatwave. twice, fi rstly seven years ago and all heifer progeny kept. In early January this year, James then two years ago. The spring heifers are agisted from sowed 10ha of maize and contracted “For me, that course was impor- weaning to point of calving; the au- 20ha maize — aiming to harvest 25 tant,” James said. “I use the princi- tumn heifers are raised to point of tonnes/ha wet silage on the farm and ples to help manage pastures.” calving by Alan on a 40ha outblock. D 58 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019
GROWING BETTER PASTURES Chicory thrives on SA farm
✔ Chicory be er suited than lucerne to acid soil ✔ Responds well to summer rains ✔ Vital source of summer feed Key points Key
By Alisha Fogden
HICORY is thriving at Parawa, South Australia, helping the Wil- Cliams family get their dairy cows through the long, hot summer. Angus Williams said they began growing the tap-rooted perennial herb Tap-rooted perennial herb chicory at the Williams farm. about fi ve years ago after successful FP Ag trials on their dryland farm. “Where people may use lucerne, chicory is more suited to our acid, iron- stone soils,” he said. “When our permanent pasture pad- docks get a bit old and weedy, we put chicory in, to help us manage weeds and add to our productive season.” Past trials in the district have shown chicory responds well to summer rains to provide out-of-season feed and Dryland pastures are the bulk of the Bill Thredgold share farms one of the grows a comparable amount of feed dairy cows’ diet. dairies with Angus Williams. (5-7 tonnes of dry matter a year) to other dryland pasture types. It also competes well against sum- mer broadleaf weeds and can re-estab- lish for up to four years. The Williams family sows chicory in spring and grazes it a few times during summer, depending on rainfall. “Chicory has become very important in our feed program to help fi ll the sum- mer feed gap,” Mr Williams said. “We continue to grow more every year.” The 600-hectare Williams Fam- ily Dairy comprises about 700 milkers, mainly Holsteins with some cross- breds, plus young stock. Williams Family Dairy’s Angus Williams and partner Katrina McCullough with children Mr Williams said they had been lucky Finn, 14, Coell, 12, Briege, 9, and Rhun, 11. this season because while it had been our sleeve to get us through to the “The buyers of milk should recognise drier at Parawa, their paddocks were break, but if we don’t get a normal that we are not going to be able to pro- still very productive. opening to the season, it could become duce at the same rates as we currently “We received about 200mm less a problem.” are if they keep paying the bare mini- rain than average, but still had normal Saving on feed costs will become mum for our milk,” he said. yields for our hay and silage, mainly critical in the next few months as hay The operation has been sharefarmed oats, and grass production has been and fodder supplies continue to dwin- the past two years, following Angus good,” he said. dle with the dry conditions. Williams taking a step back from the Mr Williams said growing a number “If we have to start buying hay and day-to-day activities to undergo cancer of different silage crops had been ben- grain, we may end up cutting produc- treatment. efi cial, instead of relying on pastures tion back a bit, depending on the eco- Mr Williams and partner Katrina Mc- alone. nomics,” he said. Cullough still oversee the operation, “We have had a few timely summer Mr Williams said processors should while the two dairies on-farm are share- rains,” he said. “We would have normal- be starting to take note, as the high farmed by Bill Thredgold and Jason ly had to source hay by now, which has cost of feed and other costs like elec- Steinborne, who manage the milking of been expensive and hard to get. tricity could result in more dairyfarm- cows and day-to-day activities with as- “We should have enough silage up ers leaving the industry. sistance from seasonal workers. D 60 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 NEVILLE HAS ABSOLUTELY NAILED THIS WELD 1567 TIMES.
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Western dairy researchers Peter Hu on (le ) and Jessica Andony (right) meet with dairy farmer Ma Bre (centre) on Ma ’s farm at the site of the 2018 pasture trials, Dardanup WA. Maximising pasture when season is short
✔ Including a fast-growing Table 1: Indexes for Milk Produc on Poten al (MPP $/ha) for commercial seed lines sold pasture species can by major seed distributors in WA and grown at Dardanup in 2018. boost ryegrass pasture Seed MPP $/ha Seed company Brand/variety Type and Ploidy Heading me produc on ✔ Trials reveal be er performing Control fresh 232 Brand Annual tetraploid Early varie es Control 2018 0 Brand Annual tetraploid Early ✔ Grazing at the right me delivers Abundant -6 Irwin & Hunter Variety Annual tetraploid Mid results Amass -10 Landmark Variety Italian tetraploid Late Key points Key Hogan -66 Heritage Variety Annual tetraploid Late ASTURE is the key component Attain -176 Landmark Variety Annual tetraploid Mid of the dairy feedbase in Austral- Astound -263 Landmark Variety Annual tetraploid Early/Mid Pia and Western Australia is no exception. The growing and grazing Concord II -264 PGG Wrightson Variety Italian diploid Late season for pasture in WA is typically Vortex -290 Heritage Variety Annual tetraploid Mid from May to November and pasture Ascend -668 PGG Wrightson Variety Annual tetraploid Late is conserved mainly as silage in the spring months. Annual ryegrass dominates the south of Perth (see Figure 1). Seedmix trial market because perennial ryegrass The trials and demonstrations in does not generally survive the dry 2018 included: The seedmix trial looked at the ques- summer and the majority of the dry- • A seedmix trial of oats and rye- tion of whether an oats/ryegrass mix land farms must be replanted each grass for early season production. improved early season yields and year. • A grazing management demonstra- persisted over the growing season. The work by Western Dairy is fo- tion affectionately called “the Gold- Forage oats can be used in a pas- cused on how farmers can maximise ilocks trial”, to show the effect of get- ture program to provide early season pasture production and utilisation ting the grazing “just right”. feed but have a shorter growing pe- in the relatively short growing sea- • The second year of the WA seed riod than annual ryegrass. son. performance trials (WASP). The trial A mixture of forage oats and annual A trial site was set up at Matt site also included the testing of an- ryegrass allows the strengths of one Brett’s farm at Dardanup, in the WA nual and Italian ryegrass lines for the to cover for the weaknesses of the dairy region, a couple of hours drive Pasture Trial Network. other to give a more even distribu- 62 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 GROWING BETTER PASTURES
Figure 1. The August harvest of the Western Dairy pasture trials A drone map of the West Australian Seed Produc vity trials at Ma Bre ’s farm at Dardanup, WA. site. tion of forage throughout the season. the ryegrass monoculture. The work (WASP) were developed by Western In this trial, researchers included highlighted that it can be worth in- Dairy to provide farmers with the oats in a ryegrass mix to increase the cluding fast-establishing pasture spe- power to decide what ryegrass is best early season dry matter production; cies in a ryegrass mix to chase early for their system. The distinguishing and used a higher rate of ryegrass season production without compro- features of the WASP trials are: in an oats mix to increase the total mising total season production. • Real time yields that are available season production relative to a low- The researchers plan to do more on the Western dairy website. er seeding rate. They found that the pasture trials in 2019 that will test a • A productivity index called the Milk oats/ryegrass mix increased the early range of early-season species such Production Potential (MPP). The MPP season yield by nearly 700 kilogram as high-performance forage oats and ($/ha) compares ryegrass seed for its of dry matter per hectare over the ryecorn in a ryegrass mix. potential value to the farm business. ryegrass monoculture (Figure 2). WA Seed Performance This is the second year of the WASP They did not observe any increase trials (WASP) trials and this year the seed compa- in yield from a higher seeding rate nies were on board to make the trials whether it was in the seed mix or in The WA Seed Productivity trials bigger and better. It is a terrifi c initia-
Now is the time to think about autumn sown grasses.
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 63 GROWING BETTER PASTURES
not share a common coloured bar (see Table 1). For example, in Table 1 Control fresh is signifi cantly higher than Hogan but Abundant is not sig- nifi cantly higher than Hogan. Control fresh is the same ryegrass brand as Control 2018 but will be purchased each year to compare with the Con- trol 2018 seed. “Goldilocks” grazing In 2018 researchers put into action the well-researched advice on best grazing management. The Project 30:30, which was overseen by Dairy Figure 2: Early season yield (cumula ve of two harvests) of annual ryegrass and Australia, identifi ed ideal grazing oats seed mixes (kg per ha). Columns with no common le er superscript diff er management to maximise pasture signifi cantly. yield and utilisation under rotational grazing. Ideal grazing is between the 2nd and 3rd leaf stages, no more than 25 per cent of area experiencing canopy closure and results in a post-grazing residual of 4-6 centimetres. Leaving a post-grazing residual of 4-6cm opti- mises pasture productivity, nutritive value and persistency without limit- ing the intake by milking cows. The research explains how to get grazing “just right” but researchers looked at the effect on production if grazing management is a bit off. They nicknamed the demonstration the “Goldilocks Effect” because they sim- Figure 3: “Goldilocks” simulated grazing (le ) produced plants with adequate stem ulated overgrazing (residual of 3cm), residual to maintain higher produc on rela ve to overgrazing (right). undergrazing (residual of 8-9cm) or getting it just right (grazing at 2.5-3 leaves and a residual of 5-6cm). Re- searchers also included a treatment called “grazed too early” to simulate what can happen after a late break in the season, when pasture is imma- ture, but conserved feed is in short supply. In this plot, the initial simulat- ed graze was at the 1.5-leaf stage and a residual of 3cm with subsequent grazings to a residual of 5-6cm. The simulated grazing at 2.5-3 leaves to a 5cm residual over the sea- son produced (see Figure 4): • One tonne more of dry matter per ha compared to when the fi rst graz- Figure 4: Simulated overgrazing and grazing before the 2.5 leaf stage early in the ing was too soon. Grazing too early season reduced dry ma er yield over the 2018 growing season. in the season places stress on the plants that sacrifi ces later yields. tive that is producing some relevant tive index compared with it. The • 0.85t more dry matter per ha com- information to the WA industry. MPP calculation takes into account: pared to overgrazing to a 3cm residu- The signifi cance of these trials is energy yield (dry matter x metabo- al. Overgrazing depletes plants of car- that Western Dairy can present re- lisable energy); energy requirements bohydrate reserves in the leaves and sults from independent and unbiased for milk production; milk price; feed roots resulting in a slower recovery trials in what is a highly competitive utilization; and sowing costs. Email This was a demonstration that did and commercial seed industry.
