Agriculture Investment in the GMID

Around 170 of the regions dairy farmers took an opportunity to attend Murray Dairy’s Business Forum which was held in Echuca in December.

With the theme – Investing in Your Future- Science, Systems and Sustainability, farmers were updated on the latest industry issues including the Murray Darling Basin Plan, Carbon Farming and Investment strategies for the Murray Dairy region.

The Dairy Australia Board and Executive Leadership team were on hand to discuss the current position of the Australian and International dairy markets, while integrating feed systems, the latest irrigation and plant research and OH&S Risk Management were also on the agenda.

Focus Farm Project families Rebecca and Andrew Phillips, along with Leigh Verhay and Angela Turner and facilitator Daryl Poole spoke about the benefits this initiative has provided to their businesses.

The night culminated in a celebratory dinner and entertainment by political satirist Bryan Dawe while 61 students were recognised for their hard work and received certificates and diplomas from the National Centre for Dairy Education.

Lockington dairy farmer Louise Murray said the quality of information presented at the forum was brilliant.

“The forum has given us confidence for the future. There is a lot of negative news around but today has shown me we have the people and resources to do it,” Mrs Murray said.

“Hosting the day at Echuca has also been very handy for us.”

Murray Dairy Chief Executive Officer Sarah Parker said the Murray Dairy team had worked very hard to put together a day that provided the latest industry information.

“The forum has gone off very well and we have received some very positive feedback,” Ms Parker said.

“We have covered issues that are of particular interest to our area and hopefully we have been able to provide answers to many of the farmer’s questions.

“The meal and entertainment topped the day off well and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

“The forum was a great opportunity for farmers to take some time out from their busy schedules and hopefully there were many things they could take home from the day, which will help their business in the future.”

Running a dairy operation has just become a whole lot easier for Leitchville farmer Graham Douglas.

Through the On Farm Efficiency Program, 68 ha of his 129 ha farm has been laid out with 2.2km of black brute pipe and 32 risers, all controlled by a fully automated computer program, irrigation has become a whole lot easier.

“These works mean I can throw away the shovel,” Graham laughs.

“This whole program is a step in the right direction for the farming community. Five years ago I was sceptical about pumping water because I could gravitate but this is the only way the Government should be getting water, and that’s through programs like this.

“There is no way we could have ever afforded these works without the On Farm Efficiency Program.”

While Graham is no stranger to automation (he rigged up his own system back in the 90’s that was 100 per cent reliable) the installation of black brute means channel maintenance and blow outs are now a thing of the past.

Paddocks are watered one at a time with a full stream of water down each lasered bay.

A quarter of the farm is sown down to lucerne- two varieties one for grazing and one for hay production and some summer pasture.

“My overall aim is for the cows to be grazing on half pasture and the rest lucerne. We will be running all our young stock here and this new system will help carry us into the future.”

“I trust our new automated system 100 per cent. I just have to check to make sure I have my watering times for the different bays correct and once that’s right, everything will be done through the computer.”

Graham admits he is no expert on the computer but he is learning his way around and after a couple of emergency calls to the computer technician, he has got things pretty much under control.

The Douglas’ are hoping the rest of the farm will be upgraded through Stage

A trial program designed to help residents who have to travel to Melbourne for medical appointments has been well supported by the Loddon Shire community.

Living in a rural area means it is sometimes hard for residents to make their way around the city and suburbs for medical appointments by public transport- this program helps alleviates this concern for many.

The Medical Companion Project is on trial until March 31 and is staffed by volunteers from Travellers Aid Australia.

The volunteers meet users at either Southern Cross Station or Flinders St Station and accompany them to their appointments on public transport.

Loddon Shire’s BLine Transport Connections co-ordinator Sue Devereaux said the shire’s residents had been quick to embrace the service.

“Up to last November, there were 56 service users who came from the City of Greater Bendigo and Loddon region,” Ms Devereaux said.

“That was second only to the Swan Hill, Gannawarra and Buloke region, which recorded 60 service users.

“The more patronage this service gets from Loddon residents, the better chance we have of this trial period being extended.”

Medical Companions was launched by the Victorian Government’s Transport Connections Program last March.