In 2019, we began direct sourcing Coles Own Brand fresh white milk in Victoria and the south coast of New South Wales, giving farmers the option of one, two or three-year contracts with transparent pricing, providing them greater confidence over their income so that they can better plan for their future.
Since then, the program has expanded to dairy farmers in the Riverina, South Australia and Western Australia (2020) and now covers sixty-three farms (as at July 2021). Expanding our direct sourcing model to Tasmania (2021) will help secure ongoing supply of local Coles Own Brand fresh white milk for Tasmanian customers.
In addition, in FY21 we expanded the model to include direct milk sourcing for Coles Own Brand cheese, sourcing milk predominantly from Victoria. Extending the direct-sourcing model is part of Coles’ commitment to investing in a more sustainable future for the Australian dairy sector.
In addition to creating a direct sourcing model, Coles has established the Coles Sustainable Dairy Development Group (CSDDG), through which Coles invests directly in on-farm sustainability projects in consultation with dairy farmers.
Farmers participate in the CSDDG through regional meetings which occur throughout the year. During the first half of FY21, due to the inability to meet face-to-face, regional meetings were conducted virtually.
The CSDDG, supported by investment from Coles, has delivered on-farm initiatives such as the purchase of defibrillators and implementation of animal healthcare technology trials.
In FY21, the CSDDG joined a three-year project to develop a Clinical Mastitis Decision Support Tool. This is a collaboration between Food Agility Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Dairy Australia, DataGene, University of Sydney, University Technology Sydney and Charles Sturt University. The project seeks to reduce the use of antibiotics in the treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows, and to ensure that the most appropriate antibiotics are used.
In FY21, an observational trial was conducted in the peak of summer across eight dairy farms in Western Victoria, South Australia, north-east Victoria, and Riverina New South Wales. The trial gathered data insights to better understand herd management practices in relation to heat stress, using a rumen bolus technology system.
Based on the preliminary observations, farmers were able to identify various ways they could improve their management practices to reduce heat stress in cows.
These included:
- bringing cows home earlier to shade;
- management activities to increase airflow and utilise tree lines;
- reacting earlier when temperatures are to exceed 25°C;
- continuing heat stress reduction actions for longer periods after the temperature had dropped;
- the use of split milkings to drive smaller mob sizes;
- improving access to drinking water through additional troughs; and
- increased sprinkler use.
Based on the initial findings, the trial is being scaled up to further regions across Australia and to include up to ten more farms.
A farm safety best practice pilot was also launched offering farmers a comprehensive independent farm safety assessment to help them enhance and support their farm safety program.
In response to COVID-19, Coles supported farmers by providing hand sanitiser, masks, biosecurity signs and, in Victoria, support with the development of COVID Safe Plans. We will continue to provide support as needed.