Dairy News Australia May 2022

Australian Breeding Values. PAGES 20-31 COSTS CLOUD EVENT’S SUCCESS PAGE 6

TIME RIPE FOR CHANGE PAGE 17

MAY 2022 ISSUE 139 // www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au

ROBOTIC DAIRY A WORLD FIRST A dairy being built on Paul (pictured with son Locky) and Marsha Smith’s farm at Mepunga in south-west Victoria is breaking new ground in more ways than one. PAGE 4 “We used to have 5 full-time staff.

Now we’re down to just 1.”

Luke & Katrina Mc Nab - Rocky Cape, Tasmania - 16 pasture-based GEA DairyRobot’s For a future-proof automated milking system, proven on pastoral farms just like the Mc Nab‘s, GEA‘s automated milking system – the DairyRobot R9500, is a proven step in the right direction.

Watch their story at and then call us for an on-farm consult. gea.com/australia | 03 8877 9999.

JFC Milk Carts Calf Feeding Made Easy

WINNING EDGE The JFC Milk Cart Range is the most efficient way of feeding your calves

THE JFC MILK CART ADVANTAGES ARE: ✔ EASY Transport of whole milk or milk replacer to calves ✔ SMOOTH Vortex-enhanced mixing eliminates separate of nutrients/foaming of milk ✔ CONTROLLED amount of milk dispensed

JFC MILK CARTS ARE AVAILABLE IN TWO SIZES (170L + 340L) ✔ The 170L model can mix a 20Kg bag of milk replacer in just 4 minutes ✔ The 340L model can mix 2 x 20Kg bags of milk replacer in just 4 minutes Our 170L and 340L models features an upgraded pump which can dispense up to 36 litres per minute. This model also includes upgraded castor wheels, a new control box and dispensing nozzle. These features ensure faster milk delivery time when using the JFC Milk Kart with the pump.

AGRI Contact ProviCo Rural for information: www.provicorural.com.au, PH: 1300 380 343 email: admin@provico.com.au

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

NEWS // 3

India still shut to dairy

BY ELIZA REDFERN

Help at hand. PG.14

The only way is up. PG.22 fight. all our energy on one We agree. We can’t use focussed on the war.” won, dairy needs to stay “Even if this battle is regulation of the name. and in the future — not for many consumers now keep ‘real milk’ relevant “It’s innovation that will siege,” Jo says. granted and is under that has been taken for lacking for a category “It’s innovation that is create new opportunities. heading out to find and the wagons, instead of battle is akin to circling time that fighting this We’ve thought for some etc.). (almonds, soy beans being used for plant juice and ban the term milk follow the USA’s lead want lawmakers to Graphicadvocates design Australian month (page 18).

Production on the head again this and didn’t she hit the nail Senior journalist has something to say regular columnist Jo Bills Printed We always listenby when

RUMINATING EDITORIAL PB // wagons OPINION Circle the DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022 Publisher

LSD tripping close to home. PG.33

NEWS ......................................................3-18 ABVS .................................................... 20-31 ANIMAL HEALTH ...........................32-33 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS ...................................... 34-37

THE AUSTRALIA‑INDIA Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI ECTA) was signed on April 2, creating quite the media splash.

The AI ECTA is an interim agreement, a stepping stone to which both countries have committed as they work towards a full comprehensive economic cooperation agreement.

While several agricultural commodities received preferable outcomes, dairy products have for the most part been excluded from market access gains.

The signing of the AI ECTA did provide a positive outcome for Australian infant formula, which will enter duty-free status seven years from entry into force of the agreement.

Negotiations for the AI ECTA originally began in May 2011 and were suspended in 2015. With an aim to improve bilateral trade between India and Australia, efforts were recently renewed to finalise the agreement.

India is the world’s second most populous country. Home to about 1.3 billion people, exponential population growth has seen the country creep closer to overtaking China, which is expected to occur in the next few years.

A significant proportion of the population is vegetarian; dairy is therefore an important nutrient source and widely consumed.

India’s population is extremely young, with these age groups consuming larger quantities of milk. As such, India is the world’s largest consumer of dairy.

Since economic liberalisation in the early 1990s, ongoing urbanisation and rising incomes have bred a large middle class with more expensive tastes.

With dairy being such an important part of the consumer diet in India, the supply of milk is considered critical.

From a country which faced milk shortages in the 1970s, India has transformed into the world’s largest dairy producer. Dairy farms in India are generally small scale, with about 95 per cent of farmers milking less than five cows.

More than 50 per cent of the Indian labour force is employed in agriculture, and dairy farming plays a vital role in the country’s economy. The ability to secure year-round income through dairy farming, as opposed to other agricultural products, attracts many to the industry.

Dairy was one of the obvious omissions from the recent signing of a trade agreement with India, celebrated here by Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan (centre).

Photo: AAP Image/Diego FedeleSaxton dispensing milkshakes.

There are various subsidies put in place by the government to help support production and maintain a healthy dairy industry. Over time, the industry has become heavily reliant on this support and India maintains an exceptionally protectionist trade policy regime around dairy.

Aside from high tariffs, various national and state sanitary and phyto-sanitary regulations act as non-tariff barriers to trade. As such, dairy imports into India are minimal.

Lactose and whey powder account for 93 per cent of imported dairy product and most is sourced from the European Union.

India only imports a tiny amount of dairy product from Australia, with lactose and whey powder accounting for roughly 98 per cent of that volume.

Patchy global competitiveness and strong political influence within Indian agriculture have previously hindered trade reform in this sector.

The country has previously maintained high tariff rates on dairy imports, however, in instances of supply shortages, these tariffs have been occasionally lifted on an ad hoc basis.

While other global markets continue to grow and develop as viable destinations for Australian dairy, India is yet to open its trade borders wide and consistently to Aussie products.

It is currently unclear if further outcomes will be produced as both countries work towards a full comprehensive economic cooperation agreement.

However, after 50 years of investment into its own industry and self-sufficient goals, India is likely to continue to protect all that it has built.

Robotic Milking Technology

Up to

50%

faster attachment time*

99.8%

More than

3500 kg

Attachment rate*

milk per day*

DeLaval VMS™ V300 is all about making dairy farming More personal. More accurate. More profitable.

DeLaval InSight™ - a smoother, faster, more accurate arm than we’ve ever created.

DeLaval PureFlow™ - a totally separate cup delivers the ultimate teat preparation.

REAL Quarter Milking

DeLaval InControl™ - A seamless user experience keeping you connected to your system wherever you are.

Teatspray

99

%

hit rate*

*Data collected on test farms and pilot farms. Data compared to DeLaval VMS™ Classic.

Results may vary and are not guaranteed.

Contact us to hear how this milking system can work for you - 1800 817 199 Pre-defined service costs

DeLaval VMS™ V300

delaval.com

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

4 // NEWS

Robotic dairy is world-first A DAIRY being built on Paul and Marsha Smith’s farm at Mepunga in south-west Victoria is breaking new ground in more ways than one.

Not only is it the first GEA DairyProQ robotic rotary dairy to be built in Australia, it will be the first in the world to operate on a pasture-based farming system.

It’s a big change with a multi-million-dollar price tag, but Paul is confident the automated dairy will revolutionise his farm and ensure his long-term success.

His decision to take on the new technology follows years of research, starting with YouTube videos and followed by lengthy discussions with GEA and farmers who use the system.

Paul has been on the family farm since leaving school the day he turned 15, some 27 years ago. His father Barry was born on a nearby farm and Paul’s brother Stephen now operates that business.

“Dad bought this farm 43 years ago. It was a lot smaller than it is now but he slowly built it up,” Paul said.

Until six years ago, Stephen worked alongside Paul and sharefarmers were on the other property. When the sharefarmers left, Stephen took over that farm.

The brothers split the farms equally, including irrigation and dryland, and now operate as separate entities but they still share ideas and machinery.

Stephen built a new rotary dairy about three years ago, and Paul knew he needed to update as well.

Paul and Marsha milk 750 mostly Friesian cows on 294 hectares, including 111 ha of irrigation. It’s a tight stocking rate, which Paul admits can be a challenge.

The existing rotary was built in 1998 and has a limited life span.

“It’s a 50-unit rotary with all the bells and whistles but it’s getting long in the tooth and I needed to replace it,” Paul said.

“I couldn’t see the point in spending that much money and replacing it with the same thing. New rotary dairies are nice but it’s still a 30-year-old product.

“I’d been following DPQ for about five years on YouTube so I called GEA around Christmas 2020 to inquire about it.

“We had a lot of discussion with head office in Germany and I’ve talked to farmers who have the system.

“I’m pretty confident. I’ve been following this for about five years and seen where they started

Paul Smith’s existing rotary dairy was built in 1998 and is nearing the end of its viable life.

from and now, they’re spread all over the Northern Hemisphere.”

The DairyProQ robotic rotary is being built about 300 metres from the existing dairy, which started its life as a six-a-side herringbone and is likely to be gutted and converted to a shed. Paul hopes to be milking in the new dairy in August.

It means a couple of lucerne paddocks have been lost but Paul said a new site was needed due to the farm’s growth. Milking currently takes about three-and-a-half hours in the afternoon, four hours in the morning.

The farm is downsizing from 50 to 40 stalls.

“We have nothing to benchmark how fast it is going to milk the cows, but we’ve put in a contingency,” Paul said.

“We’ve built a 50-platform with 10 blank spaces. If it’s too slow or in the future I grow, we’ve got room for 10 more robots.”

In discussions with GEA and local dealers Dairy Tech SE, Paul suggested a hybrid voluntary system.

“That’s how I want to run it; it will be similar to what we’re already doing,” he said.

“We run batt-latch automatic gates that open at 4.30 in the morning and the cows are wait-

ing for us at five. I thought, what if I open the latches at 3.30 or four in the morning, the cows walk up and it automatically starts milking them before we get there.

“We still turn up at five and bring in the stragglers, everything gets milked and led into a feedpad — we’re only there for the last half of the milking.

“Within a few weeks after they adjust, I think the first 300 to 400 will be fighting each other to get on, which is what they do at the current dairy.”

There are about 35 DairyProQs installed around the world but this is the first in Australia — and all others are used in barn systems.

“We’re going to be the first full-time pasturebased system in the world to use it,” Paul said.

“Our management is going to be quite different to any other that has been built.”

However, that doesn’t mean Paul will change his farming practices.

“The whole idea is to run with the same systems that we have now without the extra labour,” he said.

That will help with herd health and production, it will measure the cell count of each indi-

Farm Mapping Services have been mapping farms since 1997.

Mappers in Tasmania, Victoria & South Australia High quality maps provide clarity and ease of communication to both staff and suppliers.

Specialist maps available for dairy, crops, herd, OH&S, irrigation and more.

Each map is custom made for your needs. enquiries@farmmappingservices.com.au 1300 521 002 www.farmmappingservices.com.au

vidual quarter on every cow, every milking. I can see a cell count threshold and it will dump the affected quarter while putting the other three in the vat. I’ll never get a high cell count and it will flag any problem on the computer and I can treat the cow accordingly. Herd health and management I believe will be one of the biggest windfalls.

Paul has two full-time staff who will remain with the business, but he will no longer have to rely on backpackers to fill two other positions.

“Getting young fellas to get out of bed at five in the morning to milk cows in the middle of winter is almost done,” he said.

“This industry has staffing problems and I can only see that getting worse and more expensive.

“When I started, milking 400 cows wasn’t too bad of a job. Now we’re milking 750 or 800 and shoulders, knees and backs are going to start deteriorating.

“My cousin Craig has worked here 27 years and he’s a bit older than me and we’re both starting to get tired and sore from milking cows. This technology is going to protect us from that.

“This is not a five-year investment, it’s a 20-year plus investment. Hopefully my kids get involved one day and this is going to be more

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

NEWS // 5

Paul Smith with son Locky is joined by GEA’s Andrew Stansfield to inspect progress on the new dairy.

GEA’s Andrew Stansfield says one of the great benefits of the DairyProQ is its serviceability and its ability to create healthy and productive cows.

Construction has started on Australia’s first DairyProQ automated rotary dairy, and Paul Smith expects it to be in use by August.

appealing to them.”

Paul and Marsha can potentially double herd size without adding labour in the shed.

While the exact cost isn’t being revealed, Paul confirms it is a multi-million-dollar project with an expected payback within 10 years.

GEA is bringing an expert from Canada to look after the launch and to train Paul.

“I’m going to have to do a lot of learning with it,” Paul said.

“I’ve been talking with farmers overseas who’ve already got this system and everyone says

don’t even worry about it milking the cows, and the data you’re going to get from each cow is going to blow your mind.

“That will help with herd health and production, it will measure the cell count of each individual quarter on every cow, every milking. I can set a cell count threshold and it will dump the affected quarter while putting the other three in the vat.

“I’ll never get a high cell count and it will flag any problem on the computer and I can treat the cow accordingly.

TAKE CONTROL

“Herd health and management, I believe, will be one of the biggest windfalls.”

The system is designed for easy operation.

Cows will walk into a large, round holding yard and then onto the platform to get milked and then walk out.

If a cow hasn’t been milked out, she has to get off but will be drafted back into the main holding yard and come around a second time.

There are four separate draft yards for AI, sale, lame or dry cows and the rest will walk through to the feedpad.

of your

MILK PRICE

• 12+ months of milk price transparency • Milk trades on a fully licenced national exchange • Enhance your pool income through incremental forward sales, when you choose

• Take control of your milk price – lock in your margin – enjoy the certainty of price through forward selling

BEFORE you commit to your new season pool, contact AMPI • Email: info@ampidairy.com.au • Garry 0429 012 351 • Simon 0458 021 228 • Web: www.ampidairy.com.au

GEA Farm Technologies Australia boss Andrew Stansfield said the company and Dairy Tech SE were proud to bring the automated technology to Australia, and he predicted it would create a lot of interest.

“It’s our first DPQ in Australia and we’re not going to let Paul or the industry down,” Andrew said.

“We’re working together to make sure this is a success, with full support from Germany and the expert coming from Canada.”

Andrew said one of the real benefits of DairyProQ was its serviceability and its ability to create healthy and productive cows.

“If one robot box goes down you can keep going with the other 39 while it is being repaired.

DPQ dairies can go up to 80 stalls where you can milk 600 cows per hour.”

With the DairyProQ rotary parlour every milking procedure step is performed inside the teat cup in a fully automated process; it includes key sensors to constantly analyse and monitor the flow of milk and industrial touchscreens provide thorough insights into the milking process directly at the rotary parlour.

One of the underlying concepts of the DairyProQ is that the milking stall modules operate independently of one another, with a robotic module at every stall. It is the only system that enables reattachment and udder access at any time.

For Paul, it’s a big step and he’s been happy with the support.

“You throw a lot of money at it and you put your balls on the line, but I’m confident it will be a success.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

6 // NEWS

Costs cloud event’s success JEANETTE SEVERS

THE ADDITIONAL costs of COVID-19 com-

pliance shouldn’t be worn by event organisers.

That’s the message the board of Lardner Park wants the Victorian Government to listen to.

