Australia - Holstein Week will show black and white advantage
Published:April 13, 2006
Source :Holstein Australia
Australia's largest breed society, the Victorian State Branch of Holstein Australia, is expecting hundreds of visitors to dairy farms across the State later this month when it stages its inaugural Holstein Week.
The event will run from April 26 through to May 5, and will see dairy farms across all sections of Victoria holding farm walks and information days.
All participating farms will be open from 10.30am to 2.30pm and will include a free BBQ lunch which is being sponsored by NAB Agri-Business.
Each will host speakers on a variety of subjects including marketing, pasture growth, herd improvement, nutrition, water and improving production.
Holstein Australia Victorian President, Mark Flemming, said, "The concept is a great way to showcase some of the great dairy herds throughout southern Australia and provide dairyfarmers with current information and relevant speakers", he said.
"Each farmer does things differently and seeing the results of other dairyfarmers' ideas and investments can help us all in our businesses."
Holstein Week is also about engaging commercial dairy farmers.
"All dairy farmers face the same challenges in operating a successful business, whether they are stud breeder or a commercial farmer," says Matthew Shaffer, CEO of Holstein Australia.
"There are now many members who are commercial operators using our services to help maximise production through registered and classified Holsteins", he said.
Latest figures from the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme show that purebred Holsteins produce over 1,000 more litres of milk than grade animals and top the tables among all other breeds, with average production of 6,672 litres compared to 5,658 litres from cross-breeds.