✔ Plantain reduces nitrous in the case of the plantain. In summer, oxide emissions in we found emissions from the plantain autumn and winter and lucerne were actually higher than ✔ Eff ect in summer the ryegrass, which is something that opposite needs to be explored further.” ✔ Further research needed Dr Luo said previous studies had Key points Key shown plantain could reduce the SING an alternative plant type amount of nitrogen excreted in the like plantain in grazed pastures animals’ urine, however in this latest Ucould help lower a farm’s green- study the same urine type (from ani- house gas emissions, AgResearch sci- mals fed ryegrass and white clover) entists in New Zealand have found. Incorpora ng plantain into grazed was applied to all of the plant types The scientists, with funding pastures could be an approach to tested. from the New Zealand Agricultural reducing emissions. “So other factors may be involved, Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and one may be that plantain releases (NZAGRC), set out to compare emis- tributor to greenhouse gas emissions biological nitrifi cation inhibitors into sions of the potent greenhouse gas, resulting from human infl uence. the soil which reduce the nitrous ox- nitrous oxide, from soils containing “A signifi cant fi nding from this ide emissions,” he said. different types of forage — perennial study was that in autumn and winter, “What this research tells us is that ryegrass, white clover, plantain and nitrous oxide emissions were 39 to incorporating plantain into grazed lucerne — over different seasons at a 74 per cent less where plantain was pastures could be an approach to dairy farm in New Zealand’s Waikato planted, compared to perennial rye- reducing emissions. However, we do region. grass,” senior scientist Dr Jiafa Luo need to do further work to examine Agricultural soils, and the urine de- said. the process by which the emissions posited by grazing animals, are the “Lucerne also saw lower emissions are reduced, and how this is impacted main source of nitrous oxide emis- compared to the ryegrass in winter and by different conditions across the dif- sions globally and are a major con- autumn, but smaller reductions than ferent seasons.” D
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 65 GROWING BETTER PASTURES For more informa on see Website:
Tasmania — Forage Value Index Cul var FVI Tas Autumn Winter Early Late Summer Endophyte Ploidy Heading Marketer No. of Spring Spring Date trials Base AR37 159 115 115 100 96 110 AR37 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 7 Bealey NEA2 149 112 115 100 96 113 NEA2 Tetraploid Very Late Heritage Seeds 8 One50 136 113 116 99 95 110 SE Diploid Late Agricom 4 Fitzroy 117 107 110 104 96 106 SE Diploid Early PGG Wrightson 5 Kidman 110 108 113 101 96 106 AR1 Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 Kingston 104 110 113 98 97 107 SE Diploid Mid Agricom 3 Matrix - Festulolium 103 107 115 98 96 110 Unknown Diploid Late Cropmark Seeds 3 Ansa 103 107 115 99 95 107 AR1 Diploid Mid-Late Pasture Genetics 3 Extreme AR37 103 111 114 98 95 105 AR37 Diploid Mid PGG Wrightson 5 Halo AR37 101 113 113 95 93 112 AR37 Tetraploid Late Agricom 7 Banquet II Endo5 89 109 111 98 95 109 Endo5 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 8 Endure 87 107 111 100 97 105 SE Tetraploid Mid Vicseeds 4 Arrow AR1 69 103 107 101 98 107 AR1 Diploid Mid Heritage Seeds 8 Barberia 66 101 109 102 97 104 Nil Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 One50 AR1 65 105 104 98 96 107 AR1 Diploid Late Agricom 5 Avalon AR1 55 105 110 97 98 106 AR1 Diploid Mid Vicseeds 4 Revolution - Festulolium 36 103 109 97 95 106 AR1 Diploid Late Seed Force 5 Ohau AR37 35 105 104 98 96 107 AR37 Tetraploid Mid Agricom 3 Impact 2 NEA2 28 105 103 97 97 108 NEA2 Diploid Late Heritage Seeds 7 Helix - Festulolium 8 101 106 97 95 103 AR1 Diploid Mid Cropmark Seeds 5 Victorian 0 100 100 100 100 100 SE Diploid Early Many 7
66 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 GROWING BETTER PASTURES For more informa on see Website:
Gippsland — Forage Value Index Cul var FVI Autumn Winter Early Late Summer Endophyte Ploidy Heading Marketer No. of Gipps Spring Spring Date trials Base AR37 183 115 115 100 96 110 AR37 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 7 Bealey NEA2 180 112 115 100 96 113 NEA2 Tetraploid Very Late Heritage Seeds 8 One50 158 113 116 99 95 110 SE Diploid Late Agricom 4 Matrix - Festulolium 130 107 115 98 96 110 Unknown Diploid Late Cropmark Seeds 3 Fitzroy 127 107 110 104 96 106 SE Diploid Early PGG Wrightson 5 Halo AR37 125 113 113 95 93 112 AR37 Tetraploid Late Agricom 7 Kingston 122 110 113 98 97 107 SE Diploid Mid Agricom 3 Kidman 122 108 113 101 96 106 AR1 Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 Ansa 117 107 115 99 95 107 AR1 Diploid Mid-Late Pasture Gene cs 3 Extreme AR37 111 111 114 98 95 105 AR37 Diploid Mid PGG Wrightson 5 Banquet II Endo5 109 109 111 98 95 109 Endo5 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 8 Endure 100 107 111 100 97 105 SE Tetraploid Mid Vicseeds 4 Arrow AR1 89 103 107 101 98 107 AR1 Diploid Mid Heritage Seeds 8 One50 AR1 82 105 104 98 96 107 AR1 Diploid Late Agricom 5 Barberia 76 101 109 102 97 104 Nil Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 Avalon (+AR1) 72 105 110 97 98 106 AR1 Diploid Mid Vicseeds 4 Ohau AR37 50 105 104 98 96 107 AR37 Tetraploid Mid Agricom 3 Revolu on - Festulolium 49 103 109 97 95 106 AR1 Diploid Late Seed Force 5 Impact 2 NEA2 46 105 103 97 97 108 NEA2 Diploid Late Heritage Seeds 7 Helix - Festulolium 10 101 106 97 95 103 AR1 Diploid Mid Cropmark Seeds 5 Victorian 0 100 100 100 100 100 SE Diploid Early Many 7
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 67 SF HustleAR1 diploid perennial ryegrass is a Super Star!
It’s officially rated5 stars in North Island & Upper South Island by the DairyNZ forage value index (FVI).
Aussie proven performer
To see how SF HustleAR1 performs locally scan the QR code for more details. the power to grow ”DairyNZ provides no assurance or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of information in the Forage Value Index or at www.dairynz.co.nz/fvi. DairyNZ www.seedforce.com.au Cressy Howlong has no liability for any reliance on that information”. GROWING BETTER PASTURES For more informa on see Website:
South West Victoria — Forage Value Index Cul var FVI Sth Autumn Winter Early Late Summer Endophyte Ploidy Heading Marketer No. of West Vic Spring Spring Date trials Base AR37 157 115 115 100 96 110 AR37 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 7 Bealey NEA2 156 112 115 100 96 113 NEA2 Tetraploid Very Late Heritage Seeds 8 One50 137 113 116 99 95 110 SE Diploid Late Agricom 4 Halo AR37 116 113 113 95 93 112 AR37 Tetraploid Late Agricom 7 Matrix - Festulolium 114 107 115 98 96 110 Unknown Diploid Late Cropmark Seeds 3 Kingston 107 110 113 98 97 107 SE Diploid Mid Agricom 3 Kidman 100 108 113 101 96 106 AR1 Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 Fitzroy 98 107 110 104 96 106 SE Diploid Early PGG Wrightson 5 Banquet II Endo5 97 109 111 98 95 109 Endo5 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 8 Ansa 97 107 115 99 95 107 AR1 Diploid Mid-Late Pasture Gene cs 3 Extreme AR37 94 111 114 98 95 105 AR37 Diploid Mid PGG Wrightson 5 Endure 84 107 111 100 97 105 SE Tetraploid Mid Vicseeds 4 Arrow AR1 75 103 107 101 98 107 AR1 Diploid Mid Heritage Seeds 8 One50 AR1 73 105 104 98 96 107 AR1 Diploid Late Agricom 5 Avalon AR1 67 105 110 97 98 106 AR1 Diploid Mid Vicseeds 4 Barberia 58 101 109 102 97 104 Nil Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 Ohau AR37 48 105 104 98 96 107 AR37 Tetraploid Mid Agricom 3 Impact 2 NEA2 48 105 103 97 97 108 NEA2 Diploid Late Heritage Seeds 7 Revolu on - Festulolium 45 103 109 97 95 106 AR1 Diploid Late Seed Force 5 Helix - Festulolium 10 101 106 97 95 103 AR1 Diploid Mid Cropmark Seeds 5 Victorian 0 100 100 100 100 100 SE Diploid Early Many 7
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 69 GROWING BETTER PASTURES For more informa on see Website:
Northern Victoria — Forage Value Index Cul var FVI Nth Autumn Winter Early Late Summer Endophyte Ploidy Heading Marketer No. of Vic Spring Spring Date trials Base AR37 131 115 115 100 96 110 AR37 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 7 Bealey NEA2 126 112 115 100 96 113 NEA2 Tetraploid Very Late Heritage Seeds 8 One50 104 113 116 99 95 110 SE Diploid Late Agricom 4 Fitzroy 89 107 110 104 96 106 SE Diploid Early PGG Wrightson 5 Kingston 84 110 113 98 97 107 SE Diploid Mid Agricom 3 Kidman 83 108 113 101 96 106 AR1 Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 Matrix - Festulolium 82 107 115 98 96 110 Unknown Diploid Late Cropmark Seeds 3 Ansa 73 107 115 99 95 107 AR1 Diploid Mid-Late Pasture Gene cs 3 Extreme AR37 71 111 114 98 95 105 AR37 Diploid Mid PGG Wrightson 5 Endure 69 107 111 100 97 105 SE Tetraploid Mid Vicseeds 4 Banquet II Endo5 64 109 111 98 95 109 Endo5 Tetraploid Late PGG Wrightson 8 Halo AR37 64 113 113 95 93 112 AR37 Tetraploid Late Agricom 7 Arrow AR1 63 103 107 101 98 107 AR1 Diploid Mid Heritage Seeds 8 Barberia 51 101 109 102 97 104 Nil Diploid Early Heritage Seeds 3 Avalon AR1 45 105 110 97 98 106 AR1 Diploid Mid Vicseeds 4 One50 AR1 41 105 104 98 96 107 AR1 Diploid Late Agricom 5 Ohau AR37 19 105 104 98 96 107 AR37 Tetraploid Mid Agricom 3 Impact 2 NEA2 17 105 103 97 97 108 NEA2 Diploid Late Heritage Seeds 7 Revolu on - Festulolium 14 103 109 97 95 106 AR1 Diploid Late Seed Force 5 Victorian 0 100 100 100 100 100 SE Diploid Early Many 7 Helix - Festulolium -16 101 106 97 95 103 AR1 Diploid Mid Cropmark Seeds 5
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70 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT Illawarra takes grand prize again
INTERBREED HONOUR ROLL Australia’s Grand champion: Illawarra: Wallumlands Sunstorm 8th, Gordon, Bacon & Gove , Cohuna, Vic. Reserve: Jersey: Cairnbrae Valen no Daisy 11, A&J Carson, Irrewillipe East, Vic. Intermediate interbreed champion: Holstein: Bluechip MH Hero Marion, F&D Borba, D Pa en & B Salmon, Cali- fornia, US. Reserve: Jersey: Windy Ways Galaxies Dawn 7, Windy Ways Jerseys, Tongala, Vic. Junior interbreed champion: Holstein: Murribrook Solomon Tambourine-ET, Murribrook Holsteins, Moss Vale, NSW. Reserve: Illawarra: Llandovery Queens Clarie 1969th, Rachael Barnes, Finley, NSW. By Carlene Dowie
HE fi rst Illawarra cow to be named Australia’s Grand Cham- Tpion Cow at International Dairy Week has done it again. Daniel Bacon, Ben Gove and Glen Gordon with Australia’s Grand Champion Cow Wallumlands Sunstorm 8, exhibited Wallumlands Sunstorm 8. by Glen Gordon, Daniel Bacon and Ben Govett, Cohuna, Vic, fi rst won Sunstorm 8 is only the second cow to twice is ... I’m not sure what it is ... it is Australia’s top award in 2015 as a four- twice win Australia’s top interbreed quite surprising,” he said. year-old, and was the grand champion award. “It’s great to win with a couple of Illawarra cow in 2017. Mr Gordon said the win was an hon- mates — it’s probably the best two- It returned this year as an eight- our for the three friends who own the and-half grand we’ve ever spent. year-old to again take all before it cow. “I guess we are pretty privileged; We’ve had a lot of fun.” and claim the top prize. Wallumlands to do it once was a dream to do it Mr Gordon said Wallumlands Sun-
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 71 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
