Rural

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Rural News

News

Obituary: vale Ken Bolitho

The Goulburn Valley lost one of its pioneering fruit growers when Ken Bolitho died earlier this month. A former director of the KY fruit processing co-operative, Mr Bolitho died at the age of 91 after a short illness. Under the tutelage of his...

Geoff Adams
News

Consumers look out for hens

Community trust in the Australian egg industry remains high, according to a new report from Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO. The survey shows that the industry was ranked about 3.72 on a “five” scale for trust, with Australian rural...

Geoff Adams
News

Farmers happy with fishers but not campers on Crown land

Farmers have raised their concerns about camping on Crown land with grazing licences or river frontages, but don’t have an issue with those wanting to fish. The Victorian Government has committed to guarantee access to fishing and camping on Crown...

Rodney Woods
News

National herbicide resistance survey in weeds to begin

Herbicide-resistant weeds are being cast into the spotlight, thanks to a Charles Sturt University-led national survey. Backed by the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the survey is encouraging farmers from Australian grain production...

Country News
News

Izzy Gribben’s iso stew recipe

Izzy Gribben’s iso stew recipe For those who have a pantry stocked with canned vegetables and tins, here is an easy recipe to try that will use up some pantry staples. There’s also nothing stopping you from making this stew with all fresh...

Jessica Ball

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Dairy

News

App gets updated to help dairy farm workers learn on the job

Recently hired dairy industry workers will be able to learn the skills and knowledge needed in their new field in an easier way, with the launch of an app supported by the Victorian Government’s Agriculture Workforce Plan. Victorian Agriculture...

Rodney Woods
News

Former dairy farmer steps out of comfort zone to help Lockington community

Former dairy farmer Suzie Jacobs is passionate about helping the dairy community create a positive narrative for the future. Living for the past 10 years in Ballendella, Mrs Jacobs wants to “plant the seeds of possibility” to enable the community in...

Rodney Woods
News

Discussion paper outlines impact of water scarcity on dairy industry

The northern Victorian dairy industry is at “pressure point” and water availability will be significantly impacted by increased demand from the horticultural industry according to a discussion paper. Compiled by Marsden Jacob Associates, the report...

Rodney Woods
Dairy

UDV addresses unsettled membership

The UDV leadership has launched a membership consultation following some unrest over the body’s stance on the Australian Dairy Plan. Some Western Victorian UDV members have threatened to resign over the UDV’s role in supporting the development of...

Geoff Adams
Dairy

Fonterra Australia milk collection drops by 12 per cent

Fonterra Australia has recorded a drop of 12 per cent in milk collection, according to the 2019-20 financial results of its New Zealand counterpart. The drop in milk collection to 107.8 kg of milk solids was caused by a combination of...

Rodney Woods

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Horticulture

Horticulture

Victorian Government announce $17 million package to encourage locals to fill harvest labour roles

A $17 million package has been announced by the Victorian Government to help address seasonal workforce shortages brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The package includes more than $6 million to boost the supply of COVID-safe accommodation for...

Rodney Woods
Horticulture

Take your gap year in regional Australia, parliamentary committee says

Young Australians could be given student debt discounts to work across regional Australia in a bid to plug critical labour shortages. An interim parliamentary committee report has floated the measure as part of a wider plan to address urgent needs...

Country News
Horticulture

Automation could solve labour shortage

Growers across the Goulburn Valley are facing the rising risk of labour shortages for the upcoming harvest season. Apple and Pear Australia’s Future Orchards Spring Walk in the Goulburn Valley will provide growers with tips to prepare their orchards...

Jamie Salter

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Cropping

Cropping

Grain growers urged to check expiry date of stored chemicals

With improved seasonal conditions and an upbeat spring forecast, grain growers will be carefully assessing the need for disease management during the coming months and taking steps to ensure they have adequate fungicide supplies on hand. For some...

Rodney Woods
Cropping

Irrigated Cropping Council field day to be held virtually

Local grain growers and industry representatives will be treated to a field day with a difference this year as the Irrigated Cropping Council adapts to the times to provide key information about irrigated crop research via online meeting platform...

Rodney Woods
Cropping

Hay shed build boom

Victorian hay shed construction has surged off the back of a record 2019 fodder harvest. Sales of hay sheds are on track to double this season according to shed manufacturer Entegra, which by April had already sold 65 per cent of the total number of...

Country News

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Livestock

Livestock

Organic eggs on the menu

It can be an unnerving experience to be surrounded by hundreds of friendly chooks when you enter the pasture paddock at Russell and Rochelle Crow’s egg production farm near Kyabram. The hens have a free run in their paddock, seeking refuge in their...

Geoff Adams
Livestock

Hundred per cent clearance rate for Kerang clearing sale

An online clearing sale has proved to be a hit with Kerang’s Geoff and Fiona Kendell, with the vendors achieving a 100 per cent clearance rate. Run by Nutrien Harcourts Kerang and Nutrien Shepparton, the clearing sale went online as a result of...

Country News
Livestock

Violet Town stud’s ram sale to be held online

The 33rd Toland Poll Merino stud sale will be held online for the first time due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions. Owners Anna Toland and Simon Riddle made the difficult decision to not hold an on-property sale two months ago...

