Dear all,
I too get frustrated when I know some farmers are struggling, and the
industry could do with more milk. Mostly, not always, I believe there is
one major reason.
There is a lot more milk to be produced, and a lot of money to be made in
dairying if the fundamental, the feeding, is efficient and profitable. I
know farmers (both sharefarmers and owners) who are lifting milk production
greatly and making very good money.
To get the feeding profitable, two efficiencies (BOTH, at the same time)
must be achieved. Hectare efficiency and cow efficiency. The land and the
herd are major resources, cost a lot to buy, and cost a lot to run. They
both must be physically efficient. This means that the hectare must
produce a lot of grass and the cow must produce a lot of milk. The hectare
inputs (fert, water, grazing) have to be right and the cow must be fed
well, all the time. Get both efficiencies wrong and you will think
dairying is a mug's game. Get only one right, you will be probably be ok
in the good years only. Get both right and you're laughing.
The weather, the rain, capital investment, labour, all I agree have a big
effect, but converting feed (grown or purchased) into milk is the basis.
Just because I manage this list doesn't mean I shouldn't have a say
occasionally. If you have a slight feeling about something, have a blast,
send an email, no-one will mind, it's fun!
Regards
Frank
Frank Tyndall
Dairy Consultant
VicDairy-L manager
Box 1011
Sale Vic 3850
ftyndall@ozemail.com.au
0409 940 782
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