Lardner Park, near Warragul in Gippsland, hosts the Farm World field days and 120 other public and private events each year.

With tens of millions of dollars of machinery, equipment and other sales made at Farm World, the event stimulates the local economy and further afield.

Coronavirus cleaning and compliance activities to host the four-day Farm World field days, from March 24 to 27, cost $100,000 — along with many volunteer hours.

This cost came directly off the bottom line of earnings from site and entry fees, reducing the amount of money the not-for-profit event could contribute to the community.

“To put Farm World field days on under a COVID-safe plan — with cleaning, sanitiser, QR codes — cost us an extra $100,000,” chief executive officer Craig Debnam said.

“It’s quite overwhelming to do checks and making sure every exhibitor was following the government’s mandated safety [protocols], like wearing masks,” he said.

“There were 2500 exhibitor staff on site every day. We encouraged social distancing with signage and layout, and provided sanitiser across the site.”

Mr Debnam said the Department of Healthdesignated inspectors who attended Farm World throughout the weekend were consistently happy with how COVID safety was implemented across the 40-hectare site.

In particular, Drouin and Warragul Rotary clubs provided many volunteers to assist with vaccination checks and QR compliance at the entry gates.

“Lardner Park is an event centre that’s lost $7 million over the last two years because of events cancelled by lockdowns. It was a tough couple of years,” Mr Debnam said.

“We understand the government mandates to comply with COVID safety, but there’s no funding to support it and the cost is born by the event organiser.

“We’re not-for-profit and every dollar we earn goes back into the community as donations to community groups, and invested into improving the Lardner Park site.

“This is one event and we have another 120 events planned for this year.

“This level of cost of COVID compliance is unacceptable.

“Nor do we have time to scan through government grants [to defray that cost]. It’d be great to get a phone call or email from a government department with the message ‘here’s funding we have available to underwrite costs for you to comply with government mandates about COVID safety’.”

With four employees, a volunteer board and committee of 25 people, Lardner Park relies on considerable goodwill within the community to host Farm World field days, its biggest event each year.

Warragul Lions Club, Warragul Rotary Club, Drouin Rotary Club, Lardner Primary School, Drouin South Primary School, Warragul Industrials Football Club, Ellinbank Football Club, local CWA and CFA clubs all contribute volunteers to assist in running the event over four days.

“Farm World is very service-oriented,” Mr Debnam said.

Continued page 8

Gippsland Jersey founders Steve Ronalds and Sallie Jones with Amy Treptow and Sally Saxton dispensing milkshakes.

Mitchell Clark, Cameron Cutler and Jeff Ryrie at the Semex site at Farm World talking to dairy farmers about elevating genetics.

Glenn Duncan, of Hallora, with Brad Pendlebury and Mark Steggall, of Steggcivil Drone Service, behind an XAG P30 model spray and jet seeding drone. Glenn is holding a survey drone similar to the one used by Steggcivil to map his property to improve laneways.

Lauren and Simon Finger, of Yannathan, looking at the Boomerang twin bale feeder.

Ian Cougle, of Willow Grove, with the Gendore Hustler combi-feeder wagon.

Ian says he recently bought the same wagon.

With Tessie the cow on the Dairy Australia site is Athlone dairy farmer Lindsay Anderson and grandson Henry Fresura.

Better Together.

Partner up with CowManager and run your farm proactively. Better for your herd, better for you.

CowManager is the only cow monitoring system to f ciently combine ear temperature with activity ffi effi and rumination info f rmation. fo Jason Burleigh, Nullaware: “We chose CowManager because of the simplicity of installing and replacing an ear tag, and fo f r monitoring heat detection and health. It has enabled us to increase our in-calf rates by not missing any heats. This has enabled us to tighten our seasonal calving pattern.”

Scan the QR code to see all business benefits and discover why fa f rmers highly recommend our ear sensor system.

www.cowmanager.com/Australia Paul Quinlan T 0447 047 425 E pquinlan@wwsaustralia.com

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

8 // NEWS

Field days a success but costs cast shadow Continued from page 6 “Many service and not-for-profit community groups get supported to be at Farm World by a free site.”

As well as the opportunity for health checks with the National Centre for Farmer Health, Baw Baw Shire Council provided a nursing mothers’ space, and health support services provided hearing and skin checks and information about prostate and mental health, among other topics.

With a theme of ‘Return to Heritage’ this year, Farm World field days hosted a record-breaking 15,000 attendees on the Saturday (day three) and 39,654 people across the four days. There were 650 exhibitors.

This year, Saturday evening was given over to a rodeo, there were motocross events on three days, an equestrian expo each day and, courtesy of the Royal Melbourne Show, the Victorian leg of the Australian Young Farmer Challenge tested the mettle of many.

In 2021, with the cancellation of many agricultural shows, the Australian Young Farmer Challenge was an online event. This year it was back in front of audiences, with young people aged 18 to 35 years old competing in teams in a range of farm skills.

There were also opportunities for exhibitors, farmers and contractors to complete tractor driving tasks in a competition.

“About 50 machinery dealers were put through their paces over three days and it was a great opportunity for farmers and contractors to com-

pete against them, driving tractors and critique their handling,” Mr Debnam said.

On Friday’s Ag Demo Day, the committee provided a paddock on the site that allowed farmers and contractors to test drive agricultural equipment and machinery provided by dealers.

“Farm World was started to allow agricultural dealers the opportunity to display and demonstrate tractors and machinery. A big part of our theme this year was agricultural demonstrations,” Lardner Park chair Duncan McNeill said.

CommBank hosted a seminar on the first day, providing an economic outlook update that confirmed dairy as the biggest contributor to growth in Gippsland.

CommBank’s senior economist Ryan Felsman said Gippsland’s economic growth was being matched with infrastructure investment, with $2.4 billion currently under construction among $4.6 billion of planned infrastructure across the region.

“Farm World 2022 was a tremendous result and every exhibitor I spoke to said they made many sales over the four days and generated a lot of sales leads — there were tens of millions of dollars of sales made at Farm World,” Mr Debnam said.

“Everything we activated was very popular, and generally I think it was a very good event.

We’ll continue to grow the exhibitor base for next year.”

John Follett, a dairy farmer from Athlone, participates in a thorough health check, offered free at Farm World. John is getting his blood pressure checked by Zoe McLean from the National Centre for Farmer Health.

Peter Hillard and Robyn Bowen, from Strzelecki, learning about Terragen biological feed supplements from Ed McLeish.

Steve Hanning, a dairy farmer at Jack River, already uses hay and silage feeders and was looking at what else is available.

Uncle Mik Edwards welcomes Farm World participants to Country on behalf of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, while Eric Edwards burns cherry ballart and eucalyptus leaves to create the cleansing smoke and play a Yidkai from Yirrkala in the Northern Territory.

Graham Kinrade, of Lardner, and Chang Chuol and John Davison, with a DJI Agras T30 spray and seeding drone.

Change the way you see nutrition.

At CopRice, we are committed to delivering the highest quality rations, regardless of your specification, every time. Our pellets, mashes and concentrates contain carefully-selected Australian-grown grains, legumes, processed grain products, vegetable proteins and other quality nutrients. Our state-of-the-art facilities and world-class quality assurance systems mean you can be confident of the composition and safety of every load.

Book an obligation-free on-farm consultation and find out how CopRice can deliver a nutrition program that really stacks up.

1800 267 742 coprice.com.au

®Registered trademark of CopRice, a division of Ricegrowers Limited. CPA21505C

NUTRITION THAT STACKS UP

When it comes to my passion, I don’t compromise.

Call 33 77 Visit www.sheds.com.au sheds.com.au 13001300 725 94 977

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

NEWS // 11

Record opening price BEGA CHEESE has announced a record opening

price of $8.40/kg of milk solids for the 2022–23 year, for exclusive supply in the Victorian and Riverina zones.

The company will also deliver a 10¢/kg MS stepup for the current financial year.

Bega executive chairman Barry Irvin said the 10¢/kg MS step-up and milk price increase reflected strong global dairy commodity markets and Bega Cheese’s endeavour to ensure it was delivering a competitive milk price.

“Depending on supplier size and supply profile, most of our suppliers will receive an opening milk price in the range of $8.20 per kg milk solids to $8.60 per kg milk solids for our Victoria, south-east South Australian and Riverina exclusive suppliers,” Mr Irvin said.

“As is always the case when setting milk price, it was important that we considered the returns in both the Australian and international markets, the milk requirements for our significantly expanded portfolio of products and the competitive circumstances in each of our regions.”

Bega executive general manager of beverage operations Mark McDonald said the 2022–23 opening milk prices reflected the strength of Bega’s broader and diversified branded domestic and international dairy business.

Mr McDonald said all exclusive suppliers had a choice of milk price systems that best suited their

Bega executive chairman Barry Irvin.

farming business, that included the introduction of a new flat milk price system to support seasonal supply, broadening the 9/3 milk price system to more suppliers seeking early cash flow signals by including productivity incentives and maintaining a milk price system that supported larger scale and flatter supply profiles.

dairy housing for a more profitable future

So, you think you want a dairy barn?

A lot of work goes into researching, selecting a barn site and building the structure and associated infrastructure.

entegra.com.au 1300 296 206

NUFFIELD APPLICATIONS OPEN Aspiring Victorian dairy farmers are encouraged to make their mark in the industry by applying for the Gardiner Dairy Foundation 2023 Nuffield Scholarship.

A Gardiner Nuffield scholarship gives a Victorian dairy farmer an opportunity to study cutting-edge global agriculture, including an opportunity to travel overseas for 14 weeks.

Scholars will be challenged to research topics that add value to the Victorian dairy industry and will benefit from becoming members of the Nuffield alumni of more than 1500 members globally.

Gardiner CEO Allan Cameron said programs like Nuffield strengthen the knowledge, experience and networks of current and future dairy leaders.

“Gardiner supports the Nuffield Scholarship program to offer forward thinking Victorian dairy farmers an opportunity to explore best practice in agriculture globally and then share their findings with the local industry,” Mr Cameron said.

The 2014 recipient of the Gardiner Nuffield Scholarship, Gippsland dairy farmer Aubrey Pellett, said the experience had given him more confidence to look for solutions.

“If I’ve got a problem, I think - I’ve been around the world and been stimulated by different types of

solutions. That makes you think there’s probably another approach you could take rather than do what’s always been done.”

Since completing his Nuffield, Mr Pellett has also taken on several industry roles including chairman of Rural Financial Counselling Service Gippsland, deputy chair Bonlac Supply Company, director GippsDairy, and he was recently appointed as the farmer director on the Gardiner board.

Mr Pellett encouraged all farmers to consider applying for a scholarship.

“The scholarship increased my leadership opportunities because of the improved networks I now have,” he said.

Nuffield Australia will award up to 20 scholarships this year. The scholarships are open to farmers, fishers and those in associated industries aged between 28-45.

Nuffield Scholars also receive training in communication skills and personal and professional development.

Applications close on Friday June 17.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed during July and August.

Successful recipients of the 2023 Nuffield Scholarships will be announced at the Nuffield Australia National Conference in Tamworth NSW in September. For more information, visit http://nuffield.com.au/

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

12 // NEWS

Price ‘breakthrough’ AUSTRALIAN DAIRY farmers will benefit from the launch of the Australian Milk Price Initiative, the first Australian hedging market for milk, say dairy advocacy bodies.

The market has traded more than five million litres of milk since launching in March, with spot prices exceeding $10 kg/MS on a standardised contract.

Prices are quoted delivered silo with delivery across western, northern and eastern Victorian sites.

AMPI partner Garry Booth said the launch of the market had exceeded their expectations.

“It has been pleasing to see some milk trade as it is a new concept for people,” he said.

Australian Dairy Farmers president Rick Gladigau said the signs were “very positive” for the industry.

Regional spot markets deliver the monthly price transparency necessary to enable a forward hedging market like those seen in New Zealand, the United States and Europe.

“There is no more transparent price signal than an open market price,” Mr Gladigau said.

“AMPI will improve risk management across the supply chain with back-to-back pricing from customer to processor to farmer, providing the ability to lock in margins across the chain.

“Better margin and risk management enables better planning, which, in turn, drives investment and growth across the supply chain.

“More investment in the supply chain means a strong dairy industry.”

AMPI co-founder Scott Briggs said that AMPI would reflect the true value of milk at all times.

“The problem we’ve got at the moment with milk pricing is that we put it out there on the first of June and that processor is underwriting 12 months’ worth of milk price,” he said.

“It’s one price discovery event every 12 months, it’s not really telling us what the price of milk is worth at all times,” he said.

“When I compare that to what New Zealand, the US and Europe have got, they’ve got a system that tells them what milk’s worth at all times”.

He said this would help provide more transparency and market signals and information to farmers, which would help, for example, inform the debate around milk price step ups.

In 2019, the Federal Government provided ADF with an election pledge of $560,000 towards the development of a milk trading platform.

“While the launch of the AMPI is an important step, the work is not over yet,” Mr Gladigau said.

“Effort is required in the future to ensure appropriate governance and operations and there is a well-designed education or extension program delivered to farmers and processors on how to participate in this or other trading initiatives and how this makes a difference to their risk management and bottom line.”

The dairy market will be available between 2pm and 2.30 pm on two Thursdays of each month.

Information on how the market operates and how dairy farmers can access the market can be found at: www.ampidairy.com.au

JERSEY SALE RECORD SET TO TUMBLE The Jersey Australia Dairy’s Finest showcase sale will be held on May 24 as part of the annual general meeting in Tasmania, and is expected to match or better prices set at the inaugural sale last year.

The virtual sale of Dairy’s Finest Jersey cows in 2021 set a new Australian record average price and a new top price for an Australian-bred heifer.

All 26 lots were cleared to an average of $8178 with a top of $20,000, also a new record for an Australian-bred heifer.

Sale manager Rob Anderson said the scene was set for records to be challenged again when about 27 highquality pedigree lots go under the hammer.

“There will be some leading cow families in this catalogue, especially Australian families that have had the runs on the board,” Mr Anderson said.

“We’ve had great support from highprofile studs.”

Much of the catalogue is Victorian, along with some entries from NSW and one from Western Australia.

Some of the entries placed highly at the recent 60th Warragul Jersey Fair and there are notable Australian families such as Fernleaf and Iris, and imported cow families including Belle and Nellie.

Mr Anderson expects the quality offering and strong state of the industry

Notable Australian cow families such as Fernleaf (pictured) and Iris, and imported cow families including Belle and Nellie will feature at the sale.

to underscore a successful sale.

“You just have to look at recent dispersal sales over the last six months and they’ve all been at record highs, so everything is pointing towards another successful sale.”

Mr Anderson expects strong buyer interest in the online format.

“It’s the way people are going,” he said.

Genetics Australia is the major sponsor for the virtual sale, which will be held on Tuesday, May 24, in conjunction with the Jersey Australia AGM hosted by the Tasmanian branch.