Brad Salmon, Declan Pa en and Dean Malcolm with the Murray Sowter and Roger Turner with the junior interbreed intermediate interbreed champion Bluechip MH Hero Marion. champion Murribrook Solomon Tambourine-ET. storm 8, which runs in his herd, was cow like that. Dawn 7, shown by Frank Walsh, Windy “a run-of-the-mill cow who mixes it “There have been some tremen- Ways, Tongala, Vic. with 600 Holstein cows”. dous comments about our cow and Mr Walsh said the win was one of The cow was producing 48 litres of we are over the moon.” his life’s highlights. milk a day. “She’s certainly one of the The Holstein exhibit took the inter- “I played a lot of football in my days best cows we have ever worked with,” mediate interbreed award. and this is up there with it or better,” he said. Bluechip MH Hero Marion had to he said. Mr Gordon said the win was the cul- overcome an illness and subsequent “I’ve won premierships, I’ve mination of a two-year plan to have operation to be ready for the show. coached premierships, and this is up the cow right for IDW. The three-year-old cow is owned by there with the best.” “She didn’t get pregnant for last Californians Frank and Diane Borba Mr Walsh said the champion had year so we made sure she calved at and Australians Declan Patten and been a standout since it was a calf. the right time in the right condition Brad Salmon. “She’s a magnifi cent cow — she’s for this day,” he said. “The cow has ... recovered extreme- not a cow yet — she’s only a young The trio was not sure about their ly well, she’s a fi ghter and the person- cow,” he said. plans for the cow but have bred it ality of the cow is just amazing,” Mr “She’s producing 30 litres of milk back in hopes it would be able to com- Patten said. at the moment, which we are pretty pete again next year. “It would be nice Mr Patten said the owners planned happy with.” to give her another run because she is to bring the cow back to IDW next The junior interbreed champion so youthful,” Mr Gordon said. year. was also the Holstein exhibit. Mur- The reserve champion was the Jer- “We think she’s a cow with a big fu- ribrook Solomon Tambourine was sey exhibit of Alan and Janine Carson, ture,” he said. shown Murribrook Holsteins, Moss Cairnbrae Jersey stud, Irrewillipe “We might do some IVF and make Vale, NSW. East, Vic. a few pregnancies but right now we Stud principal Murray Sowter said Cairnbrae Valentino Daisy 11 is the are looking forward to the future. The the heifer ticked a lot of boxes. highest rated Jersey cow in Australia, cow has so many great years ahead of “To win against such strong com- with a Balanced Perfomance Index of her.” petition is always very rewarding and 387. Mr Patten said he had grown up on satisfying,” he said. “She’s a top-of-the-tree cow,” Mr a dairy farm and had always been pas- “The heifer is a particularly good Carson said. “I don’t think ever in the sionate about the industry. heifer and it is nice that other people history that a number one BPI cow He said his parents nurtured his appreciate her.” has been named champion at dairy passion. Mr Sowter said Murribrook Solo- week.” “I remember reading 20 years of mon Tambourine was joined to sexed The Jersey championship and re- magazines when I was about 12 years Atwood. serve interbreed awards complete a old, there was just something in my The reserve interbreed junior lifetime ambition for Mr Carson. blood and I’ve just been passionate champion went to the Illawarra exhib- “It’s very, very exciting,” he said. “It about it ever since,” he said. it Llandovery Queens Clarie 1969th, would have been great to have won The reserve intermediate was the shown by Rachael Barnes, Finley, but to have come second to a great Jersey exhibit Windy Ways Galaxies NSW. D 72 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
Holstein sale refl ects tough season VERAGE prices were down at the AWorld Wide Sires Evolu on Holstein sale at Interna onal Dairy Week. The aver- age was $4755 with 30 of the 33 lots sold on the night and one passed-in lot selling the next day. Dairy Livestock Services manager Sco Lord said the results were no diff erent than they had expected. “But it was a really good result; people have got to realise how tough it is out there,” Mr Lord said. A Declan Pa en partnership sold the top-priced lot for the third year in a row. Mr Pa en set a record two years ago, when one of his partnerships sold a heifer The $16,000 top-priced heifer with DLS auc oneer Brian Leslie; Mark Patullo, of for $251,000. World Wide Sires, which organised the sale; one of the buyers Corey Ferguson; one This year’s top-priced lot a two-year-old of the vendors Declan Pa en and handler Charlie Lloyd. heifer, Lightning Ridge Beemer Camilla- Imp-ET, sold for $16,000 and was owned by “We think that this industry is interna- Mr Ferguson said the syndicate liked the Mr Pa en in partnership with Brad Salmon. onal, it is a very small industry, and we’re family lines in the heifer. A New Zealand syndicate picked up the really excited to have people from out of The second highest price of $9000 was heifer. the country interested in our ca le,” Mr for another two-year-old heifer, off ered Mr Pa en said the heifer was a great Pa en said. by Rob and Rebecca Walmsley, Myponga, young cow and “she’s also going to be back The NZ syndicate included Gordon South Australia, and bought by Bruce here next year if all goes well”. It was great Fullerton and Nathan Bayne from Henley Walmsley, Numurkah, Vic. to see New Zealand interest in Australian Farms and Corey Ferguson, who bid on the gene cs. animal at the sale. —Carlene Dowie
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 73 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
The Crawford family from Numbaa, NSW, with their two grand champions: the Guernsey Exkwizit Ac ve Barbell and the Holstein Fairvale Goldchip Melody 770. Pictured are children Harrison, Isabella and Lana Crawford, Abbey and Andrew Crawford, fi er Paul Murphy, from Ireland, and Darren Crawford. Crawford family takes two grands
By Carlene Dowie tial there,” Andrew Crawford said. bination of dairyness and strength,” The cow calved a few months ago he said. HE Crawford family from Num- and was “looking pretty good, so The intermediate champion cow baa, NSW, brought nine animals here we are”, he said. Bluechip MH Hero Marion had to Tto show at International Dairy Andrew and his wife Abbey took overcome illness and a subsequent Week and walked away with two over the herd from his parents in operation to be ready for the show. grand champion awards. July 2018. The herd comprises 950 The three-year-old cow is owned by The family backed up its win in cows, of which 10 were Guernseys Californians Frank and Diane Borba the Guernsey show early in the week and the balance Holsteins. and Australians Declan Patten and by taking the Holstein grand cham- Brad Salmon. pionship on the fi nal day. Mr Patten said he had been fond The champion Holstein cow Fair- ‘She looked like a good of the cow since he saw it as a young vale Goldchip Melody 770 won the show cow at the me, heifer a couple of years ago at the four-year-old class before fending Victorian Winter Fair. off the older cows to take the senior there was a lot of “She was one of the best heifers I champion award and then the grand poten al there.’ thought I’d seen in this country,” he champion award. said. “So I have been a big supporter The win was another champion- and follower of her for a long time.” ship for the famous Fairvale prefi x “We brought eight Holsteins and Mr Declan took the opportunity to — which has been one of the most one Guernsey cow to show and got buy into a partnership with the Bor- successful at International Dairy two champions,” he said. “We ... bas in the cow about six weeks ago. Week, now producing six champions have champion Holstein and cham- “It hasn’t been smooth sailing — for four different exhibitors. pion Guernsey in the supreme, so the cow got a little sick and we had The Crawfords picked up Fairvale it’s a bit exciting.” to operate but she has taken it like a Goldchip Melody 770 at the Fairvale Judge Adam Liddle, from New champion,” he said. Holsteins dispersal sale 15 months York state, United States, said Fair- “The cow has ... recovered ex- ago. vale Goldchip Melody 770 was just a tremely well, she’s a fi ghter and the “She looked like a good show cow beautiful cow. “(She has) a beautiful personality of the cow is just amaz- at the time, there was a lot of poten- mammary system, quality, that com- ing.” 74 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019
INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
Mr Patten praised the efforts of the cow’s breeders Dean and Di Mal- colm, who prepared it for the show. “(They) have just done an unbe- lievable job in preparation,” he said. “They are world-class cattle people and we were very confi dent in their abilities.” Mr Patten said the owners planned to bring the cow back to IDW next year. “We think she’s a cow with a big future,” he said. Mr Liddle said Bluechip MH Hero Marion was a long cow with more rib structure all the way through the length. He said he liked its feet and legs, dairyness and beautiful mammary system. The junior champion Murribrook The junior champion Holstein Murribrook Solomon Tambourine-ET with IDW sponsor Solomon Tambourine was shown Graeme Hargreaves, owner Murray Sowter, leader Roger Turner, Canada, and IDW Murribrook Holsteins, Moss Vale, sponsor Shane Railton. NSW. Stud principal Murray Sowter said he fi rst showed the 18-month- old calf, a Solomon from a Goldwyn, at the Sydney Royal Show in April, where it won its class and was hon- ourable mention. It also went on to win its class at the NSW Nowra Hol- stein Spring Fair in August. “Today she’s won her class and is junior champion this time,” he said. Mr Sowter said the heifer ticked a lot of boxes. “I guess we want heifers that could all come out like her,” he said. “She’s framey, she’s dairy, she’s technically very correct, and really feminine for her size.” Mr Liddle said the heifer had the “openness and width throughout The Holstein intermediate champion cow Bluechip MH Hero Marion with two of the and the length you like to see”. D owners (kneeling) Brad Salmon and Declan Pa en, sponsor Sco Lord, judge Adam Liddle and Di and Dean Malcolm, who bred the cow and prepared it for the show. HOLSTEIN HONOUR ROLL
OVERALL HOLSTEIN SHOW Crossley, Vic. Reserve: Murribrook Starlet Picolo IMP Grand champion: Fairvale Goldchip Mel- Junior champion: Murribrook Solomon ET RED, MJ Sowter, Moss Vale, NSW. ody 770, Crawford Family, Numbaa, NSW. Tambourine-ET, Murribrook Holsteins, Best udder: Mitch Chipper Beauty-IMP- Senior champion: Fairvale Goldchip Mel- Moss Vale, NSW. ET-RED. ody 770. Reserve: Mario Park Walnutlawn Midas Intermediate champion: Whitegold Ab- Reserve: Paringa Braxton Parry, Elm MD and JE Polson, Oxley Island, NSW. solute Sa n-ET-RED. Banks Holsteins and A and S Barron, Premier breeder: BlueChip Gene cs, Reserve: Bluechip EV Shesaawesome Ap- Crossley, Vic. Zeerust, Vic. ple, Cherrylock Ca le Co. and H Bevan, Best udder: Fairvale Goldchip Melody Premier exhibitor: JH and CJ Gardiner, Tallygaroopna, Vic. 770. Cardinia, Vic. Intermediate best udder: Whitegold Ab- Intermediate champion: Bluechip MH RED-AND-WHITE HOLSTEIN solute Sa n-ET-RED, M and A Rood, Mo- Hero Marion, F and D Borba, D Pa en and HONOUR ROLL rans Crossing, NSW. B Salmon, California, US. Grand champion: Mitch Chipper Beauty- Junior champion: Eclipse BC Red August Reserve: Elmar Solomon Jessica 2-ET, El- IMP-ET-RED, Mitch Holsteins and TPM, ET RED, Eclipse Gene cs and BlueChip mar Holsteins, Leitchville, Vic. Bamawm, Vic. Geni cs, Zeerust, Vic. Intermediate best udder: Horizon Brad- Senior champion: Mitch Chipper Beauty- Reserve: Eclipse Avalanche Delight-RED nick Ambrosia 2-ET, Elm Banks Holsteins, IMP-ET-RED. Robsvue Holsteins, Myponga, SA.
