NSW and Queensland floods: Dairy herds swept away in floods

Paul Weir, who lost half his 300-cow herd in the floods, discovered 100 beef cattle had joined his remaining dairy cows – and he has no idea where they came from. Live updates here.

Food, fuel, electricity and fodder for livestock are the top priorities for flood-affected farmers across southeast Queensland and NSW’s Northern Rivers Region today.

“Getting out to make sure people have the basics available is the priority,” EastAUSMilk co-chief executive Shaughn Morgan said.

A phone hook-up last night with farmers and Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie led to more helicopters being ferried in to airlift generators, pumps and electricians into properties to restore electricity.

The Weekly Times understands Senator McKenzie is working on an assistance package that she is due to announce in Canberra tomorrow.

Coraki dairy farmer Terry Toohey, who is helping co-ordinate the local relief effort, said one of the biggest issues was finding electricians and other tradies to help setup generators and pumps so that cows can be brought into milk.

“We have three farmers who still don’t have generators,” Mr Toohey said.

“It’s hard for people to imagine the destruction out here.”

Fuel shortages have also hit the NSW Northern Rivers region, with diesel and petrol purchases being limited to $50 a tank in Lismore.

Milk tankers and fodder trucks are also facing problems getting into farms after flood damage forced road authorities to cut bridge load limits to five tonnes.

Some farmers are also looking to source feed, for not only their own but other producers’ livestock that has simply swum in to join their herds.

Paul Weir, who lost half his 300-cow herd in the floods, went out to feed his heifers and dry cows to discover an extra 100 beef cattle had joined them.

While he had no idea where they came from, Mr Weir now faces the problem of feeding far more cattle on one of the few high point on the property, which has already turned into a quagmire.

Mr Toohey said looters had also appeared in Lismore.

“One employee walked into his house with flatmates where they found these blokes going through the house and the house next door,” Mr Toohey said.

Disposing of cattle carcasses has also become a priority as floodwaters subside, with the NSW Environment Protection Authority working with farmers and the state’s Department of Primary Industries.

Further north in Queensland, farmers in the state’s southeast are seeking support to clean up properties and fencing.

BlazeAid national operations manager Melissa Jones said she was trying to set up camps in the Lockyer Valley, Gympie and the Beaudesert regions, having already secured a site in Casino, NSW, which would be sending out fencing teams on Monday.

“We need volunteers and donations, which have really dropped of with Covid” Ms Jones said.

Donations can be made to BlazeAid HERE.

Other groups offering support include Drought Angels, with farmers able get relief payments of $1500 by calling 07 4662 7371 or by filling in the form HERE, while donations can be made HERE.

The Queensland and NSW Government is also asking farmers to fill out damage assessment forms to help them direct assistance, they can be found:

HERE for Queensland farmers

HERE for NSW farmers

Support lines also operate in Queensland on 13 25 23

NSW on 1800 814 647

MARCH 2: FLOODWATER BACK UP

Floodwaters are backing up at the junction of the Richmond and Wilsons Rivers in NSW, inundating the Coraki region all the way downstream to Ballina, after parts of the region recorded 1250 mmm in five days.

“That’s 10 inches a day for five days,” EastAUSMilk dairy farmer advocacy group vice-president Graham Forbes said.

“Floodwaters are receding at Lismore, but it’s the lower section of the Richmond River to Ballina that’s being hit now, with one farmer losing at least 50 cows. The lower floodplain is completely inundated.”

Upper Richmond River farmer Terry Toohey, said floodwaters were backing up at Coraki, where the swollen Wilsons River from Lismore met the Richmond River.

“One fella milks 450 Jerseys, who hadn’t lost many by last night, but his generator had taken water, so they’re flying in another generator and electrician to wire it up so he can milk,” Mr Toohey said.

“One of the main concerns in the lower catchment is that water is going to be sitting there for days (as it slows down and spreads out)”

He said the farmers most immediate needs were gaining access to power, fodder and workers.

“I have three staff, but none of them are here,” Mr Toohey said. “We need experienced people to help.”

“I hope there’s some retired farmers in the Casino, Lismore areas who might be able to help.”

EastAUSMilk is already working with NSW and Queensland primary industries departments to co-ordinate support.

At Dalwood, about 20km southeast of Lismore, NSW Farmers branch chair and macadamia farmer Warren Elvery said the biggest issue affected people was a lack of fuel and food.

And with the Princes Highway cut off in a number of locations, the already strained road freight system is struggling to access townships which need supplies.

“It hasn’t even peaked yet,” Mr Elvery said.

“There’s been people who have lost their dairy herds, their beef cattle … they’re really feeling it, and whole livelihoods have been lost.

“Cattle has been lost from Lismore, and they’re finding them washed up by the side of the river in Ballina.”

Mr Elvery, who runs a macadamia farm at Dalwood, said he was still in the midst of surveying the damage to his own property, with a number of his staff unable to attend work due to being affected by the floods.

“We couldn’t go in via the ute, we had to go in on tractor, because of the damage, and because of the water,” Mr Elvery said.

He estimated a crop loss of about 25 per cent.

“The hardest part is we’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars increasing the quality of the soil, building up the soil carbon … basically we’re looking at bare dirt, it’s gone.”

The biggest issue immediately facing people in flood affected regions, Mr Elvery said, was a lack of fuel and food.

“The highways are blocked, the trucks can’t get in, but once they do come in, we’ll need not a normal amount, as everyone’s run out,” Mr Elvery said.

“We need about four to five times the amount.”

A NSW Emergency Response Hotline 1800 814 647 has been set up to assist farmers with immediate support and deal with animal welfare issues, but Mr Forbes said he received a recorded message when he called at 7:30 this morning stating it only operated from 8am to 8pm.

EastAUSMilk co-chief executive Shaughn Morgan told The Weekly Times he had contacted NSW Agriculture Minister Dougald Saunders this morning and was assured the hours would be extended.

In the meantime Drought Angels founder Tash Johnston said the group was offering farmers $1500 emergency relief grants, which could be accessed by calling 07 4662 7371.

“We have up to $100,000 currently available for $1500 relief payments, (but) that's 66 farmers at the moment we can help,” Ms Johnston said. “With our flood appeal we hope to be able to help a lot more.”

Tax deductible donations can also be made to the Drought Angels by visiting their website.

In the meantime Mr Forbes said the flood damage bill was soaring from what are regarded as the worst floods to hit the NSW Northern Rivers on record.

He said Lismore-based NORCO dairy co-operative’s feed mill had been decommissioned and its local ice-cream factory flooded to a height of four to five metres, washing through critical processing lines that were undergoing a $30m upgrade.

“It’s the largest commercial employer in Lismore, with 400 workers,” Mr Forbes said.

He said further north in Queensland floodwaters have subsided in most of the hard hit areas – the Lockyer Valley, Beaudesert and Gympie – with milk tankers getting back in to pick up milk.

“There’s still some road slips that tankers have to get around and the Lactalis factory opened up again in Brisbane yesterday.”

MARCH 1: DAIRY HERD SWEPT AWAY

Dairy farmers are counting the cost of the rain bomb that hit southeast Queensland and northern NSW, with whole herds swept away by floodwaters.

Lismore dairy farmer Paul Weir watched in despair late yesterday as half his 300-cow herd was swept away by floodwaters that partly submerged his dairy, peaking two metres above the previous all-time record.

“My son (Matthew) swam across to the shed to get his jet ski off the trailer and evacuated the wife and I across the river,” Mr Weir said.

“He then went to the tenants house and got them, then town to get his younger brother and mates off a roof.”

But there was some good news for the Weirs, with Paul and his sons finding 150 of their cows had survived the night, which he was able to feed.

“Our cows are fairly distinctive with heat detection collars and I put a message out last night to people if they found them.

“I’ve had a few people respond and they found one near Bunnings (in town).”

As for help Mr Weir said he had already received three or four calls from other farmers offering fodder and another who offered to take part of the herd to milk.

He said there were other farmers further downstream he was worried about, but yet to hear how they had fared.

“It’s a major catastrophe for Lismore, (with) water up to the roof on more than 1000 houses.

“Where are they going to live until their houses are deemed safe to live in.”

EastAUSmilk vice president Graham Forbes and NORCO dairy farmer supplier said the Wilson River had flooded the Co-op’s Lismore ice-cream factory, which employed 400 locals.

