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The Dairy Bulletin - December 2011
Northern Irrigation and Southern Riverina
“At the end of a matter ask, ‘what will I learn from this to make me better?" Mary Anne Radmacher
The Dairy Bulletin is produced by the DPI Dairy Services Branch
Inside this issue:
- Safely stacked square bales
- What is your baled silage telling you after months storage? - Part II
- Sharpen the saw this silly season
- Residue reminder
- Monthly reminders
- What’s On
Farm flavoured weather
Bree Walshe, DPI Maffra
As many of you check the weather forecasts, three monthly outlooks, listen to interviews and updates on the radio and read the odd climate prediction article, I thought I might point you in the right direction to give it a farm flavour.
DPI Dairy Services branch compiles a quarterly climate newsletter – Milking the Weather. This electronic newsletter enables you to stay up to date with credible seasonal and climate risk information for the dairy industry and how this affects you and your fellow dairy farmers around the state. A key component of this newsletter is the seasonal update and outlook (based on seasonal model forecasts), and then relating this to seasonal and risk management decisions.
To subscribe to this timely four to six page newsletter please contact the editor Bree Walshe DPI Maffra, telephone (03) 5147 0834 or email milking.theweather@dpi.vic.gov.au.
DPI also has two other timely electronic climate newsletters that the grains team distributes – The Break and The Fast Break. These newsletters are aimed at grain growers, but are a great compliment to Milking the Weather. Dairy farmers can use all three publications to make informed decisions around climatic risks at a farm level and for a range of inputs. The Break newsletter describes seasonal outlooks, generates potential crop yields from decision support computer tools, provides links and highlights topical climate risk information. Whereas the Fast Break is a short and snappy update on the climatic models, sea surface temperatures and ENSO drivers which combine to provide updated and detailed seasonal outlooks for the more climate and weather interested subscribers.
To subscribe to The Break and Fast Break please contact the editors, email The.Break@dpi.vic.gov.au.
Useful websites to visit for climate data and forecasts
Department of Primary Industries
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/climaterisk
The DPI website enables you to access and subscribe to the industry newsletters as well as access the Climatedogs. The Climatedogs are a series of short animated clips that provide an overview of the four major drivers of Victoria’s weather and how they work together. Other useful information can be found in the ‘Quick links’ section – for definitions, updates, deciles and useful websites.
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)
www.bom.gov.au
There are two key areas of the BoM website for the dairy industry. Firstly, the Water and The Land section (www.bom.gov.au/watl/index.shtml) provides you with forecasts for rainfall, wind and frosts, the radar, evaopotranspiration data and forecast explorer. The second key area is the seasonal outlook (www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/), which provides fortnightly updates on the key climate drivers for Victoria, the southern oscillation index, sea surface temperatures, trade winds and the Indian Ocean dipole.
Accessing these newsletters and websites will put you in an informed position to make decisions coming into summer and for the rest of the season.
Safely stacked square bales
The Australian Fodder Industry Association (AFIA) is urging farmers to be mindful of safety when transporting and storing square hay bales on farm.
While it may seem more convenient to simply stack square bales one on top of the other resulting in a large block, it is safer to stack square bales so that there are no straight walls or faces (see Figure 1). ‘Stepping’ the bales so that no more than two bales are stacked directly on top of one another will ensure more structural stability in the stack.
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Figure 1: With a straight face there is a danger of bales falling over. A stepped face reduces risk of bales collapsing. |
For square bales stored in a shed the end of the stack that is not supported by a wall should not have a straight face. Rather, the end of the stack should be ‘stepped’ to reduce the risk of the end bales collapsing.
Trying to get as many bales in the shed with a straight wall or face could come at the cost of a serious injury or fatality.
Clear signage placed wherever large bales are stacked can help prevent tragedy when storing and transporting hay. At the 2010 National Fodder Conference, AFIA member Suzanne Woods from Calingiri, Western Australia, presented her safety sign concept to create awareness of the dangers of falling hay bales from stacks and trucks (see Figure 2). The seriousness of this situation was bought home to the Woods family when Suzanne’s father was killed in an accident involving falling bales on their farm in October in 2009.
