Plan ahead when thinking about what to do with non-replacement calves

Under the new regulations, introduced with stage four lockdowns about a fortnight ago, abattoirs and meat processing businesses in regional Victoria must reduce their daily workforce capacity by one-third.

Mr Bennett said Midfield Meats, Warrnambool, and Cedar Meats, Brooklyn, took about 80-85 per cent of sale calves. But he said with spring calving passing its peak, he didn't anticipate any problems with processing.

"Midfield will be doing the right thing, as much as possible," Mr Bennett said.

"Dean McKenna (Midfield) is moving heaven and earth to accommodate us, because it's a vital service; it's not just a special service, it's a vital service."

Mr Bennett said farmers couldn't hold onto calves which were not going back into their herds.

Midfield also processed South Australian spring calves.

Midfield Group general manager Dean McKenna said operations would be assessed on a day-to-day basis.

"We are complying with rules and regulations put in place by the state government," Mr McKenna said.

He said under the new regulations, Midfield could operate "as long as our weekly employee numbers are reduced by 33 per cent.

"What that means is we can man our chains but we cannot work everyday of the week," Mr McKenna said.

Mr McKenna said there was "still a lot going on to reason with the regulators".

"We are still working through the processes," he said.

A Victorian government spokesperson said the concerns of the meat industry had been heard.

"Abattoirs and meat processing facilities are a critical part of the agriculture supply chain - that's why we're continuing to work closely with them to ensure they're getting the information and support they need," the spokesperson said.

But if there were animal welfare issues, that couldn't be managed within the daily workforce reduction, the abattoir could apply to the Chief Veterinarian to use a weekly workforce, instead. Workforce capacity could be applied over the abattoirs usual days of operation, each week.

A business could operate with 80 per cent of staff on site from Monday to Thursday and 15 per cent on Friday. This would make their weekly total 67pc.

Mr Bennett, who runs a herd of 300 cows, said the market for vealers was quite sensitive to supply issues.

"A lot of times, with that type of item, it's about continuity of supply - you can't just turn it on, and off."

Mr Bennett said spring calving also came at a time the plants were running below capacity.

"The lamb kill is down, and the calves compliment that - its how they marry it together,' he said. "And it's good for continuity of work, for those employees."

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria vice-president John Keely, Cohuna, said both his organisation and Dairy Australia had been proactively working with the state government.

"During the first stage of the lockdowns, I spoke to my local agents, and they contacted other abattoirs, to take the calves, in the event there was an issue," Mr Keely said.

He said while August was the peak month for processing sale calves in Victoria, there was the capacity to take them. "One of the positives is that we are already half way through it, we have another two weeks of peak period, then numbers will start to ease off," he said.

"Because we are getting out of peak time, they may only have to hang onto them for a few days at a time."

He said calves could legally be sold, from five days of age to either an abattoir or another farmer.

"It's important people look at their options, that includes calf rearing, selling them, or or getting someone else to rear them."

The chief veterinary officer could also authorise any abattoirs to take non-replacement calves.

Bessiebelle dairy farmer Will McDonald said he wasn't aware of any impact of abattoir restrictions.

"The calf buyer said they would have contingency plans, in place, right across Victoria," Mr McDonald said.

"My information is that the sale of non-replacement calves, should be fine."

Dairy Australia has advised dairy farmers to: