Farm Manager Report

It has been a pleasing start to the year with good summer rainfall followed by an early season break delivering plenty of moisture to establish early fodder crops. Several paddocks of dominant kikuyu were sprayed out late last year and speed cultivated, producing good soil preparation. The College borrowed a twelve tonne rock roller to flatten rough soils, producing a firm seed bed.

We began seeding on March 17th into marginal moisture and achieved reasonable immediate germination, with the following rains completing the process. Seeding with the new tractors using the auto steer guidance was a huge benefit speeding up the process and improving efficiency.

We have been fortunate to obtain “Centrepoint” guidance subscriptions for both tractors at no cost as we are an educational institution. This has greatly improved tracking accuracy and time of converging. Overall seeding went very well with all crops germinating well and growing fast in the warm conditions. Dairy and beef cattle are now starting to be strip grazed on the early crops.

Beef and Dairy calving is complete with a successful season. Generally there were minimal problems but we did lose two cows from complications. Several sets of twins were mothered onto other cows or raised with the dairy calves in the calf rearing facility. Both beef and dairy cows are now going through the Artificial Breeding synchronisation period, with students exposed to the techniques used to program the livestock and then inseminate them.

Lambing has commenced and with this, the annual fox baiting program. Last year eighty-nine poisoned baits were taken by foxes which demonstrates the very high numbers in the district and the necessity to try and protect the lambs during this vulnerable period.

Cattle Camp

Success for Denmark Students at the Youth Cattle Handling Camp

During the school holidays several students attended the Youth Cattle Handling Camp held at Brunswick. The camp is run by an independent organisation, providing training to all age groups in handling and judging cattle. After a gruelling two days of training, all students competed in two events to demonstrate their skill levels. Denmark students excelled in both competitions. 

Particular mentions to Rori Skinner,  who won overall Champion Beef Handler and Jorja Robins who was placed first in her class in the Parading. Tomas O’Farrell did very well in the Dairy Judging, winning the event. 

Congratulations to all who attended: Rori Skinner, Zoe Skinner, Kasey James, Jack Kondakov, Tomas O’Farrell, Jorja Robins, Libby Miell, Ella Smith, Mathew Edwards and past student Murray Findlay. Their standard of presentation and behaviour was outstanding.