Drought Proves a Tough Test for Fodder
6 Jun 2008
By Susan McNair, Currie Communications
 On-going drought means the fodder industry continues to struggle to maintain adequate, good quality supply which limits Australian livestock production,
according to large-scale hay producer and contractor Charlie Williams.
“It’s an issue we cannot ignore” says Mr Williams.
“During the past year, livestock producers have had issues in sourcing fodder as low supply and higher prices have resulted in increased demand. With cereal
crops having a significant affect, producing a greater proportion of Australia’s hay
given shorter growing seasons and greater returns, these trends are likely to continue,” he said.
“To enable the fodder industry to be competitive and viable, on-going investment in research and development is vital.”
Based at Elmore, Victoria, Mr Williams manages Jenharwill Baling, a cropping and
integrated hay contracting business which markets over 20,000 metric tonne of quality fodder annually. He believes farmers should adopt best farming practice.
“Whether you believe in climate change or not, we have experienced two severe droughts in recent years. This has had a catastrophic affect on fodder availability and quality,” he says.
“We must improve our quality standards to remain competitive with the rest of the world,” he said. He says there are a number of simple practices available to enhance quality.
“Quality assurance management, using the correct chemicals to control weeds and pests, managing paddock rotations and conditioning fodder will enhance the quality and safeguard the crop to achieve maximum returns.”
“Too many fodder producers do not maintain chemical application records or do not have traceability processes in place and this is bad for their businesses. Our industry must persist in overcoming the difficulties and focusing on quality because we cannot maximise market opportunities without it.”
He says research and development programs have reaped great rewards for the fodder industry in the past and must be maintained.
“New, improved fodder crop varieties, feedtesting of hay to ensure livestock productivity and proposed reforms of hay transport in Australia have assisted in
improvements to the fodder industry,” he says.
“To ensure any industry remains viable, it must get smarter and more efficient. Quality is critical because it continually provides us with new opportunities in new markets. Effective management practices will help improve producer gross
margins amid endless rising input costs,””
Future funding will be discussed at the forthcoming Securing fodder for our future: Industry Summit on June 11. This Summit will outline the challenges for
the Australian fodder industry and discuss the need for secured research and development to overcome quality and availability issues.
Mr Williams is adamant that the fodder industry has a strong future but he sees issues like high currency, overseas competition and potential contamination as negative factors.
“Our export customers need evidence that we are maintaining the finest quality hay that is safe for use in the food chain. Unless we can continue to assure them of this, there is always a danger of losing them.”
“When export opportunities are great, the domestic market does well because one has a positive affect on the other. Export markets actually increase
production of hay which is also available for the domestic market,” he says.
Overcoming the numerous challenges ahead will be a big undertaking but those involved in the fodder industry are being encouraged to consider the solutions.
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