It will follow the same format as last year, with no live animals present for the sale, and will be conducted by auctioneer Brian Leslie.

www.bobcatofaustralia.com.au

Bobcat Australia

clark@clarkequipment.com

bobcatofaustralia

1300 736 848

Bobcat Australia

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

14 // NEWS

Co-op supports members NORCO CO‑OPERATIVE will increase the

milk price for May and June 2022, which it says will see a $1.6 million injection go towards supporting its farmer base following repeated flooding in northern NSW and southern Queensland.

Norco’s 281 active members will receive an additional 5¢/litre paid as a Co‑operative Premium to take the average price to 84¢/litre.

Norco chief executive Michael Hampson said it had been an especially difficult time for their farmer members who had faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the recent natural disasters.

“We are constantly looking at ways to increase the milk price for our members and industry at large and given the devastating impact of recent weather events on the Norco supply base, there has never been a more important time to deliver this support to farmers,” he said.

“Following the floods, many of our farmer members have repair costs in the tens of millions. This follows periods of rising operating costs and decreased production due to the significant and prolonged weather conditions which has placed added cash flow pressures on our members.

“As a business, we know firsthand the challenges faced following natural disasters, so remain wholly committed to doing everything we can to support our farmers during this period and beyond.”

Mr Hampson said that during the past three seasons, Norco had demonstrated its commit-

ment to increasing farm gate prices over and above the June / July opening price, with closing prices consistently above initial opening offers.

Mr Hampson said future price increases would be critical in helping to ensure the viability of dairy farming for its members, which was why they remained committed to passing on future price improvements where possible.

The co‑operative is exploring further milk price increases for the 2022–23 financial year which will be announced on or before June 1, 2022.

Mr Hampson said while the co‑op’s primary focus was to provide support to their farmer members, it remained equally committed to helping safeguard the future of the Australian diary industry.

“We need to invest in building a sustainable future for our dairy farmers and to do that, our farmers need to make a profit. If they can’t, it reflects an undervaluation of their product which then points to the supply chain needing to change this value equation.

“Norco certainly understands this and is working hard to deliver improved value, not only for our members but the wider industry.”

He said consumer support would also play an important role in helping farmers recover.

“Consumers may see a slight price increase when buying Norco, but they can be assured that every single cent goes back to helping our farmers rebuild.”

South-west Victoria’s first Dairy Innovation Challenge winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 11 at the South West TAFE library.

The awards were originally scheduled to be announced on April 27 but were deferred due to unavailability of the venue.

A total of 19 innovations and ideas were submitted, with most interest being generated in onfarm and sustainability areas.

Along with applications from south-west Victoria, there were two entries from New South Wales and one from New Zealand.

The challenge, an initiative of the DemoDAIRY Foundation in partnership with Great South Coast Food and Fibre and Elders, aims to unearth ideas and innovations that solve problems in the dairy industry. It offers up to $4000 in prizemoney and support to further develop ideas in milk harvesting, farm operations and management, fodder production and harvesting, sustainability and the environment.

Norco CEO Michael Hampson.

We have asked the Supreme Court of Victoria to decide that Fonterra’s May 2016 step down was unconscionable, misleading and deceptive and a breach of contract. After all, a few months later Fonterra announced a $834m profit.

Farmers do not need to contribute any upfront or ongoing costs to participate in the class action (costs will only be deducted on success).

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can share in any financial compensation that may be payable by Fonterra in this action, visit fonterraclassaction.com.au or scan the QR code to find out more and to register, which doesn’t create any obligation and takes 30 seconds.

Registration is free, does not require any commitment and places famers on a list that is not available to Fonterra.

Registering will also help to ensure that you do not miss out on a share of any potential settlement. A mediation has been scheduled by the Court for August this year, with a potential trial to follow in November.

Visit fonterraclassaction.com.au or scan the QR code to find out more and to register (which doesn’t create any obligation and takes 30 seconds). *May 2016

INNOVATION WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

NEWS // 15

The next step in rotary milking GEA’s DairyProQ - the fully automated rotary milking solution for large-scale dairy farms.

Superior milk quality

Ideal work environment

Productivity around the clock

Fully automated and ready to take care of all milking tasks, the DairyProQ not only provides you with ground-breaking ways to optimise the workflow of your farm, it represents the perfect balance between people, animals and technology.

Ready for your next step? Learn more about how the DairyProQ can take care of milking your cows for you.

Reliable dealer network – nationwide

Looking for your next step?

We can help.

A better view of your animals.

MORE N R A E L

Animal Performance Web & mobile app

Take control of animal production with an all-in-one hardware and software solution that allows you to track livestock performance, make better decisions and grow your profit.

Discover more at am.gallagher.com

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

NEWS // 17

Time is ripe for a change

CGS ELECTRO-EJACULATOR & BULL PROBE

CGS ELECTRO-EJACULATOR & BULL control unitPROBE with vinyl

CGS ELECTRO-EJACULATOR & PROBE • BULL An electronic An electronic control unit with vinyl

•

jacket and carry strap

• An electronic jacket andcontrol carry strapunit with vinyl jacket and carry strap

CGS ELECTRO-EJACULATOR & BULL PROBE •

• Rechargeable sealed 12V Battery & • electronic Rechargeable sealed 12V Battery & control unit with vinyl •AnRechargeable & 240V Battery charger 240V Battery charger jacket and carryBattery strap sealed 240V charger 12V Battery Rechargeable sealed 12V Battery &

•

Various probes and spare available • parts Various probesavailable and spare parts available 240V Battery charger and •• Various probes spare parts

•

Various probes and spare parts available

CITO THAW UNIT CITO THAW CITOUNIT THAW

UNIT

Electronic 12-220-Volt AC anddigital unit heats and maintains accurate water temperature thawing.

CITOfor THAW UNIT thawing.

Electronic 12-220-Volt AC digital unit heats and Electronic 12-220-Volt AC digital unit heats maintains accurate water temperature for maintains accurate water temperature for thawing.

Includes: Glass lined thermos, adjustable heat settings, accurate thaw monitor temperature Includes: Glass lined thermos, adjustable indicator, fitted retrieval basket, power cord

Includes: Glass lined thermos, adjustable heat settings, and accurate thaw monitor temperature indicator, fitted retrieval thawing. basket, power cord

heat Electronic 12-220-Volt AC digital unit heats settings, accurate thaw monitor temperature water temperature for indicator, fitted retrieval maintains basket, poweraccurate cord

Includes: Glass lined thermos, adjustable heat settings, accurate thaw monitor temperature indicator, fitted retrieval basket, power cord

STOCK AVAILABLE: CONTACT THE OFFICE ON 1800 6147 860 FOR PRICING OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

STOCK AVAILABLE:

STOCK AVAILABLE:

VIC, TAS & S/W NSW -NOEL FORREST :

CONTACT THE OFFICE ON 1800 6147 860 FORON PRICING CENTRAL NSW-CHRIS MIEKLEJOHN: CONTACT THE OFFICE 1800

647 860 FOR PRICING REPRESENTATIVE VIC, TAS TAS & & S/WS/W NSW -NOEL : VIC, NSWFORREST - NOEL FORREST - PH: 0402 432 771 CENTRAL NSW-CHRIS CENTRAL NSW -MIEKLEJOHN: CHRIS MEIKLEJOHN - PH: 0427 310 245 QLD & & NTHRN NSW - TIM KIRK: - TIM KIRK - PH: 0427 078 048 QLD NTHRN NSW

& NTHRNLOCAL NSW - TIM KIRK:REPRESENTATIVE OR CONTACT YOUR SALES ORQLDCONTACT YOUR LOCAL SALES

STOCK AVAILABLE:

CONTACT THE OFFICE ON 1800 6147 860 FOR PRICING

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FEED OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Lyn and Toby Leppin are stepping into retirement and have sold their farm at Bena and the Aussie Red herd they have spent decades improving through genetic selection.

VIC, TAS & S/W NSW -NOEL FORREST : CENTRAL NSW-CHRIS MIEKLEJOHN: QLD & NTHRN NSW - TIM KIRK:

SKIOLD DISC MILL

Nick Leppin realised he likes managing the farm, doing maintenance and dealing with data, but he doesn’t like workforce management.

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

AN ELITE Aussie Red dairy herd will be dispersed in the next couple of months, with the sale of the Leppin dairy farm at Bena, in Gippsland.

The sale of the farm and herd comes after many conversations between Toby and Lyn Leppin and their son Nick, who are in a 50:50 sharefarming agreement.

All involved agreed it was a tough decision to exit the dairy industry.

But for them all, decisions needed to be made about lifestyle going forward, challenges in recruiting employees and changing animal welfare regulations in the dairy industry.

“After 44 years in the dairy industry, I decided I wanted to retire, and this June was the deadline,” Toby said.

“In conversations about what to do next, the three of us recognised it was time for a life change for all of us.

“There were also outside pressures that started us talking about exiting the industry.”

A key factor in the decision making was workforce.

Toby and Lyn have worked part-time in recent years, stepping up to full-time during harvest and calving. They knew that wasn’t sustainable when their plans were to retire.

SKIOLDVMS CLASS LEADING GRAIN MILLING TECHNOLOGY UNPARALLELED MILLING EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION BETTER UTILISATION OF YOUR GRAIN

Nick has progressively sold the Aussie Red milkers.

The permanent full-time worker, who was very reliable and had worked on the farm for a long time, moved interstate. The remaining workforce was a part-time worker and Nick.

Nick was faced with the reality of finding and recruiting reliable labour units, who were passionate about the industry.

He and Sarah have two young children, and Nick knew he wanted to spend time with them.

“Dad worked a lot when we were growing up, and I didn’t want to miss out on spending time with my kids,” Nick said.

Continued, page 18

EUROPEAN QUALITY AND MANUFACTURED MULTIPLE DISC MILL SIZES AVAILABLE Flexible Augers • Pencil Augers • Mixers • Cleaners • Control Systems SPEAK TO A SKIOLD VMS REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT YOUR NEXT FEED MILL Complete feed systems also available

CALL US TODAY: Tel: 07 55 477 588

www.vacmillsolutions.com.au Email: sales@vacmillsolutions.com.au

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

18 // NEWS Continued from page 17

The dairy industry is a seven-days-a-week job, and Toby admits this makes it hard to balance lifestyle and family.

“I was head down working trying to improve the farm and make a living,” Toby said.

Beyond lifestyle, there were financial decisions to be made. Nick is in a 50:50 sharefarming arrangement with his parents. A key business asset for him is the herd.

While Nick is keeping the machinery he owns, the herd is a saleable item. Genetic selection over decades has built a sound herd, with good production figures.

“We’ve always been heavily focused on kg/ hectare rather than per cow. The herd produced 546 kg milk solids/cow last year, or the equivalent of 1400 kg MS/ha,” Toby said.

“In exceptional years, the herd has produced up to 1600 kg MS/ha. Some years we haven’t fed much grain to achieve those results.”

For Toby and Lyn, the farm is a significant financial asset, as well as a portion of the herd.

They admit to wrestling with the decision and visiting a number of scenarios, as did Nick, to enable Nick and Sarah to buy the farm.

In the end, it was just too expensive for them.

Toby spent many years setting up the farm and he and Nick have continued to improve it.

“If it had have been possible for Nick and Sarah to purchase the farm, we would have gone out of our way to make it work,” Toby said.

“But that’s a lot of debt and a lot of stress, and you don’t want to regret it in a few years’ time.

“You’re under an enormous amount of pressure to be successful in dairy farming, and you’ve

3 YR

1E0PLA0CE% MENT R

got to be committed to it. In the end, the best decision for everyone was to sell.”

The Leppins are pleased the new owner will continue to run the property as a dairy farm when he takes over at the end of June.

Facing the challenges Toby said passion for milking cows was paramount for working in the dairy industry, followed by animal welfare and improving the land’s productivity.

“There are a lot of outside pressures in the dairy industry, that farmers don’t have control over,” he said.

“These decisions and changes are created by people outside the dairy industry, but they impact on what we do every day.”

Some of the animal welfare changes in Victoria have impacted the bobby calf market, and control over joining periods and inductions have been taken away from farmers. Additionally, fertiliser use is to be subject to more regulations.

“We’re being told now that we’re going to be audited for nitrogen use, how it’s applied, when it’s applied and how much is applied,” Toby said.

“For what purpose? Farmers can’t afford not to look after their cows and farms, yet we’re continually being told by others how we should be running our businesses.”

Recruiting and managing employees is a challenge across the dairy industry.

“The best people in the dairy industry need to be passionate about cows,” Toby said.

“A lot of people are desperate for reliable employees. Farmers are supposed to have the skills to interview, recruit and manage people,

The herd of Aussie Red cows produced 546kg MS/cow last year, or the equivalent of 1400kg MS/ hectare.

The rotary dairy is central to the farm, with all laneways leading to it.

develop contracts — and these sorts of tasks are not necessarily what we do best.

“These are all the issues we deal with day to day. Sometimes it gets too tough and dairy farmers make the decision to leave the industry.”

Faced with the challenge of recruiting and training employees, organising their work and dealing with work-related issues, Nick realised he’d sooner work independently than spend every day managing staff. As the Leppin dairy farm was not a one-person business, this was not an option.

“I had an interesting conversation with my accountant,” Nick said.

“He said, ‘you have 400 cows, 1000 acres, two labour units, plus Toby and Lyn part-time and a part-time relief milker. For the farm you’re running, it’s no wonder you’re feeling burnt out’.”

Toby and Nick have always been responsible for maintenance, cropping, animal husbandry and AI. “If I’m the only labour unit left, I can’t physically do everything myself,” Nick said.

“And the thought of finding reliable staff, training and managing them, added to my stress.”

Nick has been involved in the dairy farm for 15 years.

“When I first went into dairy farming, I really enjoyed the management, the running of the business, doing the maintenance. My passion is more about running the business side of it,” he said.

“I’m not excited as I used to be about working in the dairy.

“If I knew I could get someone else who was as reliable as my former permanent full-time worker, I might rethink being in the dairy industry. But I also know it’s not my preference to manage workers.”

Admitting he has done well out of being in the dairy industry, Nick and Sarah have purchased a farm nearby at Inverloch, where they will live.

Coincidentally, the new farm is next door to Toby and Lyn’s turnout block, and Nick will lease this land to be able to start beef farming full-time.

Nick is looking forward to continue being his own boss — without the issues that come with employing workers — and managing his time without the constraints of dairy farming. He is currently purchasing a beef herd.

The farm is well set up, with significant infrastructure, and Toby and Nick have been responsible for building and maintenance.

A feedpad, calving pads and sheds are all close by the dairy, to streamline the working environment.

“We’ve done the budget and we know we’ll make a heap less money in beef than dairy, but I had a light bulb moment and realised it’s not about making money for us, it’s about the kids and our lifestyle,” Nick said.

“For someone who wants to have a crack, there’s really good money to be made in the dairy industry. But there are a lot of challenges.”

While the milking herd normally numbers 400, Nick has set about selling the dairy herd by privately selling empty and milking cows.

“The herd test data and production figures are sound, from many years of information collation,” he said.