76 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 VR4463302 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
Grand champion Guernsey exhibit Exkwizit Ac ve Barbell sashed by judge Chris Lang, Ohio, US, with handler Darren Crawford, Numbaa, NSW, on behalf of the owners Andrew and Shelley Crawford. Qld-bred Guernsey wins for NSW owners
By Alastair Dowie Abbey took over the herd from his was the best Guernsey cow in the sale parents in July 2018. The herd com- (as well as some Holsteins),” he said. SW-BASED Andrew and Ab- prises 950 cows, of which 10 were Exkwizit Active Barbell was a VG bey Crawford, Numbaa near Guernseys and the balance Holsteins. 87 sired by Sniders Gold Dust Acti- NNowra, entry Exkwizit Active “I’ve always liked Guernsey cattle,” vate and was a direct descendant to Barbell took grand champion Guern- he said. Brookleigh GH Bronte EX. sey exhibit at International Dairy He said they about cattle from Alan “When we saw her we knew she Week this year. The fi ve-year-old was Little and Leesa Ison, Black and Gold was a show cow and we could set senior champion cow and also won Dairies, Monto, Queensland, six or her for International Dairy Week,” Mr the John Stephens Memorial Trophy seven years ago. “In 2017 when we Crawford said. for best udder. heard they were having a dispersal, They bought the cow in August Andrew Crawford said he and wife we went and bought what we thought 2017 and took it to the Sydney Royal Maximum profi t, Minimum waste! VR4401537
78 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
in 2018 when it was reserve champi- on. This year’s IDW was just its sec- ond outing for the Crawfords. GUERNSEY “She has come from the far north to the south coast of NSW,” he said. HONOUR ROLL “She should have a few more IDWs in her we think.” Grand champion: Exkwizit Ac ve Bar- Guernsey judge, Chris Lang, Spring bell, Andrew and Abbey Crawford, Hill Farm, Ohio, United States, said Numbaa, NSW. the grand champion was a “slam Senior champion: Exkwizit Ac ve Bar- dunk”. “She is an incredible cow,” he bell. said. “It’s so easy to judge really good Guernsey judge Chris Lang, Ohio, cows.” US, with the junior champion heifer, Reserve: Rockmar Miami Graceful, M In judging the cow the best udder Brookleigh Imeeta, with handler Jess and R Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Vic. Mr Lang said Barbell beat a tremen- Gavenlock, Tallygaroopna, Vic, and Best udder: Exkwizit Ac ve Barbell. owner Mar n Downes, Numbaa, NSW. dous line-up of cows for the honour. Intermediate champion: Brookleigh “That cow would do quite well any- Jocelyn, LF and JM Clegge , Glencoe, where in the world,” he said. Reserve senior champion was a SA. cow from the same class as the cham- Reserve: Bruanna Frances 12, B and C pion, Rockmar Miami Graceful, from Hayden, Pilton, Qld. M & R Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Vic. Junior champion: Brookleigh Imeeta, Mr Lang said that from the quality M Downes, Numbaa, NSW. of the Guernsey cattle that came into the ring, it showed the breed’s future Reserve: Kearla La mer Koala 4, T and was “looking promising”. S Shea and M and R Shea, Bacchus “The cows here are a good indica- Marsh, Vic. tor and I was very impressed,” he Premier breeder: LF and JM Clegge . said. “This was a great show, I’m very Michael Tonkin, Rural Co Finance, sashed the intermediate champion, Brookleigh Premier exhibitor: LF and JM Clegge . impressed with what I’ve seen here.” Jocelyn, with handler Chelsea Walker, Myrtleford, Vic, for the Clegge family, ‘When we saw her we and judge Chris Lang, Ohio, US. knew she was a show cow and we could set her VISIT THE for Interna onal Dairy FARM MAPPING Week.’ MAPPING = SERVICES SITE AT GOOD COMMUNICATION The intermediate cow was Brook- THE FIELD DAYS leigh Jocelyn exhibited by LF and JM Cleggett, Glencoe, South Australia. South East Field Days, The cow, sired by Indian Acres Prada Lucindale SA 15th & 16th March and out of Brookleigh Jolie, came from the junior three-year-old in-milk class. Farm World, Lardner Park VIC Brendan and Corrie Hayden, Pil- 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th April ton, Queensland, presented the re- Site A38 serve intermediate champion, Bru- anna Frances 12. • Custom designed The junior champion heifer was property maps Brookleigh Imeeta by Maradore Gary • Combine aerial photos Pistoll-ET and out of Brookleigh Iona with GPS data & other — from one of Cleggetts “I” family cows. information The heifer was shown by Martin • Accurate maps for Downes, Numbaa, NSW. communication, planning, Mr Downs said he bought the heif- measuring & redesign er from the Cleggetts six months ago. “I’ve been brought up with Guern- • Over 20 years of seys. We will breed from her,” he said. experience Reserve junior champion heifer was shown by T and S Shea and M Ring Harry 0417 521 002 or 03 6452 1002 and R Shea, Bacchus Marsh, Vic. The www.farmmappingservices.com.au heifer, Kearla Latimer Koala 4, was sired by Coulee Crest Fame Latimer [email protected] and out of Floranda SD Koala. D VR4437845 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 79 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
Illawarra judge Max Hyland with the grand champion Illawarra cow, Wullumlands Sunstorm 8, and happy exhibitors Glen Gordon, Ben Gove and Daniel Bacon. Illawarra champ goes to a trio of mates
By Alastair Dowie the way being named grand champi- A heifer from the cow, sold two on interbreed cow that year. years ago, was the junior champion T was an excited trio of owners, The 2010-drop female sired by Ap- at IDW in 2018. Glen Gordon, Ben Govett and Dan- ples Absolute-ET (Red) was the only Illawarra judge Max Hyland said Iiel Bacon who celebrated when Illawarra to date to achieve that hon- the senior cow was a “super dairy their classy mature-age cow took our. In 2017 it returned to the ring at cow”. “She was chock full of dairy- home the broad ribbon for supreme IDW and was judged the Grand Cham- ness, with a lovely mammary sys- champion Illawarra exhibit at Inter- pion Illawarra and now again in 2019. tem,” he said. national Dairy Week for 2019. Mr Hyland said the champion had The group of mates bought the overall dairyness on her side. “When cow, Wullumlands Sunstorm 8, from ‘She was chock full of you lined up the cows in the best ud- Terry Tidcombe. der class, they were an outstanding Daniel Bacon said they bought the dairyness, with a lovely line-up of udders,” he said. cow “out of the paddock” because mammary system.’ Reserve senior champion was Sun they could see she had a good udder Vale Kian Peta, shown by Dakota and that she was a cow that was “go- Doyle, Ontario, Canada, and Katie ing to keep getting better with age”. Mr Bacon said the trio had diverse and Renee Anderson, Sun Vale, Cash- “We’ve always had a bit of an in- breed interests — Holstein (Gordon), more, Vic. terest in the Illawarra breed and Brown Swiss (Govett) and Jersey The reserve received an honour- thought we’d give it a go,” he said. himself. able mention in the senior champion- “We’re three best mates, and we just They have sold a number of fe- ship in 2018. wanted to have a bit of fun as well.” males from the cow and Sunstorm 8 Honourable mention this year went They fi rst showed the cow under has a bull, Gorbro BT Sunstorm Su- to Eagle Park Anticipation Pamela their names in 2015 when it went all preme, at Agri-Gene. shown by R and K Bailey, Carpende- 80 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
ILLAWARRA HONOUR ROLL Grand champion: Wullumlands Sun- storm 8, Gordon, Bacon and Gove , Cohuna, Vic. Senior champion: Wullumlands Sun- storm 8. Reserve: Sun Vale Kian Peta, Dakota Doyle, Ontario, Canada, and Ka e and Taking out the junior champion heifer The intermediate champion Illawarra, Renee Anderson, Sun Vale, Cashmore, ribbon was Llandovery Queens Clarie Panorama Angeline 48, sashed by Max Vic. 1969 with handler Rachel English, for the Hyland, held by exhibitor Jess Gavenlock, Best udder: Wullumlands Sunstorm 8. owner Rachel Barnes, judge Max Hyland Tallygaroopna, Vic, and sponsor CRT Intermediate champion: Panorama and sponsor Gene cs Australia sales state manager Stewart Kerr. Angeline 48, B & J Gavenlock, Cherry- manager Mike Huth. lock Ca le Co, Tallygaroopna, Vic. it, Vic. The cow was out of the four In the junior champion section, it Reserve: Illunga Visions of Victory, years in-milk class. was an entry from Rachel Barnes, Robert Coburn, Port Campbell, Vic. Earlier an entry from Brad and Jess Finley, NSW, with Llandovery Queens Junior champion: Llandovery Queens Gavenlock, Cherrylock Cattle Co, Tal- Clarie 1969. Clarie 1969, Rachel Barnes, Finley, lygaroopna, Vic, was named inter- The reserve was Panorama Blos- NSW. mediate champion. it was Panorama som 2 entered by Cherrylock Cattle Reserve: Panorama Blossom 2, Cher- Angeline 48 from the two-and-a-half Co and A Dorries, Tallygaroopna, Vic. rylock Ca le Co and A Dorries, Tallyga- your old in milk class. Mr Hyland said the junior cham- roopna, Vic. Reserve intermediate was Illunga pion had come from a class of one, Premier breeder: Hayes family, Llando- Visions of Victory a senior three- but “would have stood some compe- very, Girgarre, Vic. year-old from Robert Coburn, Port tition”. Premier exhibitor: Hayes family. Campbell, Vic. He congratulated all the class win- Mr Hyland said the winner and re- ners for an outstanding lineup of heif- serve were “quite outstanding cows”. ers. D
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The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 81 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT Tandara takes double in Brown Swiss
By Carlene Dowie
ANDARA Brown Swiss stud, Din- gee, Vic, again produced the Tgoods at International Dairy Week Brown Swiss Show. The stud took the grand champion, senior champion and intermediate champion cow awards, and also bred the junior champion cow. The grand champion was the intermediate champion Tandara Bosephus Sarajevo 121, owned by Tandara in conjunction with Jayden Drake. Tandara’s Ben Govett said the cow from their successful Sarajevo family had turned heads at IDW last year. “We thought she was pretty special — she’s got a lot of admirers from all over the world,” he said. “And this year she has developed so much; she’s probably the most exciting young cow we’ve ever had, that’s for sure.” The three-year-old cow was on its second calf and was a big cow that produced a lot of milk. Judge David Mayo, Gerringong, NSW, said the intermediate cow, which he also awarded the best ud- der, had a bright future. “This young cow is a tremendous The grand champion and intermediate champion Brown Swiss Tandara Bosephus young cow when you get up close Sarajevo 121 with owners Ben Gove and Jayden Drake. to her,” he said. “She’s a really good The Brown Swiss were a fantastic long dairy cow with lots of strength breed for Austalian conditions with in her front end, the openess, the heat tolerance, longevity and hardi- strength and the dairyness.” ness. Part-owner Jayden Drake said he Mr Govett said he was “pretty ex- was over the moon with the win. cited” to have been associated with Mr Drake said he had helped Mr all three champions. Govett at IDW for 10 years and had “It’s been a goal to do it one day shown a few animals, but had never but things don’t always line up,” he enjoyed the success of an IDW cham- said. pionship before. He congratulated the owners of Mr Govett bought the senior cham- the junior champion Cameron and pion Miss Payssli Lola as a calf from Tracey Bawden for the way they had his friends Kelvin and Ronnie Co- developed the calf. chrane, Gympie, Qld. Mr Mayo said the junior champion The fi ve-year-old cow’s mother was was well balanced. a Queensland champion, and Mr Gov- “No matter where you look at her, ett said when the opportunity came from any angle she has no holes in up to buy its calf, it was too good to her,” he said. The senior champion Brown Swiss Miss miss. Tracey Bawden said the junior Payssli Lola with owner Ben Gove and Miss Payssli Lola had won her champion had been third in its class judge David Mayo. class three times at previous IDW at last year’s event. shows, slowly building to the cham- She and husband Cameron milk mine because I like them more,” Mrs pion ranking, Mr Govett said. 200 cows on their own at Labertou- Bawden said. “They’re just so easy He said the cow was the type they che, Vic. Their herd comprises Hol- going and big loving animals.” aimed to breed: it got in calf every steins, Jerseys, Ayrshires and Brown The Bawdens plan to breed the year, had above average production Swiss. heifer as soon as possible and hope- and had never been sick. “The Brown Swiss are mainly fully bring it back to IDW next year. D 82 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
The junior champion Brown Swiss Tandara Formula Anastasia with judge David Mayo and owners Cameron and Tracey Bawden and their children Reilley and Ainsley.