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Figure 2: The safety sign designed by fodder grower Suzanne Woods. |
“The signs are designed to be used in a variety of situations and can be customised to suit different locations. Whether it is in the form of a portable sign while a truck is being loaded or unloaded, or adhesive signs on hayshed walls and columns, the simple graphic image gives a clear and immediate message,” Suzanne said.
The sign is available for farmers to use on their property. Contact Nick McClelland, AFIA Industry Development Manager for your free copy which you can then give to a printer or sign maker of your choice, telephone 9530 2199 or email nick@afia.org.au.
What is your baled silage telling you after months of storage? - Part 2
Frank Mickan, DPI Ellinbank
3. Plastic wrap is damaged
Holes in plastic film
The drier the forage is, the larger the hole and the higher the ambient temperature will be. The longer a hole is left unpatched, the greater the losses in quality will be. Make no mistake, even a very small hole will quickly lead to large DM and quality losses if left unsealed for too long.
Sometimes pin-sized holes will occur in plastic rolls which have been removed from their protective box/wrap and are moving freely in the back of a ute, more so if there is bits of sand or gravel on the ute floor. Where lucerne or cereal stalks protrude from the bale holes and which seemingly act as a plug against air entry, will soon rot off and allow air in.
Unsuccessful patching
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Figure 1: Poor application of black repair tape on light green film |
Often patching is unsuccessful, even when carried out immediately. Ordinary duct tape will not last very long and some tapes can break down very quickly in sunlight. Repair tape that is applied to dirty, wet or hot plastic will also fail. Applying a dark coloured tape to a light coloured plastic will often fail due to differences in plastic shrinkage and expansion in hot/cold conditions (see Figure 1).
Solution: Regularly inspect bales and patch holes as quickly as possible using repair tape specifically designed for plastic wrap. Before applying the patch, clean and dry the holed area, cut the tape to length before applying and apply a similar coloured tape to that of the bale wrap. Avoid doing this in hot weather.
Transportation of bales
Spiking wrapped bales for transportation leaves large holes in the plastic film, as well as in the centre of the bale itself. If the bale is moved roughly, the whole bale will lose its shape, leaving a larger hole around the spiked area and also breaking the tack (stickiness) on the plastic film, which aids in the sealing process. Research has shown that silage grabs or grips are much gentler on the wrap, as long as they are used carefully.
Many bale wraps are also bruised or grazed when transporting, loading, unloading and when standing bales on their ends by all types of silage transportation equipment. Even though the film is not broken, there may now only be 3.0 to 3.5 layers covering that area, sometimes less.
Solution: Ideally wrap bales at the storage site. If wrapping in the paddock, gently move the bales with equipment that does not puncture the film.
4. Plastic film quality
The quality of film varies between companies and sometimes even between manufacturing runs. Most plastic film is manufactured to a thickness of about 25 micron, although some are now manufactured a bit thicker or thinner. These films are thin compared to sheet plastic (25 cp 100 – 200 micron), so those produced with less than desirable quality control can vary substantially in thickness.
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Figure 2: Film breakdown due to solar radiation |
Ultra-violet (UV) light inhibitors prolong the period of time before solar radiation begins to break down the plastic. The degradation of the film from UV radiation can be recognised when it starts to split, or the edges lift up and rip easily when pulled instead of stretching (see Figure 2).
Some European countries use negligible or low rates of UV inhibitor in their film because they don not experience the great intensity of solar radiation that Australia does, and therefore have little problem with film breakdown. Australian conditions demand the highest level of protection for our climate, however after the UK and European harvest is completed the excess film is often exported to Australia for our harvest. Some of these films are of the highest quality, some are not.
The quality of the resin used to make the film and the level and quality of the UV inhibitors to protect the film from solar radiation breakdown can also vary considerably worldwide. The world pricing of fuel impacts on the price of resin, so savings measures (short cuts by using poorer quality resin) are sometimes taken. The old adage that you generally ‘get what you pay for’ is foremost in the silage film market.
Solution: Use films from reputable manufacturers and those who are prepared to at least discuss any problems which may arise, many of which are often not caused by the film itself.