The rising two-year-old heifers will also be sold, joined to Angus lowline bulls. Toby and Nick will keep the yearlings, selling them next year as rising two-year-old in-calf heifers.

“We love living here, and it’s a bit sad to sell this farm, but we realised we can’t have the luxury of living here if we are no longer prepared to put the work in every day,” Toby said.

The Leppin family is well known for their considerable contribution to the dairy industry over the years, by being involved in discussion groups, Focus Farms, various farmer panels and research studies, and building up the genetic base and production capacity of Aussie Red cows.

Toby has also been involved as an agricultural trainer in various schools in Melbourne that offered agriculture studies to their students. He has mentored many farmers over a long period of time.

It’s now time for Toby and Lyn to move on and take life a bit easier, spending more time with their five grandchildren and enjoying lots more sailing.

Spend more quality time with your 2 legged family Being a dairy farmer is sometimes like being a parent to your herd, but not having enough time for your own family. Thankfully, Allflex® Dairy Monitoring can help. It allows you to see when cattle are in heat, unwell and lots of other useful info. All on your phone, wherever you are. And it's backed with great training and local support.

Allflex Dairy Monitoring

www.allflex.com.au 1300 138 247 ® Registered trademarks.

Intervet Australia Pty. Ltd. [known as MSD Animal Health] Copyright © 2022. Intervet International B.V. All rights reserved.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

20 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES

ABVs name top herds, sires

ABS Jeronimo is the top proven Holstein sire in Australia in the latest ABV results.

Save yourself from hoof hassles Strong, Easy, and Safe.

Proven on thousands of farms since 1995.

Braked winches, easy access All cow handling tasks Essential for every Cowshed.

“Make itit quick, quick,easy, easy,&&safe safe “Make & staff staff will will happily happilydo do hooves.” hooves.” & Stock available for direct delivery

PERFORMANCE, D N A Y T I C I L P M I S RELIABILITY

The popular, polled, A2 sire again heads the Holstein proven sire list at 535 BPI. This elite sire now has 288 milking daughters in 39 herds. This high component sire has several high-quality sons available from various suppliers.

Among proven Jersey sires, the reign of Wilsonview IF Matt (7JE01344) has come to an end after six consecutive runs at the top of the Australian Proven Sire list.

The number one Jersey ABV herd, White Star, has produced the number one and two Australian Proven Jersey sires, both standing at Genetics Australia.

Herd improvement body Data Gene has released the latest ABV figures and encourages farmers to check the lists for breeding traits when choosing bulls.

Bulls at the top of the ABV rankings now have BPIs of more than 550 — double that of flagship bulls a decade ago. DataGene stakeholder relations specialist Peter Thurn said the genetic progress had come a long way in 10 years and he could only imagine what the future holds with all the technology the industry has access to.

FARMER FAVOURITES EARN THEIR PLACE

ENGINEERED TO PERFORM MANUFACTURED TO LAST

Supreme International manufactures single, twin and triple auger processors with sizes ranging from 235-1877 cubic feet. Unlike most other vertical mixers that use smaller single stage planetary drives, Supreme uses the heaviest two-stage planetary drive available. Each Supreme pull The Supreme processor is designed type is builtvertical to order with a large variety of options available, ensuring each to have fewer wear points and a simplicity that customer gets a unit that is designed to meet their specific needs. gives hassle free maintenance Supreme’s mixing tubs have been carefully AR200 WALLS designed for easier loading, better mixing and longer life. The unobstructed opening facilitates loading of whole bales, regardless of type or size.

Supreme International manufactures single, twin and triple auger processors with sizes ranging from 235-1877 cubic feet. Unlike most SYSTEM other verticalSCALE mixers that use smaller single stage planetary drives, Supreme uses the STEEL OIL RESERVIOR(S) heaviest two-stage planetary drive available.

Combined with a heavy duty gearbox, this robust system rotates the auger through the FULL SIZE PLATFORM toughest of materials.

PROFESSIONAL FINISH

RESTRICTOR PLATES

For more information contact Forbes Machinery today!

HD CONVEYOR OIL BATH HUBS

HD TUBULAR FRAME & UNDERCARRIAGE

FOR THE second time in a row, George Wagner’s Rengaw herd from Bridport, Tasmania, holds top spot in the Australian Breeding Values for Holsteins, with an average BPI of 264.

Rengaw was established in 1968 and Mr Wagner was inducted into Genetics Australia’s honour roll in 2018.

The Emu Banks herd of Bryan and Jo Dickson from Terang, Victoria, has moved into second place with an average BPI of 258 — a fantastic achievement for a large herd.

The number one HWI herd is owned by young Warragul breeder Brendon Winter.

Mr Winter’s herd has an average HWI of 256 and is also the number three BPI herd.

In the Jerseys, the battle between Rob and Sandra Bacon’s Brookbora Jerseys and Con and Michelle Glennen’s White Star Jerseys for the top BPI herd continues.

This ABV run the tables have turned, with White Star holding top spot with an average BPI of 207 just ahead of Brookbora with an average BPI of 202.

Meanwhile, the top proven sire among Australian Holsteins was ABS Jeronimo (29HO18698).

HIGHWAY TIRES

AUSTRALIAN IMPORTERS

02 6852 02 6852 32113211 2 Parkes Rd, Forbes NSW 2871 2 Parkes Rd, Forbes NSW 2871 www.forbesmachinery.com.au www.aehgroup.net.au

Toora, Victoria Holstein breeder Mitchell Jones has two of the highest-ranking Jeronimo genomic females in the family’s milking herd of 700 cows.

For ABS Australian business operations manager Bruce Ronalds, confirmation of Jeronimo’s dominance is proof of the strong health and production traits he’s delivering on-farm.

“Jeronimo is all about reliability, stability and profitability. He’s retained his top spot with 288 daughters milking in Australian herds and the addition of 33 daughters to his proof since last year,” Mr Ronalds said.

“Add to that, 86 per cent of his daughters classified for their dairy type by Holstein Australia have been assessed as ‘Good-Plus’ or better.

“Jeronimo is breeding functional and profitable cows. For the past 12 months he’s consistently produced 30–44 per cent of the country’s top Holstein females. No wonder he’s our biggest selling sire in the Australian market.”

Toora, Victoria breeder, Mitchell Jones, and his family are milking three of the top females sired by Jeronimo.

These include the number one genomic female V4 Jernimy at 578 BPI and number seven V2 Jeronimo Tiffany at 527 BPI. These daughters have Production Indexes in the top three per cent of the Jones’ Cypress Grove Holstein herd.

As two-year-olds, these two Jeronimo daughters are classified 82 points.

“These are full sisters, and they are all high, it’s consistent,” Mr Jones said.

Mitchell Jones

“It means we know what they are going to produce. We can rely on the fact they are going to look after us in our pocket. It also shows the efficiency that whatever you can feed them they are going to return.”

Mr Ronalds said new young genomic bulls such as 29HO20714 Bomaz Watson and 29HO20617 Bomaz Wisteria also stacked up well in Australian conditions.

ABS also has the number seven ABV genomic bull 29HO20549 Pine-Tree Denovo Aleo at 517 BPI. “The ranking of these genomic sires is proof of the speed of genetic gain in the dairy industry and how easy it is to improve the value of your herd, thanks to short generation intervals,” Mr Ronalds said.

“Using the latest technology to source the best up-and-coming sires, while chasing milk records of daughters to develop proven bull proofs, is how ABS ensures it offers farmers quality and diversity for their breeding programs.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES // 21

Breeding for better results SHIONA BERRY isn’t that interested in cattle genetics. Neither is her husband, Caleb.

But these Glen Alvie dairy farmers started genomic testing their heifer calves two years ago.

Shiona told a recent DataGene Genomics Discovery Day that DNA testing their calves helped accurately select the top animals for retention.

“We are rearing so many more heifers now because of sexed semen and our cows are getting pregnant really quite well now,” she said.

“We are selling a lot to the export market, and we knew what we were doing to pick the ones for the export market was not great.

“We went through a stage where it was all the tail-enders (born at the end of the calving season) that were culled.

“Then we went through a stage where we looked at the mothers (of the calves) to see their production and whether we liked their traits and then we’d get rid of their calves if they did not tick a box.”

With two years of genomic testing under their belt — including all the animal’s BPI data — Shiona and Caleb realised their previous approach to culling wasn’t the most beneficial for their business.

“The stab in the dark we were having previously was crazy,” Shiona said.

“To say we were cutting tail-enders off, and I look at our genomic testing data and our tailenders were not our poorest BPI … actually we have poor BPI spread all through.”

Now they select the heifers they want to

retain based on BPI and use industry tools such as DataVat to navigate the genomic information.

Shiona, Caleb and their children — Ella, 16, Freya, 14 and Olivia, 11 — operate Glen Alvie Dairies in West Gippsland, milking 700 cows in a split-calving system.

With a nutrition background, Shiona’s passion is feeding cattle.

Until 10 years ago she hadn’t given much thought to the genetics in their herd, as this job was outsourced.

At that time, their herd was “going the wrong way”. The cows were too big for their hilly farm and they weren’t necessarily getting pregnant.

Shiona and Caleb took the reins of genetic selection and created a clear breeding goal.

“We want an animal that can march up hills; it’s probably a bit more robust than the normal dairy type that we’ve always been led to believe was great,” she said.

“We’ve got production in mind as well; our cows do 8500 to 9000litres, so that’s definitely a focus.

“We want our cows pregnant, all four legs on the ground and to have the choice to cull a cow.

We don’t want to have to cull a cow because she’s empty or has mastitis and we want the cow to last.”

Not long after this change in breeding direction, Shiona and Caleb learnt about genomic testing.

Initially, they dismissed the concept because of cost and the fact neither of them was into genetics.

Shiona Berry uses genomic testing to select the heifers to keep as replacements based on BPI and sells the surplus for export.

But a few years ago, they became involved in an industry research project where they were required to take a DNA sample from dead calves. It opened the door for them to start testing their live calves.

Taking the initial genomic samples proved challenging.

“We were taking the samples from the calves and they were standing up and running around,” Shiona said.

“Now we do it when we disbud the calves under general anaesthetic on the ground. I walk along and they get their vaccination, and we do

a notch at the same time. It is very easy and a lot calmer.”

Another benefit of genomic testing has been accurately identifying parentage.

They now receive an email post-genomic testing, which highlights all the misidentified animals, enabling them to rectify records.

Looking ahead, Shiona anticipates using genomic information for more targeted breeding.

“It has been much more helpful for me, as a non-genetics person, to have that data to then decide what bull I’m going to use.”

Providing structural steel and concrete solutions to agriculture and industry The team at Milne Construction & Fabrication are dedicated to providing a premium level of personal customer service and first grade expertise.

Compost Barn

Machinery Shed

Milne Construction & Fabrication specialises in offering: • Construction of new dairies, sheds, feed pads, free stall barns • Construction of industrial buildings • Structural steel fabrication

Fertiliser Shed

Freestall barn

• Precast panel construction and installation

21 Nelson Street Numurkah, VIC 3636 info@milnecf.com.au Precast Panels

Freestall barn

0417 296 286

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

22 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES

The only way is up ... and up LYN AND David Parish have continued their

rapid ascension in the national herd rankings, becoming the first Jersey herd in Australia to reach more than 2000 genotyped cows.

Milking 650 registered Jerseys on the fertile slopes south of Winchelsea in western Victoria, the Parishes started genotyping their Dornoch Jerseys herd through their involvement in the ImProving Herds Project.

In 2014, their first genomic results ranked the Dornoch herd at number 278 out of 387 herd-recorded Jersey herds in Australia for BPI, which combines the key traits that contribute to profit.

By using the genomic data, and the information provided in their Genetic Progress Report (GPR), the Parishes have seen a dramatic rise in their herd’s overall genetic performance.

After the April Australian Breeding Values (ABV) release, the Dornoch herd rose to an average BPI score of +139 and HWI of +121, earning a ranking of number 25 for BPI and number 14 for HWI nationally.

DataGene’s Peter Williams has tracked the progress of the Dornoch herd during the past 10 years.

He praised the Parishes for their dedication to accurate record keeping and data collection, and said he had not seen another herd improve so much in such a short period of time.

“Their original results ranked them in the bottom 30 per cent of herd-recorded Jersey herds for BPI in Australia,” Peter said.

“Now they are in the top 10 per cent nationally for both BPI and HWI. It’s a remarkable achievement to see a herd advance so quickly from where they started.”

Peter attributes the success of the Dornoch herd to Lyn and David’s willingness to embrace the genomic data, and Lyn’s progressive approach to breeding and herd management.

When analysing the Parishes’ GPR, Peter highlighted the compounding gains achieved in BPI across the herd since 2014.

“Coinciding with them having the greatest number of Jersey cows genomically tested in Australia, their Genetic Progress Report shows important traits trending well above the national Jersey average; traits such as type, longevity, mastitis resistance and overall Balanced Performance Index,” Peter said.

“Their herd jumped nearly 100 places in the national Jersey herd BPI rankings in the past two years (April 2020 to April 2022).

“It is certainly rewarding for all their hard work.”

Lyn said she didn’t have any specific goals or expectations when she first began genomically testing her cows.

Though she admitted their early genomic results showing their low overall herd ranking

Lyn (pictured) and David Parish have used genomic data to dramatically increase their herd’s overall genetic performance.

was disappointing, Lyn was not disheartened.

Instead, she was motivated to implement new strategies in the hope of achieving change.

“I never thought of reaching the top 10 or anything like that — it seemed so out of reach,” she said.

“But it gave us something to aim for, so we kept plugging away. Now we’re nearly there it’s a bit of a thrill.”

Using the information provided by the GPR, Lyn’s first action was to incorporate the genomic results with their corrective mating program.

By combining the genotypic data with the phenotypic evaluation, Lyn was able to customise her sire selection to maximise the genetic progress of her herd.

“We tailor the bulls we select to correct the animal’s faults,” Lyn said.

“We’ve encountered different faults within the herd over the years, but you have to fix one problem before you fix another.”

Lyn studies the genomic proofs and profit rankings with her breeding adviser, accessing genetics from all over the world to meet her breeding requirements.

Our premium range of pasture varieties that have been formulated to provide Australian farmers with the highest quality pastures for your livestock. Our premium varieties offer the latest pasture technology to provide high levels of metabolisable energy, good palatability & the persistence to our harsh local environments. For your local Notman Pasture Seeds sales agronomist call (03) 5659 2314 DELIVERY AUSTRALIA WIDE

|

SINCE 1987

|

SERVICING AUSTRALIAN FARMERS FOR OVER 30 YEARS

|

(03) 5659 2314

EXPERIENCED PASTURE TEAM WITH EXCELLENT SUPPORT & AGRONOMY INFORMATION

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES // 23

Lyn Parish studies the genomic proofs and profit rankings with her breeding adviser, accessing genetics from all over the world to meet her breeding requirements.

Aside from the breeding values, Lyn Parish is also using the genomic data for parentage verification — which is automatic now that the genotype of all their females and sires (including natural sires) are on the database.

“We try and use the top bulls each year, and can usually find bulls with pretty decent numbers while keeping all the good traits that I’m after.”

