Up to 100 bulls will be donated to dairy farmers in northern Victoria in a program to help them raise income through sales of the dairy-beef-cross progeny.
The project is being co-ordinated by charity Igniting Change with logistics to be organised through Elders Bendigo.
Herefords Australia chief executive officer Alex Ball said the organisation thought the project was worthwhile.
“Hereford bulls with high estimated breeding values for calving ease, growth and carcass characteristics would provide surplus calves of higher value to dairy farmers, beef finishers and processors,” Dr Ball said.
“Calving ease, marketability of the progeny and gestation length are key drivers for the dairy industry, while eating quality is a primary need of the beef industry, and Herefords are a breed that can deliver in both areas.”
Igniting Change’s Charles Lane said the organisation had been working with dairy farmers for some years to offer counselling, bill payment and food aid.
“But it would be better if farmers could be helped to trade out of their difficulties,” Dr Lane said.
Milk companies would approach farmers to apply for donated bulls, he said.
Bulls are donated and sold after two years, with the salvage value given back to the producers who donated them.
Kanimbla Herefords at Holbrook, NSW, will donate two bulls, and principal Mark Baker said it was “worthwhile” project he was happy to support.
Source: WeeklyTimes
Link: http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/cattle/herefords-australia-bull-donor-scheme-a-dairy-saver/news-story/4fce70df909c632985b749844d85d2d6
