From the Experts

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
From the Experts

Five tips for growing better maize

FutureDairy’s Yani Garcia says management has a big impact on the profitability of a high input crop such as maize. “A profitable maize crop is achieved by optimising both yield and nutritive value,” Professor Garcia said. “Very high...

Dairy News
From the Experts

Invest in all aspects of farm capital

There are a number of future choices open to farming businesses. In short those choices are: retire, die, sell (in any order); hand over the farm to one child with the others unhappy; hand over to one child with all happy; build a multi-generational...

Dairy News
From the Experts

Good lucerne needs good management

The Accelerating Change Lucerne Masterclass drew a large crowd of dairy farmers, contractors and service providers to Scott Fitzgerald’s farm at Tongala in December. After a few days of heavy rain, the sun was out, making it the perfect...

Dairy News
From the Experts

New ideas will attract next generation

The dairy industry needs to place greater emphasis on attracting young people to secure its future, a panel told this year’s Murray Dairy Business Forum. Speaking in Shepparton on November 19, Australian Farm Institute executive director Mick...

Dairy News
From the Experts

Smooth transition between seasons

SPRING AT the Dookie dairy has been quite favourable. In mid-November the spring calving was well and truly complete and the artificial insemination program was under way. Pasture intake per cow was maintained at 11–13 kg dry matter/day through...

Dairy News
From the Experts

Time to take stock of the past year

IT’S DECEMBER already, after what can only be termed as a very significant year for many reasons in most dairy farmers’ memories. Compared to this time last year though, the season is quite different, with some experiencing a 20 to 30 per cent...

Dairy News
From the Experts

One size does not fit all

I OFTEN hear about the state of the Gippsland dairy industry as if we are all dealing with the same issues at the same time. It would be nice to think that when rain falls on Leongatha it would also give a good soaking to Orbost farms, but that just...

Dairy News

Trending stories

Breaking News

Woman jumps from moving car in Moama

A WOMAN in her 40s is likely to be flown to Melbourne after jumping out of a moving car in Moama earlier today. Murray River Police District Inspector Paul Huggett said Moama and Echuca police and Ambulance Victoria were called to Perricoota Rd near...

Ivy Jensen
News

Accused drug dealer arrested in Echuca

AN ECHUCA man will face court today accused of drug, burglary, theft and driving offences. Detective Senior Constable Troy Wickham of Echuca Criminal Investigation Unit said. police arrested the 28-year-old on Friday in High St, along with...

Riverine Herald
News

Leitchville man reels in monster Murray Cod

Yael Fry got the shock of his life last week after reeling in a 120cm Murray Cod near Leitchville.

Brayden May
News

Homelessness, hopelessness

THE homeless exist in a netherworld; in the case of the twin towns if you care to look it doesn’t take long to find some. On a freezing winter’s night under the bridge is a favoured haunt; sadly also occasionally a hunting ground for people who...

Charmayne Allison