Patricia Gill, Denmark Bulletin
Drought has prompted a rethink in the Denmark cattle industry after farmers have been forced to shoot animals because of a lack of feed and rock-bottom cattle prices.
Farmers, including Steve Birkbeck at the Raintree Farm, have faced their driest season from spring through to autumn, with longer-established farmers saying this season has been the driest since 1982.
“Denmark’s always lush and green at Easter but this year it was like marginal station country,” Mr Birkbeck said.
Due to dry weather, over summer and autumn farmers were short of hay and feeding it out earlier than usual.
One trucking company offered hay at the cost of transport and though welcome this did not satisfy hungry cattle already short of feed.
And at between $10,000-$15,000 a truckload, some farmers were selling cattle at less than the cost of bringing in hay.
Usually a 300kg beast would fetch an average of $500 but this slipped to $300 to $400.
Then the market crashed to zero which as Mr Birkbeck says had been unheard of since the 1970s as had shooting cattle.
A rethink of the beef cattle industry has been to propose running fewer cattle and to not rely on ‘stores’ (animals suitable for breeding or ‘finishing’ or fattening for market) – an expensive method of production.
With running stores, cattle are sent elsewhere, to feedlots and farms, for finishing before they are sold.
Though usually fetching higher prices, when these fall short the transport cost cuts into the bottom line.
“We’ve got to change the way we do business,” Mr Birkbeck said. “We can’t continue to farm like that.”
On Raintree Farm, Mr Birkbeck, who has farmed in Denmark since 1988, runs 220 breeders. He shot 7.5 per cent of his overall herd and due to fire regulations could not burn carcases but had to bury them.
Self-doubt crept in until Mr Birkbeck spoke to other farmers.
A Denmark Beef Co-operative of 10 farmers has been established and fronted Agriculture Minister Jackie Jervis on a recent visit to Denmark.
Mr Birkbeck has run breeders with the idea that the more breeders the more cattle on hand for selling next year.
“That’s the practice of this community for the past 100 years,” he said.
Due to farmers not being in a mood to be ‘talked at‘ but spoken to, a Drought Muster Buster will feature a panel discussion and also an outline of new bushfire regulations ahead of the Bushfire Ready Weekend from November 1-3.
The event will be a chance to connect with others on the emotional, financial and environmental challenges facing the industry.
They can let off some steam with dinner and dancing to conclude the evening.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 15 August 2024.
