• Dairy Farm Monitor project shows mixed results across the state
• Recovery services still available for fire-affected landholders
• Opportunities for grains profit to be explored at Sale
• Using potassium fertiliser in spring
• Spring edition of Milking the Weather now available
• Cuppa a chance for regional gatherings
• Drought and dry seasonal conditions grants still available
• Drought and dry seasons support services and information
• What's on

Variability in farm profits and strategies to respond to high costs and seasonal conditions are revealed in the 75 farm survey results of the 2018-19 Dairy Farm Monitor Project.

The Dairy Farm Monitor Project provides annual farm level data related to profit and production in Victoria. The latest report is the thirteenth to be produced in collaboration with Dairy Australia.

The top performing farms in the project have shown timely decision making combined with a business analysis approach were key strategies to managing the dry conditions throughout the 2018-19 financial year.

While profits were mixed across the regions, the project reported average earnings before interest and tax were $85,000 in 2018-19, half of the level set the year before.

When interest and lease costs are considered, average net farm income across the state fell to -$24,000, the fourth lowest in the 13-years of the project.

Agriculture Victoria’s Farm Business Economist Claire Waterman said there was a significant variation in profitability across the three dairy regions of Victoria. 

“The dry conditions have led to a 20 per cent increase in variable costs as a result of higher irrigation water, concentrates and fodder prices,” Ms Waterman said. “Farmers also spent more on making homegrown feed, including fertiliser, hay and silage making costs.”

Across South West Victoria’s survey results, net farm income improved on the previous year to $27,000 yet remained below the long-term average.

In the North of the state, net farm income fell to -$85,000, the lowest level in the 13-year history of the project.

Across Gippsland, net farm income reduced to -$15,000 with varied seasonal conditions and profitability results.

Despite the increased costs and earlier culling in some regions, herd size among the farmers surveyed remained constant at an average of 357 cows.

Milk price improved six per cent to $6.13/kg MS compared to the previous year, partially offsetting the increased costs.

“Following a challenging 2018-19 season, more than 85 per cent of farmers predicted their farm profit will improve for 2019-20 underpinned by strong expectations for improved milk price and stable or improving milk production,” Ms Waterman said.

Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia provide a range of services to support farmers managing drought and dry seasonal conditions.

These services include one-on-one consultations, workshops and grants.

For more information on the support available to dairy farmers please contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons

The annual report is available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dairyfarmmonitor

Landholders in the Cardinia and Latrobe local government areas whose properties were affected by fires in March are being urged to take advantage of ongoing agriculture fire recovery support being offered by Agriculture Victoria.

Agriculture recovery services available to fire-affected farmers include on-farm one-on-one consultations by appointment and information resources on a range of post-fire agricultural recovery issues.

Gippsland Fires Agriculture Recovery Manager Lindsay Hyde said that with recent rain, landholders on fire-affected land in the Bunyip-Tonimbuk and Yinnar South areas will be experiencing increased pasture growth coming into spring.

“As much as the pasture growth will be welcome, there is a real risk of increased weed invasion,” he said.

“It’s not until some months after an emergency that the impact of weeds can become apparent.

“If grain and stockfeed has been brought onto a property in the immediate aftermath of the fire, it’s entirely possible that new weeds may have been introduced with purchased feed.”

Mr Hyde said that one-on-one on-farm consultations can provide targeted support and advice to individual farmers about a range of issues.

“Advice on weed management is particularly critical at this time to prevent weed establishment with spring growth. This is just one of a range of issues that fire-affected farmers may need to consider coming into the spring and summer seasons.”

Other advisory services and information available to farmers include farm planning advice, pasture and grazing management, stock management and feed budgeting, soil health and erosion management and farm water.

Mr Hyde said that as well as the standard agriculture recovery programs available, landholders in the Bunyip-Tonimbuk fire-affected area are invited to register their interest in a Farm Nutrient Management Program being offered as part of the GRAZFERT program.

Farmers can also register online for an on-farm one-on-one consultation by simply filling in a ‘Request for Information’ form or download a copy and sending it to their case manager.
Agriculture recovery information and registration forms are available online at https://go.vic.gov.au/ah22pM

So, what are these top businesses doing differently to achieve this? The GRDC ‘Opportunity for Profit’ workshop at Sale on September 25 will provide the answers and enable local growers to better understand the profit drivers in their own businesses.

The session, scheduled due to grower demand, follows those held in Victoria in early 2019 where 100 pc of growers attending said they would recommend the workshop to others. 

The half-day workshop will delve into the results from the GRDC three-year national project investment titled ‘the integration of profit drivers and technical information for more informed decisions’.

The project was led by Rural Directions Pty Ltd in the southern region, in association with Meridian Agriculture and Macquarie Franklin.

