Co-op Newsletter

February 2018 The first newsletter of another year and for many of us an unwanted difficult start to the year. I’m not sure if any of us have had any significant rain since our last newsletter 2 months ago. It’s been a long dry, hot and tough summer. It’s no surprise then that this newsletter talks about options that hopefully can assist our members recover from the dry. We’ve asked our major suppliers about options for growing feed for late autumn and winter either through pasture, forage and/or fertiliser etc.

On the subject of hard seasons we are well aware that the dry season is causing financial stress for many of our members. As a farmer owned business working on very small margins, our debt is basically carried by your fellow farmer members. My major message to members having trouble servicing their accounts is too keep talking to Teresa and/or myself. Our priority is to work through these issues together with members.

AIRR Conference Adelaide 2018

Brian and I have just returned from the AIRR 2018 National Conference in Adelaide. It’s an event where we catch up with major national suppliers and negotiate annual buying deals for the Co-op.

Once Again Yolla Co-op Voted by National Suppliers as “The Most Progressive AIRR Store Nationally”

At a 700 head dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre the Co-op was for the second year running voted by national suppliers as “The Most Progressive AIRR /Tuckers store nationally”. This recognition of the achievements of the Co-op benefits all members as increasing numbers of rural suppliers seek to work alongside the Co-op.

It’s a refreshing change from days past when many suppliers lived in fear of dealing with the Co-op in case it upset their existing relationships with established rural outlets.

Brian and myself accepting the Award at the recent 2018 AIRR Conference Dinner

Global Gallagher Marketing Manager Mark Harris to speak at Co-op function in Smithton The Co-op is pleased to officially announce that Mark Harris International Marketing Manager of Gallagher Animal Management will address Co-op members at an evening at Tall Timbers, Smithton on March 20th. I had the pleasure of hearing Mark talk about the challenges facing the New Zealand Dairy industry in June 2017. He’s an exceptional speaker and it’s a topic he’s well equiped to talk about. Mark owns and manages a 600 head dairy herd in Waikato New Zealand in addition to his role at Gallagher.

Mark’s a mechanical engineer whose passion in Gallagher is in making high technology farming applications farmer friendly or as he puts it “solutions that delight our customers”.

Getting a speaker of Mark’s calibre for this evening is a real coup for the Co-op. We strongly encourage all our members to attend what I believe will be a memorable evening.

It’s almost exactly the first anniversary of the opening of our Yolla store in Smithton. Come along and join local staff to celebrate an important Co-op milestone. For catering purposes members are asked to contact your local store to reserve your seat. Mark Harris Gallagher

Autumn Calving - In the three-week period leading up to calving, a complete ‘Transition’ diet is required to ensure dairy cows start lactation healthy and productive during a demanding period for dairy cows. The Co-op offers quality pre-calving feed from both Rex James and Optimilk designed to achieve this. Contact the Co-op store to discuss your Transition Management program today.

Well done Rex –

Foundation Co-op Member Rex Frankcombe being presented the award for the Champion Steers on the Hoof at the Stanley Show by Peter Greenham recently

News from the Board

We have an ambitious agenda at Board level for the Co-op in 2018 to build upon our growth and achievements in recent years.

At our recent February Board meeting we conducted a mid-year review of our first half results. Despite the challenging season, I’m delighted to report the Co-op has achieved strong growth in sales across the operation in the first half results. Excellent cost control combined with sales growth has produced a sound financial result. While we expect a prolonged dry spell to affect sales in the autumn we’re cautiously optimistic of continued growth this year.

It’s exciting to secure a key note speaker of the calibre of Mark Harris of Gallagher to address our members at Smithton in March. Directors and staff will be attending the function and we encourage members to attend. It’s yet another example of our ongoing commitment to our many members in Circular Head.

Congratulations to Peter, Brian and staff on the Co-op’s Suppliers Award at the recent AIRR Conference. Meeting with suppliers first hand at our 40th Anniversary Open Day last year, Directors and no doubt many of our members are aware of the increasing regard national suppliers have for our Co-op.

On behalf of members I’d like to officially welcome our new Board Secretary Alycia Jones to the Co-op. Alycia will combine her role of Board Secretary with her role as Board Secretary of Multicap Tasmania. Congratulations on your appointment Alycia; we’re confident you will be a valued member of our team here at Yolla.

I mentioned to members earlier Santie Morgado has somewhat reluctantly left her role to launch a business venture with her husband Victor. We wish them both well in this venture and thank Santie for her efforts in her 2 years with the Co-op. Santie has been a much loved and respected member of our team and will be sadly missed.

Alycia Jones Rod Rylah

Fast Feed Options for Autumn - Autumn and winter feed are

often the most valuable as hay and silage feeding can be costly. Here are a number of fast feed options that will offer feed for autumn, winter, good silage and hay prospects as well as in some cases on-going feed. Early sowing is the key to getting the most out of your new grass. Heritage Seeds’ trials with Annual ryegrass indicate that for every two weeks’ delay in sowing after March 15th, there was a penalty of 1 to 1.2 tonnes of dry matter per hectare by the middle of July, which is very valuable feed at that time of the year.

