Murray Dairy Blog

Carbon Price Claims

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:17:00 GMT

In late March, the ACCC launched a series of five Business Snapshots on carbon price claims.

The Business Snapshots cover -

• Information to support your claims

• Dealing with your suppliers and competitors

• Guidance for industry associations

• Guidance for business advisors

• a short-form summary of the ACCC Carbon price claims - Guide for business, released in November 2011.

The Business Snapshots provide further guidance to assist businesses in understanding their rights, responsibilities and obligations
when considering making claims about the impact of the carbon price. This further guidance follows the ACCC Carbon price claims – Guide for business

The ACCC also launched a guide for consumers, Consumers and carbon price claims.

Download the following information -

Carbon Price Claims - Dealing with suppliers

Carbon Price Claims - Guideance for business advisors

Carbon Price Claims - Guide for business

Carbon Price Claims - Information to support your claims

Consumers and Carbon Price Claims

Role of Nutritional Health on Reproduction in Dairy Cows - Prof. Ron Butler

Sat, 12 May 2012 12:34:00 GMT

Nutrition, Health and Reproduction in Dairy Cows

W. Ron Butler
Cornell University

Please click here to view Professor Ron Butler's presentation on Nutrition,Health and Reproduction in Dairy Cows

Toolamba Focus Farm Field Day

Sat, 12 May 2012 12:34:00 GMT

The Murray Dairy Focus Farms’ second round of Field Days kicks off on Tuesday May 15th on the property of Colin & Ross Read at Toolamba.

The Field Day, which is open to all dairy farmers and service providers, will begin at 11am and the key topics of discussion will include:

- Being a Focus Farm
- What it means to be a Focus Farm
- The importance of the Team when tackling Mastitis
- Is the business on Track to achieve their 2011/2012 goals
Addressing the key topics of discussion will be
- Colin & Ross Read – the Focus Farmers
- Rod Dyson from Dairy Focus who will be reviewing the Read’s Mastitis Focus Report
- Cameron Smith from Farmanco Pty Ltd and the Read’s Focus Farm Facilitators

The Field Day will be held on Farm at 600 Bitcon Road, Toolamba West 3614. Lunch is being kindly provided by Tatura Milk Industries.

RSVP’s by 14th May 2012 to Focus Farm Project Manager, Tori Rath Murray Dairy inc. 03 5833 5927 or 0409 343 308.

DOWNLOAD FLYER

Rural Finance Scholarship Program 2012

Sat, 12 May 2012 12:35:00 GMT

2012 Rural Finance Scholarship Program

Vocational Education Program

The Rural Finance Vocational Education Scholarship offers payments of up to $2,000 per annum to two recipients for a maximum two year period, completing a diploma. Students must:

Demonstrate Victorian residency over a three year period prior to application date
Be in their first or second year of a full-time diploma at an accredited institution in Victoria
Be under 26 years of age as at 1 January 2012
Demonstrate a career commitment to agriculture

Applications will close 31 May 2012.

For further information contact Alana O'Shea at Rural Finance on (03) 5448 2600 or email scholarships@ruralfinance.com.au.

Download Flyer

Download Application Form

Dairy Farmer of the Year Award

Sat, 12 May 2012 12:36:00 GMT

Dairy Australia sponsors ‘Dairy Farmer of the Year Award’

Dairy Australia has joined forces with Kondinin Group and ABC Rural in the search for the best and brightest in the dairy industry.

The 2012 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards promotes Australian agriculture and Dairy Australia is delighted
to be the official sponsor of the Dairy Farmer of the Year category in celebration of the huge contribution our dairy
farmers make to local communities, the Australian economy and the environment.

The Dairy Farmer of the Year Award recognises farmers who apply a highly professional, innovative and sustainable approach to their dairy enterprise including animal health and nutrition practises, breeding, milking and engaging with the industry beyond the farm-gate.
Australian dairy farmers are some of the best, most efficient in the world.

Dairy Australia Managing Director Ian Halliday said our farmers lead the way in innovation and technology and have become masters of many trades.

Download Flyer

Download Nomination Form

Bovine Anaemia Caused By Theileria orientalis group

Sat, 12 May 2012 12:36:00 GMT

Bovine Anaemia Caused By Theileria orientalis group　

Theileria are protozoan parasites carried by ticks. When ticks carrying Theileria feed on cattle, the parasite gets into their bloodstream and enters red blood cells. In some animals, sufficient red blood cells are destroyed to cause anaemia- a reduction in the red blood cell numbers. This reduces the ability of blood to carry oxygen and makes the animal ill. 　

