From Darnum factory to African families

Market report for 13th and 14th September 2017 Wednesday Fat Sale 195 head. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 25 bulls, 377 cows

Vealer numbers were up this week with 54 extra penned. Quality was on par with recent weeks with some handy bodies in the better pens. Although the top was slightly easier at 363.2, the extra numbers were mainly the better quality head and the good prices remained over extra pens. This lifted the vealer average 8 cents to 291.4. Numbers in the other categories remained light and with the lower numbers competition was easier with all bullocks. Steers and heifers slipping on average. The larger amount of good veal pens lifted the yard average 6 cents to 278.

On Thursday bull numbers were up, with around half the pens containing light weight younger bulls. This week’s top was improved at 286 cents, but with the lighter bulls the average slipped to 224.3. There were more cattle yarded with 377 head penned. The top price in the cow section was firm at 247.2. Demand in the lighter pens eased bringing the cow average back 29 cents to 174.4.

2 LimX 1 SimX 2 LimX 5 CharX 5 Ang Bullocks 3 Ang Steers 1 Ang 1 Ang 1 SimX Heifers 2 Ang D&S Russel, Buln Buln 1 BldX P&A Drew, Mt View Export Cows and Heifers 3 CharX D&P Roberts, Yarragon 1 Char Johnson & Wood, Neerim Dairy Cows 1 Frn J&J Tekema, Neerim Nth 1 Frn G&T Gardiner, Catani 1 Frn R&R Peacock, Modella 1 Frn Walhalla TPT, Warragul 1 Frn IFES Co, Modella 1 Frn S&L Finger, Yannathan 1 Frn M Attenborough, Poowong Bulls 1 Bld 1 Ang 1 Ang 1 Frn

S Bentley, Garfield M,J&I Crawford, Darnum L&M McKenzie, Tynong F&K Matthews, Yarram J Cochrane, Nar Nar Goon

B Sutton, Modella

KRG Ross, Delburn G&H Ferguson, Shady Ck P&A Drew, Mt View B Repinac, Jindivick I Barratta, Strzelecki S&L Contracting, Yarragon Roanda Farms, Childers

3. Elders, 4. Gibbon, 5. Landmark.

322 365 420 303 396

693

490 535 510

465 470

686 530

705 635 635 555 555 705 690

363.2 345.0 331.2 326.6 310.0

255.0

287.6 282.6 274.2

285.0 260.2

242.0 226.6

225.6 225.6 217.2 215.6 215.0 215.0 212.0

1169 1259 1391 989 1227

1767

1409 1511 1398

1325 1222

1660 1200

1590 1432 1379 1196 1193 1515 1462

790 286.6 2264 945 275.0 2598 905 271.2 2454 860 264.6 2275

1. Scotts, 2. SEJ,

For first generation dairy farmers Anthony and Tamara Hill and their three teenage children Jordan, Zali and Ada, there is something special about the milk from their 600 dairy cows that until now, no one else knew.

The Hill family run a growing herd on a lease of 240 hectares in Middle Tarwin in South Gippsland.

Their dairy farm is where Fonterra sources some of its fresh Australian milk for a specially fortified milk powder that will provide dairy nutrition in Africa and other countries where disposable income is restricted.

The fortified milk powder has just started coming off the line at Fonterra’s Darnum site.

It is created by combining high-quality Australian-sourced skim milk

powder with edible fat, so it remains high in protein but is a more affordable alternative to whole milk powder.

For example, in Nigeria children get their dairy from local shops and kiosks, which sell this type of milk powder in single-serve sachets, small enough for children to tear open and consume directly by pouring into their mouths without adding water.

Without accessible refrigeration, transport or the income to purchase fresh milk, long-lasting powdered milk is an important source of protein in parts of Africa.

It is used to make yoghurt, and can be added to bakery or rice dishes to boost nutrition.

Anthony says his family were proud to learn that their milk will be used to make an affordable milk powder destined for families in Africa.

“It’s good to know that our high quality milk is helping families in other parts of the world to access the dairy nutrition that we in Australia can sometimes take for granted,” said Anthony.

Anthony said seeing the global demand for his milk and its reach gives him confidence for the future.

“My 17 year old son, Jordan, is now getting more involved with our farm. Seeing the demand coming through for different applications of dairy ingredients shows we are part of a much larger global food chain.

“This gives us some optimism about what the future holds for our family in Australian dairy.”