News in brief | Dairy News Australia
If you own or manage a spring- or fall-calving dairy herd, consider applying to participate in this study.
During the collection process, researchers will collect blood samples from sick animals (any disease listed) and healthy cows in the first 70 days of lactation with similar calving histories.
They then genetically genotype the cows and provide farmers with the result at no cost. Blood sample collection will begin in the spring of 2023 until the end of 2024.
The researchers realize that this is a very busy time of year for farmers, and sampling will be planned so as not to disturb any routine.
Do you have any questions or want to register? Contact PhD student Anastasia Kudriashova on 0475850655 or anastasiia.kudriashova@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Big Cheese buys Tassie
Bega Cheese has acquired Tasmanian Betta Milk brands from TasFoods for $11 million.
Located in northwest Tasmania and established in 1956 as a co-operative, the business produces whole milk, cream and lactose-free varieties.
Bega Cheese CEO Barry Irvine said purchasing the iconic Tasmanian brands fit with Bega’s goals to become a great Australian food company.
Your purchase includes Meander Valley Dairy products and a license to use the Pyengana Dairy brand.
TasFoods bought the two companies just four years ago for $13.6 million.
TasFoods retains ownership of the Burnie land and buildings.
The sale is subject to approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
EastAUSmilk holds its Ordinary General Assembly Meeting
EastAUSmilk’s annual general meeting was held in Petsworth, Queensland on August 30, following last year’s meeting in Lismore, New South Wales.
The event was attended by members from New South Wales and Queensland, as well as staff.
In his report, President Matt Trace highlighted the impact of flooding on members, as well as milk pricing issues, and the need to build the image of eastAUSmilk among non-members.
CEO Eric Danzi’s report emphasized the strategic plan developed by the Board of Directors and member services.
Auditor Alan Teese, of Gillow and Teese, discussed the financial report with members, and all reports were subsequently accepted.
Attendees were then welcomed to Peter Garratt’s nearby dairy farm in Southbrook, where Peter spoke in detail about his feeding and feeding practices, which allow for a much higher carrying capacity, and therefore profitability, than pasture feeding alone.
In conjunction with the AGM, the eastAUSmilk Board of Directors also met in person, and considered wide-ranging issues such as the Northern Dairy Plan, artificial insemination, dairy beef exports, and Bermuda grass.
They also received an update on government relations matters, particularly government funding for dairy programs, and the proposed purchase of two Saputo milk processing facilities by Coles.
Mike Smith, EastAUSmilk’s director of government relations, said the board also discussed increasing the use of technology, to allow online attendance at future annual general meetings for members who cannot be there in person.
He said both the Board and the AGM had spent time discussing the very positive membership growth in NSW following the merger of Dairy Connect and QDO, and regional visits by the CEO.