Kate Burke of Think Agri, who is working with Rural Directions to deliver Opportunity for Profit workshops, says the research has benchmarked more than 300 grain businesses nationally to identify what drives profit in each agro-ecological zone and how the provision of technical information links with these profit drivers.

This insightful information will be explored in detail at the workshop, by the end of which Dr Burke says participants will be well placed to identify opportunities for profit within their individual businesses.

“Workshop participants will go away with an enhanced understanding of the performance of the top 20 pc growers in their region and will also be able to identify the management traits of a top 20 pc grower,” she says.

“Attendees will have built their knowledge around the profit drivers that really make a difference in a grain business and will have access to diagnostic tools and processes to easily assess their own business performance.”

Registration for the event is essential. To register or for more information, phone 08 8841 4500, email admin@ruraldirections.com or visit www.ruraldirections.com/events.

Alex Goudy, Agriculture Victoria, Warrnambool

As we move into the harvest season, using fertilisers to boost yield should be front of mind. Potassium is an important nutrient in spring that affects both plant and animal health. Too little in your soil means reduced pasture growth, however too much can lead to metabolic problems in cattle. Therefore, it’s important to think about your soil fertility levels and potassium fertiliser use.

Being over generous with potassium fertiliser in spring has the potential to cause milk fever and grass tetany next calving season.  The worst-case scenario from this is the loss of cows, or in less severe cases an impact on production and profitability.

When soil potassium levels are high, pasture plants can accumulate excess potassium which can cause a mineral imbalance in cows.  A high potassium diet reduces the uptake of magnesium and calcium in the gut which leads to milk fever and grass tetany.  Cows are most susceptible to mineral imbalances prior to and up to three months after calving.

A lot of potassium is removed in a hay or silage harvest, usually between 60 to 100 kg per hectare.  Therefore, many fertiliser recommendations in spring aim to give a boost to pasture growth using nitrogen and replace potassium, phosphorus, sulphur and nitrogen removed in harvested pasture.  However, if soil potassium levels are already adequate, the pasture can accumulate additional potassium beyond what is needed for extra growth. This is called 'luxury uptake'. It can result in hay that if fed to susceptible animals, will predispose them to metabolic problems. Some caution around adding extra potassium fertiliser to paddocks with a high soil level is therefore necessary.

The following recommendations can help with potassium fertiliser decisions:

1. If potassium levels are high (Colwell K levels greater than 250mg/kg) additional fertiliser won’t increase pasture production.  Cutting back on potassium fertilisers (and monitoring with soil tests) will save you money.
2. When using nitrogen to boost spring harvest yields, consider using straight nitrogen fertilisers if soil fertility is adequate and nutrients aren’t limiting.
3. Cows susceptible to milk fever and grass tetany should be on a low potassium diet, fed rough hay or straw prior to calving, and kept off feed and paddocks with high soil potassium levels, prior to and soon after calving.  Magnesium supplementation pre and post calving will also reduce the chance of grass tetany if you are grazing susceptible pastures.
4. Be conscious of where the hay being fed out was made.  If it was on paddocks with high potassium levels avoid feeding this hay to springers or dry cows.
5. Remember silage and hay removes a large amount of potassium.  Be sure to replace this on these paddocks.
6. Regularly soil test to monitor the potassium (and other nutrient) levels of your paddocks. Potassium levels can change quickly due to leaching and fodder conservation, so make sure tests are done regularly to plan fertiliser use.  Testing farm management zones assists to monitor the changes in fertility of certain areas of the farm that are managed differently.
7. Current guidelines for fertility target levels can be found at Dairy Australia’s Fert$mart website: http://fertsmart.dairyingfortomorrow.com.au/dairy-soils-and-fertiliser-manual/

By considering current fertility levels and fertiliser practices potassium fertiliser can be used with confidence on your farm.  For more information about managing during drought and dry seasonal conditions go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons.

The spring edition of Milking the Weather is now available online.

It features three farmer case studies, introducing Brett Findlay from Towong Upper for the first time, as well as Chris Nixon from Orbost and Kevin Fitzsimmons from Merrigum. There is also the usual seasonal climate summary, and information and advice about managing the spring season ahead, and a seasonal soil moisture assessment.

Now in a new format, your can have your say and provide feedback by emailing the editor at milking.theweather@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

The Victorian Rural Women’s Network is encouraging women in rural communities to take part in Country Cuppas, an initiative to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women on Tuesday 15 October.

Country Cuppas has been established to make it easier for women living in rural communities to connect with each other over a cup of tea, long lunch or dinner. It’s a great opportunity to forge new connections and strengthen old ones, share ideas and experiences and create lasting networks.

Victorian Rural Women’s Network Coordinator, Jasmine Glover, said Country Cuppas provides a valuable opportunity for women to connect with one another, share knowledge and build friendships.

