Dairy lift
SPRING is looking promising for the region’s farmers, while recovery in global dairy markets buoying the dairy industry.
Murray Goulburn offered its first step up of the season last week.
The cooperative lifted its price by 15 cents per kilogram of milk solids last Tuesday, September 13, to $4.46kg/MS, after the application of the milk supply support package payment.
MG’s price remained below its competitors Fonterra at $4.75kg/MS, Bega at $5kg/MS and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter at $4.80kg/MS.
MG’s interim chief executive officer David Mallinson said, “While international dairy markets have improved recently, they remain below historical average levels.”
“Recent signs of recovery have come as global milk supply slows year-on-year,” he said.
Agnes dairy farmer and Fonterra supplier Wendy Whelan said while her milk price was below cost of production, a strong spring season was encouraging.
“We have had good grass growth here, although it did slow down a bit last week. Late winter and early spring have been good,” she said.
“We need a couple of sunny days now to help the grass take off again.”
Ms Whelan said she is looking forward to a decent silage season, after she was only able to cut around 50 per cent of her usual yield in 2015.
“There is plenty more grass now compared to this time last year. At the moment I am trying to minimise damage to the paddocks so I can cut them for silage,” she said.
“The silage could be a bit later this year, but as long as it keeps growing I’ll be happy.”
Inverloch agricultural contractor Tony McGarvey said good rain in the early part of September and any rain going forward, would be beneficial for silage making and the season ahead.
“It certainly looks better than this time last year, now we have had this rain. It is shaping up to be a much needed season for silage,” he said.
“We need it to be substantially better than last year. It was very ordinary. Recent rain will give us a good start.”
Mr McGarvey said he has already made 300 round bales of silage this season, which is quite early.
Tim Burgess, general manager of Gendore Tractors and Machinery in Leongatha, said while sales had been slower compared to previous years at the Leongatha dealership, he remained optimistic about the season ahead.
“The season is shaping up well. What would probably be good is 10 days of sunshine and then in a fortnight’s time, get another 25mm of rain, just to get a bit of growth,” he said.
Mr Burgess said South Gippsland was hit particularly hard by last year’s drought.
“East Gippsland had a good season last year and West Gippsland was bad but not as bad as South Gippsland was,” he said.
“Everyone bought in hay and now they’ve got to make as much as they can.”
Project secretary for South Gippsland Dairy Expo Deanne Kennedy, said sites were still be adding to this year’s expo – to be held at Korumburra next week – to accommodate exhibitors.
She said the expo was at capacity and was shaping up to be a wonderful event.
“We are expecting good crowds this year and with free entry, we are hoping that will encourage farmers to come along,” she said.
Greener pasture: Agnes dairy farmer Wendy Whelan is buoyed by the prospects of a decent spring and is hoping to get a higher than average cut of silage this year.
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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Sep 20 2016. Filed under Featured, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