Alongside BPI, Lyn has concentrated her program on type traits such as udders and chest width — with positive results.

“We are now giving more attention to the fertility and health traits.”

Lyn believes the use of sexed semen over the maiden heifers and high genetic merit cows, combined with the use of beef sires over the

Aside from the breeding values, Lyn is also using the genomic data for parentage verification — which is automatic now that the genotype of all their females and sires (including natural sires) are on the database.

“We’re usually pretty on top of our identification, so there are very few surprises,” Lyn said.

“Though it is helpful for the naturally bred calves during times when we’ve had to rotate the bulls.”

lower genetic merit cows, has helped accelerate the genetic improvement in the herd.

This additional selection pressure, combined with a strict culling regime, is continually “pushing the bottom cows out”, with very few replacements entering the milking herd that have tested below the herd average for BPI. To ensure 100 per cent of their herd is genomically tested, the Parishes collect TSUs (tissue sampling units) from every calf born (including bull calves) at dehorning.

Lyn said watching the rise of her herd in the genomic rankings, the additional demand for their young Jersey sires and surplus stock, and the industry recognition they have received, gave her a goal to aim for.

“It has taken some time — but it hasn’t been something that was all that difficult, or a real labour to get there.

“It’s very rewarding to see our herd move up the scales and keeps us aspiring to do better.”

KEEP WARM THIS WINTER, AND…

MAKE MORE HEIFER CALVES!

RECEIVE A FREE WWS KATHMANDU JACKET WITH EVERY 100 UNITS OF ANY WWS SEXED SEMEN HOLSTEIN

WHILE STOCKS LAST OR 30TH JUNE 2022

Calf photo at the K&F&G Armistead Dairy, Bungador Victoria

JERSEY

photo by Amy Wright

BULL ID

NAME

2022 RRP

PURCHASE AT

562HO02022

ACE-PP-XY

$60

$55

509HO14608

ALUM-XY 4M

$60

$55

550HO15217

CAPONE-XY

$60

$55

507HO14163

DRASTIC-P-XY

$50

$45

507HO13981

FREEBORN-XY

$45

$45

550HO15235

MUSCLES-XY

$60

$50

507HO12724

WIGGINS-XY

$50

$50

614JE00725

CASINO-XY

$60

$50

507JE01344

MATT-XY

$60

$45

550JE01834

STURGIS-XY

$70

$55

DESIGNATIONS A2/A2

A2/A2 A2/A2 A2/A2 A2/A2 A2/A2 A2/A2 A2/A2

™ GForce, ™Mastitis ResistantPRO, ™gender SELECTED and ™Elite Sexed Fertility are trademarks of Select Sires Inc., ®RobotPRO, ®FertilityPRO and ®GrazingPRO are registered trademarks of Select Sires Inc. All gender SELECTED semen is processed using Ultraplus™ technology. Ultraplus is a trademark of Inguran LLC.

®

Product of the USA

WORLD WIDE SIRES Phone (03) 5831 5559 • info@wwsaustralia.com

HERE FOR YOU.

wwsaustralia.com

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

24 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES April 2022 Australian Breeding Values release The latest Datagene results have revealed the top herds by BPI, top cow ABVs and top active bulls in the country. See some of the results below. For full results visit www.datagene.com.au

Top Holstein females with ABV(g)s on Balanced Performance Index Indices Long Name

Owner

BPI

BPI

$

Rel

Production

HWI

ASI

Conformation

Survival

ASI

Overall

Mam

Type

Rel

Type

Syst

Rel

Mastitis

Fertility

Survival

Rel

Workability

Resistance

Dtr

Fert

Mas

Mas

Milk

Fert

Rel

Resist

Rel

Spd

FeedSaved

Like

Temp

Heat

Work

Feed

FS

Heat

HT

Rel

Saved

Rel

Tol

Rel

CARENDA MAGIC BALL VISKA

KITCHEN FARMS

539

63

551

216

77

102

102

57

111

47

113

44

109

60

103

105

103

59

12

41

97

38

21013

LILLICO JM & V

524

65

554

179

77

101

102

60

113

51

114

50

108

64

105

105

103

63

-24

42

95

38

ILLAWAMBRA RIVER SLEEPY 3950-CNF-DP

PARRISH, TJ & LR

522

63

554

228

76

97

95

58

110

49

116

46

109

61

101

102

100

60

35

41

97

38

NOALIMBA RIVER 9043

WEST & HAGGERTY

513

64

570

176

77

105

100

58

111

49

119

48

108

62

103

104

102

61

-52

41

99

38

24071

DONOVANS DAIRYING CO. (EMAIL)

512

65

576

138

77

104

102

59

111

51

117

49

114

63

100

104

103

61

-22

42

98

38

EMU BANKS KARAT DIAMOND 12888 ET

DICKSON BJ & JL (EASYD)

510

66

538

168

77

107

112

62

112

53

113

51

108

66

103

107

105

64

-42

43

97

38

21011

LILLICO JM & V

508

64

562

165

77

100

101

58

113

49

117

47

106

62

105

104

103

61

-32

41

96

38

ILLAWAMBRA ROCKSOLID PRIDE 4217

PARRISH, TJ & LR

507

64

515

182

77

101

105

58

112

49

111

47

111

61

103

105

103

60

-43

42

94

38

SPRING BANKS PERSEUS CALE 12589

DICKSON BJ & JL (EASYD)

505

69

547

192

79

99

102

67

110

57

116

59

107

72

105

104

101

70

-5

45

90

38

7182

TRACY S (GINFO)

500

64

564

154

76

104

105

58

111

50

117

48

110

62

100

104

102

62

-36

41

97

38

Top Jersey females with ABV(g)s on Balanced Performance Index Indices Long Name

LANGDALE MATT NAOMI 2

Owner

BPI

BPI

$

Rel

MATHEWS D & A

391

Production

HWI

ASI

72

326

192

Conformation

Survival

ASI

Overall

Mam

Type

Rel

Type

Syst

Rel

79

105

105

Mastitis

Fertility

Workability

Resistance

Dtr

Fert

Mas

Mas

Milk

Fert

Rel

Resist

Rel

Spd

58

100

58

107

66

Survival

Rel

63

110

FeedSaved

Heat

Work

Feed

FS

Heat

HT

Rel

Saved

Rel

Tol

Rel

104

66

8

34

93

38

Like

Temp

103

104

5835

HOFFMANN, MR (GINFO)

384

70

325

208

78

102

103

59

108

51

101

56

108

65

102

103

100

65

23

32

91

38

HUNTINGFIELD 5307

LOVEDAY FAMILY TRUST

371

72

312

93

79

109

110

63

113

59

97

60

112

66

103

107

106

67

-27

34

98

38

5813

HOFFMANN, MR (GINFO)

370

68

357

155

77

101

102

57

111

49

103

54

109

64

102

103

99

63

46

31

95

38

WALLACEDALE MATT MADGE-P

WALLACE L & M (GINFO)

365

71

273

149

78

107

111

61

110

57

95

58

110

65

104

106

104

65

-23

34

98

38

KAARMONA ALDRIN IMPISH 3

SPRUNT GC & RG (EASYD)(GINFO)

364

69

253

194

79

110

112

53

110

51

96

55

104

65

103

106

105

60

-57

30

95

38

6594

GLENNEN C & CO (IDARY) (GINFO)

362

71

278

156

79

109

107

62

109

57

99

58

109

66

103

105

105

66

-61

34

99

38

WALLACEDALE MATTS 3RD MADGE

WALLACE L & M (GINFO)

361

72

340

95

79

104

107

63

111

60

103

61

110

68

104

104

105

67

-41

34

97

38

KINGS VILLE MATT ERAN

ANDERSON RG & KL

360

72

299

139

79

109

111

63

110

59

101

60

106

68

103

105

105

68

-66

34

93

38

KINGS VILLE BELLA 66

ANDERSON RG & KL

359

71

329

102

79

110

108

62

112

58

100

58

110

66

104

106

105

66

16

34

97

38

Top 10 Holstein Herds Herd Owner

Curr.

No.

Genomic

Age

BPI

HWI

Cows

Cows

Cows

Group

Rank

Rank

ABV BPI $

WAGNER G

HWI

ASI

Prot

Prot

Milk

Fat

Fat

kg

%

L

kg

%

51

58

108

9T

1

2

264

253

110

15

0.14

307

19

0.08

DICKSON BJ & JL (EASYD)

871

5,034

3729

9T

2

4

258

234

133

15

0.20

183

23

0.23

WINTER BL

112

263

251

9T

3

1

252

256

91

11

0.11

188

18

0.14

KITCHEN FARMS

391

2,733

808

9T

4

3

251

238

114

15

0.14

287

21

0.13

SPRUNT RG (EASYD)

98

778

469

9T

5

11

239

211

112

15

0.11

357

22

0.10

ANDERSON WR & BL

226

1,766

422

9T

6

7

234

225

102

13

0.15

180

17

0.13

HENRY TW & TC (GINFO)

457

3,342

980

9T

7

17

230

197

138

17

0.20

247

23

0.19

IRELAND JARED & COURTNEY (EASYD)

158

1,144

999

9T

8

8

229

224

95

13

0.14

196

15

0.09

LISTER CRAIG A (MOFW5)(GINFO)

314

2,523

1024

9T

9

10

227

212

111

15

0.13

298

20

0.11

HOEY DM & L (2) (MOFW5)

35

120

76

9T

10

24

226

187

147

17

0.25

150

22

0.23

Curr.

No.

Genomic

Age

BPI

HWI

Cows

Cows

Cows

Group

Rank

Rank

Prot

Prot

Milk

Fat

Fat

kg

%

L

kg

%

Top 10 Jersey Herds Herd Owner

ABV BPI $

HWI

ASI

GLENNEN C & CO (IDARY)(GINFO)

370

3,316

1315

9T

1

1

207

158

136

16

0.24

130

22

0.28

BACON RLG & SL (FULL DIF) (GINFO)

246

2,350

843

9T

2

3

202

150

89

16

-0.02

492

18

-0.16

ANDERSON RG & KL

214

1,981

680

9T

3

4

182

147

76

10

0.09

177

13

0.08

COCKERELL JR & MA (PCF)

156

2,096

639

9T

4

2

177

156

62

12

-0.04

408

13

-0.18

SPRUNT GC & RG (EASYD)(GINFO)

246

1,058

691

9T

5

5

176

134

88

14

0.05

350

15

-0.07

BALNAGEITH JERSEY STUD

191

1,619

50

9T

6

8

173

128

117

14

0.15

217

22

0.19

CARSON AG & JA

146

1,522

279

9T

7

6

171

132

69

8

0.06

155

15

0.12

WALLACE L & M (GINFO)

151

1,386

439

9T

8

12

160

122

78

11

0.06

235

15

0.04

VANPOPERING DB & AT(MOFW5)

215

1,662

3

9T

9

22

159

113

110

15

0.12

284

19

0.08

BACON C & N (EASYD)

105

832

9T

10

16

158

119

96

11

0.18

82

14

0.19

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES // 25 Top 10 Red Breed Herds ABV Herd Owner

Curr.

No.

Genomic

Age

BPI

HWI

Cows

Cows

Cows

Group

Rank

Rank

BPI $

GRAHAM, RW & BC

HWI

ASI

Prot

Prot

Milk

Fat

Fat

kg

%

L

kg

%

401

2,429

1096

9T

1

1

187

147

129

19

0.17

358

21

0.08

HOEY DM & L (2) (MOFW5)

51

187

102

9T

2

6

159

117

122

16

0.18

219

19

0.15

CLARK RD & VD (MOWF5)

39

78

35

9T

3

2

158

130

110

14

0.20

144

14

0.11

RILEY S & LM AND COCKSEDGE PS

69

182

108

9T

4

7

151

116

119

16

0.20

198

16

0.11

LEPPIN T & L (JT)

197

2,017

522

9T

5

4

148

125

106

14

0.18

161

15

0.12

GOULDING FARMING TRUST (EASYD)

361

1,585

757

9T

6

3

138

128

88

12

0.14

169

12

0.07

WALTHAM GV & JL

127

844

191

9T

7

5

136

118

99

13

0.19

98

11

0.11

SNOWDON SG

100

1,004

43

9T

8

8

132

111

95

18

0.10

470

12

-0.11

WILLIAMS GP & RC (MOFW5)

90

460

9T

9

9

130

106

92

13

0.17

163

10

0.05

DAVIES FARM PTY LTD (EASYD)(GINFO)

154

562

217

9T

10

12

128

99

92

13

0.13

240

14

0.05

Curr.

No.

Genomic

Age

BPI

HWI

Cows

Cows

Cows

Group

Rank

Rank

Prot

Prot

Milk

Fat

Fat

kg

%

L

kg

%

Top 5 Guernsey Herds ABV Herd Owner

BPI $

HWI

ASI

CLEGGETT LF & JM (MISTRO)

312

2,102

9T

1

2

75

70

44

6

0.05

120

9

0.08

GALLUS MR I

79

774

9T

2

1

63

100

6

-3

0.11

-254

-1

0.25

CLARK PARTNERSHIP

82

1,071

9T

3

4

18

30

-2

0

-0.01

17

0

-0.01

COLIN GILBERT

56

184

9T

4

6

14

14

-1

0

-0.03

41

1

-0.01

SMITH J

51

130

9T

5

5

13

25

-21

-2

-0.03

-23

-5

-0.11

Curr.

No.

Genomic

Age

BPI

HWI

Cows

Cows

Cows

Group

Rank

Rank

Prot

Prot

Milk

Fat

Fat

kg

%

L

kg

%

Top 5 Swiss Brown Herds ABV Herd Owner

BPI $

HWI

ASI

BALFOUR PE & SM.

172

811

9T

1

1

81

70

64

10

0.11

223

9

-0.03

RESTDOWN PASTORAL (EASYD)

190

2,297

9T

2

2

67

58

48

6

0.09

113

9

0.08

GOVETT BEN (EASYD)

104

889

9T

3

3

62

50

46

9

0.09

218

3

-0.17

PERKINS RAY (EASYDAIRY)

32

86

9T

4

4

47

34

46

7

0.11

128

5

-0.02

BROWN E & FISICARO S (HERDDATA APP)

152

349

9T

5

5

32

27

26

3

0.12

-15

2

0.06

Curr.

No.

Genomic

Age

BPI

HWI

Cows

Cows

Cows

Group

Rank

Rank

Prot

Prot

Milk

Fat

Fat

kg

%

L

kg

%

Top 5 Illawarra Herds ABV Herd Owner

BPI $

HWI

ASI

BRAELEE PASTORAL CO (MOFW5)

33

1,144

9T

1

2

22

2

13

3

-0.04

189

6

-0.03

TUHAN MICHAEL

57

487

9T

2

4

21

-8

22

5

-0.04

270

8

-0.06

MANUEL SR & LP (EASYD)

40

341

9T

3

3

14

-1

1

2

-0.06

201

5

-0.06

CHELMONTE FARMING

41

1,638

9T

4

1

11

3

11

-4

0.01

-174

11

0.26

228

2,114

9T

5

6

6

-13

8

1

0.04

-26

-2

-0.01

Curr.