5. Pests
There are many causes of holes in baled silage wrap; birds, vermin, wildlife, cattle, domestic pets, children, tree branches, etc can all cause holes in films. The grain in whole crop cereal silage baled at the soft dough stage is a beacon to vermin for example.
Solution: Try to control pests as much as possible. Where possible place the bales on sand or bare soil. Leave gaps between bale rows to allow for easier inspection and repair. Put baits in place before any vermin start to appear. Place hay net wrap along the tops of bales, preferably on top of tyres, as birds hate to have their claws entangled. String humming wire over the tops of bales and thread through the handles of plastic drums half filled with water. Always ensure fences are stock proof.
Ticklers
What does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas?
Sandy claws.
What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when a fire is lit?
Crisp Cringle.
What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?
Tinselitus!
What do sheep say to each other at Christmas time?
Merry Christmas to ewe!
What do sheep say to shepherds at Christmas time?
Season's Bleatings!
A Christmas thought: STRESSED is just DESSERTS spelt backwards.
Sharpen the saw this silly season
With the silly season upon us, it is a good chance to make time to ‘sharpen the saw’. I’m not alluding to anything related to bothersome relatives or not getting what you want from Santa. With calving, making silage and hay, joining and other big jobs behind us, now is the time for some maintenance of the most important piece of machinery on the farm – you!
Dairy farming is all about being productive. The aim is to grow good pasture for productive dairy cows so that they will produce good milk. Farm businesses record and analyse production figures and strive for production targets. Farmers work hard and for long hours, striving to be productive in their endeavours. That is all great, but is it sustainable? Do you push yourself too hard only to end up exhausted and therefore working inefficiently?
To be truly productive and sustain a high level of work output you must take care of yourself.
In his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey outlines some basic principles that have helped many businesses across a broad range of disciplines. Covey makes a distinction between our ‘actual production’ and our ‘production capability’. According to this we must concentrate on our production capability in order to achieve a greater actual production. In other words, we need to focus on and foster our capabilities to enable ourselves to work hard over a long period of time.
The best way you can perform all of the roles on farm is by looking after yourself. When you attend to your own wellbeing you boost your quality of life. In turn, your wellbeing ensures you have the energy and capacity to face any challenges coming your way.
Farmers can neglect their own health and wellbeing issues due to lack of time and putting everybody else first. Just as you can’t cut through a piece of wood with a blunt saw, you also can’t work to your full potential, or your ‘production capability’, if you don’t make time for some self-maintenance.
Take a break
Hopefully now the big jobs are out of the way, you will have some time to yourself. Make some time after breakfast to enjoy a cup of tea and read a newspaper. Take a twenty minute powernap after lunch. Perhaps you can leave the farm, do something fun and come back feeling refreshed.
If you take time to ‘sharpen the saw’, that is to take some time to work on yourself for a change, you will be better able to do your work around the farm. Wouldn’t it be great if you took some time to do something for yourself and the result was that you were then fired up ready to tackle the next season? You might find that feeling refreshed will help you plan for the next busy period in autumn.
Find your source of energy
What is it that gets you energised and motivated? The silly season may provide a good opportunity to spend time with family and catch up with your friends. It may prompt you to get away for a break or make time to relax at home. Maybe Santa will bring you a great book to read or a new cricket set for a backyard game with the kids. It is really important to make some time, no matter how long, to do something you love and that will leave you feeling good afterward.
Beware the energy-drain
While you seek out opportunities to recharge your batteries, take care to avoid the things that can drain your energy. If there is an activity or job that is not in your top ten list of fun things to do, rather than letting it get to you try to think your way around it. Can you delegate the task or minimise the amount of time you spend on it? Is there somebody who can help you?
Are you taking good care of yourself? How can you boost your energy this silly season? Just as you would take the time to maintain and fix your farm machinery, take some time this Christmas for yourself. It’s better and much quicker to cut through a piece of wood with a well-sharpened saw than it is to toil away with a blunt edge.
Residue reminder
Dairy farmers treating cows for clinical mastitis are reminded to carefully follow the label recommendations for the withholding period.