A protozoan referred to as Theileria buffeli has been present in Australia for around 100 years. It has been seen occasionally in blood smears of cattle from "ticky" country, but seldom caused any illness. It was considered a benign infection.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of animals with disease caused by Theileria. Most of these animals have the Ikeda variant of

Theileria. Work is underway to better understand why there has been an increase in the disease and to develop improved treatment and prevention strategies.

Even though more cases of disease have been seen in NSW, it is important to distinguish this disease from the far more serious diseases caused by other species of

Theileria not present in Australia, such as east coast fever (caused by Theileria parva) that occurs in Africa, and Tropical Theileriosis (caused by T. annulata).

Download Factsheet

Nuffield Australia 2013 Scholarship applications now open

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:50:00 GMT

Applications for the 2013 Nuffield Scholarships are now pen and will run until 30 June 2012.

Up to 20 scholarships for primary producers across Australia are available including a scholarship for a dairy farmer supported by Dairy Australia.

The application form and more details are available below and by clicking on this link: http://www.nuffield.com.au/schols.html

Victorian Flood Assistance and Grants 2012

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:44:00 GMT

Victorian Flood Grants 2012

A clean-up and restoration grant of up to $25,000 is available to primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in the Victorian Shires of Greater Shepparton and Moira who suffered direct damage as a result of the floods between late February and early March 2012. The grants are designed to assist with property clean-up, removal of debris, animal welfare and business restoration.

The grant is not intended to replace the need for insurance or to provide compensation for losses. All claims for assistance are assessed on an individual basis and must be accompanied by 30 day invoices and/or receipts to support the expenditure claimed. The closing date for all grant applications is 30 September 2012.

Flood Grant Fact Sheets are available from

Flood Grant Fact Sheet - Primary Producers

Flood Grant Fact Sheet - Small Business

Victorian Flood Loans 2012

Low interest concessional loans of up to $200,000 are available to eligible primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in 14 Local Government Areas whose properties suffered direct damage as a result of floods between late February and early March 2012.

The 14 LGAs affected by the floods and able to access the low-interest loans are Alpine, Benalla, East Gippsland, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Indigo, Macedon Ranges, Mildura, Moira, Mount Alexander, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta and Wodonga.

The closing date for all loan applications is 30 September 2012.

Please note that Application Forms for both grants and low interest loans will be available from this website and directly from Rural Finance offices from midday on Tuesday 13 March 2012.

Fact Sheet - Concessional Loans

Assistance for Flood Affected Farmers in NSW

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:53:00 GMT

Natural Disaster Relief Scheme

The Natural Disaster Relief Scheme assists primary producers and small business operators affected by flood/fire/storm damage or any other declared natural disaster.

Declared natural disasters

Loans - information and application forms

Grants - information and application forms

Additional assistance

NSW Rural Counselling Service - contact list (67kb PDF)

Electronic Lodgement of Applications 31.1 KB

Help for flood affected families

The link to information for farmers on DPI NSW website:

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/responses/flooding-2012

DPI NSW has an email damage.report@dpi.nsw.gov.au and hotline 1800 814 647 where farmers can request information about the legal assistance for insurance claims, transport subsidies available etc.

Information for flood affected farmers.

VFF to Coordinate Fodder for Flood Affected Farmers

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:45:00 GMT

The Victorian Government has released funding to the Victorian Farmers Federation to co-ordinate delivery of fodder to the state’s flood-affected farmers.

At this stage the VFF is using its existing network of members and local farmers to source good quality fodder and is not seeking donations from across the state.

Any farmer seeking assistance or any local farmer wishing to donate fodder should contact the VFF on 1300-882-833.

The VFF has been granted limited funds by the Department of Primary Industries to reimburse donors’ freight costs.

However it is up to donors to organise transportation of fodder and they must gain VFF approval before organising any loads.

Donors must first contact the VFF on 1300-882-833 and give their name, contact details and location of the fodder.

The VFF’s lead fodder co-ordinator will then contact donors advising them on whether the fodder is needed, where it should be delivered and details on reimbursement of freight costs.

Anyone donating fodder should note:

- Authorisation for fodder transportation will be at the discretion of the VFF fodder co-ordinator.

- Freight will not be paid on fodder organised without VFF approval and no freight bills will be paid without an invoice.

The VFF is also appointing a local fodder co-ordinator, who will assist affected farmers and donors with deliveries.

The VFF operates a Disaster Relief Fund to which members of the public can make tax-deductible donations on 1300-882-833.