No.

Genomic

Age

BPI

HWI

Cows

Cows

Cows

Group

Rank

Rank

Prot

Prot

Milk

Fat

Fat

kg

%

L

kg

%

WILLIAMS GP & RC (MOFW5)

Top 5 Ayrshire Herds ABV Herd Owner/

BPI $

HWI

ASI

PENFOLD DA & VE

24

556

9T

1

1

-22

-13

-28

-5

0.01

-196

1

0.14

Johns TD & BB

164

1,418

9T

2

2

-49

-40

-33

-11

0.01

-438

-2

0.24

SAUNDERS TA & DAY AG (GINFO)

35

130

19

9T

3

6

-55

-75

-41

-6

-0.07

-91

-3

0.01

MATHEWS J

58

127

4

9T

4

4

-56

-61

-39

-7

-0.03

-217

-5

0.06

DILLON J (MOFW5)

32

95

9T

5

3

-63

-57

-54

-7

-0.09

-81

-7

-0.05

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

26 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES Good Bulls Guide for Holsteins — Balanced Performance Index (BPI) — Australian Proven only Indices Rank

Bull ID

Bull Name

Source

BPI $

BPI Rel

Production Traits HWI

ASI

ASI Rel

Conformation Traits

Survival

No. Dtrs

No. Survival Herds

Rel

Over Type

Mam Syst

Type Rel

Daughter Fertility

Workability Milk Spd

Temp

Like

Rel

Dtr Fert

Rel

1

29HO18698

ABS JERONIMO-P-ET

ABS

535

90

508

229

97

288

39

111

78

99

98

95

106

104

106

94

110

90

2

14HO13980

SANDY-VALLEY FEDORA-ET

GAC

476

89

454

181

96

181

27

111

77

104

108

95

103

103

106

93

108

89

3

0200HO10777

WESTCOAST PERSEUS

SEM

469

90

470

228

97

236

27

108

78

97

102

95

103

101

104

91

111

90

4

SUPERPOWER

EMU BANKS SUPERPOWER

GAC

454

80

428

256

88

56

19

107

67

105

103

78

101

102

103

81

110

75

5

CBCONTENDER

MR SUPER CONTENDER

SXT

435

93

451

131

99

608

103

112

94

105

100

96

97

104

104

96

112

98

6

7HO13811

TELSTAR SSI ALLTM SANDOR-ET

WWS

425

88

425

206

96

173

29

107

75

99

101

90

101

100

104

93

112

87

7

29HO18093

BRABANTDALE DRAKE-ET

ABS

415

89

366

169

96

146

20

109

88

104

103

90

104

104

105

87

103

93

8

7HO12993

COOKIECUTTER HUMBLENKIND-ET WWS

414

83

480

142

90

62

15

110

74

97

108

89

102

102

105

85

115#

72

9

TERRAINE

WILARA ALL TERRAINE-ET

GAC

392

81

319

245

88

55

14

107

69

98

101

82

100

104

107

87

106

77

10

29HO18182

ROSYLANE-LLC SPOCK-ET

ABS

387

90

371

190

96

161

36

110

85

106

102

92

101

101

104

92

113

92

Good Bulls Guide for Jerseys — Balanced Performance Index (BPI) — Australian Proven only Indices Rank

Bull ID

Bull Name

Source

BPI $

BPI Rel

Production Traits HWI

ASI

ASI Rel

Conformation Traits

Survival

No. Dtrs

No. Survival Herds

Rel

Over Type

Mam Syst

Type Rel

Daughter Fertility

Workability Milk Spd

Temp

Like

Rel

Dtr Fert

Rel

1

DOUGGAN

WHITE STAR DOUGLAS

GAC

413

94

364

243

97

296

40

107

75

101

101

90

103

102

104

94

103

92

2

DOBSON

WHITE STAR DOORMAN

GAC

413

91

345

228

95

155

36

108

70

105

105

81

104

107

106

90

101

89

3

ASKN

BROOKBORA VALENTINO ASKN

GAC

332

91

298

117

95

159

35

116

72

109

109

82

102

103

106

88

98

90

4

7JE01344

WILSONVIEW IF MATT

WWS

324

97

291

75

98

420

73

111

94

106

107

95

102

105

105

96

99

96

5

CSCBALENTI

KAARMONA BALENTI

ABS

291

88

264

140

92

96

23

109

73

104

106

81

101

105

106

88

102

81

6

ALGERNON

BROADLIN HILUX

GAC

274

94

252

140

97

203

44

109

87

106

109

85

102

99

103

94

104

95

7

7J1038

ALL LYNNS LOUIE VALENTINO

GAC

274

99

196

74

99

3,441 284

114

99

111

112

99

103

106

107

99

95

99

8

7J1219

DUTCH HOLLOW OLIVER P

GAC

266

98

238

75

99

769

100

113

96

107

111

98

99

105

106

98

100

98

9

VIKJQUINTANA

VJ QUINTANA

VIK

256

96

175

144

98

394

64

106

88

96

93

95

101

102

103

96

100

96

14JE00670

STEINHAUERS SAMSON LEMONHEAD

WWS

251

99

232

89

99

1,541

196

109

99

98

98

98

102

105

103

98

104

99

10

Genomic testing with CLARIFIDE allows informed selection and breeding decisions

Select your best replacement animals

Increase the rate of genetic gain

Avoid the expense of raising genetically inferior animals

Better allocation of higher value or sexed semen

For more information on CLARIFIDE Testing, please contact your local Genetics Professional Sales Representative: NSW & QLD Lachlan Ayoub 0437 226 122 | VIC, TAS, SA & WA Jake Bourne 0419 664 834 SearchPoint™ is the industry leading genomic decision support tool. Review results, make decisions, drive performance and profit. Visit www.mysearchpoint.com.au

Genomically Confirm Parentage

www.clarifide.com.au

Utilise SearchPoint™ to make profitable decisions from your results

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES // 27 Good Bulls Guide for Red Breeds — Balanced Performance Index (BPI) — Australian Proven only Indices Rank

Bull ID

Bull Name

Source

BPI $

BPI Rel

Production Traits HWI

ASI Rel

ASI

Conformation Traits

Survival

No. Dtrs

No. Survival Herds

Rel

Over Type

Mam Syst

Daughter Fertility

Workability

Type Rel

Milk Spd

Temp

Like

Dtr Fert

Rel

Rel

1

252NR11819

ONSTAD P

ABS

347

76

273

288

91

64

11

105

60

104

104

66

101

100

108

59

106

62

2

VIKRTOKYO

VR MALBACK TUOMI TOKYO

VIK

330

88

194

232

96

178

25

105

85

108

107

92

100

103

105

92

95

90

3

ARBCYGNET

BEAULANDS SWANNIES - ET

GAC

287

86

281

168

97

111

39

106

84

99

102

80

105

102

106

88

107

90

4

VIKRCAPRI

VR POIKOLAN CIGAR CAPRI

VIK

257

85

227

132

97

167

23

106

79

99

107

65

102

100

102

93

102

92

5

ARBLINDT

BEAULANDS LINDT

GAC

248

82

174

194

96

116

35

107

70

99

104

62

100

102

104

90

99

87

Good Bulls Guide for Brown Swiss — Balanced Performance Index (BPI) — Australian Proven only Indices Rank

Bull ID

Bull Name

Source

BPI $

Production Traits

BPI Rel

HWI

ASI Rel

ASI

No. Dtrs

Survival No. Herds

Sur‑ vival

Rel

Daughter Fertility

Workability Milk Spd

Temp

Like

Rel

Dtr Fert

Rel

1

93SBJ03

HERCULES

GGI

232

41

169

199

47

17

6

102

42

100

98

101

48

101

49

2

GGHEGALL

HEGALL

GGI

156

70

82

178

95

145

28

98

64

100

97

101

81

98

74

3

ASSAY

ASSAY

GGI

156

42

116

109

52

37

9

101

35

101

101

105

41

100

43

4

GGPAYLENG

PAYLENG

GGI

141

44

106

128

50

37

7

103

43

100

99

105

64

101

52

5

GGIHUSCH

HUSCH

GGI

139

30

129

113

40

12

5

98

13

98

100

96

36

104

17

Good Bulls Guide for Guernseys — Balanced Performance Index (BPI) — Australian Proven only Indices Rank

Bull ID

Bull Name

Source

BPI $

BPI Rel

Production Traits HWI

ASI

ASI Rel

No. Dtrs

1

7GU00472

WALNUT RIDGE PRINCE CHARMING

GAC

130

48

126

48

47

2

GUACTION

BROOKLEIGH BQ ACTION

SEM

126

83

211

-37

92

77

3

AUSFAYSBOO

KOOKABURRA FAYS BOO

115

80

119

43

95

118

4

0200GU08184

GOLDEN GATE PRADA KAKADU

SEM

85

62

91

40

80

5

CROSBYBEAR

SUNNY VALLEY YBEAR CROSBY

AGR

74

73

48

99

87

leading bpi 260x186 ad apr22.indd 1

Conformation Traits

Survival

No. Survival Herds

Rel

Over Type

Mam Syst

Type Rel

Daughter Fertility

Workability Milk Spd

Temp Like

Rel

Dtr Fert

Rel

100*

47

97

97

53

102*

102*

103* 45

101

35

14

107

83

102

99

82

102

102

104

71

108

87

36

107

84

99

96

52

103

101

103

70

102

91

29

13

102

41

100

100

36

97

100

102

45

103

55

45

11

101

67

95

92

63

98

97

99

60

102

57

19/4/22 2:55 pm

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

28 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES

Aussie Jerseys are top class

Pickle, bred by Luke and Mel Wallace at Wallacedale Jerseys in Poowong, Victoria, is the number one Jersey genomic bull with a BPI of 420.

JERSEY AUSTRALIA general manager

#1 CHOICES

popular choices this Autumn joining season.

3star Oh

MARCELLO

(Nacash x Granite x Rubicon)

He ticks all the boxes and is in high demand.

• • • • • •

2828 GTPI A2/A2 sire +1.1 DPR 1.6% Calving Ease +1.52 PTAT (04/2022 TPI data) 432 BPI 428 HWI 103 Type 106 Mammary Daughter Fertility 110 (04/2022 BPI data)

Kirk Andrews

FON DOO

(Duke x Supershot x McCutchen)

FONDOO leads the way with consistency • • • •

469 BPI 1245 Milk 41kg Prot 46kg Fat A2/A2 sire 106 Overall Type 110 Mammary System 104 Teat Length 107 Daughter Fertility 107 Likability 101 Calving Ease (1072 Observations, 04/2022 BPI data) 356 (Fon Doo) owned by P, H & M

Fon Doo daughters owned by P, H & M Thomson, Fish Creek

Contact your STG Australia Area Sales Manager or the STG Call Centre on FREE CALL 1800 793 465

Thomson

Glen Barrett said the April ABVs provided positive proof Australian Jersey genetics were bred to meet dairy farmer needs across the globe.

Jersey Australia’s Positive Selection list continues to grow. Bulls must be active genomic tested and have positive ABVs for Milk, Fat and Protein percentage, Overall Type, Mammary and Fertility.

In the latest release, 39 bulls met this standard with an average BPI of 302, providing farmers a wide range of bulls that meet key selection criteria and drive profitability.

While his proof has eased a little, Douggan retained the number one proven bull spot, shared with his Genetics Australia and Con and Michelle Glennen’s White Star Jerseys stablemate, Dobson, both on a BPI of 413.

Pickle was the number one genomic bull with a BPI of 420, bred by Luke and Mel Wallace at Wallacedale Jerseys in Poowong, Victoria, and also marketed by Genetics Australia.

Impeccable, marketed by AgriGene and bred

by Kaarmona Jerseys at Kaarimba in northern Victoria, was the number two genomic bull with a BPI of 404.

White Star Jerseys, at Noorat in south-west Victoria, returned to the number one herd position with a BPI of 207, followed by Brookbora Jerseys (Tennyson, Victoria) at number two with a BPI of 202 and Rob and Kerrie Anderson’s Kings Ville Jerseys (Gippsland, Victoria) at three with a BPI of 178.

Con and Michelle Glennen said the top spot reflected their focus on continual improvement.

“We’re taking out at the bottom and breeding at the front; every cow has to justify her existence for being there,” Michelle said.

“We still aim to breed a well-engineered, milky, low cell count function animal.”

Con said they had “thrown the net a bit wider looking for more outcrosses”, with bulls from Denmark, New Zealand and the United States.

The herd was second in the previous proof run.

In the cow rankings, the top young heifer was Langdale Matt Naomi 2, bred and owned by Darien and Alex Mathews from Langdale Jerseys at Mardan, Victoria.

Top cow was #19735, an Aussigold daughter bred by Alan Burgess and recently purchased by Rohan and Graham Sprunt of Kaarmona Jerseys, with a BPI of 531.

Australia’s Choice

Out Now! Dairy Sire Directory:

Its official! Sexcel® was the Number One selling sexed semen in Australia last year.

We are incredibly proud of how well our Sexcel semen is performing for our dairy farmers here in Australia.

1800 ABS BULL

www.absglobal.com/au

Sexcel has a big role to play in creating a more profitable and sustainable future, by offering the ability to breed your heifer replacements from the best cows in your herd.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

30 // AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES

New bulls, new opportunities THE APRIL Australian Breeding Values have

delivered great results for Genetics Australia bulls, with a bull for every breeding goal and every breed, according to CEO Anthony Shelly.

He said the bulls standing in Australia had never been better.

“We will continue to invest in the best genetics available to us and there isn’t a source of genetics around the world that cannot be ranked on the Australian system,” Mr Shelly said.

ON APPLICATION

“Breeding the best to the best has paid dividends and the rapid gains made through the use of genomics can clearly be seen in each of the Holstein, Jersey and Australian Reds breed tables released by DataGene.”

Mr Shelly said GA was excited with the release of the 2022 April ABVs, and its program had delivered some very nice daughter proven results.

These include Holstein sire Fedora (476 BPI), with an exceptionally balanced proof with high-

1 MOUNTING

lights across his production, conformation, survival and mastitis resistance.

Superpower (454 BPI) has received his first daughter proven breeding value and will deliver extremely profitable and robust cows with tremendous production and strength traits.

Superdave (533 BPIg) has added his first milking daughter and is now the go-to production specialist at 321 ASI.

3-5 MOUNTINGS

OVER 5 MOUNTINGS

Indicative results dependent upon the amount of bulling activity that has occurred.

The heat is on dairy farmers.

Set up for success this coming season and order your heat detection patches early.

LIC Scratch Patch heat detectors are cost-effective and efficient aids. When mating activity occurs the silver layer rubs off to reveal a fluorescent colour.

Email admin@licaus.com.au or call your local District Manager today.

1800 454 694 | www.licnz.com.au

There's always room for improvement

The number one ranked BPI Holstein genomic sire is once again Tommydee 556 BPIg, bred in the competitive herd owned by John and Vicki Lillico in north-west Tasmania.

