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AG News

Thursday, June 25, 2009

By Department of Primary Industries - 1st July 2009 - Back to News

AUTOMATIC CUP REMOVERS KEEP COWS CALM

Automatic cup removers (ACR) save labour and prevent over milking, which can dramatically improve the atmosphere in the dairy.

Preventing over-milking results in better teat condition, more tranquil cows, better cow flow and reduced milking times.

It is worth considering ACRs if they will allow extra milking units to be installed, reduce the number of milkers required or reduce serious over milking.

ACRs are currently used in approximately 40 per cent of Australian dairies and work best when cows arrive at the dairy ready to let milk down, so you may need to alter your milking routine.

Having the cows arrive at the dairy ready for milk let-down helps in every herd but is especially important if you use ACRs.

This can be achieved by having a calm, quiet, consistent routine, right from the time the cows leave the paddock.

Cows will enter the dairy ready for milking if they have been allowed to walk to the dairy and wait in the holding yard, without rushing or mixing up their pecking order. It is also important to allow the cows to become settled in the dairy before the clusters are attached.

For more information refer to the CowTime Guidelines (Quick Note 5.2) available on www.cowtime.com.au or contact Darold Klindworth at Department of Primary Industries Ellinbank on 5624 2269 or email darold.klindworth@dpi.vic.gov.au

FARMING DIARY

Ag Futures Forums coming to Lindenow and Meerlieu

Drought, climate change, increased competition for natural resources, population change and global economic conditions are all bringing real challenges for farming communities. These interactive forums will provide information about changes affecting agriculture to help farmers to make better, long-term business decisions.

• The Lindenow forum on Tuesday, July 7 will begin with free dinner at the Lindenow Hotel at 6:15 pm. The forum will immediately follow at 7:30 pm at Lindenow Hall.
• The Meerlieu forum will be held on Wednesday, July 8 at the Meerlieu Community Hall at 6:15 pm sharp. Free dinner included.

To register your attendance at either forum, please contact the Department of Primary Industries at Bairnsdale on 5152 0600 by June 30, 2009. For more information, please contact Darren Williams on 0448 718 607.

Bushfire Recovery Workshop

Topic: Trees, Shelter Belts and Native Vegetation

When: Saturday, July 11, 2009

Where: Labertouche Hall, Cnr Labertouche and Forest Road, Labertouche.

Time: 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.

This workshop focuses on property owners who want to learn more about planning of shelter belts, sourcing plants, planting and management, as well as funding support available.

It will be presented by Bridget McCallum from Western Port Landcare network, Rob Waddell from Lake Wellington Landcare network and Grand Ridge Propagation.

All landholders are welcome, in particular those whose properties have been fire-affected.

For more information, contact Carolyn Ferguson on 5624 2409.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com