From the Experts

From the Experts

BVDV: A pest of a virus

A complex and challenging disease, bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) or pestivirus is widespread across Australia and known to cause significant reproductive and economic losses. Up to 90 per cent of Australian herds have evidence of exposure to...

Dairy News Australia

From the Experts

Consistency of good behaviours drives calf rearing success

Consistency in all that we do around calves is pivotal to calf health, wellbeing and performance. This was the overarching message when MaxCare hosted a calf rearing seminar at International Dairy Week in Tatura in January, and a message that...

Dairy News Australia

From the Experts

ABV release prompts sire review

The August release of Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) and the upcoming joining season will have dairy farmers around the country thinking about the next best sires to use over their herds. While breeding enthusiasts will delve into great detail...

Dairy News

From the Experts

ABV release prompts sire review

The August release of Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) and the upcoming joining season will have dairy farmers around the country thinking about the next best sires to use over their herds. While breeding enthusiasts will delve into great detail...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Sires’ success is proven

THE DESIRE by ABS to make better cows faster has never been more evident than in the August ABV proofs, delivering top sires in both the Holstein genomic rankings and sires with Australian milking daughters. The success of the ABS genomic program is...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Scientists expand genetic horizons

Australia’s geneticists are leading the world in expanding the horizons of genetic selection of dairy cattle. WHAT DO you achieve if you take a team of clever geneticists, give them state-of-the-art research facilities and supply them with...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Trial sparks interest

A TRIAL of sexed semen three years ago ignited one Tasmanian dairy farming family’s passion for breeding and laid a foundation for the business’s future. Stuart and Kylie Nailer milk 215 cows at Ringarooma, in Tasmania’s north-east, with their...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Number one bull for daughters

GENETICS AUSTRALIA have released its August proof update with Calister Maebull the new number one daughter proven bull. Maebull’s stable breeding value has held him in good stead as other challengers have fallen away with refinements to the ABV...

Dairy News

From the Experts

California faces similar dairy issues

MULTIPLE DEMANDS on irrigation water, stricter environmental controls and pressures from animal activists are some of the issues that are similar for Californian dairy farmers and those in Australia. Animal scientist Dr Russ Hovey drew some...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Gippsland reminders for July

Pastures and grazing Aim to grow as much pasture as possible while keeping costs under control. The use of nitrogen and gibberellic acid can increase DM yield, and when combined with good grazing management can increase available pasture to cows...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Designing calf housing

THERE IS no single “right” way to rear calves and no “best” housing system. Good management is essential to the success of any system. However, badly designed and managed housing systems can definitely pose risks to calf health, welfare and...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Hope for new season

DAIRY FARMERS attending an industry update by rural bank Rabobank in Kyabram recently were shown a glimmer of hope. Rabobank senior dairy analyst Michael Harvey said 2019–20 should be a profit year for dairy farmers. But Mr Harvey also pointed to...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Farmer sentiment challenged

OVERALL 2018–19 has proved to be one of the hottest and driest years on record. Challenging seasonal conditions have been felt across the country and farmers are feeling the pinch as a result. Despite a relatively high milk price, in historical...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Summer heat advice

PROVIDING LIVESTOCK with shade and water during extreme heat is ‘‘paramount’’ according to an owner of a northern Victorian veterinary practice. Keith Fletcher, of Rochester Veterinary Practice, provided some tips on the best way to handle...

Dairy News

From the Experts

March reminders

Hay and silage stocks Check your levels of hay and silage and do your sums on potential hay and silage use for the balance of the year. Allow for milking cows, dry cows and young stock. It’s often a challenge to feed the best feed you can and make...

Dairy News

From the Experts

New tech helps manage cows

A NEW cow ‘fit bit’ is making it easier to diagnose sick cows and influence management decisions around fertility and performance. Cow Manager uses a small ear tag to monitor and record cow activity, temperature, eating, rumination and resting...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Broad range of seminar topics

Eight seminars will be held at International Dairy Week, covering topics from improving efficiency to heat tolerance. Held at the Ballantyne Centre at Tatura Park, the seminars will run over three days with presenters from across the industry...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Genetics may ease heat stress

THE MODERN dairy cow is highly susceptible to the effects of heat and in the Australian climate, the effects of heat stress cause millions of dollars in lost production every year. Temperature and humidity that exceed certain thresholds lead to...

Dairy News

From the Experts

Bringing new pastures on line

GETTING YOUR grazing rotation right is critical to maximise your pasture production. A well-managed rotation will help not only to boost pasture intake per cow but enable a more effective use of supplements. Establishing a rotation with newly sown...

Dairy News