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Official website of the Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation Ltd.

The Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation plays an active role in ensuring its members have access to the most up-to-date information. Our objectives are to protect the interests of Queensland dairyfarmers and ensure that their views are adequately represented. We aim to ensure that all matters affecting the dairy industry are effectively addressed to improve the efficiency and welfare of our members.

For a complete library of all QDO Media Releases click on the
"Media Release" link on the Left Hand Side of Your Screen.

QDO WELCOMES INTERIM DROUGHT SUPPORT FOR ATHERTON TABLELAND DAIRY FARMERS 1st of September 2003.

The Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation (QDO), today welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to declare the Exceptional Circumstances application for the Atherton Tablelands region a prima facie case.

QDO Chief Executive Officer Adrian Peake said the declared region covers the shires of Atherton, Eacham and the north-eastern section of Herberton. “Some producers have missed out on the interim assistance, but if full EC is declared they should be covered by a buffer zone covering the rest of the Herberton and Mareeba shires, which was part of our EC application”.

Salvinia is a perennial, free-floating aquatic plant native to Brazil. It has become established in Queensland after escaping from aquariums. It forms dense mats that clog water bodies including slow-moving fresh and brackish streams, or still water ponds. This affects water quality, water flow, wildlife, irrigation areas and recreational activities.

The National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) will tour the Atherton Tablelands Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance application area this Thursday and Friday the 21^st and 22^nd of August 2003, as they make a full assessment of the application.

The Joint DIAA / QDO Conference will be held on the 4^th & 5^th of August, followed by a dedicated QDO day on Wednesday 6^th August, at the Quest Hotel at North Quay, Brisbane, commencing with a breakfast, followed by discussion of industry issues, workshops and presentations. One of the highlights of the Conference will be the testimonial dinner for Pat Rowley and his wife Mary on the Tuesday night. We ask members to think about any past members that may wish to attend the dinner and or conference. If you know of any interested parties please ask them to contact the QDO to register as soon as they can.

QDO TAKES UP THE CHALLENGE IN FREE TRADE TALKS WITH THE USA 2nd of July, 2003

A six member dairy industry delegation is heading to the United States of America to discuss and explore the possibilities for free trade with the US and the opportunities for value-added dairy exports from Australia.

Lantana is a densely branched perennial shrub that belongs to the Verbenaceae family. It is a common plant to all coastal regions in Queensland extending up to the far north.

A change in leadership at the helm of Australia's peak dairy industry body, Australian Dairy Farmers' (ADF) has seen Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation Wes Judd elected to the role of ADF Vice President.

QDO WELCOMES WIDER BURNETT REGION INTERIM DROUGHT SUPPORT 16th of June, 2003

The Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation (QDO), today welcomed the Federal Government's decision to declare the Exceptional Circumstances application for the wider Burnett region a prima facie case.

The QDO welcomed todays announcement that up to 2500 primary producers including Dairy Farmers in the Central Queensland and South East Qld areas are eligible for full Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance.

QDO State Council met in Brisbane on May 19 and 20 to discuss issues including Farm Gate returns, Vegetation management, Drought, SafeFood, Research and Development and Property Rights, in all some 60 issues were covered over the two day period, which also saw presentations to the board by David Lord from Pauls/ Parmalat and SafeFood Queensland.

Pat Rowley today announced his retirement as President of the QDO after 25 1/2 years of service. The State Council at it's meeting today appointed Wes Judd as the New QDO President and Brian Tessmann as Vice President.

The Sprecial General Meeting of the QDO held today, was well attended, given the current circumstances, and a large number of proxies were received from interested members who were unable to attend. The meeting successfully passed all resolutions put to members, by a massive majority, in some cases the resolutions were carried unanimously.

Investment in the R & D side of Australia's dairying industry continued to deliver benefits of $3.20 for each dollar invested, according to the latest annual report of the Dairy Research and Development Corporation.

A recent dairy effluent trial showed that effluent applied to silage regrowth provided a combined feed/fertiliser benefit of more than $2000 per megalitre.

Extra care at the end of each milking could reduce the risk of mastitis infection by 30% to 50% according to Dr Pauline Brightling, the head of Australia's udder health campaign, Countdown Downunder.

The end of every milking for each cow is a high-risk period for mastitis infection, she says. Correct timing and technique in removing milking cups can reduce the risk. Click here to read more.

We have updated our Health page to include up to date information regarding Q Fever, including links to the National Q Fever website containing details of Doctors qualified to administer the Q Fever vaccination.

We have included a Drought Page in the site to provide information on available Drought Assistance including Agnotes from NSW Agriculture giving tips on surviving the drought, contact details for Drought Assistance Programs and helpful drought links.

The Rural Water Use Efficiency site is now operational, the site has been developed to provide irrigators with a way of accessing the vast amount of information already obtained during the course of this project. The site allows you to register an email address and indicate a number of various subjects of interest, a region and whatever information pertaining your your preferences that is on the database will be sent to you by email. The site also provides contact details for various members of the Project team should you require any further information.

Dairy farms in Southern Victoria could increase annual income by as much as $32,000 by addressing low seasonal milk fat concentrations, according to new research.