As the dairy advocacy group for the region EastAUSmilk helped co-ordinate a meeting of about 30 people from various government agencies to assess the flood impacts across Queensland and NSW Northern Rivers.

A NSW Emergency Response Hotline has been set up for farmers – 1800 814 647, to assist farmers with immediate support and deal with animal welfare issues.

Mr Forbes said saving lives was the immediate priority as rain continued, then it would be a matter of assessing the damage and ensuring fodder was made available.

This morning’s briefing heard that milk tanker access to farms was a major issue in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley, at Beaudesert and one of the hardest hit regions – Gympie.

EastAUSmilk Co-chief executive Shaughn Morgan said some farmers were already dumping milk, but its hoped roads could re-open soon to get tankers in.

He said at this stage reports were coming in of two to three herds being lost, while Mr Forbes said he had heard early reports of others being lost.

In NSW the hardest hit areas outside of Lismore are the Casino and Taree.

Source: Peter Hunt and Madeleine Stuchbery, The Weekly Times, 3 March 2022

Vote your own way in Dairy Poll 2022

AUSTRALIAN Dairy Farmers (ADF) urges all levy payers to vote in Dairy Poll 2022 as this is an opportunity too good to miss, ADF president Rick Gladigau has announced today.

“This is the first time in a decade that dairy farmers have had a say about how much dairy services levy they pay - a levy that funds Dairy Australia's programs, including research and innovation,” says Mr Gladigau.

“Although dairy farmers are experiencing improved trading conditions, there are continued pressures including rising input costs. Also, farmers alone have shouldered the levy for too long.

“We also strongly believe that dairy processors should contribute their fair share to these investments. Processors must provide significant and proportionate funding to those projects that benefit the whole supply chain.”

Since 2019, the ADF has been calling on processors to contribute to the post-farmgate work done by Dairy Australia, with the most appropriate and fairest mechanism being a statutory levy. Furthermore, there are other avenues that can be explored to augment producer levy funds and invest in Dairy Australia's work, including but not limited to grant funding.

For these reasons, the ADF Board does not support an increase in the farmer service levy. “Now is not the right time to raise the levy on farmers, considering that we are emerging from an extended downturn,” says Mr Gladigau.

The ADF Board notes that the ADF National Council, comprising representatives from State Dairy Farmer Organisations (SDFOs) collectively, supports a 20 per cent increase. However, there are a wide range of views among the state and federated members, with differences across states.

“The ADF Board fully respects this diverse range of views. In fact, they helped inform our position,” Mr Gladigau says. “If levy payers seek further information regarding which voting option is best for them, they can also seek guidance from their respective SDFO.”

Mr Gladigau says the ADF Board agrees that the four areas identified as the focus for future levy investment - labour, policy development, regional services and climate change - are relevant and, of course, labour is a critical issue for the dairy industry currently.

“No matter what the outcome of Dairy Poll 2022, the ADF will monitor how the levy is put to work,” says Mr Gladigau.

Based on the voting options on the ballot paper, farmers can consider whether the current dairy levy, or an increase in the levy, is needed to ensure this investment in profitability and sustainability meets their needs.

The Levy Poll Advisory Committee (LPAC) has proposed four options in the Dairy Poll:

·                  No change

·                  +15pc

·                  +20pc (this is the option recommended by LPAC)

·                  +25pc

“While the ADF Board acknowledges the work carried out by LPAC, as per the legislation, over the past several months, we believe that now is not the time to increase the producer contribution to Dairy Australia,” Mr Gladigau says.

“We believe the Levy Poll process can and should be improved. As you might expect, much has been learned from the first-ever LPAC process and the ADF will revisit the process with the Minister for Agriculture following Dairy Poll 2022.

“In the meantime, we strongly encourage all dairy farmers to vote in Dairy Poll 2022.”

For voting information, visit the Dairy Poll 2022 website.

Billionaire farmer Gerry Harvey on making money in ag

FOR THE LOVE: Billionaire retailer Gerry Harvey's love of agriculture has taken him on a sometimes bumpy ride.

Gerry Harvey always wanted to be a farmer and even won a scholarship to agricultural college before a twist of fate saw him become a multi-billionaire retailer.

To pay for his education, he studied part time and held a door-to-door sales job, where he met future business partner, Ian Norman.

"I always used to think by the time I'm 30, I'll have enough money to buy my own farm," Mr Harvey said.

"When I got to 30, I was making so much money, if I became a farmer and made nothing, it would be embarrassing so I kept putting it off.

"So at the end of the day, I kept opening shops because it was a thousand times more profitable than being a farmer for me."

Even so, Mr Harvey is undeniably now a farmer. He might not be hands on but his extensive agricultural investments range from cattle to cucumbers.

No stranger to the horse racing industry, Mr Harvey's ag interests include Westbury Stud in New Zealand, with its hundreds of thoroughbred broodmares and Vinery and Baramul thoroughbred studs in NSW which also host a few hundred cattle in NSW.

He also owns a 500-head Angus cattle operation at Bundella in NSW, Security Foods with its decades-long Wagyu cattle business in Victoria and NSW, and a $30-million, 5-hectare glasshouse in Peats Ridge, NSW, where 65 million cucumbers are grown a year.

Mr Harvey is particularly proud of the Peats Ridge facility's productivity, which he said ranked among the best in the world, but it did cause a stir amongst locals in the early days.

"I drove up there and on the posts were 'No, Harvey, no' and I thought 'What the hell is this?' and found out there was a rumour going around that I had a marijuana farm," he said.

"At no stage, from my point of view would Harvey Norman have a marijuana farm, they'd sack me from Harvey Norman."

No matter which of his agricultural enterprises he talks about, though, the common theme is innovation and diversity.

Coomboona calamity

So, while agriculture has become the darling of rich-listers, this particular billionaire isn't in it for the money. For Gerry Harvey, it's just for the love of agriculture.

He loves watching things grow, whether it's in his home vegetable patch or on a grand scale, and he loves to see the best of the best in operation.

But there are limits.

"I lost $75 million on a dairy farm," he said.

Mr Harvey invested $34 million of Harvey Norman money in a joint venture with businessman Alex Arena into one of Australia's largest dairy farms, Coomboona, in 2015 while the financial press was talking up rivers of 'white gold'.

"Coomboona made sense at the time because we went into it with a guy who owned the property and had $30 million of his own money in there," he said.

"He claimed he knew what he was talking about but, unfortunately, he didn't and he was wrong on so many things and at the end of the day, it was just going to get worse and worse so I just said, 'Mate, we'd better pull the plug on this'."

Coomboona was sold by administrators to the Perich family in 2018 for $40m.

"He (the joint venture partner) wanted to be the biggest dairy in Australia with the best cows in Australia and, in his defence, he probably had 100 of the best cows in Australia, cows that were milking over 60 litres a day," Mr Harvey said.

"He did have that part right but his infrastructure, rate of growth and all sorts of other things, were wrong. Designs for buildings were wrong that he'd swear were the best in the world."

The dairy misadventure drew sharp criticism and dented the big retailer's share price.

"I was one of the people that pushed it and it was a bad mistake," Mr Harvey said.

"If you asked me, 'Do you want to go into a dairy farm?' now, I'd say, 'I have no interest whatsoever, at all, in going into a dairy farm'."

Ag’s profit lag

Mr Harvey said, in his experience, retailing generated much higher returns on investment than agriculture and that if he wanted to "make real money", he would open another store rather than buy a farm.

"If you're doing cattle or sheep, especially over the years, you're looking at very poor returns for the outlay of money," he said.

"You might have $10m invested in a sheep or cattle enterprise and, if you make $300,000 or $400,000 a year, you're going okay.

"So there's no money in it but the money is in the appreciation of the land and, admittedly, there's a long-term proposition.

"I've argued for years, going back 40 years ago, that land's overpriced, everyone's mad, and I've been totally wrong because, every year, if it doesn't go up, it plateaus and goes up a bit later."

Land price doubts

While Australia's record high agricultural land prices had helped many farmers retire with unexpected wealth, Mr Harvey said, he thought it made new purchases less attractive.

"Is this a good time to buy a farm at the moment? I'm a bit shy. So when we've had three years of drought, that's when I'll probably buy another farm."

Indeed, Mr Harvey's most recent land acquisition was a 16-hectare luxury property in Narooma. Webster Nolan Real Estate agent David Nolan wouldn't reveal the price, but said it was a record for the region and bettered the $9 million to $11m indicative range quoted during the marketing campaign.

