Sales deliver cash to farmers

One million litres of Farmers’ Fund milk has been sold at Coles’ supermarkets in Victoria since the product’s launch last September.

Forty cents a litre from the milk sales has been directed to the Farmers’ Fund, which was established by the VFF to provide practical support to dairy farmers in south eastern Australia.

As a result of the sales and a $1 million donation to the fund from Coles, grants of up to $20,000 were allocated to 60 farming families in the first round of funding. Additional grants are due to be allocated in the second round of funding this month.

VFF president and chair of the Farmers’ Fund Advisory Panel David Jochinke said the VFF was delighted to see consumers choosing to support dairy farmers through the purchase of Farmers’ Fund milk.

“It is encouraging that consumers continue to show their support for the Farmers’ Fund initiative. One million litres of milk sold is a strong milestone and allows us to continue providing grants to farmers in need,” said Mr Jochinke.

Young dairy farmer, Jason Riley from Dumbalk in Victoria is a first round Farmers’ Fund grant recipient and put his $20,000 in funding towards pasture and paddock renovations on his farm.

Applications for the third round of Farmers’ Fund grants opened yesterday.

Market report for 15th and 16th February 2017 Wednesday Fat Sale 466 head. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 28 bulls, 389 cows

The Wednesday fat sale this week contained a smaller number of head with 466 penned. This was mainly due to less bullocks and steers delivered. Vealer numbers were consistent with last week, although a larger percentage of well finished head saw the average rise by $55 per head, and a 6 cents rise in the per kilo price. A larger number of heifers also saw demand lift with a good selection on offer, with very few secondary head present. Steers remained firm on the last sale and bullocks slipped 7 cents with only a few penned and not a large selection for buyers to push each other on. This week’s yard average lifted 9 cents to 326.4.

14 bullocks topped at 314.6, back 6 and averaged 284.6, back 7.

44 heifers topped at 329.6, up 11 and averaged 284.3, up 40. 19 steers topped at 328, firm and averaged 301.4, firm. 387 veal topped at 381.6, up 5 and averaged 338.6, up 6. Numbers on Thursday were similar to last week’s sale, and demand was stronger giving both cows and bulls a lift. 28 bulls averaged lighter but with the demand remaining firm, managed to average 6 cents up at 237.6. A larger percentage of dairy bulls was penned, with the top sale making to 269.6 cents. The cow top this week was up 2 cents to 285.6, and with 389 head on offer the average lifted 2 cents to 205.8, with this week’s yard average up 3 cents to 208.8.

1 LimX 3 Lim 1 Lim 1 LimX 1 LimX 3 Lim

2 Ang 4 Sim

J Tyrrell, Yarragon I&A Hancock, Poowong Bedad P/L, Thorpdale C&K White, Yannathan R&J Buchanan, Bena D&J Purvis, Modella

R Pollock, Heyfield Sharman and Turner E/B

6 Char H&S Ziebell, Lillico Export Cows and Heifers 1 Ang Piano Hill Farms, D/Wst 1 Ang P Craker, Heath Hill 19 Ang M&A Pisa, Thorpdale Dairy Cows 1 Frn V Savage, Ripplebrook 2 Frn R Hope, Catani 1 Frn P Morgan, Trafalgar 1 Frn DPI, Ellinbank 6 Frn J Pratt, Darnum 1 Jsy R Pearn, Yinnar Bullocks 1 HfdX 2 Frn Bulls 1 Frn 2 Frn T Smith, Drouin F Kiss, Yarragon

K&J Lawrence, Jindivick D&S Morgan, Yanakie

Scotts, 3. Elders, 4. Landmark, 5. SEJ.

320 374.2 1197 375 373.6 1401 390 370.0 1443 370 365.0 1350 470 364.2 1711 370 361.6 1337

453 328.0 1485 535 280.0 1498

446 329.6

605 262.6 1588 565 257.2 1453 686 242.8 1666

555 248.6 1379 808 235.0 1898 665 225.0 1496 670 216.0 1447 685 214.0 1465 490 210.0 1029

765 250.0 635 248.2

1470

1912 1576

860 253.2 2177 872 234.2 2042 1. Gibbon, 2.