MPO Milk Bulletin 13 October 2017

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LOCAL MARKET

High alert warning about plant pests

Following the recent outbreak of African army worm in canola and wheat in the Western Cape, plant pests are expected to increase significantly in summer. Reports indicate that farmers will most likely face a challenging season. The invasive army worm is expected to emerge again in summer rainfall areas and the Western Cape.
CropLife South Africa urges producers to invest in scientific monitoring tools such as pheromone traps and to start pest vigilance programmes in all crops.  It is also advised that early detection of plant pests should become standard practice for all farmers to ensure that pests can be effectively controlled before inflicting serious damage to crops. To read more, click HERE.

 Maintaining rumen pH balance in dairy herds

In an article recently published in Farmer’s Weekly MPO CEO Dr Chris van Dijk and Kenneth Botha, dairy feed specialist at Barnlab, share valuable advice on the prevention and treatment of subacute rumen acidosis in dairy herds through good feeding practices and optimal feed formulation. They highlight the importance of identifying subacute rumen acidosis, monitoring manure consistency, the correct mixing of feed, equipment maintenance and the analysis of raw materials. To read the article, click HERE.

Selected  highlights from MPO national congress

The programme of the recently held MPO national congress with the theme “Up your game” included presentations on “Taking the sting out of B-BBEE” by Anton de Wet from Netvalue Equity Partners, “Tough decisions in tough times” by MPO CEO Dr Chris van Dijk and “Dealing with the challenges of heat stress in dairy herds” by Gill Inbar, consultant at Munters.
To listen to interviews on RSG Landbou with Dr Chris van Dijk and Anton de Wet, click HEREand HERE, respectively.
To view Gil Inbar’s presentation, click HERE. For more information contact Phillip Dickinson at 083 633 3764 or send an email to phillip.dickinson@munters.co.za.

Please support the MPO’s statutory survey

The MPO administers a statutory measure in terms of the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (47 of 1996), which requires milk producers to register with the MPO and provide records and returns to the organisation. Questionnaires requesting information on milk product and cow numbers were sent out to all milk producers registered with the MPO last week and are being followed up by telephone. Producers are requested to complete the questionnaires and return them to the MPO by email as soon as possible.
The information is needed as it will enable the MPO to provide milk producers with updated and accurate statistics on the primary dairy industry. For further information contact Dr Koos Coetzee at 012 843 5600 or send an email to koos@mpo.co.za.

INTERNATIONAL MARKET

Dairy Herd Management Innovation Awards 2017 

The winners of the 2017 Top 10 Dairy Innovation Awards and the People’s Choice winner were announced at the World Dairy Expo, Madison, Wisconson last week. Dairy Herd Management’s Innovation Awards recognise and celebrate the top new products that assist  dairy farmers in improving their efficiency, productivity and profitability. Entries were assessed for their usefulness, uniqueness, return on investment and ability to improve herd performance or day-to-day dairy farm management. The top 10 products in the 2017 Dairy Herd Management Innovation Awards include a hand-held forage analysis tester, a smartphone feed app, an automatic calf feeder, a livestock water recycling system and a bedding dryer.  To read more, click  HERE.

New Zealand infant formula exports to China booming

Economists at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) state that New Zealand’s exports of infant formula to China have increased by 40% since 2010. They forecast that export value will soon rise above NZ$1 billion. New Zealand is a major player in the Chinese infant formula market even though stringent infant formula regulations were introduced thath resulted in only 13 New Zealand-based manufacturers being allowed to export the products to China. ANZ further projects the growth of the Chinese infant formula market at 5,4% annually to 2021 owing to, among other things, higher income, continued urbanisation and the relaxation of the one-child policy.  To read more, click HERE.

Whey protein 

A survey conducted by the European Whey Processors Association (EWPA) indicated that there is a nutritional knowledge gap and untapped potential in the EU market for whey protein. It was found that, although consumers are interested in nutrition and exercise, there is a lack of awareness and communication about the nutritional benefits of whey protein. The EWPA Secretary General said: “The survey shows there is no doubt that clear, targeted communications will create increased demand for whey protein in European markets.” To read more, click HERE.