But Mr Harvey said it didn't signal any change of direction in his property investment strategy. It was the uniqueness of the land, a point surrounded on three sides by Wagonga Inlet with 1.2 kilometres of private water frontage, jetty and guest cottages, that was its allure.

"People go and pay $50 million on a waterfront place on Sydney Harbour but the water is much cleaner in Narooma," he said. "Would you eat a fish caught in Sydney Harbour?"

Ambitions strong

Despite that talk of coastal living and fishing, Mr Harvey is quick to say that, at 82, he's every bit as ambitious as he was at 22.

He thought agriculture was a great choice for people who loved the land and animals.

"Doing something that you love is much more important than doing something for money," Mr Harvey said.

"If you make money and you're not happy, what's the point?

"I think it's a wonderful way of life but if you're going to do it to make money, I'd say don't do it.

"If you love it, the way property prices go, one day, you'll probably just sell the property and use it as a type of superannuation and you've still had a good life."

Good times in farming could never be guaranteed, he said.

"If you're a farmer and you've been having two of the best years we've ever seen, enjoy it, because it's not going to last," Mr Harvey said.

"It's wonderful at the moment because you see so many tragic stories on the land of people committing suicide, and I know quite a few over the years, because you can go through seven years of drought and you make no money and and it's a really hard life and then then you can have this wonderful ride.

"It's a wonderful lifestyle when it's good."

Source: Marian Macdonald, Queensland Country Life, 21 February 2022

Queensland's wet weather continues, with more than 400mm of rain falling in three hours

Parts of Cooran on the Sunshine Coast remain underwater after severe rainfall triggered flash flooding in the south-east.

It was a very wet night for Queenslanders from Gayndah to Gympie and up to Agnes Water, with the North Burnett copping the heaviest falls after a severe weather system crossed the coast.

Meteorologist Helen Reid said the heavy falls were isolated, but it was going to be another wet day.

"A lot of that fell in the three hours until four o'clock this morning, so it's been very wet there," she said.

"Those large numbers will not necessarily stay in the same spot and somewhere else later today might pick up a big number."

Ms Reid said there was a trough sitting roughly between 1770 down to Gayndah and into the eastern parts of the Darling Downs, "where we can see an intensity of rainfall".

Old Range Road, north of Biggenden, received 161 millimetres in the hour before 4am and 423mm in three hours.

The gauge at nearby Fig Tree showed 319mm of rain since 9am yesterday and nearby Paradise Dam recorded 221mm, including 75mm in 30 minutes while Hills Road, near Seventeen Seventy, recorded 142mm in the hour to 5am.

The bureau also issued an alert at 5.30am for very dangerous thunderstorms south-east of Seventeen Seventy and south-west of Eidsvold.

North Burnett Regional Councillor Melinda Jones said residents of Dallarnil were also heavily affected by the deluge.

In addition, the Sunshine Coast hinterland is also likely see some big rainfall totals today.

Pomona received 210mm overnight, with another 200mm forecast for the region throughout the day.

A coastal trough had been building off the coast for the better part of this week.

Yesterday evening it was thought Queensland would be spared from its onslaught, but it moved onshore overnight bringing with it the massive rainfall totals.

Severe weather warnings issued.

Source: ABC News, 25 February 2022

Hundreds of farmers in the lower Manning River could be driven out of business under rule changes that will cut them off from water for weeks

Hundreds of farmers in the lower Manning River area on the NSW north coast could be driven out of business under rule changes that will cut them off from water for weeks.

Dairy businessman Ben Woodhouse said the proposed changes in the draft water sharing plan released last month came as a complete shock to the Manning River Water Users Association

"These draft proposals threaten the future viability of our farming operation in the lower Manning valley," he said. "There was apparently a targeted consultation process in July 2021 but myself and other members were not contacted until December 2021."

Mr Woodhouse is talking about the Draft Water Sharing Plan for the Lower North Coast Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources, which was released in January on public exhibition and is only open for submission until February 27.

It covers the Great Lakes, the Manning and Karuah valleys - including rivers such as the Manning, Karuah, Gloucester and their tributaries.

The Water Sharing Plan sets the rules for water management including limits on the total volume of water that can be extracted. The final plan is expected to come into force on July 1 this year and last for 10 years.

Water Sharing Plans are designed to protect, and where possible enhance and restore, the condition of the water sources and their water-dependent ecosystems. A key objective is also to maintain, and improve access to water to optimise economic benefits for agriculture, water-dependent industries and local economies.

However, the draft plan includes drastic changes that will leave lower Manning River farmers cut off from water and unable to grow crops in one in four years.

This is because the draft released in January proposes that lower Manning farmers cease to pump water when river flows fall below 98ML a day, instead of the 31ML a day trigger in the original draft plan released in 2016.

For farmers, that is the difference between surviving droughts or being forced out of business.

Mr Woodhouse said the plan spells disaster for his 750-cow dairy herd operated as Manning Valley Dairy. He purchased the 325-hectare property near Wingham two years ago based on its access to reliable water, good soils and location.

He has since spent in excess of $1 million on water infrastructure to maximise water efficiency and on-farm feed production, to reduce reliance on bought-in feed/hay and as a part of a more sustainable approach to production.

His aim is to establish a vertically integrated 'paddock to plate' enterprise. He is a director of Maxum Foods, which is based in Brisbane and is a leading supplier and manufacturer of dairy ingredients to the food, health and animal nutrition industries.

The company specialises in supplying medium to large-scale food manufacturers with high-quality dairy ingredients such as milk powders, cheese and butter.

Currently the Wingham farm, which employs 14 people, is the largest supplier to the Woolworths Farmer Own brand of fresh milk.

The Manning River Water Users Association is extremely concerned on the effects not only to their own businesses, but the local community. We all employ and buy locally and this will put a lot of pressure on our community.

"What we are doing on the farm and what we were planning, will lessen our environmental footprint.- Ben Woodhouse

"What we are doing on the farm and what we were planning, will lessen our environmental footprint. Our upgraded irrigation infrastructure will reduce our reliance on over 150 hay trucks (per annum) delivering feed to our farm. If we lose this water, this initiative will be a complete waste of time, money and increase our environmental impact majorly - potentially causing us to close down our operation completely," he said.

"Under the draft plan the proposed cease to pump (CTP) access rules (137ML/ day rising and 98ML/ day falling) are inconsistent with the 2016 Draft proposal (50ML/ day rising and 31ML/ day falling), which the Manning River Water Users Association have been operating under.

"We are just asking that the Lower Manning is brought back in line with the rest of the river."

The Manning River Water Users Association seeks to further engage with government to seek improved outcomes for water users, government and the environment.

Source: Louise Nichols, Farmonline National, 21 February 2022

Dairy Levy Poll – Vote Your Way

In the coming days, many eastAUSmilk members and other dairy farmers throughout Australia will be receiving their information packs from Dairy Australia for the dairy levy poll. This will be the first time in 10 years that we will have a say as to the amount that levy payers will need to contribute into the future.

In reaching a decision as to how to vote in the dairy levy poll or indeed whether to vote at all will depend on how you feel Dairy Australia has delivered for you and your dairy farm over the past years.

There are differing views as to their effectiveness. Some consider that they provide a worthwhile service while others do not see the value in where their levy dollars go. Some farmers would prefer to use the money themselves to ensure their sustainability for their farms and families.

This is why it is important that dairy levy paying members have a say in the differing options being put forward for consideration, even if it is to keep the status quo.

There are 4 options being proposed before voting commences on 24 February, being no change to the levy, an increase of 15%, an increase of 20% (which is recommended by the Advisory Committee) or an increase of 25%.

I personally remain disappointed and concerned that the Advisory Committee did not include an option to decrease or remove the levy. I know that many farmers have expressed this same disappointment to me over the past months.

It is no secret that this is the reason that I and another member of the Advisory Committee, who is based in NSW, resigned from the Advisory Committee last September. I do not regret that decision and continue to believe that it was the right one at the time.

It has been, in some ways, a flawed process. Yet the outcomes of the vote remain important to eastAUSmilk members in QLD and NSW and it is important that our levy paying members have a say. A message must be sent to those making the decisions.

Last week, the Board of eastAUSmilk considered the differing options that dairy farmers will be given to vote upon.