PRODUCERS URGED TO EXERCISE CAUTION WITH DROUGHT FEED 24th of September, 2002

Livestock producers in drought-affected areas need to be cautious of the dangers of feeding their animals with waste crops that may contain chemical residues, the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Warren Truss, said today.

Mr Truss said he was well aware of the tough circumstances many producers are facing because of drought, but it was vital that they took great care in choosing their stockfeed. There have been some recent cases where farmers desperate to obtain feed have turned to unusual sources, only to be confronted with chemical residue issues.

Dairy cows want a cushy life. They have proven it to South Australian researchers investigating what surfaces the cows preferred to walk on.

Designing and maintaining the paths that cows walk on at least twice a day is an important part of farm management.

REDUCING COST IMPACTS OF THE CATTLE TICK INSPECTION FEES 7th of August, 2002

Click here to read the full article which explains some procedures that dairyfarmers may apply to lower the impact of the newly introduced cattle tick inspection fees.

Dairy farmers will benefit from a new technique that measures bacterial and bulk cell counts faster and more accurately.

The rapid analysis uses flow cytometry*, which cuts the time taken to identify milk-borne bacteria to just an hour, rather than the current 72 hours.

"More rapid and reliable testing means quicker identification of any problems on-farm. It also means improved confidence in dairy products," says Professor Duncan Veal from Macquarie University's Department of Biological Sciences.

Research supported by the Dairy Research and Development Corporation (DRDC) has shown it is possible to predict a bull's fertility - and save the Australian dairy industry up to $6m a year.

The South East Queensland sub-regional farmer team of Subtropical Dairy has compiled a five-page guide to spreading chicken manure as pasture fertiliser. The guide notes that: "Appropriate preventative management techniques are necessary to reduce any potential risks to dairy cattle grazing the pastures. These risks may include pathogens (harmful organisms), chemical residues and excess nutrients, which can build up if adequate control measures are not implemented."
In Queensland, chicken litter is permitted for use as a fertiliser on pasture. However, it is not permitted for use directly into stock feed due to the risk of botulism. Decomposing chicken carcasses in chicken litter may contain the botulinum toxin, which causes the disease in cattle when ingested. Purchasers of chicken litter should insist that the raw litter does not contain chicken carcasses.
Chicken litter contains the major plant nutrients, organic matter and trace elements which contribute to optimal dairy pasture production.
When using chicken litter as fertiliser, appropriate management techniques should be implemented to minimise the potential health risks to grazing cattle: correct application of nutrients to meet pasture requirements effectively monitoring soil to avoid the build up of nutrients or other contaminants three-week spelling after application to: minimise pathogen survival, minimise palatability problems for cattle, maximise chemical breakdown, allow for pasture regrowth.

Growing different types of pasture could give dairy farms of Southern Australia longer and more profitable growing seasons, according to the initial results of a research trial in south-west Victoria.

Australian dairyfarmers could eradicate the bacterial infection that was once the main cause of mastitis, says the national Countdown Downunder leader.

Dr Pauline Brightling believes strep ag (Strep agalactiae) could be eliminated from dairy herds nationally.

It's the one mastitis-causing bacteria that can be eradicated from dairy herds, she said.

Dr Darren Trott, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland is investigating PDD, a chronic contagious disease that is most common cause of lameness in dairy cattle in the USA & Europe.

For almost two decades, Bayticol pour-on cattle tickicide has offered the northern cattleman an effective and convenient treatment for ticks on cattle and in some market areas has consigned plunge dipping to the history books.

Recently the National Registration Authority (NRA) reached a conclusion that Bayticol pour-on may pose a risk to Australia’s overseas trade in beef. In response, Bayer has decided to voluntarily cancel the registration of Bayticol pour-on from 31^st March 2002. There is to be a complete recall of the product by 31^st August 2002.

It is understood that after the 31^st March 2002, it will be unlawful to use the product on cattle.

There is no material fault with Bayticol pour-on and the cancellation and recall are entirely related to trade issues with beef to the US market.

The NRA action and this announcement by Bayer does NOT apply to Bayticol cattle dip and spray which can continue to be sold and used.

ADHIS ANNOUNCES SOMATIC CELL COUNT (SCC) AND LIVEWEIGHT ABV's 18th of January, 2002

Dairyfarmers will have two new tools to improve genetic selection from February 2002, with the inclusion of SCC and Liveweight Australian Breeding Values (ABV's).

QDO recently had a request for chemicals that could be used to control Giant Parramatta Grass - Sporobulus africanus.
A check with the Department of Primary Industries indicated that products containing either of these active ingredients Flupropanate sodium or Glyophosate – IPA will control this weed.
If purchasing these chemicals interstate, check with your Department of Agriculture to see that they are registered for use in your state.

The Queensland Law Society has produced a "Primary Producers Legal Guide". It covers topics such as
Land Tenure
The Environment
Income Tax Concessions for Natural Disasters
Stock & Animals
Dividing Fences
Employer/Employee relationships
Finance
Succession
Vehicles & Defective Machinery

QDO has received several queries regarding the use of Acatak on beef cattle when they are run with dairy cattle. Novartis Animal Health has kindly provided the following information.

Novartis Acatak Information Sheet