Spring is finally here as evident in the calf shed, pasture growth, and the swooping magpies that have claimed tree lines in paddocks.
I’m very grateful for my four-legged best mate Mac, who seems to be more disliked by the magpies than me and keeps them busy while I get the job done.
Calving this year has been hard and fast. Our heifer replacements all arrived within the first three weeks and are now busy putting on weight.
It’s so rewarding to put cups on fresh heifers and cows while dodging milk spurting from nice full udders.
It’s been a successful calving in our mind. Minimal milk fever cases with a careful transition diet followed and only a handful of cows requiring help to calve.
The weather has been kind for calving cows which helps.
Now the focus will be on continuing to drive milk production, irrigation, and harvest.
At the time of writing this, Gippsland has experienced another unprecedented weather event, with strong gusts of damaging winds causing widespread power outages in dairying regions.
We were lucky enough not to lose power here, but fortunately we have a back-up generator able to run the dairy and cool the vat when needed.
It would seem with the weather events we now experience in Gippsland a capable generator is a must in our systems.
If you don’t have a second source of power to help you through these events speak to your milk company. Most are available to help you organise this purchase.
A large part of the GippsDairy Board’s role is to set and deliver a strategy for Gippsland that meets the needs of our levy-paying farm businesses, allowing people to grow in skill and profit as a result.
Reflecting on my time on the board and talking with past board members and farmers over the years, GippsDairy has played a pivotal role in supporting our levy-based community of dairy farmers and their businesses.
Our regional diversity is very well represented around the board table and a key strength of Gippsland.
Another is the willingness of farmer representation and involvement in program delivery, panel discussions, farm open days, emceeing large events, and our Women in Dairy and Young Dairy Network committees.
It makes me proud to witness us all supporting each other to achieve.
I’m reminded of a quote by John O’Brien: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast, but culture gets its appetite from purpose.”
GippsDairy is most successful because we have you and your farm business needs in mind. Hearing from and delivering to our farms is our purpose.
Please take the time to connect with the team, it’s now largely made up of fresh faces that are eager to get to know you, your team and your farm business.
GippsDairy also has a yearly calendar out now of events on offer in your area.
I’m looking forward to planning my farm’s extension needs and knowing in advance when our local discussion groups will be on.
You can find a copy of the yearly calendar at www.dairyaustralia.com.au/gippsdairy or at the GippsDairy office in Warragul, or ask any GippsDairy team member when you see them next.
The board, Karen, and the team are always on the lookout for any specific regional extension or events that are required. Please reach out if we can help — being regionally present is our purpose.
As a member of the Gippsland Dairy Industry Leadership Group, GippsDairy is supporting the development of a 10-year Gippsland Dairy Industry Strategy.
All dairy industry members are invited to complete an online survey to help detail priority areas of focus, at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T9PSN3B
We also invite you to participate in a face-to-face or online consultation session to review trends and share your experiences and ideas. Visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au/gippsdairy for more information and to register for a consultation session.
– Sarah O’Brien is the GippsDairy chair.