Science leaders at cutting edge
Two West Gippsland veterinarians are among four up-and-coming dairy scientists set to make their mark on Australia’s dairy industry after
Market report for 9th and 10th May 2018 Wednesday Fat Sale head 293. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 10 bulls, 251 cows.
Demand for bullocks and veal improved this week lifting averages across these two categories. Numbers were back on last week which could have contributed to this move. Quality was on par with recent weeks in the vealer section, with less of the secondary head. Heifer numbers decreased with 36 head yarded and a little less quality pulled prices back. Steers averaged heavier keeping the per head value steady, although the average slipped. This week’s yard average was 2 cents better at 255.1. 9 bullocks made to 275, up 5 and averaged 248, up 4. 36 heifers made to 257.2, back 40 and averaged 212.4, back 34.
25 steers made to 280, back 9 and averaged 238.5, back 8.
221 vealers made to 351.2, back 4 and averaged 270, up 9.Thursday saw an improvement in all categories, with less head yarded and stronger competition. 10 bulls topped out at 242.2, up 21 on last week and averaged a good 52 cents better at 221.5. Cow numbers halved and made to 219.6, and although this was 8 cents back on the last sale the better prices remained steady, lifting the average 22 cents to 165.4. The yard average was up 24 cents to 169.
Vealers 1 LimX 1 CharX 1 LimX 6 Char 1 Santa 1 Lim Bullocks 1 Ang 7 Ang Steers 1 M/G 2 Ang 1 Lim Heifers
1 Ang N Laukens, Glengarry Export Cows and Heifers 2 M/G J Vicary 1 Ang S&E Board, Catani 1 Ang Blyth Bros, Ellinbank 4 Ang G Brough, Jindivick 1 Ang R Kimber, Buln Buln 1 Hfd J&M Savige, Narracan Dairy Cows 1 Frn K Matherson, Trafalgar 4 Frn G Battley, Trafalgar 2 Frn J Ashby, Bayles 1 Frn G&R Atherton, Drouin 8 Frn J&P O’Connor, M/View 1 Frn M&J Winter, Warragul Sth Bullocks 1 FrnX 11 Frn Bulls 1 Lim 1 Ang
S Thomas, Trafalgar Mrs D Renshaw, Lillico G Blackshaw, Trafalgar P Schroen, Bunyip Nth R&J Reeves, Nambrok R Ferguson, Jindivick
W&R Pyle, Crossover R Lawson, Cloverlea
R Lawson, Cloverlea R Savige, Trafalgar D Paltridge, Moe R&J Reeves, Nambrok C Williamson, Athlone
J&L Oldham, Neerim Sth A&E Board, Catani
SEJ, 4. Landmark, 5. Elders. receiving a grant to attend one of the world’s biggest dairy science conferences.
Warragul’s Tim Luke and Daniel Espinosa will attend
380 430 358 464 400 360
560 615
490 500 515
520
670 760 685 581 610 705
690 691 740 705 620 745
555 518
351.2 350.0 330.0 320.0 320.0 310.0
275.0 270.0
280.0 278.0 274.6
256.2
219.6 208.0 208.0 205.0 198.0 196.6
204.2 201.6 195.2 194.6 191.6 187.2
198.2 193.6
1334 1505 1179 1484 1280 1116
1540 1660
1372 1390 1414
1332
1471 1580 1424 1191 1207 1386
1408 1393 1444 1371 1189 1394
1100 1002
875 227.6 1991 775 209.2 1621 1. Scotts, 2. Gibbon, 3. the 2018 American Dairy Science Association annual meeting where they will collect insights into the latest industry research and innovation to share on their return.
As recipients of the latest round of Dairy Australia’s Dairy Science Travel Grants, they were recognised for their passion for dairy and work already undertaken in the sector.
They will depart in June for a weeklong trip to learn from the leaders in their field.
Tim Luke, who operates his own veterinary practice in Warragul, is presently doing a doctorate of philosophy, dairy science and computational biology.
Tim’s PhD project is looking at ways to improve animal health and resilience through the use of mid-infrared spectral herd testing and genomic selection. He will extend his trip to visit universities working in similar areas in the US and Canada.
“I’m incredibly excited to have been given the opportunity to travel to the USA thanks to the Dairy Australia travel grant,” he said.
“There is so much happening around the world in dairy science and this grant is about helping Australia’s dairy industry benefit from that, so this is a huge responsibility for me.”
Daniel Espinosa has worked extensively with cattle in areas including ruminant nutrition, animal health protocols and pasture management and has a particular interest in animal welfare. Daniel is passionate about dairy and loves working with dairy farmers.
“It’s a real privilege to be able to go to one of the biggest technical conferences in dairy science and I am excited about the opportunity to meet and learn from the people behind the latest in dairy research,” he said.
“As much as I’m looking forward to the conference, the real benefit of this for me will be when I can come home and use my learnings to make a real contribution to Australian dairy”
Dairy Australia program leader Peter Johnson said the grants program was designed to ensure Australia retains a presence at the cutting edge of dairy science. “Australian researchers are responsible for some amazing work but for our industry to keep pace internationally we need to continually be exposed to the latest thinking from around the world,” he said.
The grants are open to applicants who are either early career scientists working in dairy or PhD students researching animal health, animal welfare or genetics and who have a background working in dairy.
Recipients are required to prepare a detailed post-trip report on their learnings and present at Dairy Australia events, conferences and field days in the 12 months after their return.