Like me, the eastAUSmilk Board was concerned that not all options will be provided to dairy farmers to consider, however it was decided that it is still important that our members have an opportunity to have their say.

Your vote and its outcome will assist me and the other senior members of eastAUSmilk in continuing to advocate for appropriate accountability by Dairy Australia in the delivery of its legislated obligations.

At the end of the day, this is not only about research and development but also about leadership within the dairy industry.

Matthew Trace – President eastAUSmilk

Australian Dairy Farmers vote to force Saputo, Fonterra to pay more

The two-pronged plan aims to force processors to pay their fair share to Dairy Australia, instead of continuing to rort farmers.

Australian Dairy Farmers national council have unanimously endorsed their Victorian members’ call to oust processors from the industry’s peak research, development and marketing body, unless they pay their fair share of Dairy Australia’s costs.

The national council’s resolution was considered by ADF board last Friday, which is now developing a two-pronged strategy to put pressure on processors to pay up.

The first involves ADF talking to both Federal Coalition Government and the Labor Opposition on how they go about imposing compulsory levies on processors.

ADF directors are also considering their options on amending DA’s constitution to oust processors, if they fail to contribute to contribute to the R&D and marketing body.

Amending ADF’s constitution would require 100 farmer members to call an extraordinary meeting of DA members to vote on removing the processor body Australian Dairy Products Federation.

While farmers contributed $32 million to DA last year, processors chipped in just $400,000.

Yet processors are still granted a seat on DA’s board and its selection committee, are listed as Group B shareholders and were even represented on the advisory committee that recommended lifting farmers’ DA levy contributions by 20 per cent to $38m.

At the same time Dairy Australia is spending close to $10 million a year on post-farmgate projects that benefit processors, ranging from manufacturing innovation, dairy health, school programs and international market development, all of which is funded by the $32m farmers pay in levies each year.

ADF directors say farmers have had enough of processors’ procrastination, given it had been calling on Saputo, Fonterra, Bega and others to pay a fair share of DA’s costs since 2019.

“We feel it’s time the processors did their part in funding (DA’s) post farm gate marketing and other work,” ADF director Heath Cook said.

“We don’t want to have to pursue the other options. But the ball is in the processors’ court.”

ADPF president Grant Crothers said processors were already contributing $400,000 to DA and they had offered to boost funding of the joint processor-farmer Australian Dairy Industry Council “to deliver a stronger dairy industry voice” and for “co-investment opportunities with DA”.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Paul Mumford dismissed Mr Crothers argument, saying “ADPF already has a say over DA funding as a Group B member”, which gives them a seat on the board.

Mr Crothers also said processors were contributing right along the supply chain, via the farmgate price.

“Processors will pay $4.7-$5 billion to farmers for raw milk, to fund the farmgate to processor supply chain in the year ending June 2022,” Mr Crothers said.

Source: Peter Hunt, The Weekly Times, 16 February 2022

Young paraders provide a highlight of 2022 Nowra Show

One of the highlights of the dairy cattle judging at this year's Nowra Show was the junior paraders.

The first classes of the day witnessed the next generation of young showers.

And they certainly didn't disappoint, displaying some wonderful skills.

The opening class for under 10s was huge with no less than 16 youngsters taking to the ring.

The opening class was won by six-year-old Lucy Cochrane.

Lucy's win, leading Kangawarra Elaine, came on the 50th anniversary of the first Kangawarra cow to be shown at the Nowra by the Cochrane family, by her grandfather, Geoff.

Bridgett Williams won the 11-14 section, Elly Simms the 15-17s, and Iszi Crawford the 19-25s.

The overall champion parader was Elly Simms, who exhibited Rivendell Oscar Elly.

Source: Robert Crawford, Farmonline National, 12 February 2022

Govt coughs up millions to stop cows farting and burping

THE government has handed out millions of dollars for trials to reduce cow farts and burps, with millions more on the way, in an important step towards its 2050 carbon neutral commitment.

Methane emissions from the nation's cattle herds account for about 10 per cent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions and more than 40pc of the agricultural sector's emissions.

The $4 million will fund six projects to assess the emissions reduction and productivity benefits of low-emissions livestock feed supplements, such as asparagopsis seaweed and the compound 3-NOP.

The funding is stage one of the federal government's Methane Emissions Reduction in Livestock (MERiL) program. The guidelines for the next two rounds of funding will be released on Monday, February 21, which will put another $20m towards the development of low emissions livestock feed technologies.

Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said each project would collect data to help support the research and development of new feed technologies and understand their impact on productivity and the environment.

"Australian farmers have always been at the forefront of innovation and environmental management," Mr Taylor said.

"These successful projects will increase our understanding of the benefits of these technologies and help farmers make informed decisions on technology adoption in their day-to-day operations.

"We are backing technologies which have the potential to reduce emissions while increasing productivity because we know that is the key to meeting and beating our targets without imposing new costs on households, businesses or the wider economy."

Four of the six projects will experiment with the seaweed asparagopsis, the cultivation of which could become a $1.5-billion sector within agriculture, due to its potential ability to reduce methane emissions in livestock while improving their productivity.

Bovine Dynamics was awarded $1 million to trial the use of asparagopsis in a large-scale commercial feedlot for Angus beef near Toowoomba, to understand its impacts on emissions and meat quality.

The University of New England was awarded $500,000 to trial the seaweed in sheep, while FutureFeed was awarded $500,000 to test the seaweed in beef cattle.

FutureFeed's initial trials have found just 50 grams of asparagopsis a day could reduce cattle methane emissions by 95pc, while also increasing cattle productivity by up to 20pc.

GrainCorp was granted $500,000 to lab test asparagopsis stability in livestock feed and on-field trials to determine methane emission reductions in livestock.

Other feed additives will also be trailed - CSIRO will use $800,000 to experiment with the organic compound 3-NOP in tropical and northern beef cattle grazing systems.

Agrimix was awarded $700,000 to trial the forage feed Desmanthus, a non-bloating tropical legume, in grazing paddocks in three commercial grazing operations across NSW and Queensland.

Stage two of the MERiL program will provide $5m to develop and determine the feasibility of the proposed technology with grants between $250,000 and $1m available for projects running up to 12 months.

Stage three, which will consist of two funding rounds, will provide $15m to undertake trials to validate the technology, and demonstrate its emissions reduction and productivity impacts.

Source: Jamieson Murphy, Farmonline National, 17 February 2022

End of Woolies Milk Drought Levy

During the height of the drought in 2018, supermarket chain Woolworths led the way and introduced a drought 'levy' to support dairy farmers during that difficult time. Industry dairy bodies like eastAUSmilk supported this initiative and applauded Woolies and their CEO Brad Banducci for leading the way.

The levy was intended to be a temporary measure and to support dairy farmers and their families who were facing difficult financial times, with farm-gate prices that were (in many instances) below the cost of production.

This extra payment for their nutritious milk ensured that many dairy families did not need to sell or leave their farms and were able to continue to support their local rural and regional communities.

Woolworths have announced that the 'on pack' drought levy label will be removed from their 2L and 3L milk in the coming months, while "the additional 10 cents per litre will continue to flow through to farmers until the end of the milk year".

The processors (and their dairy farmer suppliers) who are directly impacted by this announcement are Bega, Fonterra and Lactalis. Their decisions will directly impact upon the way this announcement is perceived and the long-term impact it will have upon the dairy value-chain.

Lactalis has indicated to their dairy farmer suppliers that they will continue to provide this payment as part of their farm-gate price until June 2022 while continuing to review and monitor for the price to be included into the future. Their farmer suppliers will not be 'out of pocket' for this period and will continue to receive this amount. This is a positive statement and the other processors will hopefully follow and make similar assurances.

While the current dairy conditions are generally positive, there still remains significant issues confronting the dairy industry. This includes issues associated with market failure that have not been addressed and which were highlighted in recent reports such as those published by the ACCC. These matters continue to be of concern to the industry value-chain generally.

There is the further impact that increasing input costs are having upon the farm and the farm gate price (you need only refer to the increasing cost of fertiliser and diesel, which have doubled in price over the past 12 months).

The drought levy increase that retailers provided to dairy suppliers was an important component to ensure the on-going viability of many dairy farms over the past years. Assurances from processors (such as  that given by Lactalis) that dairy farmers monthly milk cheque will not diminish in actual terms will be vital.

