Vocational visit to Dairy of Casey and Bonnie Taylor.
Thanks to Peter and Wendy, Casey and Bonnie for the amazing snapshot of their operating dairy.
With around 1700 acres of ground both owned and leased, they are able to maintain around 1400 head of cattle, this includes for milking, producing beefys and growing out heifers for oncoming milking stock.
Casey and Bonnie explained the science of dairy farming has really stepped up over the last 15 years, with electronic tags and program, that reliably provide information of their stock using algorythims that need to be trusted, with the manager understanding the stage the cattle are at. For example, how often they are grazing, burping (and other exhausts!), and laying down - even their temperature, which becomes important during calving.
The ear tag will indicate a change to their temperature around 24 hours prior to calving which allows time for shifting or a 'closer eye' on the animals. This goes with a cost per tag of around $70, a program of around $30,000 and a monthly support fee of around $1500! However the information is very valuable.
Also the ability to use straws of semen, that is gendered for female offspring, the positive rate of around 98% means productivity is very efficient. The sale of 'bobby' calves - those up to one week old, is limited to those wanting to grow their stock, reducing the abbattoir trade, or wasted by-product of production.
Bonnie says growing the calves, and the cattle in general, is a 'mother hen' approach and really paying close attention to how they are, how much they drink/eat and weight progression. As they get heavier the pens of five are gradually increased to 10, 20 40 and 50 when they are moved to larger yeards of pasture; no longer requiring the avid oversight.
The recent build of an extreme shelter shed has increased productivity for calving and stock maintenance, reducing the paddock grass impaction during the wet weather we have in the south west. Calves area able to increase their weight easier, by remaining warmer, with the young stock reluctant to come out of the open walled sheds to grace the sweet pasture, as they normally would do! The increased concrete pad has also allowed care of unwell animals with close observation.
Casey and Bonnie spoke of the changing international market and challenges with the milk price, and flow on with the cheese price, sometimes equating to less than $1 per litre of milk in one kilogram of cheese - it takes around 9 litres of milk to make that one kilogram!
We were then beautifully sustained by the amazing Wendy with BBQ tea, salads and sweets! Not only delicious but who could stop at one piece???
All over - a great afternoon out!
Please note- Ron and I will be "Out of office" for the next week or so - riding with the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians(IFMR), over the eastern half of Victoria. The ride will have around 18 participants, cover over 2100kms and involve some of the most beautiful Alpine roads, and sights. You can follow the group on Facebook but realise as an international group - you may need to wade through some posts!!
In my absence Peter Talor and Dayle King will lead the charge!!
Thanks also to Peter Simons who has agreed to take over the Foundation portfolio for the remainder of this year.
|
