TheDairySite Newsletter - 2 December 2011

TheDairySite Weekly Newsletter

Friday 2nd December 2011

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Welcome to this week's newsletter

Editorial: NZ Dairy Farmers Take Further Steps To Aid Environment

The environmental impact of New Zealand dairy farms is one that comes under a lot of criticism. Promoting a green and healthy product is key to New Zealand's dairy success.

Yet in Canterbury, one of largest dairy producing regions in New Zealand, only 65 per cent of farmers are fully compliant with environmental regulations. This number is continually increasing, with more and more farmers understanding the importance of maintaining the environment, and more importantly taking measures to protect the environment.

Effluent ponding, discharging effluent too close to a waterway and nitrogen overloading are common issues in some parts of the country.

This week, Fonterra announced further steps to protect water quality by including a new clause in its terms and conditions of supply.

The new condition is that all of the co-op's suppliers must fence all Accord waterways on their farms. Farmers have 18 months from the beginning of next season to become compliant with the new condition of supply.

Fonterra's General Manager Milk Supply Steve Murphy says while many farmers already have 100 per cent stock exclusion, others will have more work to do to become fully compliant.

"The Co-op is going to work with those that need to catch-up by putting environmental improvement plans in place. These plans will include a programme of work to ensure all streams, rivers and lakes are fenced."

Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson said: "I don’t think many people outside of farming appreciate the time, cost and effort we’ve put in over the past decade to improve environmental practices.

"What I hope will come through from Fonterra’s decision is that dairy farmers are doing a lot of real things environmentally. It goes way beyond stock exclusion and I feel the public deserve to know more about modern farming practices."

Undoubtedly any step to improve the environment is a positive one.

Finally, despite environmental concerns, the future for New Zealand's dairy sector couldn't look better. The national herd is increasing at a greater rate than its resident human population, and the industry has seen a record year for the average production per cow - achieving an average of 334 kg milksolids (of which 190kg milkfat and 144kg protein) per cow.

Charlotte Johnston

TheDairySite Book Focus

Applying HACCP-Based Quality Risk Management on Dairy Farms
The aim of this book is to give practical guidelines and examples for dairy farmers, cattle practitioners and extension people, who desire to jointly develop and implement a HACCP-based quality risk management programme.
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Dairy Processing and Quality Assurance
Dairy Processing and Quality Assurance presents a contemporary update and a unique approach to the topics, and is designed to augment related books in the existing market. The editorial team is comprised of individuals with significant experience in the science and applications of dairy products manufacture. Intended for professionals in the dairy industry, Dairy Processing and Quality Assurance also appeals to professors and students in dairy science for its contemporary information and experience-based applications.
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This Week's Feature Articles

We have 5 new features this week:

BVD - A National Eradication Programme 2012
David Graham, from Animal Health Ireland looks at a national eradication for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD).

How to Produce High-Quality Grass Silage
Grass silages represent a low-cost feed which can be distributed during the winter time, according to Biomin. The process of making grass silage is repeated three to four times every year in the same areas. Due to the rapid growth of the grass there is usually an excess of biomass in summer which can be ensiled at relatively low costs, if properly made.

Cleaning Cows From Inside Out
Who knew? Those thick, sharp-tasting orange peels that people would never dream of eating are 'snack heaven' for cows. Research from the USDA Agricultural Research Service looks at the benefits of feeding citrus byproducts to cattle.

Iowa Farm Outlook: Dairy Overview
The future of the dairy industry is a time filled with excitement and animosity due to commodity prices and new technology, says Kristen Schulte, Iowa University Extension team.

FAO Food Outlook: Milk & Milk Products
Since reaching a peak in the ﬁrst quarter of 2011, the FAO international dairy products price index (2002-2004=100) has trended downwards, dropping by 13 per cent between March and October to stand at 204.

Genus - Value through science and genomics

Company News

Immobilise Cattle To Reduce Stress And Costs
GENERAL - Immobilising cattle before carrying out routine work on them will reduce animal stress and injuries, according to FarmGroup.

Global Dairy Cattle Industry News