This will also be a test for the Mandatory Dairy Code and the 'good-faith' provisions that are a part of the negotiations between the processor and their suppliers.

It has been suggested that the Code should also be extended to include retailers and this may be a time for such discussions to be reconsidered. With the upcoming Federal election, there may be no better time for matters such as this to be raised.

Questions such as how the dairy industry can remain viable for future generations of dairy farmers needs to be addressed and the timing of the Woolworths announcement may provide that opportunity.

Be assured though that dairy farmers will continue to provide fresh milk so that the community can continue to buy nutritious milk and dairy products from their supermarkets and the dairy cabinet.

Shaughn Morgan – eastAUSmilk Co-CEO

Woolworths to end 10-cent drought relief levy on own-brand milk

Woolworths drought-relief milk will shortly disappear from its shelves following the easing drought conditions.

Woolworths will remove drought relief labelling from its own-brand two and three-litre milk from March 1, which is supplied by Fonterra, Lactalis and Bega.

But the supermarket giant will continue to collect the 10-cent drought levy on its milk until June 30, which will be passed onto 450-odd dairy farmers still receiving support.

For consumers the price will remain the same at $2.60 for Woolworths own brand 2-litre milk and $3.90 for 3-litre bottles.

Since it was introduction in 2018 the levy has raised $100 million in drought support for dairy farmers.

But as drought conditions have eased Woolworths Dairy Commercial Director Jason McQuaid said farmgate milk prices had lifted by about 15 per cent, prompting the retailer to phase out the special drought levy ahead of the new milk year in July, with a return to regular milk purchasing arrangements.

“In the coming months, we’ll be updating the on-pack label for our 2L and 3L own-brand milk to remove the drought relief banner,” Mr McQuaid said.

“We will continue to pay processors the 10 cents per litre on each of these products until the end of June 2022 and each processor has committed to continue passing those funds through to farmers over this period.”

EastAusMilk co-chief executive Shaughn Morgan said the lobby group would be keeping a close eye on processors to ensure the 10-cent levy continued to be passed through to farmers.

“It’s important dairy farmers are not hurt by this decision, given input costs are soaring,” Mr Morgan said.

Woolworths’ own brand milk accounts for about 5 per cent of Australia’s total milk pool.

In a letter to about 450 dairy farmer recipients of the levy Mr McQuaid said “there will be no immediate change to the total payment you currently receive.

“From the beginning of the new milk year in July 2022, the farmgate price will continue to be reviewed by processors in line with their usual practices.”

“We’re mindful that the industry may again face extreme conditions like those seen in 2018, and have developed a new mechanism to be built into our processing contracts to enable us to provide more timely support for farmers through existing milk purchase arrangements.”

Source: Peter Hunt, The Weekly Times, 4 February 2022

Dairy farmers demand Fonterra, Saputo and others pay up or leave DA

Farmers have had enough, warning processors to pay their share of Dairy Australia’s research, development and marketing costs.

Farmers are mounting a campaign to oust dairy giants Fonterra, Saputo and other processors from the industry’s peak research, development and marketing body, unless they pay their fair share of Dairy Australia’s costs.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Paul Mumford said the nation’s largest dairy state was backing “an ultimatum to dairy processors to stump up or piss off” – out of DA.

Currently, dairy processors contribute virtually nothing to Dairy Australia, but are granted a seat on its board and its selection committee, are listed as Group B shareholders and were even represented on the advisory committee that recommended lifting farmers’ DA levy contributions by 20 per cent, from $32 million to more than $38m.

Mr Mumford said the UDV had already agreed to back the national council of the Australian Dairy Farmers lobby – representing Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, NSW, Queensland and Western Australian – to demand processors contribute at least $5 million to DA, given its post farmgate work was worth close to $10 million.

“Over the last 20 years dairy farmers and tax payers have contributed close to $1 billion to Dairy Australia, while processors have effectively contributed nothing,” he said.

Forcing processors out of DA would require amendments to its constitution at a general meeting, which could be called by 100 farmer members.

Farmers say the big question is will the national council and ADF follow through and act on an ultimatum if processors refuse to contribute.

ADF has been calling on processors to contribute to DA since 2019, when it lodged a submission to the Federal Government’s inquiry into modernising research and development corporations.

At the time ADF stated DA’s post farmgate program was valued at $9.7m and it believed “government should mandate processors to pay levies for post farm gate programs delivered by their RDC (Dairy Australia)”, highlighting that Australia’s red meat processors already faced a mandatory levy.

In May last year the Australian Dairy Products Federation, representing processors, said it was engaged in a due diligence project with DA to understand the value of its work to Fonterra, Saputo and others.

But as of last week ADPF stated it was still working through their approach and it was not the right time to discuss any processor contribution.

Source: Peter Hunt, The Weekly Times, 9 February 2022

Kyabram dairy farmers boost soil nitrogen without urea

Urea prices of $1300 a tonne stretch their budget, so this Kyabram family is trying something different in their paddocks.

Dairy farmer Andrew Murphy has a bright idea that he hopes will lead to big savings on input costs and boost soil health on his family’s Kyabram farm.

It is an experimental plan to use a multi-species forage crop – including vibrant sunflowers now in bloom – planted across 10ha to decrease the need for urea.

“We thought when fertiliser prices are at record levels there is no better time to try something new,” Andrew said.

Andrew works full time running 530 Holsteins on the 345ha property with his parents, Kevin and Jan, and his partner, Stephanie Mendes.

This is the first time they have dabbled in regenerative agriculture, starting the trial in November against a backdrop of skyrocketing fertiliser prices.

They sowed a mix of 10 plant species, including sorghum, millet, cow peas, fenugreek, lab lab, sunflower, mustard, forage rape, buckwheat and mammoth purple top turnip.

“A few of the species didn’t survive. A lot of the broad leaf plants didn’t love the flood irrigation,” Andrew said. “But the sunflowers and sorghum and millet have really thrived.”

Their cows graze the paddock every 10 days. The goal is to add diversity to the herd’s diet, unlock soil nutrients and mulch the organic matter back into the ground to increase nitrogen.

Andrew said the “ideal outcome” would be to reduce their reliance on synthetic fertilisers over the next five years.

“As a dairy we have a high rate of phosphorous in our soils,” he said. “It is only really nitrogen that our soils are deficient in.

“So we are trying to use plants to fix nitrogen, as opposed to using urea at $1300 a tonne.

“Short term we will probably lose a little in milk (production), but financially you haven’t got the inputs so you should be better off.”

Some of the shorter plant species had been munched by the herd already, while the tall sunflowers would be one of the last to be grazed due to their height, Andrew said.

Meanwhile, the flowers have also attracted plenty of pollinators.

“It is pretty cool to see all the bees in them,” Andrew said.

Source: Camille Smith, The Weekly Times, 10 February 2022

Woolies drought package call leaves unresolved dairy issues hanging…

Woolworths today announced that it will end its dairy producer drought payment program on 30 June leaving a number of industry issues unresolved, according to advocacy group eastAUSmilk.

EastAUSmilk President Matt Trace said the extra drought levy payment was intended as a temporary measure when it was introduced in 2018.

It has played an important and beneficial role for dairy farmers since its introduction and this benefit should be acknowledged.

"Importantly, Woolworths has stated that they will provide more "timely support for farmers through existing milk purchase arrangements" with the development of a "new mechanism" if extreme conditions that occurred in 2018 should arise again. We look forward to being a part of any discussions that improve the response time to address such critical issues when they arise," Matt Trace said.

"While the retailers drought levy provided support for many dairy farmers during difficult financial times during the past years, there remain a number of challenges that the industry faces that need to be addressed and resolved.

"The farm-gate price may be improved for many dairy farmers but others continue to face financial and on-farm pressures," Matt said.

The processors who currently supply milk to Woolies for their home-brand label are Bega, Fonterra and Lactalis.

“Lactalis has indicated in a letter to their dairy farmer suppliers that they will continue to provide this payment as part of their farm-gate price until June 2022 and they further stated that the payment will continue in the coming seasons for Queensland dairy farmers and likewise in other States," eastAUSmilk Vice President Graham Forbes said.

"This is a positive announcement by Lactalis and it is hoped that other processors will make similar public announcements.

"However, substantial challenges to the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry remained on the radar.

"In recent years the issue of ‘market failure’ continues to be of concern within the dairy industry and which has been highlighted by the ACCC in its published reports," he said.