Sired by GA genomic sire Endgame (449 BPIg), Tommydee descends from the Hindlee ‘Royal’ cow family and offers exactly what the industry is seeking — with top ABVs for Calving Ease 104, Survival 110, Mastitis Resistance 112 and Daughter Fertility 113.

Other Holstein young genomic bulls joining the team include Decipher (Letsgo x Wrangler) 485 BPIg, Jovial (Silverline x Perseus) 452 BPIg, Redgate (Redcarpet x Superhero) 445 BPIg and Casholiver (Nacash x Fedora) 472 BPIg. “The depth and quality of the Holstein team has never been greater and there is a wide range of options available for mammary improvement, shorter gestation and calving ease,” Mr Shelly said.

Australian Jerseys continue to forge an excellent reputation worldwide and GA’s daughter proven line-up is second to none with the top three sires.

Now with 296 milking daughters, Douggan (David x Murmur) remains the number one Jersey bull for BPI at 413.

Dobson (David x Elton), now with 155 milking daughters, joins Douggan as the equal number one Jersey sire. Dobson offers a great combination of conformation and health traits and will be extremely popular.

Both bulls were bred by White Star Jerseys at Noorat, in south-west Victoria, currently the number one ABV Jersey herd.

Meanwhile Askn (Valentino x Tbone) reaffirms himself as one of the best Jersey sires worldwide with his unique combination of health and type.

The good news for Jerseys continues with Pickle (Pixstar x Lemonhead) leading the genomic ratings at 420 BPIg, with positive milk flow and exceptional health traits. Pickle is also a leading sire for daughter fertility (ABV 105) combining survival (ABV 112).

A new addition to the GA Jersey line-up is Wallacedale Goldbandp (Polledgold x Bandanna) 362 BPIg, who is clearly the highest ranked polled Jersey sire following the April proof release.

“The new Jersey team is unsurpassed in its quality and represents a number of young bulls from leading cow families and top Jersey breeders in Australia,” Mr Shelly said.

The addition of genomics to Australian Red bulls has further strengthened the GA stable, which now has the top four positions on BPIg. Arbprimestad P 354 BPIg (Onstad x Uudin), Arbmckeon 336 BPIg (Faabeli x Foske), Arbbooboo BPIg 333 (Wiking x Tokyo) and Arbcaesar BPIg 329 (Aotearoa x Kenneth) offer a great combination of pedigree diversity, high profit and health.

Mr Shelly said the April 2022 bull team was stronger than ever.

“Now with genomics contributing to each breed, the future of local standing bulls has never been brighter,” he said.

“We have been at the forefront of genomics in Australia for many years now and have available from our 2022 teams the number one genomic Holstein Tommydee, Jersey Pickle and Australian Red in Arbprimestad.

“It is a significant achievement and a real credit to the quality and depth of bulls standing in Australia as well as to the Australian breeders who have developed these world class bulls and the cow families that are behind them.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

AUSTRALIAN BREEDING VALUES // 31

An interest in artificial breeding prompted a career change for Katrina Galindo, Genetics Australia’s regional sales manager for Gippsland.

Murray Irrigation’s annual sponsorship program is now open.

The program supports a broad range of community projects each year which ameliorate, promote, and embed safety and wellbeing within the community.

Applications are being accepted until Wednesday, May 18.

Last year eight projects across the Murray Irrigation footprint were funded, and these included school tree planting, art, tennis court upgrades, men’s hed facilities, education, rescue

squad equipment and irrigated cropping research.

Murray Irrigation chair Steve Fawns said the company took pride in supporting healthy, viable and vibrant local communities by assisting projects and initiatives across its area of operations that align with the company’s values.

“This is all made possible by contributions from our shareholders/ customers, as irrigators who grow the food and fibre but who also understand we have a responsibility for community and

social licence and that’s best done by first supporting the communities across our footprint,” Mr Fawns said.

Clubs and organisations who want to submit an application to the Murray Irrigation Sponsorship Program can download an application form and guidelines from www.murrayirrigation.com. au/company/our-community/giving-back For more information contact 1300 138 265 or email customersupport@ murrayirrigation.com.au

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN GENETICS HINDLEE

TOMMYDEE 20 10

#1 BPIg GENOMIC HOLSTEIN

Endgame x All Time

A22 | BPI + 556 | Type +99 | Mammary +102 Dtr Fert +113 | Cell Count +176 | Mast Res +112 TOMMYDEE

CULLEN MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY

KATRINA GALINDO grew up with beef cows and horses and later fell in love with the dairy industry.

Now she’s getting to combine both dairy and beef with her interest in artificial breeding in her new role as Genetics Australia’s regional sales manager for Gippsland, in south-eastern Victoria.

One of Katrina’s priorities will be building close connections with farmers, building on her strong track record in this field.

“I enjoy selling but I mostly like building relationships through account management,” she said.

“I love going out on farms where you really get to know families.”

Warragul-based Katrina grew up on a beef farm and around horses and initially worked with racehorses after completing a Bachelor of Equine Science.

However, her interest in artificial breeding prompted a career change.

“Racehorses don’t do artificial breeding so I crossed over and did AI courses and got into the dairy industry as a ruminant nutritionist, which I really enjoyed.”

Katrina undertook extensive study in the dairy field, including courses in rearing healthy calves, artificial insemination and reproductive management, feeding pastures for profit, farm business fundamentals and advanced ruminant nutrition.

Her career change to dairy in 2015 proved to be a great success, and Katrina has since held several roles across sales, accounts and farm management.

Her new role with Genetics Australia is a perfect fit.

“Now I’m combining both my knowledge of artificial breeding technologies and my love of the dairy industry and love of animals of all shapes and sizes,” she said.

“I’m a bit science-y and the artificial breeding side of the business is really exciting because it opens up the world.”

Katrina now sees her future mostly in the dairy industry, and is excited about the opportunities offered in genetics.

“The dairy industry is definitely changing but that’s not a bad thing and it’s in a good position at the moment.

“I definitely want to stay in the dairy industry.

I moved out for six months and really missed it so I’m happy to be back.”

While she shifted to dairy for greater job opportunities, she won’t be ignoring beef in her new job.

“The genetics industry is also seeing growth in beef. Commercial beef herds are looking at AI, which is exciting.”

SMALL GRANTS UP FOR GRABS

*April 2022 ABV's | CULLEN MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY | (L) PICKLE, (R) TOMMYDEE

New role combines interests

PICKLE

ARBPRIMESTAD P

Pixstar P x Lemonhead

Onstad x Uudin

A22 | BPI +420 | Type +105

EIN HOLST 2022CATALOGUE

2022 CATAL DAIRY SIR E OGUE S | RE DS

SIRE

JERSEY

UR BR

NEW AP Phone:

Phone:

WALLACEDALE PICKLE

WAIKATO FARM ARBPRIMESTAD P

#1 BPIg GENOMIC JERSEY

#1 BPIg GENOMIC AUSSIE RED

Phone: (03) 5367 3888

| COLO

A22 | BPI +354 | Type +101

www.genaust.com.au

8

7 388

(03) 536

.com.au

RIL CAT ALOGUE

(03) 536

7 388

8

www.g

OUT NOW

enaust

www.g

enaust.

com.au

!

S

EEDS

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

32 // ANIMAL HEALTH

Outcross boosts herd health

Keith Baker says it’s good news all round since he added VikingGenetics’ VikingJersey as an outcross.

WITH UP to 25 per cent of his calves developing a potentially fatal lung infection, Tooma dairy farmer Keith Baker knew he had to make some big changes.

The problem had been worsening for more than a decade, but about three years ago it came to a head.

“We had a few with lung infections and it slowly got worse and worse,” Keith said.

“It started about 15 years ago and took about 10 years to go from a few to 10 per cent, then it took only a couple of years to go from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.

“It just blew out and we had to do something about it.”

The solution came when Keith introduced VikingGenetics’ VikingJersey as an outcross.

Within three years, Keith has seen an incredible change.

The infection rate has dropped from 25 to about two per cent — with none of the VikingJersey outcrosses suffering the lung problem.

Out of necessity, Keith has found not only a solution to a problem but improved the health and profitability of the herd and revolutionised his calving system, leading to big time and money savings.

More vigour and fertility The cows are now displaying more vigour, fertility and longevity and have less hoof and mas-

™

PRODAIRY.

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED. Designed for Dairy Farmers.

Delivered by Dairy Vets.

PRODAIRY PARTNER INCLUSIONS ANIMAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

Customised animal health treatment protocols and factsheets for calves, weaned heifers, milking cows and bulls

DIRECT ONLINE ORDERING

• Online ordering and payment system • Directly linked to individual farm herd health treatment protocols • Access to dairy consumables and merchandise

RISK MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING

Annual Herd Profile Survey to identify current and future priorities.

Risk assessments and plans: • Pre-calving care • Colostrum management • Herd fertility • Milk quality and mastitis management • Annual ProDairy Focus Plan

SCAN TO FIND OUT MORE.

PRODAIRY.COM.AU

Since adding VikingGenetics’ VikingJersey as an outcross, Tooma’s Keith Baker has seen the rate of a fatal lung infection in his herd drop from 25 per cent to about two per cent

titis problems.

Keith had mixed and matched most of the popular higher ranked bulls under his system for almost 40 years of AI breeding — firstly RBVs then ABVs moving to BPIs and genomics.

He had been dabbling with VikingJersey in his herd for a few years and noticed the health benefits, but it took the lung infection crisis for him to make a big shift.

“We had some cultures done and it showed to be a form of bronchial pneumonia but we noticed that the Danish cattle generally didn’t get it, that’s why we swung to predominantly using Danish genetics to have an outcross in the herd.

“Since we moved to VikingJersey about three years ago, we’re down to two to three per cent with the infection and we don’t have to treat many calves at all.

“I don’t understand why VikingJersey converts below average for type on BPI. In my experience they have just as much to offer in this area as the traditional Jersey genetics used in Australia.”

The farm in southern NSW was settled in 1948 with crossbreeds but the Baker family soon moved to a pure Jersey herd in 1952.

“We’re in hilly country with a fair bit of river flat and we need a cow that can walk a long way,” Keith said.

“I think Jerseys are the most efficient cow.”

The 546-hectare farm peaked at 390 head this year, down from a top of 420 about 15 years ago.

Lemvig was the first VikingGenetics bull used on the farm.

“The Lemvig cows were very good cows; we only had a dozen or so but they were very good,” Keith said.

More recently Husky has added to the quality.

“We had a Husky bull of our own; he’s now the benchmark the other bulls must match up to,” Keith said.

Obvious improvement The VikingGenetics influence is now making an impact.

“We thought we’d need at least a quarter VikingJersey to make a difference,” Keith said.

“Some are now 50 per cent VikingJersey and we will steadily increase that to 65 to 75 per cent as we try to put an outcross on the whole herd.”

Facing regular calls for vet support and medication bills, the lung infections were impacting on profitability and management time.

“We had to get away from these lung infections and put them behind us,” Keith said.

Calves would start coughing within weeks of birth. They would be treated with various medications but some would be lost. The condition also returned when they hit puberty and when they calved as two-year-olds.

“We’re in hilly country with a fair bit of river flat and we need a cow that can walk a long way,” Keith Baker says. “I think Jerseys are the most efficient cow.”

As well as knocking the lung infection on the head, the cows are now displaying more vigour, fertility and longevity and have less hoof and mastitis problems.

“Some would respond to treatment but a percentage would die,” Keith said.

Some calves would also relapse or acquire lung problems at weaning.

He reviewed the calf rearing program, changing pellet feed to a home-made muesli, and even attended some calf rearing programs despite having lived on dairy farms for his 65 years.

“We tried to look for wherever the problem might be, to see if we were doing something wrong, but we couldn’t find anything and the vet said the calves should have been fine.

“We weren’t where we wanted to be, we decided we had to try something else genetically.”

Classroom inspiration The idea of an outcross wasn’t new to Keith, in fact he recalls a lesson from his school years.

“When I was in high school, we had an ag teacher who was breeding wheat plants.

“He said that with genetics, if you’ve got a disease resistance problem, outcross is the only way to go. He showed us with the wheat and the results were phenomenal.”

The laws of genetics haven’t changed and now the classroom example has turned into a farming reality.

Keith had tried some bulls from other companies but they resulted in long, tall, narrow animals that didn’t suit his requirements.

“Then we looked for another Jersey population in the world where they were different to what we were using for an outcross.

“The other thing VikingGenetics does is measure everything in Denmark, giving us the information that we need.”

Not only has the lung problem almost evaporated, the herd is healthier and calving easier.

“We notice the calves are stronger at birth, get up very quickly and are better at suckling.

“We had a problem that some calves weren’t getting a drink and we’d have to intervene and feed them, but with VikingJersey you don’t have to.”

Mastitis and lameness have also reduced significantly.

“Our profitability has increased quite a lot and I think we’ll get other benefits over time.

“We’re very happy with the results.”

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

ANIMAL HEALTH // 33

LSD tripping close to home Lumpy skin disease surveillance map. Source: OIE-WAHIS

BY LUCY COLLINS

IN MARCH 2022, cases of lumpy skin disease (LSD) were detected in Sumatra and the disease has the potential to spread across the rest of Indonesia over time.

If containment efforts fail and LSD reaches the island of Timor — less than 800 km from mainland Australia — it presents a very real threat for our beef and dairy industries.

LSD is a pox virus affecting cattle and water buffalo. Originating in Africa in the 1970s, it has gradually spread since the 2000s across the Middle East, south-eastern Europe and Asia (as shown in the map).

The virus transmission is still not fully understood.

Biting insects such as flies, mosquitoes and ticks have been proven experimentally to transmit the disease via their saliva. Infected bulls can also excrete the virus in semen. Transmission via direct contact, contaminated feed, and iatrogenic methods (such as repeated use of needles between animals) are also suspected.

LSD has an incubation period of up to 28 days, with peak outbreaks during wet summer weather, although infections can still occur during winter.

Clinical signs include discharge from the eyes and nose, salivation, enlarged lymph nodes, persistent high fevers, depression, loss of appetite, and the appearance of characteristic painful, raised, firm skin lumps, 1 cm to 5 cm in diameter, especially around the head, brisket, neck, udder, limbs and genitals, which can become ulcerated and infected (the number of lumps can vary greatly with severity of disease).

Lesions can also be found in the mouth, nose, trachea and lungs on post-mortem. Pneumonia, lameness, mastitis and abortions can also result from LSD infection.

About one third of infected animals will show no signs of the disease, one third will show mild to moderate signs and one third will show severe signs.

European breeds and high-producing dairy cattle are more susceptible and usually more severely affected, with sharp drops in milk yield and body condition commonly reported.

There are no effective treatments for LSD, and supportive care or humane euthanasia is necessary for badly affected animals. Mortality rates in naive herds are reportedly as high as 10 per cent, and recovery is generally slow in surviving infected animals.