Contacts for Flood Affected Dairy Farmers

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:00:00 GMT

CONTACTS FOR FLOOD AFFECTED DAIRY FARMERS

SES FLOOD INFORMATION LINE 1300 842 737

LATEST WEATHER REPORT 1300 659 217

SES (EMERGENCY) 132 500

LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS 000

ROAD CLOSURES 131 170

YOUR MILK COMPANY for information on milk supply or pick-up ring

Fonterra Milk Australia	Durham Prewett	0407 282 110
Murray Goulburn Co-op (Cobram)	John Furphy	0417 343 361
Murray Goulburn Co-op (Kiewa)	Murray Wisewould	0438 316 183
Tatura Milk Industries	Field Services	(03) 5824 6203
United Dairy Power	John Newlan	0400 066 070
Parmalat	Wendy Brown	1800 034 250 / 0408 190 270
Lion	David Hester	0418 993 251

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES for animal welfare or emergency fodder contact

For Victoria – 136 186 and select Option 7

For NSW including Stock Losses to 1800 814 647 or Riverina - Brett Davidson - 0418 815 490.

Irrigation, Stock & Domestic Supply and Drainage:

Goulburn Murray Water - 1800 064 184

Murray Irrigation Limited - 1300 657 313

Murrumbidgee (River Pumpers) - 1800 822 450

MURRAY DAIRY for general enquiries or assistance please contact

John Boyd - 0400 083 285 or the office on (03) 5833 5312

VFF/UNITED DAIRYFARMERS VICTORIA for donated fodder enquiries contact

Vin Delahunty 0468 995 355 or 1300 882 833

RURAL FINANCIAL COUNSELLORS

Numurkah /Goulburn Valley - Chris Howard 0427 546 642

Albury /Wodonga - Upper Murray Area – Tony Shirley 0429 484 489

Kyabram – Goulburn Valley Area – Lindsay Brown 0428 323 918

Riverina - Murray Freshwater 0428 815 766

For Planning

What is the local flood height that will trigger on farm action?
Where are stock safe – mound or paddock?
How many cows can be accommodated including calves
Stock feed storage plan - is everything you need high and dry enough?
Who is in charge of moving the stock and where will any additional stock go?
If you are going to re-locate think about how this will be done e.g. cartage
Take photographs of flood damage as it may help with any insurance claims and/

or government assistance

Managing in Wet Conditions

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:11:00 GMT

Dairy Australia together with Murray Dairy have a range of resources that may assist farmers to Manage in Wet Conditions.

Please follow the links below:

Advanced Diploma of Agriculture

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:35:00 GMT

Advanced Diploma of Agriculture

Want to improve your skills as a Dairy Business Manager?
Making better decisions and managing risk?

In the current dairying environment, successful business management increasingly relies on our ability to make good decisions and manage risk in a timely manner: some of these risks include changes in milk price, ever increasing input costs and climate variability. At the same time many businesses are growing rapidly

These businesses require management which is capable of complex decision making, and high level business and people management.

The NCDEA, with support from Dairy Australia, has developed a series of short courses to develop the skills and knowledge of farm owners and dairy business managers.

Topics offered at Advanced Diploma Level in 2012 are:

• Analysing the performance of your business
• Making complex decisions related to the production system
• Planning and managing your workforce requirements
• Determining appropriate business structures and planning for the future of the business
• Developing your communication and leadership skills to enable you to better represent your farm, industry and community

You can participate in these programs topic by topic, whilst working full-time. Successful completion of all the short courses will :

• gain you an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture qualification.
• gain a management qualification and manage risk in your business
• developing the best dairy people in the world

For further information visit www.ncdea.edu.au or call 1300 0 NCDEA (1300 0 62332)

Download 2012 Timetable

Diploma of Agriculture

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:50:00 GMT

Diploma of Agriculture

Would you like to make better decisions as a Dairy
Production Manager?
Managers who are accountable and responsible decision makers

On today’s dairy farm striking the right balance between all the aspects of the business is essential to success. Dairying today is an increasingly complex and diverse environment

These businesses require management which is capable of complex decision making, and high level business and people management.

The NCDEA, with support from Dairy Australia, has developed a series of short courses to develop the skills and knowledge of dairy farm production managers.
Topics offered at Diploma Level in 2012 are:

• Develop a whole farm plan
• Manage staff—The People in Dairy GPS
• Tour in May: Manage livestock production
• Develop and review a business plan
• Develop and implement a breeding strategy—Genetics Learning Package & InCalf
• Plan and manage infrastructure requirements
• Develop livestock health and welfare strategies
• Manage integrated crop and pasture production
• Plan production for the whole farm/land-based business

The themes of sustainability, systems thinking, management cycle and risk management are fundamental parts of the course. These themes help develop decision-makers who are accountable and responsible in their managerial roles.

You can participate in these programs topic by topic, whilst working full-time. Successful
completion of all the short courses will gain you

• a Diploma in Agriculture qualification.
• Gain a management qualification and manage risk in your business
• Developing the best dairy people in the world

For further information visit www.ncdea.edu.au or call 1300 0 NCDEA (1300 0 62332)

Download 2012 Timetable