"There is also the on-going negative impact that increasing input costs are having on farm-gate prices, such as the spiralling cost of fertiliser and diesel, which have doubled in price during the past 12 months.

EastAUSmilk Co-CEO Shaughn Morgan said that the timing of the announcement by Woolworths will allow the 'good faith' provisions of the Mandatory Code to be tested, especially as the new milk year commences.

"It is vital that future generations of dairy farmers be provided with a strong basis to grow their dairy farms and ensure long-term sustainability, with the Code assisting in maintaining that viability.

"The Federal election also provides an opportunity for the Government and Opposition to commit to supporting dairy farmers through progressive election promises that will ensure growth within the dairy industry through, for instance, enhancing the Mandatory Code.

"EastAUSmilk looks forward to having those discussions with the relevant Ministers and staff in the coming weeks and months as the Federal election draws near," Shaughn concluded.

Matthew Trace, President, eastAUSmilk

Graham Forbes, Vice-President, eastAUSmilk

Shaughn Morgan, Co-CEO, eastAUSmilk

Centre Pivot Wins Over Solid Set Irrigation

A Malanda dairy has implemented an irrigation energy management opportunity from the energy audit report they received through the Energy Savers Plus Program Extension. Through the program the business received a dairy shed energy audit, carried out by AgVet Energy, as well as an irrigation energy audit, completed by The Energy Guys, both engaged by QDO.

In the past the farm had always implemented solid set irrigation systems and twelve sections of solid set irrigate a 28Ha area. The energy audit found there would be more benefits for the business to implement a center pivot for their next irrigation project.

Installing a center pivot irrigator with 150mm PVC mainline covering an area of approximately 11.2ha has increased the farm’s irrigatable area and pasture production potential as well as being water, energy and labour efficient.

eastAUSmilk Project Officer, Jade Chan, and I visited the site and conducted a performance test on the irrigation to evaluate the actual energy savings and outcomes achieved since implementing a recommendation from the energy audit.

The main saving for the business has been the increase in irrigatable area and improved uniformity of water application. Across the 11.2Ha an increased in pasture production of around 23 tonnes of dry matter annually could be expected.

Another saving for the business has been labour. A centre pivot requires significantly less labour to setup and operate in comparison to a solid set system, where the addition of several valves that require manual opening and shutting increases the labour requirements.

To apply 75ML over 11.2ha, a solid set system would run for 772 hours/year at the estimated flow of 27LPS and with 12 hour runs this is equivalent to 64 set ups. A solid set station can take approximately a half hour to set up amounting to 32 hours per year.

The center pivot system allows remote control and irrigation scheduling. Minimal time is required to set up and switch on or off. Total labour savings over the course of the year would be $2 560 costed at $80 per hour.

The pivot will also save 1,647kWh/year based on 75ML annual application in comparison to a solid set system saving $378.80/year.

The centre pivot can apply irrigation to the paddock(s) with less head requirement, drawing less energy demand from the pump. The proposed solid set irrigation was estimated to have a duty point for the bore pump of 27LPS at 117m total head, whereas the centre pivot will be performing at 29LPS at 107m total head.

The total expenditure for the business to implement the upgrades was just under $94,000. Valuing the increased pasture production at $5,000, plus the labour saving of $2,560 and $379 for electricity savings the calculated payback period of this investment is 11.8 years with a return on investment of 8.4%.

Torie Harrison – eastAUSmilk Project Officer

Going for growth in the fertiliser industry

The Australian Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) has committed $255 million for critical infrastructure supporting the Perdaman Urea Project in Western Australia.

The $4.3 billion project located 20 kilometres north-west of Karratha will convert Australian gas into approximately two million tonnes of urea per year.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud MP said the NAIF commitment will help kickstart this new multi-billion-dollar industry.

“Australia currently imports around 2.4 million tonnes a year of urea for agricultural use, and the Perdaman project will have the capacity to meet 96 per cent of that volume,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The NAIF’s investment will provide farmers’ access to locally manufactured fertiliser, securing our agricultural production and boosting our exports.”

Minister for Defence Industry, Minister for Science and Technology, Melissa Price MP said the Perdaman plant is expected to provide an $8.5 billion public benefit to Northern Australia.

“This investment is great news for Karratha, Dampier and the broader region, this project will support a peak of 2,490 construction and operations jobs over its 40-year life,” Ms Price said.

Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald said the NAIF has now made financing commitments of close to $3.2 billion to projects across Northern Australia, with around $1.3 billion of that for Western Australian projects.

“Our investment in Western Australian infrastructure projects is expected to inject $12.9 billion into the economy and create more than 4,380 jobs,” Senator McDonald said.

NAIF Acting CEO Amanda Copping said the NAIF is committed to supporting projects that bring economic growth to northern Australia.

“We are pleased that our latest two loans will support the diversification of the Pilbara economy by supporting significant domestic manufacturing and creating thousands of regional jobs,” Ms Copping said.

The NAIF commitment is being delivered through two separate loans:

·         $160 million to the Pilbara Ports Authority for a new multi-user wharf and facilities at the Port of Dampier to facilitate exports, and

·         $95 million to the Western Australia Water Corporation for the expansion of the Burrup seawater supply and brine disposal scheme that will also service the operation of Perdaman Urea Plant.

The Perdaman Urea Plant is considered transformational for Western Australia, having been awarded Major Project Status by both the Australian and Western Australian governments.

Source: Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia Deputy Leader of the National Party, David Littleproud, 3 February 2022

Australian dairy industry: Counting down the sector’s most influential figures

We’ve counted down the top names in the dairy industry. See the list and have your say by voting in our poll.

From clawback doom to export boom — life in Australia’s dairy industry has long been a rollercoaster ride.

But the past decade has left the heads spinning of even the most seasoned dairy player.

And as 2022 begins, The Weekly Times has named some of Australian dairy industry’s most influential figures.

Whether it’s the managing director making the big decisions from the processor board room, the battler taking on the corporate players over past controversies or the sector’s leading advocacy voices — we’ve got them covered.

PAUL MUMFORD
The Gippsland farmer heads the largest of the state-based dairy lobby groups, and arguably the most powerful.

Appointed as United Dairyfarmers of Victoria vice president in early 2018, Mr Mumford took on the top job less than a year later after the resignation of Adam Jenkins.

For the past three years, he has led the Victorian industry from one of its toughest periods with the Fonterra/Murray Goulburn clawback to one of its most profitable, as record prices flow back to the farmgate.

But the UDV president has been clear-eyed about the challenges facing the sector, most notably its generational divide and long-term profitability prospects.

Mr Mumford runs a 320-hectare dairy farm at Won Wron with wife Lisa.

BARRY IRVIN
Barry Irvin has been executive chairman of Bega Cheese since 2000, transforming the NSW south coast processor into an Australian food juggernaut.

The farmer-turned-corporate titan oversaw one of the biggest corporate takeovers of 2020, spending $560 million to acquire the Lion Dairy and Drinks business from Japan’s Kirin. The Lion takeover occurred after the Federal Government let it be known a higher $600 million bid by China’s Mengniu Dairy giant would not be approved over foreign investment concerns.

It came less than three years after Mr Irvin and Bega successfully purchased Mondelez’s Australian grocery business – including Vegemite – and its Port Melbourne manufacturing facility for $470m.

DAVID NATION
Taking over Dairy Australia’s top job from Ian Halliday in 2018, David Nation had already established his credentials with the industry authority.

He previously held roles leading DA’s internal initiatives such as DairyBio and DairyFeedbase, and also held the title of Dairy Futures CRC chief executive.

Dr Nation said domestic consumption of dairy products has tracked well in recent times.

“(Australia) has one of the highest per capita dairy consumption statistics in the world,” he said. “We’ve retained a strong demand for drinking milk while also rowing cheese and consuming more yoghurt. That is not something you can say about other countries.”

LINO SAPUTO JR.
There’s fewer powerful figures in Australian agriculture than Lino A Saputo, the chairman, president and chief executive of Canadian dairy giant Saputo.

The Montreal-based company — founded in 1954 — is now Australia’s biggest dairy processor, having completed its purchase of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter in 2014 and Murray Goulburn in 2017.

In 2019, Mr Saputo addressed the Australian Dairy Conference and called for older Australian dairy factories to be mothballed to counter an oversupply in processing capacity.