‘This young cow is a tremendous young cow when you get up close 570 Bamawm Road, Bamawm, Vic, 3561. Phone/Fax: (03) 5486 5496 to her.’ www.rollermills.com.au BROWN SWISS HONOUR ROLL Grand champion: Tandara Bosephus Sarajevo 121, Tandara Brown Swiss and J Drake, Dingee, Vic. Senior champion: Miss Payssli Lola, Tandara Brown Swiss. Reserve: Artlie Joylene, Judson Jen- Our roller mills are the most efficient way nings, Chapple Vale, Vic. to process grain, due to low maintenance, Best udder: Tandara Bosephus Sarajevo high flow rate and tonnage to kilowatts. 121. We can convert most systems from Intermediate champion: Tandara Bosephus Sarajevo 121. blanket feed to individual feed. Reserve: Tandara Biver Sarajevo 125, Rolling grain is the most efficient way to Tandara Brown Swiss. get the very best from your grain. Junior champion: Tandara Formula Anastasia, Winsdale, Labertouche, Vic. Over milled grain does not allow your Reserve: Dryfesdale Mark Lemon, Jos- animals to digest and retain the nutrients feski Family, Stanhope, Vic. you are trying to feed them. Premier breeder: Tandara Brown Swiss. Premier exhibitor: Tandara Brown We Proudlyalso recondition Australian and make rollersMade for Swiss. all brands of roller mills, including Keoghs. VR4330755 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 83 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
The senior and grand champion cow Rockvale Burde e Prim with owner Jake Mathews, Shady Creek, Vic. Gippsland Ayrshire breeders dominate
By Carlene Dowie Ms Day said she was a great all- round cow, in the top of the produc- AYRSHIRE GIPPSLAND-BASED dairy op- tion indexes for Mr Mathews’s cows. eration dominated the Ayrshire “She’s no fuss, she doesn’t get any HONOUR ROLL Aresults at International Dairy special treatment, she’s just a really Week. good cow,” she said. Grand champion: Rockvale Burde e The grand champion Rockvale Judge Gregory Evans, from New Prim, Jake Mathews, Shady Creek, Vic. Burdette Prim was exhibited by Jake York state, United States, said the cow Senior champion: Rockvale Burde e Mathews, while his mother Anthea had tremendous strength. Prim. Day and her husband Trevor Saunders Reserve: Boldview Dream Peril, Lucy exhibited the intermediate champion Newman, Prospect Hill, SA. Aruluen Park Jumper Pam. ‘She’s no fuss, she Best udder: Parkville Burde e Ka e, The animals are all run in the one doesn’t get any special James Dillon, Waaia, Vic. herd in the family’s operation at Intermediate champion: Araluen Park Shady Creek, Vic. The family has bred treatment, she’s just a Jumper Pam, Araluen Park, Shady Ayrshires since the early 1900s. really good cow.’ Creek, Vic. Five-year-old Rockvale Burdette Reserve: Paschendaele Forever Gigi, Prim was bought by Mr Mathews as Eagles Partnership, Gooloogong, NSW. a pick from a pen of heifers when Max “This cow wears a phenomenal Junior champion: Regal Park Sicking Hyland dispersed his renowned Ayr- mammary system, she moves around Shower, Bridget Liebich, Murray Bridge, shire herd. the ring with such elegance and SA. Prim has already tasted major suc- grace,” he said. Reserve: Ayrborne RD Tornado, B Hent- cess at IDW, being named interbreed The intermediate champion three- schke and C Liebich, Glencoe, SA. intermediate champion and Ayrshire year-old Aruluen Park Jumper Pam Premier breeder: Eagles Partnership. grand and intermediate champion in was from a family that Mr Saunders Premier exhibitor: Munden Farms, 2017 as a three-year-old. had bred for more than 30 years. “We Warragul, Vic. 84 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT just love the cow, she milks really well and just ticks all the boxes for us,” Ms Day said. “Her mother was an awesome Poker that we had a lot of fun with. She won up here as well, so that’s the second generation winning up here.” Ms Day said it was amazing for the family to come away with two cham- pionships. She said she liked Ayrshires be- cause they were hardy cows that were easy to get in calf, with really good health traits. The junior champion was shown by Bridget Liebelt, Torlea stud, Murray Bridge, South Australia. Ms Liebelt only bought Regal Park Sicking Shower a few weeks ago from David Mayo’s Regal Park Ayrshires, Gerringong, NSW. “I’ve had an eye on this (Regal Park Shimmer) family for a very long time,” Ms Liebelt said. “They’ve had a lot of really good Bridget Liebelt with the junior Anthea Day and Alex Mathews with the cows come out from that family. champion Ayrshire Regal Park intermediate champion Ayrshire Araluen Park “They’re just a really outstanding Sicking Shower. Jumper Pam. family from NSW and I wanted to bring that family back to SA to play around the herd of her employer David Alt- Royal Show. Ms Liebelt said the win with and breed from.” man. “crazy”. Ms Liebelt has a small stud of three She won her fi rst Ayrshire when she “I can’t believe it, I didn’t expect Ayrshires and 10 Holsteins that run in was 11 when showing at the Adelaide this at all,” she said. D VR4385416
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 85 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT Top BPI cow named Jersey champion
By Carlene Dowie
HE highest rated Jersey cow in Australia was named the grand Tchampion Jersey at International Dairy Week. The champion, Cairnbrae Valentino Daisy 11, shown by Alan and Janine Carson’s Cairnbrae Jersey stud, Ir- rewillipe East, Vic, has a Balanced Per- formance Index of 387. “She’s a top-of-the-tree cow,” Mr Carson said. “I don’t think ever in the history that a number one BPI cow has been named champion at dairy week.” The cow is a Valentino. Mr Carson said they were one of the fi rst peo- ple in Australia to use Valentino and were milking 85 of them in their 350- cow herd. Cairnbrae Valentino Daisy 11 classi- fi ed 94 points in the spring. It fi nished second in its class as a three-year-old at IDW in 2017. Mr Carson said the fi ve-year-old cow had had four calves — all heifers — and was at the top of the produc- tion index for his herd. Judge Brian Leslie said the cham- pion was from an “incredible” group of Alan and Janine Carson with the grand champion Jersey cow Cairnbrae Valen no cows on show. “I didn’t think I would Daisy 11, held by leader Brad Gavenlock with judge Brian Leslie. see them this good,” he said. “I want the sort of cattle that can JERSEY HONOUR ROLL Grand champion: Cairnbrae Valen no Daisy 11, A and J Carson, Irrewillipe East, Vic. Senior champion: Cairnbrae Valen no Daisy 11 Reserve: Broadlin Vanessa 2950, Broad family, Lockington, Vic, Best udder: Bluechip Galaxies Rory, Ben Pedre , Tallygaroopna, Vic. Intermediate champion: Windy Ways Galaxies Dawn 7, Windy Ways Jerseys, Tongala, Vic. Reserve: Salva on Black Ginger, D and N Schirm, D Jordan, C Lucas and Sun Vale, Cashmore, Vic. Junior champion: Kings Ville Lassie 37 P, R and K Anderson, Drouin West, Vic. Reserve: Rivendell Getaway Rose, Riv- endell Jerseys, Numbaa, NSW. Premier breeder: Brookbora, Tenny- son, Vic. Premier exhibitor: Ben Pedre . Owner Frank Walsh with the intermediate champion Windy Ways Galaxies Dawn 7.