Annual or Italian Ryegrass

Hybrid Ryegrass Oats Autumn Rape

High quality feed Grows like an Italian, lasts

years Suits dry sowing

Very high animal performance

Good animal acceptance Good for 3-5 years+ in right

conditions Reliable

Cheapest option per hectare

Silage, hay and late spring/early summer feed

next season

All benefits of an Italian without the recurring re-

sowing costs.

Bulk feed if chasing fibre. Excellent silage or hay

prospects.

Less bugs etc with autumn sowing.

Winter yield reduced as sowing date gets later

Slightly higher initial seed cost, although lower than

perennial

High NDF, lowest animal performance

Likely means some re-sowing in spring.

25 - 35 kg/ha 25 - 35 kg/ha 100 kg/ha 3 - 5 kg/ha

Feb - early April Feb - early April Feb - April Feb - Mar

Hogan Shogun Genie Interval Aston, Hulk Mammoth Leafmore

Add 2 kg/ha of rape for increased yield. Italians

offer prospects for a second year of growth.

Ideal for over-sowing existing Bealey or Renovator paddocks. Use 20-25kg/ha

for over sowing after grazing down hard.

Add 20% annual or Italian to your cereal for increased

yield and feed quality.

Ideally should be sown, up & going by about 2nd

week of March to be useful.

We asked Phil Mallinson from Olsson’s’ advice for feeding cattle in a dry season. His suggestion; Olsson’s Dry Season plus 10% Urea blocks. They’re an easy, cost-effective method of delivering a balance of minerals and trace elements to the rumen as well as supplementing rumen protein in the form of urea.

Nitrogen (urea), phosphorus and sulphur are some of the major elements required for the synthesis of amino acids and protein. When these elements are balanced the effect is an efficient breakdown of dry and fibrous feeds, such as stubble and dry pastures. Dry Season is effective in promoting and maintaining weight gain. Note urea can be toxic to non-ruminants

such as horses and dogs. Formulated for cattle and sheep only.

We’re getting serious about Grass Seed . The Co-op has the widest range of grass seed options on offer

this year for members than we’ve ever had including; Leading AR 37 perenial ryegrass varieties

Custom blends of perenial, Italian and Annual ryegrass /clover blends from each of our major suppliers

Blends designed for dairy beef and short rotation cropping situations as well as lifestyle farms.

Blends designed for all budget needs

Contact staff at our Wynyard or Smithton store about all your grass seed requirements this autumn

Conference Specials the first truckloads of Conference deals are arriving in Wynyard and Smithton . We’ve

secured great deals across our whole range including;

Cattleguard and Eprinex drenches with great prices and giveaways on offer (Husqvarna and Milwaukee)

Gallagher and Trutest electric fencing range with initial deals on tread ins, solar energisers and larger energisers

Bonus bags of selected Ridley Poultry, Pet and Stockfeeds

End of season clearance deals on silage wrap and net

Bonus bags (10% extra) Pedigree Dog Feed

End of Model Clearance Deals on selected Gallagher solar and mains energisers

Come to our Open Day in May and test drive UBCO The Worlds First “Electric Farm Bike”

Whisper quiet no clutch operation

Dual wheel electric drive

120 km range

50km/hr top speed 63 kg weight

Digitally connected

Great Deals for Co-op Members - Contact your Local Bearepaires Today! Co-op Members are charged only from the farm gate for on farm work – “show your

Membership Card and save Contact your local Bearepaires for pricing

Co-op Diary – Tuesday 20th March 6.30 for 7pm Dinner Function Tall Timbers Smithton. Guest Speakers Mark Harris,

Global Marketing Manager Gallagher Malcolm Linn CEO Gallagher Australia.

Wednesday 23rd May Annual Co-op Open Day Wynyard

Contact Midland tractors for great deals on the full range of John Deere

equipment from heavy duty farm machinery to all-purpose utility tractors

Contact Tim Coldicutt on 0429 902 639 Today

Clearance Sale on Rossi Work Boots - we’re clearing our existing stock of Rossi Boots at

discounted pricing. Get in early as the sale is on existing stock only.

New Stock of Spika Gun Safes have arrived - make sure you are compliant with the

new requirements.

Earthon Laundry Detergent 7.5 Kgs Member Price $39.00 inclusive

Yolla Partners - Show your Yolla

Membership Card and save

February Tankworld Deals for Members

A number on Tankworld deals on offer in Februay Member savings even on advertised specials See the Tankworld website or contact Teresa for details.

Co-op Contact Details Wynyard 64 422470, Smithton 64 521565 Account queries admin@yollaproducers.com.au NOTE For all fertiliser orders please ring Leearn at our Wynyard Store direct on 64 425 273

Call Robyn at WFI Insurances today for all your

insurance needs WFI Insurances - a preferred Yolla Co-op Partner

254 Mount St Upper Burnie (in the Elphinstone Stevens building) 0407 563 612

Steering Brake and Clutch Services

Members will get substantial savings across the entire range of steering/brake and clutch parts and services as well as batteries for all automotive vehicles. Book it back through the Co-op and earn additional loyalty reward savings