“We need to take a good hard look at what types of products we are manufacturing, how much product we are supplying the world markets and whether there is a requirement for that,” he said. “The simple answer is that there is too much infrastructure in the system.”

RENE DEDONCKER
Taking over the reins from Judith Swales as Fonterra Australia’s managing director, Rene Dedoncker has enjoyed an eventful tenure as the head of the major processor.

Mr Dedoncker started his career with Fonterra in 2005, in the Australian Foodservice business.

In September 2021, he outlined plans for Fonterra Australia to loosen ties with its Auckland-based headquarters, with concrete changes anticipated this calendar year.

“To get the best of both worlds, we have Fonterra (NZ) maintaining that significant stake but ultimately freeing up some capital, so they can invest in their choices,” he told The Weekly Times last year.

SIMONE JOLLIFFE
When Simone Jolliffe took over the reins of the Australian Dairy Farmers group in 2015, she made history.

The first woman to lead the ADF and previously served at a local level with Holstein Australia sub-branch before going on to work as deputy chairwoman of Dairy NSW.

Along with husband Neil and their children, the Jolliffes operate a farm at Euberta, near Wagga Wagga.

Along with her ADF presidential predecessor Noel Campbell, Mrs Jolliffe returned to the headlines in 2020 to back the Australian Dairy Plan.

“The Dairy Plan is an enormous project — the processors and how much they contribute is only one piece of the puzzle,” she said.

JOHN DAHLSEN
Woolworths, Herald and Weekly Times, ANZ Bank — John Dahlsen has been at the decision-making table for all three household names.

He’s arguably best known by Victorian shoppers as the chairman of his eponymous hardware company JC Dahlsen.

Concerned by the decline of the domestic dairy sector, Mr Dahlsen used his business acumen to pen a 107-page report detailing how Australian milk prices were exceedingly low compared to other developed nations.

In what has been dubbed ‘The Dahlsen Plan’, the report outlines how a government-mandated levy could inject much needed price stability into the sector while having little impact on Australian consumers.

LEN STEPHENS
Anyone who takes on the role of Gardiner Foundation chairman is guaranteed a spot in any dairy movers and shakers list.

The foundation created with $62m in funding from the sale of assets, including milk brands, as part of deregulation of the dairy industry back in the early 2000s.

The deregulation largesse is redirected to dairy research and community initiatives, including scholarships.

In 2019, Adelaide based Len Stephens took on the role of chairman of the foundation, after previously serving as chairman of Australian Seafood Industries.

MATT AND ALLI REED
The winners of The Weekly Times Coles 2020 Farmer of the Year award didn’t accept the honour for 15 minutes of fame and a trophy, as nice as that may be.

“One of the things I’m most uncomfortable with is the title: ‘Matt Reid – Farmer of the Year’,” Matt says.

“I take it as an award for the whole business. I’m just one of the cogs in a bigger machine. We don’t see ourselves as any better or any worse than any other farmer.”

Instead, the Reids wanted to show that in the post-clawback era it’s not only possible to survive in dairy, but thrive.

Operating on the lush pastures of Carlisle River, near Colac, in southwest Victoria, the Reids run a streamlined dairy operation, milking 675 cows on 650 hectares.

Since relocating to the edge of the Otways from drought-ravaged irrigation districts of northern Victoria less than two decades ago, the Reids have more than doubled the size of their business.

GRAHAM FORBES
While his Dairy Connect group recently merged into a new NSW-Queensland cross-border entity eastAUSmilk, the advocacy impact of Graham Forbes is set to continue.

Unafraid to buck the dairy industry orthodoxy, the dairy farmer based on NSW’s mid north coast has called out Australia’s big three supermarkets over cut-price generic milk.

Along with Dairy Connect chief executive Shaughn Morgan, the NSW advocacy duo have made a splash both in Macquarie Street and in Canberra — letting those in the corridors of power about the plight of the average dairy farmer.

SHIRLEY HARLOCK
Six years ago, the Australian Dairy Industry Council presented Shirley Harlock with an outstanding service award.

Her curriculum vitae included executive positions with United Dairyfarmers of Victoria, director of Australian Dairy Farmers, chairwoman of Dairy Food Safety Victoria as well as heading up the Dairy Australia Future Dairy project.

But the Warrnambool region farmer’s biggest role was yet to come.

In 2019, Mrs Harlock took on the role of Joint Transition Team chairwoman for the Australian Dairy Plan.

Alongside former premier John Brumby, Mrs Harlock called for the sector “to move on from the industry institutions that helped us succeed in the past” and create a new unified model.

BRIAN TESSMANN
Theerstwhile head of the Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation may no longer have a title, but there’s no doubt Brian Tessmann continues to have an impact on the sector.

After a six-month process, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission granted authorisation for the QDO’s Fair Go Dairy scheme in March 2021.

The qualifying products must contain at least 80 per cent unprocessed milk produced by Queensland cattle and bought from a Sunshine State farmer for not less than a “sustainable and fair” price calculated by QDO.

However, the Australian Dairy Products Federation lodged an application with the Australian Competition Tribunal seeking to set aside the ACCC’s determination.

ACCC deputy chairman Mick Keogh said the scheme was likely provide greater clarity for consumers, as well a small increase in retail competition in Queensland.

SALLIE JONES
When the 2016 clawback hit the Victorian dairy sector, Sallie Jones and business partner Steve Ronalds created Gippsland Jersey in 2016.

The well-marketed business buys milk from farmers, processes it and sells bottled milk under the brand.

Ms Jones grew up on the farm at a time when her parents ran it as a mixed dairy.

In 1980 her father was the first person in Australia to gain a dairy food-safety licence to process milk.

“I remember when I was young packing milk in crates, washing buckets, going on deliveries,” she says. “We learnt how to have stamina, a work ethic, energy and passion.”

From those family links, Ms Jones has turned Gippsland Dairy into a ‘agritourism’ attraction, that is now regularly cited as a drawcard for foodies heading to Victoria’s eastern districts.

JOHN VERSTEDEN
When former Victorian premier John Brumby unveiled the Australian Dairy Plan just prior to Christmas 2019, the Longwarry farm of John Versteden was chosen as the launch pad.

The former ADF director said has been keen to push back against what he perceives as industry negativity among some in the sector.

“There are farmers in every region of Australia, including Queensland, that are making really good money,” Mr Versteden said in December 2020.

“(But) we don’t talk about that we talk about all the negatives.”

TANIA LUCKIN
Originally from New Zealand, Tania Luckin and husband Stephen have been in Australia for more than two decades.

After a stint in farming in the Warrnambool region, the Luckins relocated to a farm near Heywood where they run a 500-head enterprise.

Mrs Luckin has established her name as a leader within the industry through roles such as a non executive director of Dairy Australia, a WestVic Dairy board member and participation in the Australian Dairy Leadership Alumni group.

IAN ZANDSTRA
When the NSW Agriculture Minister sought to establish the role of NSW Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate, the first name that came to mind was Ian Zandstra.

Appointed in September 2019, Mr Zandstra operates two dairies, including one on the south coast near Nowra.

Previously chairman of the Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative from 2004 till 2013, the Nowra farmer was not afraid to criticise the big three supermarkets when the introduced the ‘dollar a litre’ milk scheme in January 2011.

“A lack of returns to farmers from the supermarket generic brands has been a constant issue for the industry throughout the past decade,” he said last year.

Southwest Victoria’s Bernie Free has been one of the most effective new voices for grassroots farmers in recent years.

Mr Free has been a critic of the Australian Dairy Plan since its release in late 2019, saying it missed its potential to be a fresh start for the sector.

“I approached (the Dairy Plan) meetings with an open mind in the hope that we would have a real chance of stronger advocacy for dairy farmers and much greater accountability from the Dairy Australia board,” the Winslow farmer said.

“We realised that more of the same attitudes, undemocratic decision-making and no decision making we have witnessed and experienced from our dairy leaders was unacceptable.

LISA DWYER

While Lisa Dwyer has been in the dairy sector less than two decades, she has emerged as an industry leader through her previous work as a director of Dairy Australia and a non-executive director of Murray Goulburn Co-operative.

She’s also non-executive director of the Australian Live Export Corporation and now serves as the chairman of the Great south coast Regional Partnership, as a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors advisory committee, as well as a fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

“Unlike my husband Eddie, who has been around dairy his entire life, working on the family farm, my background is in management in the thoroughbred racing industry,” Mrs Dwyer told The Weekly Times in April 2021

MARK BILLING

The relatively new vice president of the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria is a well-known figure in the sector, having worked in leadership roles for more than a decade.