86 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT pay bills. The only way we paid our farms off was to get a lot of milk and that’s what these cows do. “I just love this champion cow, she’s my kettle of fi sh. She’s just all the things I think we want in a modern dairy cow. “She’s big, she’s wide, she’s extreme- ly correct through her top, through her rump. “She has an amazing rear udder, she’s just milk to the back teeth and yet she’s got so much style and quality with it.” Mr Carson said he was proud of the cow. The championship win completes a lifetime ambition for Mr Carson. “I’ve been a classifi er in the Jersey breed for 35 years and I have had goals: I’ve always wanted to achieve winning at dairy week,” he said. Meg Anderson and judge Brian Leslie with the junior Jersey champion Kings Ville “I’m 64-years-old, I don’t know how Lassie 37 P. much longer I will milk cows for. This is the epitome of it all.” eat your profi ts as quick,” he said. “A Lassie 37 was bred by the Anderson Frank Walsh, the owner of the inter- few years ago, I had 50/50 but it was family’s Kings Ville stud at Drouin mediate champion Windy Ways Galax- after 2007, I decided the Friesians were West, Vic. ies Dawn 7, said the win was one of his eating too much.” Rob Anderson said the calf was from life’s highlights. Mr Leslie said the champion was a family they had developed, the Las- “I played a lot of football in my days just “way out good news”. sie family. “We’ve had success with and this is up there with it or better,” “When she came in the ring, I looked them in the past,” he said. he said. “I’ve won premierships, I’ve at her and I thought ‘crikey’,” he said. “If we go back to her great-great coached premierships, and this is up “She is just so good; I think she’s just grandmother, she was champion at there with the best.” one of the fi nest young second-calf the Melbourne Royal Show.” Mr Walsh said the champion had three-year-old Jersey cows I’ve seen The Lassies were consistent produc- been a standout since it was a calf. for a long time. ers and in the top group of cows in the “She’s a magnifi cent cow — she’s “She’s just a marvellous, marvel- family’s 220-cow herd. not a cow yet — she’s only a young lous, marvellous young cow. Mr Leslie said the junior champion cow,” he said. “She’s producing 30 li- “I look at her and I can’t see any was exactly what he wanted in a dairy tres of milk at the moment, which we holes in her — she’s a beautiful head- heifer at its age and stage. are pretty happy with.” ed cow, a tremendous long-necked “She’s a big heifer, she covers a lot of Mr Walsh said he milked 300 cows, cow, a lovely clean-fronted cow, she’s ground, she’s got tremendous square- which were all Jerseys, at Tongala, Vic. got that beautiful open frame, square ness of frame, tremendous length, tre- “I found out in the 2007 drought they rump and marvellous udder.” mendous depth of rib, she’s grown up, don’t quite eat as much, so they don’t The junior champion Kings Ville she can grow down,” he said. D
Champion heifer tops Jersey sale
HEIFER that won the 2019 Inter- Vue Prime Tequila, which was premier A national Dairy Week Youth Show sire at IDW from 2014 to 2017 and at topped the Jersey sale at the event. World Dairy Expo from 2012 to 2018. Darryn Vale Tequila Satin, offered by Ms Swindlehurst who runs her cows Darryn Hourigan, Darryn Vale Jersey with Ian Anderson’s Kings View Jersey stud, Milawa, Vic, sold for $8000 to Ca- herd, said she knew the animal would role Swindlehurst, Bayles, Vic. be good because she knew the herd Auctioneer Brian Leslie said the heif- well, as the Hourigans were friends of er was “right at the top of the tree”. hers. The top-priced lot Darryn Vale Tequila The two-and-a-half-year-old heifer “Hopefully I will bring her back to Sa n with vendors Bailey, Darryn was the grand champion heifer of the dairy week next January, though she and Ellie Hourigan and buyer Carole youth show, was the winner of the will just go home now and be a normal Swindlehurst. Great Southern competition and judged cow,” she said. rylock Colton Cocoa, offered by Brad the winner of the north-east Victorian The 12 Jerseys in the sale sold in a and Jess Gavenlock, Tallygaroopna, Vic, on-farm challenge. complete clearance to an average of which sold for $7000 to K Barker & D The heifer, which classified VG88 $4004.17. Cole, Riana, Tas. maximum score, was sired by Tower The second top-priced lot was Cher- —Carlene Dowie
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 87 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT Youth Show champion ‘beau ful’
By Carlene Dowie
HE 2019 International Dairy Week All Breeds Youth Show Tgrand champion heifer later topped the Jersey sale at IDW. The two-year-old Jersey heifer, Darryn Vale Tequila Satin, was shown by Ellie Hourigan, on behalf of her family’s Darryn Vale Jersey stud, Milawa, Vic, which milks 220 Jersey cows. Ms Hourigan said Jerseys had al- ways been a tradition for the Houri- gans. “She’s a home-bred cow,” she said. “We picked that one out to sell, so we thought we’d give her a whirl in the show and see how she would go.” Ms Hourigan said the win was “pretty exciting”. The 19-year-old works on the fami- ly farm and has been coming to dairy week for a few years. She loved the social aspect of be- ing involved as well as the showing. “Who wouldn’t like to show a cow if you like cows,” she said. Ms Hourigan said dairy farming Youth Show champion Darryn Vale Tequila Sa n with leader Ellie Hourigan. appealed as a career because she was always learning and it providing lots of options. Judge Brent Walker, from Guelph, Canada, said the champion was “a beautiful young cow”. “She’s got width of chest, hardness on top, a beautiful mammaried cow and a great set of feet and legs,” he said. The reserve champion grand heif- er was Pooley Bridge Atwood Jade 2, shown by Jett Easterbrook, shown on behalf of his family RK and JL Eas- terbrook and Sons, Tatura, Vic. Mr Walker said the reserve cows “just keeps growing on me, all the time”. “And this young man here who won’t sell me his cow. “I asked him what the price was after I made her champion in the pre- vious class — I asked him what he would ask for this cow and he never even thought about it, he said ‘she’s not for sale’.” Mr Walker said the show had fea- tured a lot of good cattle. The Sheri Martin Memorial Youth Showmanship Competition attracted Youth Show Champion:Reserve: Pooley Bridge Atwood Jade 2, Je Easterbrook. more than 100 participants. The senior champion han- 88 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK REPORT
Sheri Mar n Memorial Showmanship Compe on junior Sheri Mar n Memorial Showmanship Compe on senior champion handler Shae Tweedle. champion handler Cally O’Shannassy.
Sheri Mar n Memorial Showmanship Compe on primary Sheri Mar n Memorial Showmanship Compe on champion handler Mikaela Daniel. intermediate champion handler Rebekah Love. dler (aged 18-20 years) was Cally handler (aged 11-13 years) was Mi- O’Shannassy, the intermediate cham- kaela Daniel and the junior cham- ‘Who wouldn’t like to show pion handler (aged 14-17 years) was pion handler (aged 8-10 years) was a cow if you like cows.’ Rebekah Love, primary champion Shae Tweedle. D YOUTH SHOW RESULTS Grand Champion Heifer lie Hourigan. Sheri Mar n Memorial Showmanship Champion: Darryn Vale Tequila Sa n, El- Reserve: Cairnhill Paradi Windy, Zali Compe on lie Hourigan. Deenen. Senior Champion Handler: Cally Reserve: Pooley Bridge Atwood Jade 2, Junior Champion Heifer Junior Leader O’Shannassy. Je Easterbrook. Champion: Avonlea Jacoby Sarah, Luke Reserve: Rachel Boostoppel. Senior Champion In Milk Heifer Junior Gardiner. Intermediate Champion Handler: Re- Leader Reserve: Kit Jacoby Marion 2, Claudia bekah Love. Champion: Pooley Bridge Atwood Jade Ross. Runner Up: Toby Fleming. 2, Je Easterbrook. Junior Champion Heifer Senior Leader Primary Champion Handler: Mikaela Reserve: Paringa Dreams Focus, Harri- Champion: Paringa Goldchip Alanna: Daniel. son Moon. Charlie Lloyd. Runner Up: Leah Dickson. Senior Champion In Milk Heifer Senior Reserve: Brindabella Jacoby Nana Noo, Junior Champion Handler: Shae Leader Georgia Sieben. Tweedle. Champion: Darryn Vale Tequila Sa n, El- Runner Up: Ruby Polson.
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 89 WHAT’S ON Red focus ahead of conference
✔ Interna onal conference for red breeders ✔ Reds comprise 22 diff erent breed socie es ✔ Seeking to fi nd best use of red gene cs Key points Key By Jamie Brown
REEDERS of red-factor dairy cat- tle are using the weeks ahead of Bthe fi rst international conference on home soil in two decades to rally for unity in hopes the commercial breed can continue to excel. Australian Red dairy cows are third in population behind Holstein and Jer- sey with more than 9000 registered and probably twice that many currently be- ing milked. Australian Reds are a society made Terry Blasche, Fairy Hill via Casino, NSW, has improved his herd gene cs through the up of 22 member breeds from Ayrshire introduc on of Scandinavian red dairy semen. and Dairy Shorthorn to Illawarra, al- to get people talking. We need shared breed society. These days Siegard’s son though the latter were the instigators visions, shared goals. Terry milks 170 Aussie Red dairy cows, of the offshoot that has become “Aus- “Down the track genomic evaluation down from 200 because of the dry. sie Red”. would help fi nd the most effi cient cows The irrigated black soil paddocks, Breed secretary Graeme Hamilton, but whether extra funding would be fed from the Richmond River, have who farms 500 Australian Red dairy sought for that part of the project was cracks and now there’s talk of water cows on his Mt Gambier, SA property, something to be decided at the confer- restrictions. said the international conference, to ence. It’s times like this that he fi nds him- be hosted in his home town in the last self once again thanking his father for week of March, would help catalyse taking the lesser trodden path. the breed’s future direction and piggy- ‘The reds’ diversity is an Australian Red dairy cows handle back off a European Union project that the sub-tropical heat and humidity — is helping secure the genetic future of asset that we need to when there is some — and converts European Red dairy cattle. cul vate.’ feed effi ciently to produce higher per- Visiting professor Professor Georg centages of fat and protein. Thaller from Kiel University says the Mr Blasche’s young herd averages genetic diversity in red factor dairy “While there has been no compari- 3.4 per cent protein and 4.3pc fat, at cattle has shown them to be more resil- son of cows between breeds we only 7500 litres a lactation with a cell count ient, fertile and able to produce higher have anecdotal information that sug- consistently below the level required to fat and protein, however, there is not gest the reds are hardier. We tend to receive a price premium. First calf heif- enough common focus on genetic gain think of them as the ‘invisible cow’ be- ers account for a quarter of milkers. among the various member breeds. cause she is less of a problem.” Beyond this Mr Blasche denies any “The reds’ diversity is an asset that Australian Red Dairy cows are more fancy management saying the Viking we need to cultivate,” said Mr Hamil- fertile and resilient. genetics infused into his herd have re- ton, emphasising production gain plus Proven in the commercial world sulted in cows with less mastitis, better genetic diversity as qualities that need udders, superior fertility and calving to be progressed. Some 35 years ago when Siegard ease. He said the breed needed ideas from Blasche imported Scandinavian genet- In 2017 the Blasche herd was ac- geneticists and input from artifi cial in- ics into his dairy at Fairy Hill via Ca- knowledged by the Australian Red semination companies who trade in sino, NSW, the radical member of the dairy breed society for having the those offspring. Illawarra society was told he wouldn’t greatest genetic gain over the previous Mr Hamilton spruiks the notion of be able to register the offspring. 12 months. D breed unity in the lead up to the con- Other dairy breeders found similar The International Red Dairy Breed ference, because historically not eve- trouble, however, the allure of genetic Federation conference from March ryone has pulled in the same direction. diversity from some 500,000 red-factor 22-29 is being hosted by the Austral- “There is no need to amalgamate the cows in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Den- ian Red Dairy Breeds society and will different breed societies,” Mr Hamilton mark and northern Germany and their centre on Mount Gambier in South said. proven production record, convinced Australia while an adjoining tour will “But we do need to talk about the them that if they had to make a choice, take delegates from Adelaide to Mel- best use for our genetics. First we need the Aussies would start their own bourne. 90 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 WHAT’S ON
