Main Events over the past year:
DairyTas has continued to support and organise a number of events during the year covering a wide range of activities. Some of the main ones are listed below.
- Nov/Dec 10, Cows Create Careers and Picasso Cows presentation days
- Nov 10, Launch of the new Dairy Industry Strategic Plan
- Dec 10, Power Bills & Energy Efficiency Days
- April 11, Animal Health Information Days
- May 11, Agfest Dairy Pavilion
- May 11, Dairy Business of the Year Field Days
- June 11, Calf Management for Dairy Farmers
- July 11, Tasmanian Dairy Conference, Ulverstone
- August 11, Employing Overseas Workers Forums
Financial Management Groups
Following the Taking Stock program delivery to over 130 farmers in 2008/09, DairyTas has developed and implemented a new cashflow budgeting program for dairy farmers to get hands on advice with their financial management over the 2010 season. 30 farmers are participating with consultants Penny Williams and Basil Doonan, working on local area small groups.
The project is being sponsored by Elders along with the main banks ANZ, Rabobank, Coomonwealth, National Australia and Westpac.
Small Project Grants
Recent grants approved by DairyTas have included the following:
| Project | Value | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| Investigating the potential of deficit irrigation strategies to improve the efficiency of water use in irrigated temperate pastures - Phase II | 10,000 | TIAR |
| Evaluating and Demonstrating the Business Performance of a High Input Large Herd Dairy Farm in Tasmania | 5,400 | TIAR |
| Comparison of Dairy Returns between King Island and Mainland Tasmania 2007-09 | 5,000 | TFGA |
| Preliminary evaluation of remote-sensing technologies for the detection of oestrus in dairy cows. | 8,060 | TIAR |
| Australian Dairy Innovations Conference; dairy farmer participation | 2,480 | Dairy Farmers |
| Electricity Contracts and Renewable Energy Options information seminars | 10,000 | Joule Logic |
| Interactions with Dairy and Oyster Industries Workshop | 5,000 | Oysters Tasmania |
| Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Nitrogen Inhibitors Trial | 10,000 | TIAR |
| Optimising establishment to maximize yields from fodder beet trials | 9,900 | TIAR |
Cradle Coast Nutrient Extension Project
Funding obtained from Cradle Coast NRM and DairyTas for a Soil Nutrient Management project allowed for six different dairy suppliers to be chosen from across the Cradle Coast region. The farms were:
Paul & Rachel Hamilton (Elliott farm), Paul & Nadine Lambert (South Riana farm), Rod Butler of East Ridgley, Brett Ford of Paradise, Gary & Helen Strickland of King Island, and Darren & Veronica Charles of Mawbanna.
The project involved full farm soil testing and nutrient mapping. Soil testing on the farms, coordinated by Dr Bill Cotching of TIAR, commenced in February 2010. The results of the extensive soil nutrient evaluation of the levels of phosphorous, potassium, sulphur and pH of all paddocks of their respective farms were delivered at presentations in each region. This information was colour coded to more clearly identify the varying nutrient levels across the farm (see example below).
A budget of recommended nutrient addition was prepared for each farm, based on all calculated inputs and outputs of that farm. This included a potential fertiliser savings calculation, based on previous additions of nutrients.
Results: The findings of the analyses confirmed a general trend for over-fertilising, with a very substantial range of all nutrients of P, K & S across the farms. Results showed some paddocks being at toxic levels (specifically K at >1000mg/kg). The averages of ALL paddocks of the 6 dairy farms across the Cradle Coast region were:
- Olsen P -33 mg/kg, with a range of 12 to 90 [target optimum 20-30]
- Colwell K -450 mg/kg, with a range of 180 to 1700 [target opt 150-180 for clay/loam]
- Sulphur -24 mg/kg, with a range of 7 to 77 [target opt 8-16]
Generally speaking, the pH was within the accepted range, with very few paddocks less than 5.5.
