Dairy Services e-Newsletter
Edition 4: July, 2011Focus Farms project with Murray Dairy
Farmers are faced with making decisions every day. Some of these decisions may be big, some may be small and implications can be varied, but in order to understand this important process better, DPI dairy extension officers in conjunction with Murray Dairy, have begun the Focus Farm Project.
Dairy extension officer Melissa Spain said the Project runs for two years and follows the path of four selected dairy farmers across the region as they make financial, management and lifestyle decisions.
The farmers are each supported by a consultant and other service providers including extension officers, one of the things that sets this Project apart is the mentor/mentee component.
“Being involved in this process enables service providers to gain a greater understanding in the processes of decision making on farm and how dairy businesses run. Ultimately service providers will be up skilled and better able to service the industry in the future,” Melissa said.
The focus farms will also form support groups with farmers and other industry representatives including nutritionists, and host regular forums and farm walks which will help build knowledge amongst the group.
Information will be published regularly in the media and people can join a mailing list which will showcase the Project to the wider community.
The Focus Farm Project is led by a steering committee and key delivery partners include the Gardiner Foundation and the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia.
For more information contact Tori Rath at Murray Dairy on (03) 5833 5927.
Water Policy
Water policy has gone through a period of significant change over the last five years and many people in the irrigation industry have found it hard to keep pace.
Extension officers, in conjunction with Garry Smith (D&G Consulting) have put together a series of information notes on the major changes for system reserve policy, carry over water, the four per cent cap and exemptions, On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program, Murray Darling Basin Plan and modernisation under the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project.
Senior Dairy Extension Officer Rob O'Connor said it was timely a series of information notes be put together.
"With water policy changing so much, these information notes have become a handy set of tools for irrigators to use," Rob said.
"We looked at the impacts and opportunities presented by these changes and how affected farmers can use them to their advantage. For example carry over water can be a good tool to manage precious water resources on farm."
Rob said the information notes are readily available and service providers can access them to ensure a consistent and correct water message is always conveyed to the irrigation community.
"Irrigation is the lifeblood of the farming sector and a properly functioning system is essential. It is very important to have the correct information easily accessible for everyone to use.
Information sessions and workshops have been held across the region and have been met with an extremely positive response.
Extension officers are available to talk to groups wanting to learn more about current water policy.
Information notes are ‘hot off the press’ and can be obtained by calling Rob O’Connor at Echuca 03 5482 1922. They will also be put on the DPI web site at a later date.
Protecting the Gunbower Creek
Protecting and preserving the waterways of the Gunbower Creek, part of an internationally recognised Ramsar site, is a joint effort between landholders, Parks Victoria, DSE, DPI, Goulburn-Murray Water and the managing body, the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
DPI has an important role liaising directly with landholders, many of whom are dairy farmers, to develop land holder agreements which improve the health of the waterways.
Project Manager (Sustainability Services) for the Dairy Services team Matt Hawken said developing a rapport and working alongside farmers is the key to success for this project.
"We plan and manage the fencing of the waterway taking into consideration crown land and freehold boundaries, and we provide off stream watering points if required," Matt said.
“We explore opportunities to revegetate the creek frontage, particularly in those areas which have been heavily degraded. We also discuss with landholders tail water and irrigation run off which enters the creek system and we can also sign post assistance for whole farm plans, nutrient management plans, feedpads or stock containment areas.”
Regular communication is important with so many agencies involved and the stakeholder groups meet regularly to ensure everyone is moving in the same direction.
This waterway is recognised as important on a national scale and funding for the project has been provided by both Federal and State governments.
“Educating the community and landholders, and getting them involved in the protection and enhancement of the Gunbower Creek will ensure there are good environmental outcomes into the future.”
For more information contact Matt Hawken at Kerang on 03 5452 1266.
The results from Extended Lactation
As Australian farmers grapple with problems of fertility in their dairy herds, findings from the eight year long Extended Lactation (EL) study have helped provide some real solutions for farmers facing this costly and disheartening problem. (EL is lactation greater than the traditional 305 days.)
Twelve farming families from across Victoria used extended lactation to successfully address reproduction problems and at the same time finding it also addressed other management issues and provided much needed flexibility.
Their findings were documented as case studies during a two year development activity and presented in a series of workshops held in the major dairying regions of Gippsland, South West Victoria and Northern Victoria.