 Why farmers need to attend the WDS 2017

“Making a Difference with Dairy” is the theme of the World Dairy Summit (WDS) 2017 to be held in  Belfast, Ireland from 29 October to 3 November 2017. WDS 2017 will give dairy farmers a good overview of the role dairy plays in feeding the world and the opportunity to share experiences and ideas with their counterparts from all over the world.  From the opening symposium with presentations from leaders of international dairy companies to sessions on the marketing of dairy, nutrition, animal health and welfare, developing dairy leaders, breeding and managing future dairy herds, and all of the people needed to make the business work, it will be worthwhile for farmers to attend.
The technical tours offered at the end of the week provide an ideal opportunity to network and see all of the technical developments taking place in Northern Ireland.
The IDF states: “The dairy market is global these days and the IDF World Dairy Summit is the best chance there is to understand what the future holds for those farmers that plan to be growing their businesses and feeding the world over the next 50 years.” To read more, clickHERE.

TRAINING
Schedule your dairy farm training now
Helene Pheiffer, training manager at the MPO, urges milk producers to schedule their dairy farm training as soon as possible. The Institute for Dairy Technology is continuously updating its schedule of training programmes for 2017. Their courses, some of which form part of Milk SA projects, are aimed at dairy farm workers and supervisors. Click HERE for details of the training programmes offered. Please contact Chantel Joubert at 012 843 5747 or send an e-mail tochantel@mpo.co.za  or Jas Wasserman at 082 490 2465 or send an e-mail to jas@mpo.co.zafor assistance and/or to book a five-day course.
Dairy management courses in October and November

A pasture management course will be presented at Orange Grove Dairy, Dundee and the Cedara Agricultural College in Howick from 30 October to 3 November 2017. The course will deal with pastures and farm planning, feed flow and pasture management, as well as the nutritional value and health risks of pastures.
Call Chantel Joubert at 012 843 5747 or contact her at chantel@mpo.co.za and Jas Wasserman at 012 843 5743 or contact her at jas@mpo.co.za for enquiries and registration for attending these courses.

MPO helps with occupational health and safety issues
The MPO’s Institute for Dairy Technology offers a five-day training course on the occupational health and safety code of best practice for dairy farmers. The course is practical and equips participants with the knowledge they need to comply with the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Training is conducted on-farm in the language of preference. Dairy farmers who need assistance in complying with the Department of Labour’s health and safety requirements on their farms are encouraged to contact the Institute to schedule a training programme. The Institute is currently scheduling its training programmes for 2017. Click HEREfor details of all the training programmes offered. Please contact Chantel Joubert at 012 843 5747 or send an e-mail to chantel@mpo.co.za  or Jas Wasserman at 082 490 2465 or send an e-mail to jas@mpo.co.za for assistance and/or to book a five-day course.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
What was total SA milk supply in August?
Do you know how much milk was supplied in South Africa in August 2017? Put your knowledge to the test and stand a chance to win. A winner will be announced every month and there are several prizes to be won. After 12 draws, a national winner will be announced at the MPO’s 2018 gala dinner. Click HERE for more information and instructions on how to enter.
                  

Choosing the best milking facility

A well-designed milking centre allows the animals, milk and wastewater to be handled effectively and efficiently. Decisions concerning the milking centre are some of the most complicated decisions a dairy producer has to make. Milking procedures, herd size, expansion plans, milking interval and the producer’s equity position influence these decisions. A single type of parlour will not meet the needs of all dairy producers. To find out how to select a parlour type best suited to your specific needs, turn to page 90 of the October issue of The Dairy Mail for an article by Rykie Visser, development manager for Africa at Agrinet. To read the digital copy of TDM, go towww.agriconnect.co.za.

EVENTS
The Big Farm Taste – from goat to beer!
Cheese, wine, craft beer, Boer goat meat, skaapstertjies, tripe and ice cream… all these delicacies and more await you at the Big Farm Taste on the Sandringham farm outside Stellenbosch on Saturday, 14 October 2017.
Agri-Expo, organiser of the popular South African Cheese Festival, promises a brand-new tasting experience of all things farm, both for farmies as well as townies. Visitors can look forward to unique combinations such as Bok&Bier (Boer goat meat and craft beer next to the braai). An array of craft and artisan products such as wine, Karoo lamb sosaties, roosterkoek, steak, yoghurt and ice cream will be available for tasting and sale at food and wine stalls.
Visit www.livestock.org.za for more information; follow Livestock on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or contact Agri-Expo on 021 975 4440 or admin@agriexpo.co.zaPress Release.

Published on Friday, 13th October 2017 - 20:07

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