The opportunity to save, by targeted distribution or reduction of fertilising load, is very significant for the majority of participants. Estimated savings for the six dairy farms are claimed to be over $280,000 in the next two years. There should also be a major benefit for the environment, as nutrients surplus to requirements can leach into waterways, creeks and rivers.
All participants insist they will keep testing at least part of their farm, to keep an eye on the nutrient loads, and better manage the fertiliser application. The same opportunity could exist for all dairy suppliers, ...test your paddocks for nutrient levels and better manage fertiliser use.
Download soil nutrient management information, October 2010
Duck River Nutrient Budgeting Project
TIAR scientists Bill Cotching and Rosie James delivered this project with dairy farmers in the Duck River catchment, funded mainly by the Australian Government's Caring for our Country initiative. The project was completed in 2009/10. The main outcomes sought by the project were:
- To assist Duck River catchment dairy farmers with on-farm nutrient mapping
- Assess a broad range of environmental priorities and resources through farmer focus groups
- To gain improved information on nutrient management and farm inputs through the production of farm specific nutrient budgets
- To identify nutrient hot spots and deficiencies through farm nutrient maps
- Better targeted fertiliser application and minimisation of risk of nutrient loss to waterways
The map below indicates the white areas of the 35 dairy farms participating in the project over the 2 years, highlighting the significant coverage of the project in both the flat areas and the eastern hill country of the catchment.
The main conclusions from the project were that dairy farms sampled in the Duck River Catchment from 2008 to 2010 have average soil phosphorous, potassium and sulphur levels in the order of 25 to 40% above the optimal range for pasture production. From this there is an opportunity for farmers to save considerable amounts of money on their annual fertiliser expenditure and to reduce soil nutrient levels and so reducing environmental impact by minimising nutrient losses to waterways.
Dairy Business of the Year Awards
The Dairy Business of the Year Award has been held annually in Tasmania for the last 28 years. It aims to identify and highlight the attributes of the best dairy farm businesses in Tasmania and provide information of benefit to all dairy farmers. The Award and associated benchmarking provides entrants with:
- A financial analysis of their dairy business,
- A comparison of their performance with the top 10% in the industry,
- A field day to highlight the winners property, and
- An opportunity to discuss and understand their results.
The Awards, conducted through the joint efforts of the TIAR Dairy Centre and DairyTas, together with sponsorship from industry and service providers, provide an opportunity, free-of-charge, for all dairy farmers to benchmark their dairy farm businesses and obtain feedback on their business performance. This year some 60 farm businesses participated in the Award and benchmarking program.
The associated field days recognise and celebrate dairy farming excellence in business performance, farm management, human resource management and environmental integrity.
The 2009 field day comprised a morning session at Togari Community Centre that included presentations to overall Dairy Business Award winners, Wayne and Angela Huisman and Hatfield Dairies, Share Dairy farmer of the Year award winners Nick and Jane Smith and to winners of several other categories. Over 200 people attended the associated field days at Merseylea and Smithton.
DairySmart Project
2008/09 saw the commencement of the new dairy extension project from the TIAR Dairy Centre. This follows on from the completion of Pastures Plus in 2008. Dairy Smart has established 10 groups with over 100 farmers across the main Tasmanian dairy regions including Advanced Learning Groups (8), a Manager/Sharefarmer Group and a Business Innovation Group.
The main outputs for the Dairy Smart project in its second year of operation were;
- To deliver a series of at least four technical workshops
- To deliver at least four regional field days
- The production of monthly newsletters (Tassie Dairy News)
- The facilitation of nine farmer groups
Farmer groups
In summary approximately 125 dairy farmers were involved in the 9 dairy smart group activities with the average number of participants at a group being seven and the average meetings held per a group being six. Groups also met an additional three times to discuss seasonal challenges. These seasonal response meetings were open to all dairy farmers and replaced normal group activity for that month.
Groups Farmer feedback
To see how the dairy smart program had assisted farmers improve their business management skills, participants were asked for feedback on how the program has helped their business. The results are shown below indicating that the dairy smart program has assisted farmers over a wide range of topics.