After winning the vice presidency last year, the Colac farmer told The Weekly Times that the 2021-22 financial year was shaping up to be one of the best in living memory.

“If we had 2021-22 farmgate prices coupled with input costs from a couple of years ago, then it would be boom time for dairy,” Mr Billing said.

“The fact is labour shortages are leading to increased costs — the post-Covid labour market without international workers has really altered things considerably.

Source: Alex Sinnott, The Weekly Times, 1 February 2022

Milk processors fail to fund Dairy Australia, but farmers urged to pay more

Australian dairy farmers are being called on to pay 20 per cent more in levies to Dairy Australia, while processors pay nothing.

Milk processors have failed to deliver on their promise to help fund Dairy Australia, just as farmers are being asked to vote on lifting their $32 million levy contribution to the peak research and development body by 20 per cent.

On May 3 last year the Australian Dairy Products Federation – representing Fonterra, Bega, Saputo, Norco and a dozen other companies – stated they were thrashing out a deal to pay DA for the first time, based on a “due diligence project” to understand the value of its R&D to them.

But when asked last Friday if the due diligence report had been completed and what funds processors were committing to DA, ADPF’s media consultant told The Weekly Times “industry is still working through their approach, so it’s not the right time”.

Southwest Victorian farmer Bernie Free, whose herd produces five million litres of milk a year and already pays DA about $20,000 annually, said “if it’s not the right time for processors to be doing the right thing, then it’s not the right time for us to be raising our (DA) levies.”

Processors are also refusing to budge on paying southeast Australian farmers more than $7-$7.30 a kilogram of milk solids, despite Fonterra lifting its New Zealand suppliers’ price to an all-time record $8.61/kg of MS (NZ$9.20) last week.

A Fonterra spokeswoman said at this stage the company was sticking to its scheduled review of pricing in Australia.

This comes as the industry’s Dairy Levy Poll Advisory Committee, which included a ADPF processor representative, has recommended farmers vote for a 20 per cent increase in their DA levies, via a poll that opens on February 24.

The Levy Poll Committee has also given farmers the option of voting for no change in the levy rate or an increase of 15 or 25 per cent, but ruled out letting them vote for a cut in DA’s levy rate.

As it stands all Australian dairy farmers must pay 2.8683 cents a kilogram of their earnings on butterfat and 6.9914c/kg on protein to DA, which adds up to $3600 to $3700 for a million-litre dairy farm, producing 78,000kg of solids each year.

A 20 per cent levy increase would push a million-litre farm’s annual DA contribution into the $4320 to $4440 range.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Paul Mumford said processors needed to “put their money where their mouths were” when it came to sharing in the cost of DA’s work, which delivered benefits right along the supply chain.

“There’s a strong expectation on farmers to increase the levy,” Mr Mumford said. “But the processors now need to pay.”

Australian Dairy Farmers president Rick Gladigau failed to respond to requests for comment however fellow ADF director Ben Bennett said “the clock was ticking down on the levy poll and processors needed to come to the table”.

The processor funding commitment to DA was one of the few concrete steps towards industry reforms that was salvaged from the $2.1m National Dairy Plan, under which processors promised to “facilitate and promote opportunities for collaboration and co-investment” along the supply chain.

EastAUSmilk farmer lobby group vice-president Graham Forbes said that if DA wanted more money, “then it’s time processors kicked it in, because they’re getting a free ride at the moment”.

Source: Peter Hunt, The Weekly Times, 2 February 2022

Far from the COVID crowd, farms are offering a new kind of camping for travellers looking to get away

As pandemic-weary campers leave cities in droves, searching for serenity and space in the bush, farmers are signing up as hosts for an extra source of income.

In the grips of a terrible drought that forced them to sell 40 prime milkers to the meatworks, dairy farmer Libby Rough listed with Youcamp to help pay for groceries and school costs.

"We didn't get a milk cheque for three months and friends had come and said, 'You should put this [farm] on a booking system'," Ms Rough said.

They opened Hidden Pocket, named for its private position on the Mary River at Moy Pocket near Kenilworth in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Just four camping sites have helped turn the farm's fortunes around, earning the family more than $50,000 since American-owned Hipcamp bought out Youcamp in August 2020.

Hidden Pocket is booked out months in advance and has twice been nominated for awards.

"We pride ourselves on having a campground where thousands of people are not camping on top of each other," Ms Rough said.

"We provide fire pits, we provide kayaks — although I did lose six in the floods — we also provide tyre tubes and so people come here, and they get to relax.

"Occasionally they might get [phone] reception."

What is Hipcamp?

Since 2019 the number of people using the camping platform has increased by 450 per cent.

"Hipcamp is essentially a marketplace where we connect landowners, farmers, and their land with people who really want an outdoor experience ... campers, glampers, caravan people," Hipcamp general manager James Ho said.

"Ironically, for us, I think we've overall been a net beneficiary of the pandemic; our user base has almost tripled in the last 12 months alone.

 "In fact, we've seen this past summer, our biggest summer holiday on the record. Our host base has more than doubled in the last 12 months as well."

Crucial infrastructure

For the Rough family, the money has paid for infrastructure that they otherwise could not have afforded, including farm fencing and fixing the road that milk tankers use to access their dairy.

"Those kind of jobs are really essential to our business because you can't have a milk truck driver saying I'm not coming in because the road's not good enough," Ms Rough said.

When a group of guests, who are required to be fully contained, used the bush as a toilet — Hipcamp followed up on her complaint and charged the campers $300 for the clean-up.

"The [other] reason why we went through Hipcamp is because of insurance; you would be stupid to open your property up to camping without insurance."

An unexpected bonus has been the friendships they have made with return visitors.

"It's been a really, really good thing because we don't get a social life and sometimes Pete will come down and talk to them as well. He says he's not into it, he says [that] it's my thing — but I've caught him talking to people. Anyone who wants to talk about cows," she said.

Room to grow

The Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) has released a discussion paper titled Unlocking Queensland's agritourism potential.

It estimated agritourism could be worth up to $4.5 billion a year to the state by 2030 but found the lack of consistent local government planning guidelines were a barrier to farmers wanting to diversify their businesses.

In an age where fewer city dwellers have country cousins, the connections agritourism builds are important.

Source: Lucy Cooper & Jennifer Nichols, ABC Rural, 30 January 2022

Deadly dog disease confirmed in Queensland

The tick-borne dog disease ehrlichiosis has been confirmed in a Queensland dog. It is reported that this dog had not travelled outside of Queensland, meaning the disease has likely found its way into our local tick population.

Dogs can become sick if they are bitten by a brown dog tick infected with the bacteria that causes the disease - Ehrlichia canis (E. canis). With the wet season well underway, this is particularly important as ticks are likely to be abundant.

The brown dog tick is found across most of Australia and many dogs may be at risk of infection.

You can protect your dog and stop the spread.

Before you take your dog to, or through, an area where the brown dog tick is found:

• Ensure your dog is on an effective tick prevention and control program including an external tick control that kills brown dog ticks on contact, before the tick can attach to your dog. Speak to your veterinarian for advice about effective tick prevention and control products for your dog.

• Avoid taking your dog into tick-infested areas, such as the bush, as much as possible.

• Avoid taking your dog to areas where infected dogs or ticks may be present including shared dog areas.

• Regularly inspect your dogs for ticks and carefully remove any ticks. Run your fingers through your dog’s coat over their skin and feel for abnormal bumps. Pay particular attention to the head and neck, inside their ears, on their chest, between their toes and around their mouths and gums.

Always keep an eye on your dog’s health. If your dog has not been on a tick prevention program, is sick or has had a tick on them, talk to your vet.

Early treatment and supportive care provide an infected dog with the best chance of recovery. Talk to a vet immediately if you notice these signs in your dog:

• unusual tiredness or fatigue

• loss of appetite and weight loss

• enlarged glands (lymph nodes)

• cloudy or red eyes

• mucky eyes and nose

• pale gums

• swelling on the body or limbs

• bruising or bleeding under the skin.

If you suspect a dog is infected with E. canis you must report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

More information

To find out more about canine ehrlichiosis, visit Biosecurity Queensland’s website or call the Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23.

Biosecurity Queensland is part of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.