March 19-20 Herd ’19 Conference Bendigo, Vic Website:
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 91 SNIPPETS AND TITBITS The ‘bloat’ that isn’t bloat
completely incurable, like cancer or scarring from injuries. My preferred approach is to provide short-term respite by releasing the gas with a stomach tube or a wide-bore needle (this isn’t without its risks — I usually clean and prepare the area fi rst, and avoid stabbing too many times). You can almost hear the cow By Ee Cheng Ooi* giving a sigh of relief when you do it. Then, if I suspect hardware disease ✔ Vagal indiges on causes bloat-like or cancer, I’m afraid there’s not much symptoms more to be done. ✔ Usually aff ects just one cow, while However, if the cow is not terribly bloat usually aff ects mul ple cows old or seems otherwise healthy, I like ✔ Treatment is o en diffi cult to trial a course of antibiotics and anti- Key points Key infl ammatories to cover infectious or LOAT is one of the few calls we infl ammatory problems. If there’s no get which is an absolute, full- The cow looks like a ‘papple’ when response, then I reason that the cause Bblown emergency. It happens viewed from behind. Both lower must be irreversible. when a cow eats lush feed (usually lu- quadrants are usually bloated, and the For these cases, a trochar can be cerne or legumes), which froths up in le upper quadrant of the abdomen is placed, allowing farmers to release the rumen, preventing her from burp- bloated (apple), while the right upper pressure regularly until the cow has ing. The gas builds quickly, and the quadrant is normal (pear). made it through calving or a withhold- cow begins to blow up like a balloon. ing period. On a few occasions, I’ve Soon, she’s struggling to breathe. while the right upper quadrant is left a stomach tube with the farmer so There’s an extremely narrow time- normal (pear). Because this happens that he can defl ate the cow as neces- frame to relieve the pressure by stab- gradually, the cow has time to adapt sary (with the expectation that I’ll get bing the rumen (remember: left side, to the situation and is unlikely to be in my tube back). This is a time-consum- and use a knife with a hilt if possible) respiratory distress (gasping for air). ing exercise, so not everyone opts for and drenching with oil, and it’s rarely It’s still worth checking that there are it. just the one cow that is affected. no other problems, but diagnosis is For highly valued cows, we can try So, we get the call. Heart thumping, generally straightforward. exploratory surgery to fi nd the cause, you collar the vet student, grab some Unfortunately, treatment isn’t quite with a view to correcting it if at all pos- paraffi n, and dash out to the car park. so simple. sible. This might work for very small On the way to the farm, you’re pushing Usually, the cause is damage to the lumps or abscesses obstructing the the speed limit and in your mind the vagus nerve, which runs from the fl ow of food, but we can do nothing for problem becomes bigger and bigger brain and along the oesophagus, all problems in the chest or neck. Also, — how many cows are affected? Does the way to the rumen. It’s one of the adhesions or hardware disease might the farmer know what to do? Who will longest nerves in the body. This ex- be diagnosable this way, but cannot be around to help? How many are go- poses it to a lot of potential problems, be fi xed — even with surgery. So it can ing to be dead by the time you get including drenching injuries, internal be hit or miss (usually the latter, in my there — maybe the whole herd? abscesses, infection in the chest or experience). You pull up next to the dairy and abdomen, hardware disease (wire in Hopefully, this helps to differentiate dash over to the crush, panting and the guts), cancer, twisted stomach frothy bloat from vagal indigestion. puffi ng, with trochar in hand. (left displaced abomasum [LDA] or Bloat is fast and causes respiratory Strangely, there doesn’t seem to be right displaced abomasum [RDA]), distress; vagal indigestion is gradual. many dead or dying cows around. and chronic pneumonia. Occasionally, Bloat affects multiple cows whereas Instead, there’s just the one cow it’s caused by something unrelated to vagal indigestion usually just the one. standing in the yards, chewing qui- the nerve, like a small growth stopping Knowing this may help to reduce un- etly. Her left side is blown up, but she food from moving out of the abomas- necessary stabbings — which are nev- doesn’t look particularly unhappy. um, or a heavy twin pregnancy. er fun to fi x. D The farmer walks up scratching his Whatever the cause, improper emp- *Ee Cheng Ooi is a cattle veterinar- head. What’s going on here? tying causes a build-up of gas and fl uid ian and fertility researcher working with You breathe a sigh of relief. It’s vagal in the rumen, resulting in swelling of the animal health and fertility team at indigestion. the left abdomen. Dairy Australia. Vagal indigestion is uncommon but It can be diffi cult to tell what the All comments and information dis- easy to diagnose. The cow looks like original cause was without further cussed in this article are intended to be a ‘papple’ when viewed from behind. testing (with the exception of pregnan- of a general nature only. Please consult Both lower quadrants are usually cy). Some of the causes are very treat- the farm’s vet for herd health advice, bloated, and the left upper quadrant able — pregnancy, for example, can be protocols and/or treatments that are of the abdomen is bloated (apple), cured by calving. Some, however, are tailored to a herd’s particular needs. 92 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 Driving genetic gain and herd improvement
Data helps deal with drought
✔ Herd data helps guide decisions to manage drought ✔ Part of DataGene Ginfo program ✔ Genotyping heifers to determine ones to be sold for export Key points Key
ATA has helped the Cliff family from East Gippsland better nego- Dtiate drought. Anthony, Prue and Poppy, 5, Cliff dairy farm with Anthony’s parents, Bar- ry and Suzanne, at Stratford, Vic, on 445 hectares, including leased land, with 202ha of private irrigation. With sky-rocketing feed costs, the Cliffs can’t afford to be milking “passen- gers”. Herd numbers are down to 600- Farm hand Reuben Ellis, farmer owners Barry, Anthony and Suzanne Cliff , and farm 620 from 750 last season. hands Gemma Mowbray and Ma hew Bryne. They’ve turned to data to ensure Gene, are also a source for the Cliffs to they cull cows without affecting the ‘It (data) is helping the cross-check their calving book and en- long-term viability of their business or sure all breeding details are accurate. set-back their breeding program. overall farm profi tability The Cliffs will genotype their spring- This data includes herd records, herd calving Holstein heifers in coming test and pregnancy test results, backed- because we are saving months and following pregnancy test- up by genomic information from their money.’ ing, they will determine the ones to be involvement in DataGene’s Ginfo sold for export. project — Australia’s genetic informa- Looking into the future, Anthony be- tion reference herd. as bail feeding has been reduced to less lieves data will play an even larger role In particular, the Cliffs refer to a cow’s than 1 tonne of concentrate per cow/ in dairy farming, but its collection and production index (PI), which is a meas- lactation. analysis will be easier. ure of a cow’s production compared “It (data) is helping the overall farm “There will be more, and better data with the herd average. profi tability because we are saving and you won’t have to sit in the offi ce to This was the fi rst season in the fam- money,” Anthony said. manipulate that data,” Anthony said. D ily’s 74 years at the property that has “We are putting the slim amount of had a winter crop fail. Harvest was also pasture we have into the cows, so that disappointing — the volume of hay cut they are making us some margin. Join Ginfo was down 86 per cent on last year and “If they are not in-calf and they are ATAGENE is looking for more the soil’s “dry down to six feet”. Follow- not putting milk in the vat, the only way Dherds with excellent records to ing a 44-degree day in late January, pas- to determine that is with herd test and join Ginfo. As well as contribu ng to ture quality and quantity reduced. pregnancy test data.” improvements to the industry’s gene c Data was used to determine which Data has always played a pivotal role evalua on system, par cipa ng herds autumn-calving portion of the herd — in the management of the farm busi- have two-year old heifers genotyped up to 20pc of the herd calves at this ness; during dry times the purpose of and classifi ed for free and the op on time of year — would be dried-off. this data had changed. to have young calves genotyped at a “We used it to determine which of the The Cliff family started herd testing discounted price. They also receive a cows were doing the best as some had in 1975, 10 years after they began using year’s free subscrip on to the Herd- fallen (in milk production) and were artifi cial insemination (AI). Data App and early access to Data- close to having to be dried-off early,” They still herd test seven times a Gene reports and tools. To join, herds Anthony said. year. need to be regularly herd tes ng and “So, we decided those with a higher Describing data as providing “more recording the following in so ware PI, for example, the top 20pc of the au- tools in the bag” for managing the busi- such as HerdData, Mistro, EasyDairy or tumn calvers, would be given a little bit ness, Anthony said the strong history at the herd test centre: calvings, mat- more of a holiday, kept and dried-off of data was the catalyst for becoming ings, sires and dams, pregnancy test earlier.” involved in the Ginfo project. results, clinical cases of mas s, health Anthony said without data, they Their Holsteins were genotyped and events and workability. For more in- “would be fl ying blind” when it came to then matched against the herd-book forma on, contact Erika Oakes at Da- culling. records as part of the project, which taGene, phone 0427 995 248 or email Using data for decisions, they don’t started six years ago.