A large number of farmers who indicated that they got the most enjoyment from the dairy smart program through having the ability to interact and meet with other farmers and discuss dairy farming practices.
Advanced Pasture Management workshops were also held in June/July with 43 dairy farmers participating. The workshops and associate manuals have been developed as part of the Dairy Smart Project to assist farmers to take their pasture management to the next level.
Field days
Field days were held on nutrient management, with Dr Cameron Gourley being the headline speaker. The field days were held on three of the dairy farming properties that featured in the national research project, Accounting for Nutrients. The field days were popular with over 100 people attending, including 80 dairy farmers.
Newsletters
The Tassie Dairy Newsletter was produced monthly for Tasmanian dairy farmers to keep up with the latest Tasmanian dairy news including Dairy Smart activities and updates.
The program also supports the monthly Tassie Dairy Newsletter which goes to all farmers.
Cows Create Careers and Picasso Cows Programs
Tasmanian Picasso Cow Program 2010
This year the Tasmanian Picasso Cow program was offered to primary schools in the North East area and the Circular Head region with five and six schools respectively participating.
The Picasso Cows national curriculum program, supported in Tasmania by Dairy Australia and DairyTas, is a multilayered educational experience that aims to educate students, teachers and parents about the importance of dairy health and nutrition and the industry itself. This is done through the creativity and teamwork involved in painting a life size fibreglass cow and creating a class learning journal. Each school is allocated a theme on which to base their work from Healthy Bones and Teeth, Three Serves a Day and Fuel for Life.
Presentation Days were held in both areas with students and teachers from participating schools involved in a number of activities and sharing experiences from the program. The winning schools were Bridport in the North and Circular Head Christian School in the Circular Head area.
Participating schools were: Edith Creek Primary School, Smithton Primary School, Redpa Primary School, Circular Head Christian School, St Peter Chanel School, Stanley Primary School, Launceston Preparatory School, Port Dalrymple District High School, Winnaleah District High School, Bridport Primary School, and Ringarooma Primary School.
For additional information on this program go to http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Education-and-Careers/Primary-School-Resources/Picasso-Cows-Curriculum-Program.aspx or contact DairyTas.
Cows Create Careers 2010
14 schools from Circular Head through to Winnaleah were involved in the Cows Create Careers program in Tasmania this year with Presentation Days held in Burnie and Launceston.
The schools involved in the Northern region were Deloraine High School, Campbell Town District High School, Cressy District High School, Winnaleah District High School and Exeter High School.
The schools participating in the North West region were Burnie High School, Latrobe High School, Sheffield School, St Brendan Shaw College, Ulverstone High School, Smithton High School, Yolla District High School, Circular Head Christian School and Penguin High School.
Each school was provided with at least 2 calves to care for, for 3 school weeks, including weekends, with set tasks used for assessment. Depending on the year group these included a datashow, newsletter, letters of thanks to the farmer who provided the calves and the Industry Advocate, who also visits the school, or a poster.
Students are not only encouraged to think about the importance of the dairy industry but associated careers that they might not have thought of otherwise.
Winning Schools in the North West were
Junior Presentation
- FIRST PRIZE - St Brendan Shaw College - The Jersey Girls
- SECOND PRIZE - Penguin High School - Dairy Fairies
- THIRD PRIZE - Ulverstone High School - Cow-Tastic
- WINNING JUNIOR SCHOOL - St Brendan-Shaw College
Senior Presentation
- FIRST PRIZE - Burnie High School - Jersey Girls
- SECOND PRIZE - Circular Head Christian School - Milkshakes
- THIRD PRIZE - Penguin High School - Penguin Potty Mowers
- WINNING SENIOR SCHOOL - Circular Head Christian School
Winning schools in the Northern area were:
- Senior Presentation FIRST PRIZE - Deloraine High School - Flamin' Cows
- Junior Presentation FIRST PRIZE - Campbell Town District High School - Cowinators
For additional information on this program go to http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Education-and-Careers/Secondary-School-Resources/Cows-Create-Careers.aspx or contact DairyTas.