Rodney Woods
Livestock

Disabled calf nursed by Strathy farmer

A severely disabled Shorthorn calf has been given a new lease on life thanks to a Strathmerton farmer and a modified wheelchair. Buttons, a six-week-old calf, had little hope of survival after her original owner found she was not able to support her...

Geoff Adams

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Water

Water

Farmers and academics need to work together on basin plan, says Speak Up

A university paper which highlights the failings of Australia’s water reform needs to be a catalyst for change, according to advocacy group Speak Up. A paper from Scott Hamilton, a Strategic Advisory Panel member at the University of...

Alana Christensen
Water

Goulburn-Murray Water seeks community feedback

Goulburn-Murray Water customers are being encouraged to provide feedback to its customer satisfaction survey. G-MW’s Customers and Stakeholders general manager Ann Telford said the independent survey would provide further opportunity for customers...

Spencer Fowler Steen
Water

Ex Nats leader on new dam body

Former Victorian Nationals leader Peter Ryan has been appointed to the Federal Government’s hand-picked dam-building advisory panel. The National Water Grid Advisory Body will be chaired by former Transurban boss Chris Lynch, whose most recent...

Geoff Adams

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Management

Management

102-year-old farm breaking new ground

The Emmett family farm in Stanhope, Victoria has successfully moved into organics after 102 years as a Jersey stud and conventional dairy. Current principal farmer Craig Emmett made the decision to go organic four years ago, influenced by the...

Daneka Hill
Management

Data delivers for Brookbora breeding

Information underpins breeding decisions at the Bacon family farm in northern Victoria. The Jersey breeders have reams of data about their family’s Brookbora herd and that’s exactly the way they like it. “We are overloaded on...

Dairy News Australia
Management

Agriculture Victoria provides irrigation tips as warmer months approach

This winter we have been lucky enough to receive more rainfall than last year. Now as we move into spring and temperatures start to rise, the evaporation rate will increase, as will the requirement for irrigation. Below are some general suggestions...

Rodney Woods
Dairy News

Sisters love life on the farm

Cows have always featured heavily in the lives of sisters Emmalea, Kaitlyn and April Wishart. Growing up on the family dairy farm, Rowlands Park at Cohuna, the girls have always shown a keen interest in what was going on. Whether it’s showing...

Sophie Baldwin

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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

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Markets

Markets

Global dairy prices ease

DAIRY MARKETS have entered 2020 with strong supply and demand fundamentals which are supporting global commodity prices. It has been widely reported the current market is operating in a well-balanced state, with demand marginally ahead of supply...

Sam Leishman
Markets

Profits drop on Queensland farms

THE PROFITABILITY of Queensland dairy farms continues to decline due to climatic conditions and high purchased feed costs, according to the latest Queensland Dairy Accounting Scheme report from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries...

Dairy News
Markets

Australian consumers and the value of premium products

With temperatures heating up, all eyes are on southern Australia’s harvest prospects. As northern parts of the country experience yet another failed harvest, the southern crop will be paramount for any potential impact on current feed costs. While...

Sofia Omstedt

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Machinery & Products

Machinery & Products

McIntosh Beater Wagons are saving farmers time and money

The new McIntosh Beater Wagons are getting plenty of praise from farmers who are using the equipment on their farms. Users say the unique design of the beater wagon, with its three PTO-driven horizontal beaters, allows you to better incorporate...

Dairy News Australia
Machinery & Products

Farming smarter makes life easier for the Vines family

Only 11 years ago this farming family started off with one cow, called ‘Hope’. With no family farm to begin their rural journey, the couple made the move to South West Victoria because they were uncomfortable with water security in Northern...

Dairy News
Machinery & Products

Speedtiller gives fuel for thought when sowing

FOLLOWING THE devastating fires over summer and a long period of drought many dairy farmers are now working towards pasture improvement or establishment, which starts with better soil health and structure. Not often can you buy the one machine that...

Dairy News
Machinery & Products

Faster feeding — and more efficient too with the McIntosh’s Multi 4 Bale Feeder

MCINTOSH’S MULTI 4 Bale Feeder has been in the market for more than five years and is proving itself to be a great purchase by many happy farmers. CLAAS Harvest Centre Echuca’s Brendan Caffery said they were receiving great feedback from...

Dairy News

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Animal Health

Animal Health

Fatty acids yield benefits in early lactation dairy cows

New research from Michigan State University has demonstrated significant improvements in cow productivity with specific fatty acid supplementation through early lactation. The concept of feeding fat in dairy rations is nothing new — the...

Dairy News Australia
Animal Health

Good nutrition can have major impact on fertility

A demonstration study conducted by leading livestock nutrition company CopRice has shown a holistic approach to nutrition can significantly increase reproductive efficiency. CopRice operates a ‘model farm’ in northern Victoria to examine...

Dairy News Australia
Animal Health

Best practice calf welfare a priority for dairy industry

Dairy farmers from across Australia recently tuned in to a webinar on best practice welfare for disbudding in dairy calves, with the high turnout clearly demonstrating the importance industry places on animal wellbeing. They were joined by...

Dairy News Australia
Dairy News

Transitioning calves for optimum growth with micronised feeds

Many of us enjoy a bowl of muesli at the start for the day to deliver sustained energy through a nutritious breakfast. Those farmers in the know are providing their calves the same opportunity with a roasted calf muesli. Prepared with the aim of...

Dairy News Australia