✔ Mycotoxins occur in mouldy forage ✔ Present signifi cant animal health issue ✔ Farmers can use products to counter the eff ects Key points Key YCOTOXINS can cause various problems for herd Mhealth. GippsDairy’s Ruairi McDonnell asked Feedworks nutri- tionist Ian Sawyer about what to look out for when feeding out silage. Why should farmers be thinking about mycotoxins? Mycotoxins are small, highly poi- sonous, highly toxic compounds that are produced by a fungi, which we know better as mould. So when we have mouldy forage, we have a height- ened risk of mycotoxins, which can create several bad outcomes. So what are the problems they cause? Mycotoxins tend to produce three broad problems, depending on what White mould can be dangerous. mycotoxin you have. They can result in reduced reproductive perform- ance and abortion as well as we ‘Moulds don’t like also worry about hoof problems, increased cell counts and decreased growing if there is no air.’ milk production. They can also lead to the lowering of a cow’s resistance People sometimes look at white to disease. All of those things are mould and say ‘that’s okay, don’t bad, but the loss of calves is a pretty worry about that’. In actual fact, a overt version of it. number of the fungi produce a white So what are the options for farm- mould that is pretty dangerous. One ers who already have some mouldy of the toxins that comes out of that silage in the pit? would be vomitoxin. Now anything There are a range of products you with vomit in its name is not likely to can buy in the commercial world that be too fl ash. There’s also a mycotoxin are mycotoxin management products. that can cause cows to abort. Both of There’s probably 30 or so available those come from a white mould. Mouldy forage means a heightened risk in Australia. Some are more effective For people buying feed, how can of mycotoxins. than others. If I was to advise some- they reduce mycotoxin risk? one, I would say get something that Before you actually go out and test if we’re not very good at getting our isn’t just a binder but is a binder and for mycotoxins, which costs about stack with weight on it and getting deactivator. That way you will capture $300 and takes a while, it’s an easy the air out of it when we compress it more toxins and more types of toxins. thing to do a mould count fi rst. It costs or making our round bales tight and No product will capture 100 per cent less than a box of beer these days, so wrapping enough plastic around, of the toxins, but if you can get your it’s pretty good value, especially if you then air will get in. When air gets in, capture rate up, then you have less are concerned about where the stuff mould grows. When the ensiling proc- impact on the herd at the end of the has come from. ess is done right, you get really good day. How can farmers minimise myco- fermentation and acid. That pickling Sometimes you hear farmers say toxins before they occur? effect helps stop the mould growing. white mould is okay. Is that a bit of Moulds don’t like growing if there When we open the face we need to an old wives’ tale? is no air. What allows it to grow is manage it so it has a nice tight face It certainly is an old wives’ tale. when air has got in somewhere. So and air doesn’t penetrate. D 94 The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 Managing ryegrass grazing in autumn
✔ Get grazing management right to and this increases the need for sup- maximise produc on plement during winter. If the autumn break ✔ Renovate poor-performing There are three principles to follow occurs late, it may be pastures if break is early to maximise pasture consumption ✔ Use nitrogen judiciously to li and ensure good pasture quality. be er to use a short-term growth 1. Grazing rotation based on leaf Key points Key stage and emergence rate. crop ... VER summer in south-eastern Grazing rotation is closely linked to Australia, with limited rainfall the leaf emergence rate, which varies Oon rain-fed areas of the farm, based on temperature and moisture. equately covered by desired pasture leaf emergence rates slow, pasture After the autumn break, moisture plants. If the autumn break occurs growth rates decline and there is in- should not be limiting so leaf emer- early enough, it is an ideal time to creased grazing pressure on any irri- gence rate will mainly be driven by renovate pasture. gated areas of the farm. temperature (typically 10-15 days per If the autumn break occurs late, O get the greatest benefi t from leaf in early autumn). Monitor leaf it may be better to use a short-term the autumn break consider: emergence rates and slow the rotation crop to grow feed for the milking herd T• Grazing management. as leaf emergence rates slow into the and undertake the pasture renovation • Pasture renovation. winter (13-25 days per leaf). Longer ro- in spring. Renovation of pastures on a • Nitrogen use. tations are recommended to build pas- portion of the milking area each year Grazing management ture cover as temperatures decrease. also allows the farm to capitalise on 2. Grazing duration. genetic improvements in ryegrass va- The golden standard for grazing man- Grazing duration of an area should rieties. agement to maximise the amount of not for longer than 2-3 days. If al- Planning ahead pasture grown is to graze at the 2.5- lowed, cows will eat the pasture re- to-3 leaf stage or before canopy clo- growth, which will slow growth rates When the autumn break occurs and sure. Grazing paddocks past the 3-leaf and reduce pasture yield. Back fenc- how it is managed will have a big im- stage results in wasted pasture, while ing can help to avoid this. pact on feed availability over winter. grazing pasture too early leads to low- 3. Post-grazing residual targets are Update the feed budget to ensure er pasture production. reached. there is going to be enough feed on If there is not enough pasture in the Aim for a post-grazing residual hand to maintain cow production and feeding platform to feed the cows, de- height of 4-6 centimetres between body condition through the winter. mand needs to be decreased (e.g. dry- the clumps. Supplementing the pas- Nitrogen use off or cull cows) or supply needs to ture allocation can help match cow be increased (e.g. use supplements or demand and allow pasture regrowth For detailed information on effective nitrogen). when residual targets are not met. N use in autumn, read the Dairy Aus- Increasing the grazing area to meet Pasture renova on tralia’s story with expert Prof Rich- cow requirements leads to lower pas- ard Eckard on page 96 in this edition ture production as it is likely pasture Consider renovation if 30-50 per cent of the Australian Dairyfarmer or visit will be grazing before the 3-leaf stage of the area being assessed is not ad-
The Australian Dairyfarmer March-April 2019 95 Maximising autumn with nitrogen
✔ Nitrogen can be cost-eff ec ve if Table 1: Cost of addi onal pasture at $690/tonne urea soil moisture is right Extra Response Nitrogen Use U lisa on % Cost ($/tonne ✔ Understand factors aff ec ng nitrogen response Effi ciency dry ma er) ✔ This season wait un l it rains High response 20:1 100 75 Key points Key ITROGEN can be a cost-effec- 75 100 tive way to grow extra feed this Average response 10:1 100 150 Nautumn and beat high bought- in feed prices, providing soil moisture 75 200 is right. Low response 5:1 100 300 University of Melbourne nitrogen 75 400 expert Professor Richard Eckard said pasture response to N in autumn was Very low response 3:1 100 500 often less than those in spring due to 75 666 low soil moisture and high soil N, both as a consequence of a dry summer. “Typically at the autumn break when the rain starts there’s not ‘If you can u lise that enough soil moisture — if you apply N too early as much as 30 per cent of the at 100pc then you are nitrogen can be lost,” he said. ge ng quality forage on This is backed up by research into Victorian dairy regions that shows the farm at $150 a tonne.’ only two of the past 20 years have shown profi table nitrogen responses on dairy farms, when applied at the amount of N in the soil, mineralised autumn break. from the organic matter over the sum- A breakeven response to nitrogen is mer, but remains unutilised because Even at low response rates nitrogen usually 5 kilograms extra dry matter of low summer pasture growth. Addi- applica on could be economical this for every 1kg N applied. tional N fertiliser at the autumn break season, due to high supplementary feed “At the moment with the current ni- may not achieve an N response, as the prices. trogen price at $690 a tonne — that’s pasture is short of water not N. $300/t of high-quality pasture you are • Soil moisture: Too much (i.e. water- ‘buying’ onto the farm,” Dr Eckard logged conditions) or too little (i.e. knowing the additional pasture re- said. water-stress conditions) will lower quired to fi ll the feed gap (e.g. 400kg “Once you’ve had the autumn break the N response. The best response DM/ha), the rate of N required (40kg and you are in May, when soil mois- is from a soil moisture profi le that is N/ha) to be applied to an area can be ture is higher, then the whole scenario not limiting growth. At the autumn determined. changes. Then you could be getting a break, following a dry summer, there • The availability of other plant nutri- 10:1 response to nitrogen. is commonly insuffi cient soil moisture ents and soil pH, species composition “If you can utilise that at 100pc then to support high pasture growth rates. and soil compaction can affect N re- you are getting quality forage on the Wait for adequate rainfall, with addi- sponse. Get the basics of optimising farm at $150 a tonne and you just tional rain predicted before applying plant growth fi rst or only apply N to- can’t match that with bought-in feed.” N. gether with the limiting nutrients. What infl uences response • Soil temperature: the warmer the Nitrogen-fertilised pasture can be rate to nitrogen? soil, the greater and more immediate cheaper than purchased feeds, if ap- the N response. This is less of an is- plied under the right conditions and The amount of pasture grown in kilo- sue in autumn but may be a limitation utilised well. Even at low response grams of extra dry matter per kilo- from applying N in late May. rates nitrogen application could be gram N applied is the ‘response rate’. • Plant growth: the higher the growth economical this season, due to high For example, at a response rate of rate potential, the greater and more supplementary feed prices. 10:1, 30kg N/ha produces an addition- immediate the response to N fertiliser. Do not graze perennial pasture for al 300kg DM/ha of extra pasture. • Rate of N applied: there is a dimin- 7 to 14 days after N application, to The response rate is dependent on: ishing response at higher application avoid excess nitrate or non-protein • Amount of available N in the soil: rates, but also an unreliable response nitrogen in the cows’ diet. D In an autumn following a dry sum- at lower (less than 20kg N/ha) rates. For more information visit
✔ Forage Value Index ranks more than 20 perennial ryegrass cul vars ✔ Must meet strict criteria for inclusion ✔ Shows performance in diff erent regions at diff erent mes of year Key points Key AIRY farmers renovating their pastures in autumn have been Durged to refer to Dairy Austral- ia’s Forage Value Index (FVI) to help them make more informed decisions when selecting perennial ryegrass cultivars. The FVI enables farmers to choose cultivars that will deliver the best re- sults based on their location, farming system and forage needs. Dairy Australia’s farm profi t and Australian dairy farmers invest about $80 million each year on renova ng pastures capability group manager, Peter with perennial ryegrass cul vars. Johnson, said the index ranked the performance of more than 20 of Aus- The investment in new ryegrass tralia’s most popular perennial rye- ‘The Forage Value Index species is one of the biggest deci- grass cultivars, relative to typical cli- sions that farmers can make — and it matic conditions across the country’s gives me the confi dence can make and break a season. south-eastern dairy regions. that this is the best For Mr Pellett, having a higher level “By giving farmers the tools to put of certainty when it comes to choos- a really strong evidence base behind ryegrass that I can sow ing pasture species will help reduce their decisions, the FVI can make a risk in his farm business and capi- real difference to farm profi tability,” for my condi ons.’ talise on favourable seasonal condi- Mr Johnson said. tions. Australian dairy farmers invest Farmer experience “One of the biggest barriers to about $80 million each year on reno- choosing new cultivars is knowing vating pastures with perennial rye- Since its introduction in 2017, the FVI whether you will get a benefi t from grass cultivars. has become a key part of the deci- the new cultivar over and above what “Before the FVI, there was very lit- sion-making process for West Gipps- you are using already,” he said. “Be- tle independently tested information land dairy farmer Aubrey Pellett. Mr cause it is a substantial investment, on the traits and capabilities of these Pellett now uses the FVI information you need the security of knowing you existing cultivars so farmers tended as an independent analysis of what can get a better yield.” to stick with what they knew,” Mr cultivars perform best in his environ- Mr Pellett said he could see huge Johnson said. ment. He calves his herd in autumn benefi ts for farmers who used the “Now they have an accurate and and the whole herd grazes through tool to select their ryegrass species. reliable way to assess the economic winter, so winter growth, in particu- “Ryegrass is the foundation of my value of individual cultivars, it’s a lot lar, is highly valuable to his opera- farming business so I want to make easier for farmers to make the deci- tion. “I look at the seasonal tables in sure when I put in a new ryegrass in sion to invest in pasture renovation the FVI Tables quite closely, as well as the ground, I’m hoping it’s going to and increase their productivity and the overall FVI ranking,” he said. be there for more than fi ve years, so profi tability.” “I’m looking for cultivars that re- I want to get the best ryegrass that I To be included in the FVI, each cul- spond quickly in autumn and grow can,” he said. tivar must have seasonal yield data strongly through winter. “The Forage Value Index gives me from at least three, three-year trials “I’ve planted the same pasture va- the confi dence that this is the best using strict experimental protocols. riety for the past 10 years so I want ryegrass that I can sow for my condi- Cultivars are then scored by multi- to check to see that the cultivar I’m tions.” D plying their seasonal yield against using is still a high performer — I’m For more information go to the economic value, as determined looking to change things this year,
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