Over 172 farmers and service providers attended the workshops and the feedback received was extremely positive.
Workshop presenters included Jock MacMillan, a leader in reproduction science, Greg O’Brien (EL research findings), Ann McDowell, Ash Michael and Tom Farran who talked about the value of extended lactation as a management tool for the farming operation.
Dairy extension officer Greg O’Brien has followed the EL study from the beginning and he attributes the success of the project to the fact a substantial period of time was spent on the development phase, implementing EL in commercial herds and commercial situations.
“This project has been a great example of showing why development is needed. After the six year research phase we had the data, but because it hadn’t been used extensively on farm, there was a general lack of confidence in EL, particularly amongst service providers,” Greg said.
“The two years of development answered concerns raised at the end of the research phase and resulted in the information being more readily received and accepted into the farming community.
Involving extension in market research at the very beginning was extremely beneficial to this project. Executive Officer for GippsDairy, Danielle Auldist, agrees.
“Embedding extension officers in the study from the beginning has meant key messages were delivered with a high degree of competency,” Danielle said.
“The legacy of this study is information available to farmers as well as six scientific papers in A rated journals and two PhD students who are currently placed in the industry.
“GippsDairy is very impressed with the body of work, the knowledge gaps and the capacity this study has helped build. It has also created an effective design model for future collaborations.”
Organisations involved in this study include DPI, Gardiner Foundation, ADHIS, University of Melbourne, Kennan Pty Ltd and Dairy Australia.
For more information contact Greg O’Brien at Ellinbank on 03 5624 2222.
Round 2 of the Farm Water Program
Funding for Round 2 of the Farm Water Program (FWP) is expected to be announced in the coming weeks and the DPI has had a very important role to play in its delivery.
The FWP encourages investment in efficient irrigation technologies and 50 per cent of water savings achieved through irrigation improvements are transferred to the Australian Government to be used for environmental water.
Senior Irrigation Modernisation Officer, Brendan Stary, said DPI project officers have been working with landholders to complete preliminary project information forms and water savings calculators.
"Essentially we facilitate the application process with landholders. We look at what is viable for the landholder under the Program and look at their options. We calculate the water savings that can be achieved and the amount of water that is to be returned to the government.” Brendan said. ”Whole farm planning programs underpin the eligibility and project development process for this program.” The consortium involved in the Program includes the delivery partner Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA), North Central CMA, North East CMA, Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, Goulburn-Murray Water, Northern Victoria Irrigators, Dairy Australia, Murray Dairy, Department of Primary Industries and Department of Sustainability and Environment.
”We are impartial and have no vested interest in any particular technology, looking only at what is the best outcome for the landholder and for the region. This Program prioritises striking a balance between water transferred to the Australia Government and water retained in the region.”
“All the partners want to see the irrigation industry remain strong and resilient and the Farm Water Program will assist the industry adapt to a future with reduced water availability.”
For more information contact Brendan Stary at Tatura on 03 5833 5222.
Converting Feed into Milk
Successful partnerships help to create successful programs and the recently held ‘Converting feed into milk, not waste’ workshops in western Victoria showed how co-operation amongst service providers can deliver to the dairy industry.
DPI Dairy Extension Officer Jo Crosby said Dr Steve Little, leader of Dairy Australia’s Grains2Milk program, presented two workshops in western Victoria, which focused on flexible feeding systems, feed pad design, reducing feed wastage and optimising feed conversion efficiency.
“We had well over 30 people at each workshop. We have the networks to encourage people to attend and on this occasion Dairy Australia had the information,” Jo said.
“The feedback we received from attendees was really favourable and the vibe about the day was very positive. We had sharp and concise delivery of information followed by lunch and many people stayed on afterward to talk to other farmers.”
The workshops were initially held in South Australia but through networking amongst extension officers, it became apparent the information was also relevant to western Victorian farmers.
“The wet conditions we have experienced here have meant many farmers have been looking at feed wastage, we are hoping to hold more of these in the future and Steve is more than happy to help.”
“It is beneficial to be able to call on people to deliver information in our region and strong relationships with other service providers certainly helps. It is a win-win situation for everyone.”
For more information contact Jo Crosby at Warrnambool on 03 5561 9911.
