Port Campbell and Cooriemungle Discussion Group meeting – Loveday’s

Port Campbell and Cooriemungle Discussion Group meeting Lovedays

The last few years have seen some significant changes on Fred and Jacinta Lovedays farm at Laang. Investment in infrastructure has set the farm up for the future and increased business flexibility.

The flood-washed feedpad, concrete feed bunkers and mixer wagon have minimised feed wastage, driven dry matter intake and enabled different feed types to be used in the balanced diet fed to the high producing herd of 600 Holsteins.

A calf shed that comfortably holds 200 calves was built in 2023 and has transformed the calf rearing system on the farm, slashing labour requirements and improving calf health.

The most recent addition is the 140m X 30m steel framed cow shelter. The Lovedays are heading into their second winter with the shed. Its primary use is to prevent pugging and increase comfort (cow and people) during winter, with the aim to maximise production from pasture throughout the year.

Being able to carry more cows during winter and the capacity to rear more calves in one shed has also led to a change in the calving pattern. The herd is moving to a single calving for 12 weeks commencing in February previously the herd was split between autumn and spring. This will simplify the system and produce more milk when prices are higher.