Implementation of the farmlet project

Since establishment in 1962, MRF has conducted numerous demonstration projects dealing with most aspects of dairy production. Hides (1992) published the findings of many of the MRF projects, which included typical research station demonstrations on pasture species management, fertiliser management and dairy waste management. The most recent farmlet project addressed the profitability of increasing stocking rate, to assist farmers in the district to consider the issues associated with increasing variations in stocking rates on their own farms (Atkinson, 2002).

The new farmlet project was a feed management demonstration with two farmlets using a stocking rate well above the local average of 4 cows per hectare. The project manager describes the objectives of the project below:

―The study is all about increasing stocking rate and we wanted to know if the system went to a higher stocking rate, was it profitable to double the supplement feed? The control farmlet is what we have been doing at MRF for a period of time, it was the constant. So far we have found 4 cows per hectare most profitable with 1 tonne of grain. The balanced herd has the same stocking rate but higher levels of supplement, at 2 tonne. The control is fed a moderate amount of supplement feeding (1 tonne) with set targets of fat and protein and crushed grain is fed with no additives - similar to what district farmers do. The balance herd has higher production targets. The aim is to feed 2 tonne of mixed grain supplement, triticale and wheat and other additives throughout the season and establish the effects on profitability‖. Project Manager, 2002

164

A summary of treatments for each of the farmlets is presented in table 14. Essentially all inputs and outputs under each system were to be analysed and the influence on herd health and fertility monitored. The control farmlet was used as the benchmark of existing practices and performance, and consisted of using the long standing industry standard for supplementary feeding in the region.

Balanced herd Control herd

Number of cows 150 150

Farmlet area (hectares) 38.5 38.5

Production Targets Litres Fat (kilograms) Protein (kilograms) 6,930 (1,143.421 total) 295 (34,744 total) 242 (36,300 total) 5,177 (776,607 total) 223 (33,468 total) 180 (26,937 total) Grain supplement

Mixed grain supplement (including buffers, rumen modifiers, minerals and trace elements as required)

Cracked grain (no buffers)

Grain/cow (tonnes) Approx. 2.0 Approx. 1.0

Hay / cow (tonnes) Approx. 0.75 Approx. 0.75

Nitrogen (kilograms per

hectare) 200 200

Condition Score (at dry

off) 5.5 5.0

Table 14. Main treatments for the MRF farmlet project

Engaging a team of stakeholders with complementary knowledge and skills was the process used to formulate the design and in particular the feed ration for the treatment farmlet. The steering group from the Target 10 program11 was engaged for this role and to also ensure Target 10 principles were incorporated into the farmlet monitoring and management practices. An additional benefit was the extended publicity generated towards the site with a network of 35 Target 10 extension officers aware of - and promoting – the MRF. Overall it a successful and positive move by the PM to engage with the Target 10 program:

―When Target 10 got involved things really turned around and the publicity has been really good. NRE are now telling people how the MRF is going and publicising what we are planning to do‖. Project Manager, NDFS Workshop, 2002.

11

Target 10 was a major industry driven dairy extension program that was introduced in Victoria in 1992. Target 10 was a collaborative program funded by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Victoria and also the DRDC. Other institutions involved included United Dairy Farmers of Victoria, University of Melbourne, dairy processors and agribusiness sponsors. The program originally aimed to increase pasture consumption per hectare through delivering principles of grazing.

165

Table 15. Additional projects to the farmlets that the MRF Project Manager managed.

Compared to other farmlets, the MRF project needed to secure financial and physical resources from a variety of sources. Sponsorship and in-kind contributions to the project were vital to securing the required resources to effectively operate the farmlets. A feed company sponsored the supplementary feed contribution of the project. Sponsorship was viewed as a way of engaging other companies in the project, increasing the knowledge and awareness being extended from the project. Significant financial support from industry investors to fund the initiation of five additional research and demonstration projects was achieved by the PM. Table 15 presents the projects that the PM was co-ordinating in addition to the farmlets, and demonstrates more than fifteen organisations involved. Each project was developed and initiated in response to a local issue highlighted by farmers and conducted as a partnership between key organisations within the regional dairy industry.

Project name Aim of the project Collaborating organisations Demonstration of a

whole farm irrigation and nutrient management plan

To improve the sustainable use of natural resources and minimise downstream involved in farming in the MID

GippsDairy (RDP) NRE

Target 10

University of Melbourne Natural Heritage Trust MRF

Fixed spray irrigation demonstration

To demonstrate the labour input, water use efficiency, potential productivity, environmental sustainability and economic performance associate with a fixed spray irrigation system over two irrigation seasons

NRE

McCracken‘s Water Services MRF

Natural Heritage Trust

Murray Goulbourn (milk processor)

Southern Rural Water

Victorian Government Gippsland Lakes Rescue Package

Advanced tall fescue trial

To trial the autumn establishment of ‗advance‘ tall fescue on laser graded soils with poor soil structure

Pacific seeds MRF

Occupational health and safety demonstration

To demonstrate the implementation of a low cost, yet effective occupational health and safety program to provide a safer working environment for employees and visitors

FarmSafe Victoria

Wellington Farm Safety Action Group MRF Bovine Johne‘s Disease Eradication program To demonstrate a management system designed to eradicate BJD from a commercial dairy herd

Maffra Veterinary Clinic NRE

166

Of most note to the projects in the table is the number of stakeholders and projects that the PM was required to maintain, including a multitude of different relationships and different type of activity systems to work with.