Ringworm, mange, hives and several other viral and bacterial infections can cause skin lesions similar to LSD, so diagnosis is essential via tissue samples, virus isolation or PCR. Outbreak controls include vaccinating, restricting movements and culling.

Australia currently has no vaccine approved

for use, but this is under discussion as part of our biosecurity plan with a threat so close to home.

Recent government funding boosts to northern Australian biosecurity and surveillance efforts are also a welcome addition.

Overseas, containment and vaccination programs supported by the Australia-Indonesia Health Security Partnership and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UN FAO) are also under way, and ongoing funding for these programs is vital.

Should LSD arrive in Australia, controlling the spread across northern Australia would be almost impossible even with a vaccine due to the extensive nature of our cattle enterprises, and the sheer distance biting insects can potentially travel when climactic conditions allow.

An incursion would have substantial implications for our international trade and exports.

Economic impacts for dairy and beef farmers alike would be felt through mortalities, reproductive losses, drops in body condition, reduced milk production, processor rejection due to hide and muscle damage, export restrictions (including genetic material, dairy products and live animals), and potentially forced culling to manage an outbreak.

Not to mention the social and environmental ramifications that would undoubtedly result from such losses.

At home—regardless of where, how or what we farm in Australia — it’s important that we are all aware of the signs of exotic diseases such as LSD, support surveillance, biosecurity and quarantine efforts (especially if visiting farms while travelling overseas) and know who to contact if needed.

LSD is considered exotic to Australia, notifiable and an emergency animal disease. For further information, contact your state department veterinarian or in the case of a suspected outbreak call the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24 hours a day, every day of the year).

Lucy Collins is completing her Dairy Residency with The University of Melbourne. She works as an on-farm veterinarian for Apiam Animal Health, and alongside her partner on his family’s dairy farm in south-west Victoria. She is a 2021 Nuffield Scholar supported

by Gardiner Dairy Foundation.

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

34 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

New wireless dollars a win FARMER AND regional advocacy groups say

an announcement by the Federal Government and nbn to invest an additional $750 million to expand the nbn fixed wireless network is a great step forward “(It) will see significant improvements in connectivity options, upload and download speeds, and data allowances for many regional and rural Australians, both on fixed wireless and satellite networks,” National Farmers’ Federation Telecommunications Committee chair Peter Thompson said.

According to nbn, the investment could see up 120,000 previously satellite-only premises offered access to the fixed wireless network.

“The expanded fixed wireless footprint should provide the opportunity for some customers to transfer off the satellite network,” Mr Thompson said.

“Additionally, fixed wireless customers may see an increase to typical wholesale speeds of up to 100mbps and an increase to typical busy hour speeds of at least 50Mbps.

“The nbn estimates 85 per cent of this expanded network may see improved download speeds of up to 250 megabytes per second.

“While work remains to be done, this investment is hugely positive. The next step for the government must be to deliver on the NFF’s call for a multi-billion regional connectivity commit-

ment to resource ongoing network improvement and expansion into the future.”

Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association of Australia president and Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition spokesperson Alana Moller said reliable, affordable telecommunication and data access was intrinsically linked to business, lifestyle, education and the health services of regional and remote Australians.

Importantly, she said, those who remained on Sky Muster satellite would see improvements in their connectivity, an expansion of their unmetered usage hours, including for use of VPN and streaming services, and an increase in average monthly allowances for regular Sky Muster plans.

“The RRRCC has long advocated for increased investment in enhanced voice and data connectivity for rural, regional and remote Australia, a call made even more pertinent during the last couple of years,” Ms Moller said.

“The 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review recommended upgrades be made to the regional fixed wireless and satellite network in response to the step change in the current and ongoing demand for data.

“The RRRCC will work with nbn as these investments roll out. We also look forward to further announcements of the government’s response to the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review.”

According to nbn, an additional $750 million investment could see up 120,000 previously satelliteonly premises offered access to the fixed wireless network.

BUILT TOUGH Multi 4 & Multi 5 Bale Feeders You expect strength, quality and performance from your farm machinery and McIntosh Bale Feeders deliver all three.

The range of McIntosh Bale Feeders are designed to a strength and performance standard with an all steel construction.

Every detail has been carefully thought out to reduce breakdowns and provide trouble free operation for years to come.

To find your nearest dealer, please contact:

www.tracmac.com.au 03 5625 1522

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 35

Aiming for less harm on-farm WHEN IT comes to workplace safety, Victorian

dairy farmers Matt and Alli Reid leave nothing to chance.

They protect everyone on their property just as they would their own family.

The Reids run Otway Milk, a 688-hectare farm at Carlisle River, south-west of Colac, milking about 700 cows and employing five permanent full-time workers.

In sharing their story as part of WorkSafe’s farm safety campaign, Mr Reid said their strong safety culture — which includes a comprehensive training and induction program, regular safety meetings and the safe separation of children from farming operations — was a far cry from his own upbringing on a dairy farm at Rochester.

“Our kids have had such a different experience to what I had growing up on a farm. But at the end of the day, we know that they understand the dangers of the farm, and that’s our job as parents,” Mr Reid said.

“We also know that as business owners, we’re responsible for the safety of everyone on our property. And sometimes for us that includes one of our employee’s children,” Mrs Reid said.

To help working parents in an industry where early starts and remoteness make childcare difficult, the Reids created a children’s room attached to the dairy.

It includes an outdoor play space and indoor area with a window so children remain visible and can communicate with their parents if needed.

As WorkSafe’s confronting farm safety campaign — It’s never you, until it is — makes a return across television, radio, print and digital media, it

Matt and Alli Reid have created a culture onfarm that puts safety at the forefront. It is this safety culture that they credit their incredible staff retention rate, with employees remaining with them for up to 10 and 15 years.

is encouraging more farmers like the Reids to have potentially life-saving conversations about safety in agriculture.

“One of the things we learnt along the way is not everything has to cost money. There are examples where all it has cost is a five-minute conversation to find a better way,” Mr Reid said.

WorkSafe’s campaign tracking data shows that 81 per cent of farmers surveyed recalled the campaign and more than half were prompted to

During safety meetings employees are able to raise concerns. These meetings have proven invaluable to Matt and Alli Reid in steering them in the right direction when making improvements.

have conversations about safety.

The latest campaign again uses emotional storytelling to drive home the simple message that deaths and serious injuries can happen to anyone who doesn’t prioritise safety.

WorkSafe health and safety executive director Narelle Beer said attitudes towards safety within the agriculture industry needed to continue shifting.

“A common mindset among farmers is that a serious or fatal injury will never happen to you, your workers or your family,” Dr Beer said.

“But the devastating statistics show otherwise.”

Agriculture employs just two per cent of Vic-

toria’s workforce, yet it accounts for about 14 per cent of workplace fatalities.

Tragically, three people have been killed in onfarm workplace incidents this year. This takes the number of farm deaths to 26 since 2019, including two children aged four and under.

“We’re here to say farm deaths and injuries are preventable, not inevitable. A focus on safety can prevent families and communities losing loved ones,” Dr Beer said.

For more information on farm safety and the It’s never you, until it is campaign, visit: www. worksafe.vic.gov.au/saferfarms

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

36 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Network continues to expand IT’S BEEN a big start to the year for O’Connors with the company announcing the acquisition of a further three Case IH dealerships.

The full Sunrise Ag dealerships in Swan Hill and Ouyen and the Case IH broadacre component of the Mildura outlet have been purchased

by O’Connors, taking the company from 12 to 15 locations and expanding its reach into northwest Victoria. The deal was expected to be finalised in early May. O’Connors CEO Gareth Webb said the Sunrise Ag dealerships were a good fit for the business and the expansion helped reinforce the strength of the O’Connors network.

“The Sunrise Ag location at Ouyen represents a strong broadacre farming area where we have considerable knowledge and experience, while Mildura and Swan Hill have more agricultural diversity where we can work to expand the reach of Case IH smaller horsepower machinery,” he said.

“That diversity is exciting for us and we see a lot of opportunities across the three locations.

We have 58 years of experience in the agricultural machinery industry, representing the Case IH brand, and building a reputation for outstanding service, and second-to-none knowledge of the industry and commitment to our customers.

“With each expansion of our business comes new opportunities and fresh challenges that our staff thrive on and from which our network can increase its buying power and build our parts and

service departments. We’re looking forward to bringing these benefits to our new customers and ensuring uninterrupted support throughout the transition process.”

This most recent expansion extends O’Connors’ footprint from Ballarat in southern Victoria, north to Condobolin in the NSW’s Central West, and east to Corowa and Shepparton, linking up the dealership network. It follows last year’s acquisition of former Agrimac dealerships in Ballarat and St Arnaud.

General manager Pete McCann welcomed the news and said it helped secure the Case IH brand in an important agricultural area.

“Customers in this region have been wellserved by Sunrise Ag and we know this will continue under O’Connors’ ownership. They have always demonstrated outstanding customer service, and a commitment to staff expertise and after-sales support, building a network of thriving dealerships that serve the needs of their customers and get the best from their staff,” he said.

“It also helps ensure the ongoing strength and long-term viability of Case IH in Australia and New Zealand, which is important for not only the brand, but all the branches that comprise our extensive network.”

“We look forward to working with Case IH customers in these new regions and helping deliver what they need to keep their businesses as profitable and efficient as possible.”

Sunrise Ag owners Steve and Luke Ayling, and O’Connors CEO Gareth Webb

THIS IS JUST

THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG Visit hustlerequipment.com/loadmax

to see what’s under the surface.

hustlerequipment.com 1800 750 428 | 0435 371 311

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 37

Step up cow health monitoring RELIABLE HEAT detection, easier

calvings, and precise insights on herd health, reproduction and feeding are guaranteed through its bolus technology, according to smatXtec.

The smaXtec bolus measures inner body temperature, activity, rumination and drinking behaviour directly inside the cow, providing health data with unrivalled accuracy.

The farmer receives precise insights into their cows’ health, reproduction and feeding status, enabling them to combine animal health with profitable dairy farming.

With smaXtec, cows’ health is not only monitored in the critical phase around birth, information is provided when calving is imminent.

According to customers, the smaXtec system notifies the farmer on average 15 hours before calving to give enough time to take necessary measures.

So how does it work? Inner body temperature decreases considerably when the calving process starts.

This commonly accepted and scientifically proven indicator for calving is reliably detected by smaXtec.

Notification is via push notification and email, which helps prepare

for a problem-free birth.

Equally important to the economic success of any dairy farm is good fertility management and the efficient insemination of the herd. Farmers working with smaXtec benefit from the system’s automatic and reliable heat detection which is based on the recognition of behavioral changes.

These typical changes often only occur for a short period of time or at night. Thanks to continuous monitoring, the slightest estrus signs can be detected.

With the automatically generated recommendation for an ideal insemination time window, insemination success and reproduction figures can be significantly improved.

For herds on pasture, temporarily and permanently, smaXtec offers solar-powered read-out devices, too. With a specially developed algorithm, smaXtec provides reliable heat detection, and all other functions (calving detection, health and rumination measurement) work just as in the barn.

For more information, visit www.smaXtec.com

With the smaXtec app, dairy farmers stay connected to their herd at all times and easily access cow health data.

READY WHEN YOU ARE.

THE JOSKIN MUCK SPREADER RANGE.

www.joskin.com.au (03) 5231 6999 IMPORTED BY COLAC AGRICULTURAL COMPANY PTY LTD, VICTORIA

DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MAY 2022

38 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Tour showcases dairy’s best APPLICATIONS FROM young people in the

Victorian dairy industry are now open for the 2022 UDV-Gardiner study tour of Victoria.

The eight-day study tour showcases the best of Victoria’s cutting-edge dairy and agricultural industries.

Young people aged between 18 and 35 years, who live and work in Victoria and are actively involved in the dairy industry, either on-farm or in the supply chain, are invited to join the study tour from July 4 to 11.

“This is a rare opportunity for emerging dairy leaders to gain a unique insight into the Victorian dairy industry, the largest and most sophisticated in Australia,” UDV president Paul Mumford said.

“The dairy industry is evolving rapidly with new cutting-edge science and technology and changing farming practices.”

Gardiner Foundation chief executive Allan Cameron said the tour was an exciting opportunity for young people from across the dairy industry.

“Across Victoria there are so many diverse dairy businesses that are innovative, well managed and with an eye on growth,” he said.

“The tour provides an opportunity for young people wanting to expand their knowledge and skills to explore the different farming systems, industry structures and service resources this world class industry has to offer.”

Successful applicants can expect a comprehensive eight days full of insights and inspiration covering the full range of Victoria’s leading dairy facilities as well as visits to other agricul-

UDV president Paul Mumford.

tural industries.

There will also be an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of industry advocacy through meetings with senior representatives of the Victorian Farmers Federation and the UDV. “The tour provides a great opportunity for young people in dairy to expand their professional networks and to directly interact with industry leaders,” Mr Mumford said.

“Those who are selected will visit a variety of farms and be taken through state-of-the-art research and processing facilities.”

Applications close at 9 am on Monday, May 16.

For more information, visit: www.gardinerfoundation.com.au/studytour

NEW ERA FOR HERD CO‑OPS Herd Improvement Co-operative Australia and National Herd Development have announced an initiative that will see them share administration, accounting and financial reporting services.

They say the move will help them better serve the Victorian, South Australian and southern NSW dairy industry by reducing duplications of common industry processes.

“The industry has changed over recent years with farmers exiting the sector, the rise of corporate farms as well as the challenge of securing staff,” HICO chair Andrew Verboon said.

“The similarities in the two co-operatives far outweigh the differences and we are confident this move will strengthen the role of both organisations moving forward.”

The partnership came into effect on March 9.

Both parties will explore whether a full merger of the two co-operatives is desirable in the future.

“The dairy industry needs a strong Herd Improvement Co-operative,” NHD chair Paul Weller said.

“This partnership will allow us to secure the role of the co-operative in the industry and allow us to meet the changing demands of the dairy farmer more sustainably.”

NHD general manager Phil Wren will become the general manager of both co-operatives, providing leadership to the managers of branches across Victoria and South Australia.

National Herd Development chair Paul Weller welcomes the sharing of some resources between Herd Improvement Cooperative Australia and NHD.

FREE

on-farm

DEMO

MAKE THE MOST OF THE HIGH MILK PAYOUT Reduce your UREA & save $$$, grow more grass and produce more milk.

Image shows spraying with a Tow and Fert Multi 4000

A Tow and Fert is a SMART BUSINESS INVESTMENT

Multi 500

Multi 1000

Multi 1200

Multi 2800

Available in 5 models.

Tow and Fert. There is one for your farm.

www.towandfert.com.au

Multi 4000

Build their potential.

Veanavite’s 3 Stage Program helps build a sound foundation for highly productive cows.

The Veanavite® range recognises that there are different nutritional requirements throughout a calf’s journey from birth right through to first calving. Maximising a calf’s potential at each of these stages goes a long way to producing a highly productive cow. Veanavite’s 3 Stage Program provides the right balance of protein, energy and essential vitamins and minerals to help your calves and heifers thrive.

Contact your local reseller or go to www.veanavite.com.au to find out more.