Dairy Australia Countdown project leader, Dr John Penry said that it was important to discard the milk from all quarters of treated cows, even if only a single quarter receives intramammary antibiotic.
“It is possible that some antibiotic may be absorbed into the bloodstream and pass into the milk of normal quarters, which creates a risk of antibiotic residue in the milk,” Dr Penry said.
There are also withholding periods for intramuscular and dry cow antibiotic treatments. The withholding period is specific to each drug, so always check the label.
Dr Penry said people were central to mastitis management and residue prevention.
“You can have the best systems in place and the right drugs but success ultimately relies on the people in the milking shed. As a herd manager, you need to communicate clearly and often,” he said.
Make sure new milkers receive training about the farm’s systems, and use staff meetings to provide timely reminders about mastitis management.
“Everyone involved with milking needs to understand the system and their individual responsibility in relation to mastitis management,” he said.
Systems for identifying treated cows can be as simple as tail paint, insulation tape, or in larger herds, may involve running a separate ‘hospital’ herd that is milked after the main herd.
Records are essential to know when a cow’s withholding period is up so her milk can go back in the vat. They also provide a valuable tool for managing mastitis.
“Records allow you to monitor the success of treatments and review the approach when treatments are less effective than expected. They can be kept in a notebook, on a whiteboard or the computer – whatever works for your situation,” Dr Penry said.
For more information refer to the Countdown Farm Guidelines available online at www.dairyaustralia.com.au/countdown or telephone Countdown (03) 9620 7283.
Countdown is an example of your levy at work. For more information on this and other examples of your levy at work visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au.
DPI Dairy Services would like to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
For advice or assistance, you can contact the DPI at the following offices: Cobram 5871 0600; Echuca 5482 1922; Kerang 5452 1266 and Tatura 5833 5222.
Monthly Reminders
Stock
- Keep an eye out for signs that the diet is not balanced. Signs may include:
- Rapid or sustained condition loss.
- Rapid loss of production.
- Fat and protein levels. A lack of fibre can result in a low fat test; a low protein test may be the result of insufficient energy.
- If less than half the cows are chewing their cud while resting there may be a lack of fibre.
- ‘Crapology’ - loose, smelly manure could mean the cow is suffering from acidosis; solid manure indicates a high fibre level and possibly a lack of protein and energy.
- Do the cows look visually poor - dull, sunken eyes, scruffy coat, hunched back? These are all signs that the cow is not well and the cause may have something to do with the diet.
- Keep watching for those cows coming on heat, as well as checking any non-cycling cows.
- Check there is enough bull power – one bull per 30 empties, plus one spare. This will allow bulls to be rested that have a high workload or develop sore feet.
- Take action to reduce heat stress – give the cows access to shade where possible, use sprinklers in the dairy to help cool cows and make sure plenty of clean drinking water is available.
- Keep an eye on hay stacks for signs of heating and consider insuring your hay
- Watch the weekly grain and hay reports on the Dairy Australia website www.dairyaustralia.com.au
- Remember to take some time out to enjoy the company of friends and family over the summer months.
What's On?
2012 NATIONAL ALL DAIRY BREEDS YOUTH CAMP
January 3-7 Royal Melbourne Showgrounds
For more information, please contact Sue Bird 1300 062 332, or email sbird@ncdea.edu.au.
INTERNATIONAL DAIRY WEEK
The 2012 International Dairy Week will be held from Sunday 15 January to Friday 20 at Tatura Park.
This year there will be free workshops and seminars held on Genomics & Economic Outlook, US Dairy Farms in Operation & Fertility and Pasture Management.
A Machinery and Trade Expo will be held on the 18th and 19th.
For more information, please contact Robyn Barber 9338 9259 or visit www.internationaldairyweek.com.au
2012 AUSTRALIAN DAIRY CONFERENCE
The biggest event on the dairy industry calendar, the 2012 Australian Dairy Conference, will be held in Gippsland , February 20-24.
The event sponsorship and exhibition prospectus is on the conference website.
For more information, please contact Esther Price 1800 177 636 or visit www.australiandairyconference.com.au