“For Victorian women living in rural areas, strong connections are vital to professional success and personal wellbeing,” she said.

“Whether you’re a working woman, a young farmer, a community advocate, or a stay-at-home mum, you need a community – which is exactly what Country Cuppas provides.

“Country cuppas is an opportunity to gather new friends and old and I strongly encourage all women in rural areas to host a casual Country Cuppa, in whatever way suits them best, to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women.”

Country Cuppas gatherings can take place at any home or venue across Victoria, on Tuesday 15 October or the weekend prior, to coincide with the International Day of Rural Women.

Registered hosts will receive an event pack from the Victorian Rural Women’s Network with support materials, including promotional resources, tips and tricks for how to host a successful event and Victorian Rural Women’s Network mugs.

The Victorian Rural Women’s Network (VRWN) is a supportive and inclusive group of rural and regional Victorian women who connect, share skills and ideas and empower each other to step up, lead and succeed.

To get involved in Country Cuppas, you can register to host your event here.

For more information about the International Day of Rural Women, visit the Victorian Rural Women’s Network website.

Farmers impacted by drought in Central and East Gippsland are reminded that grants under the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support Grants Program, the Pasture Recovery and Management Grants Program and the Farm Business Assistance Program are still available to them.

Pasture Recovery and Management Grant Program

A grant of up to $5,000 (ex-GST) is available to assist eligible farm businesses implement pasture restoration and other land management activities that may aid in pasture recovery. Eligible farm businesses are required to provide at least dollar-for-dollar matching funding co-contribution.

On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support Grants

Grants of up to $5,000 are available to eligible farm businesses in Central and East Gippsland and Northern and North West Victoria to assist farm businesses implement on-farm infrastructure that improves drought management and preparedness. Eligible farm businesses are required to provide at least dollar-for-dollar matching funding co-contribution.

Farm Business Assistance Program

The Farm Business Assistance program will provide a one-off support payment to farm businesses in Wellington Shire and East Gippsland Shire, and eligible farmers in Northern and North-West Victoria.

Eligible farmers are invited to apply for a one-off payment of:

• $3,500 for Farm Household Allowance (FHA) recipients and young farmers in Wellington and East Gippsland Shires
• $2,500 for remaining commercial farms in Wellington and East Gippsland Shires.

To apply for these grants call Rural Finance on 1800 260 425 or visit ruralfinance.com.au.

For more info about managing during drought and dry conditions go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons.

Have you dropped into our offices at Bairnsdale, Maffra or Swifts Creek lately?

Did you know you can make an appointment to talk to a staff member about a pasture recovery grant, drought assistance and technical workshops in the region?

You can also make a time to have a one-on-one consultation.

You will find us at:

• 574 Main Street, Bairnsdale (same place as the DELWP office)
• 1 Stratford Road, Maffra
• 13 McMillan Avenue, Swifts Creek (same place as the DELWP office)

As always you can also get more information, tools and advice online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call us on 136 186.

Drought wallet cards are now available, providing a handy pocket-sized guide to lots of localised information on health and wellbeing services.

Developed in consultation the Central and East Gippsland Drought Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee, the cards list the phone numbers for key support services.

It's a handy resource for businesses, organisations and individuals working with our farming communities facing drought. Copies of the cards are available at your local Gippsland Agriculture Victoria office or by calling 136 186.

Producers are encouraged to access the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme for the purchase and installation of emergency water infrastructure for livestock.

In Gippsland, the scheme is available to eligible farm businesses in the Wellington and East Gippsland shires.

Farm businesses NOT in these local government areas can make an application if they can demonstrate a critical water need for livestock resulting from current seasonal conditions.
These applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The scheme is available for water infrastructure purchased since 1 July 2018. Guidelines and application details can be obtained from Rural Finance.

Look Over the Farm Gate grants are still open for farmers and communities facing drought and dry conditions across central and eastern Gippsland and northern Victoria.

Community groups in drought affected communities can apply online for grants of $1,500 to run events that address mental health and wellbeing.

Look Over the Farm Gate is a mental health and wellbeing initiative funded by the Victorian Government (drought support funding committed in September 2018).

It is managed by the Victorian Farmers Federation in partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Country Women’s Association, Country Fire Authority, and National Centre for Farmer Health.

Applications are assessed on a first in best dressed basis.

For more information and how to apply visit  lookoverthefarmgate.org.au or to contact the coordinator at Lookoverthefarmgate@vff.org.au.

Topics to be covered include:

• Spring management of feed/fodder crops
• Early weaning
• Feed/water budgeting
• Stock containment
• Animal health considerations
• Drought support options.

Agriculture Victoria staff will be on-hand to assist producers with any enquiries.

To register contact John Commins at Agriculture Victoria on (03) 5159 5143 or at john.commins@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

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