In this episode, Dairy Australia’s General Manager – Sustainable Dairy, Charlie McElhone speaks with Western Australian dairy farmer Michael Partridge about the trade and export opportunities available to farmers, and the relevance for the state’s fresh milk production. The pair discuss the importance of growth and opportunities for Australian dairy, as well as the need for free trade agreements and work required to remain competitive. Find out more about how Dairy Australia is improving market ...
May 30, 2024•17 min•Ep. 111
In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Analysis and Insights Manager, Eliza Redfern and Head of Economics, Data and Insights, John Droppert, discuss the May Situation and Outlook (S&O) report. Eliza and John highlight the recently completed National Dairy Farmer Survey and look at the topline trends from the S&O report. The conversation covers farmer confidence in the industry as well as milk production and demand, both domestically and internationally. Access the full S&O report: dairya...
May 23, 2024•31 min•Ep. 110
In this episode, WestVic Dairy Extension Advisor Debbie Twiss speaks with dairy farmers Victoria Burleigh and Luke Davison about their experiences using genomic testing data as part of their herd management strategies. The couple – who farm at Nullawarre in Victoria’s south-west – started genomic testing of their herd in 2020. They share how and why they got started, their business decisions based on this new data that saw improved profitability, as well as some practical examples into the busin...
May 09, 2024•22 min•Ep. 109
In this episode, we hear from Sarah Crosthwaite – a dairy farmer and mental health social worker from the Kiewa Valley in North-east Victoria. In 2023, Sarah was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship that has allowed her to travel the world and see what other countries are doing when it comes to mental health promotion, particularly in the agricultural sector. Sarah speaks with Gardiner Foundation Communications Manager, Meghan Lodwick, about what she has learnt and the impact of her Nuffield experienc...
Apr 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 108
The availability of a skilled workforce remains one of the top challenges facing Australian agriculture. The shortages have wide-ranging impacts – from farm output to work-life balance, and succession. Join Dairy Australia’s National People Lead, Mick Fuller and DairySA’s Extension Coordinator and Workforce Attraction Project Lead, Alberta Badu-Yeboah as they chat to South Australian dairy farmer Sarah Moore about finding and attracting staff, including backpackers, to dairy farms. A former back...
Apr 11, 2024•43 min•Ep. 107
Dairy Australia’s Project Manager, Carly Potts brings an inspirational conversation to this DairyPod episode as she speaks with Young Dairy Network Conference guest presenter, Samantha Bloom. Samantha is a three-time World Para Surfing champion, author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office movie, Penguin Bloom – the movie adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family. Following an accident that led to her spinal injury, Saman...
Mar 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 105
In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Development & Regional Adaptation Lead – Feedbase and Nutrition Dr Josie Garner speaks with Feedworks’ ruminant nutrition experts Pip Gale and Ian Sawyer about how to prepare for feed gaps with non-forage fibre sources. This recent webinar on byproducts feeding looks at the considerations for farmers when feeding non-forage fibre sources to dairy cows, including variation in nutrient values. It also provides guidance on how best to utilise byproducts such a...
Mar 14, 2024•49 min•Ep. 104
In this episode, we share a recent Dairy Australia webinar discussion about heat stress in cows and how to keep your herd cool during extreme heat. Join Dairy Australia's Development and Regional Adaptation Lead, Dr Josie Garner, as she delves into the physiology of heat stress and outlines practical short-term and long-term heat stress management strategies that farmers can implement on farm. Watch the full webinar: Managing cows through heat (youtube.com) Related links: Managing in Hot Conditi...
Feb 29, 2024•28 min•Ep. 103
Have you ever wondered about what it might take to be a dairy Farmer Ambassador? In this DairyPod episode, guest presenter Chloe Brown – a dairy farmer and host of the More Than Milk podcast – speaks to Gippsland dairy farmer, Trish Hammond and Dairy Australia’s Marketing Engagement Lead, Jess Phillips. They discuss the importance of having dairy farmers involved in promoting the industry, and how Dairy Australia’s ambassador program supports farmers to confidently to turn their passion for the ...
Feb 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 106
The Australian dairy industry has seen significant improvements in herd genetics over the last 40 years, largely due to technology advancements and industry uptake. In this episode, we bring you a recent webinar with DataGene CEO Matt Shaffer and DairyTas Extension Team Lead Officer Liz Mann discussing the major changes, turning points and learnings from the last 40 years. They also discuss the value of the collaboration between DairyBio Animals research and DataGene – driving continued improvem...
Feb 08, 2024•42 min•Ep. 102
This DairyPod episode is part of a series providing insights and guidance to help farmers successfully recruit and retain the right people for dairy farm jobs. Hear from dairy farmers, Andrew and Cassandra Kath from Kathleigh Farms, as they speak to Dairy Australia’s National People Lead Mick Fuller and Murray Dairy Workforce Attraction Project Lead, Melva Tyson. The couple – from Rochester in Victoria’s north – reflect on their dairy farming journey and how they have built their employer ‘brand...
Jan 29, 2024•52 min•Ep. 101
In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Head of Innovation, Emily Samyue, leads a discussion about ag tech and its benefits for the dairy industry. Joined by Michael Macolino from SVG Thrive, Aurora Dairies’ Matt Makin and Devon Soutar from Alternate Energy Innovations, they share their ag tech experiences and offer advice to those who are looking to adopt innovative technology on their farm. Visit Investing in Innovation | Dairy Australia to find out more about how Dairy Australia is supporting the ...
Jan 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 100
In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Industry Analysts Eliza Redfern and Isabel Dando speak to Agriculture Victoria Farm Business Economist, Natalie Nelson, about the annual Dairy Farm Monitor Project (DFMP) in context of the release of the latest In Focus and Situation & Outlook reports. The DFMP provides a comprehensive physical and financial analysis of 250 dairy farms across Australia. Hear from Natalie about the 2022-23 project results and key trends, and what we can expect going forward....
Jan 04, 2024•14 min•Ep. 99
This episode is the third in a series focusing on seasonal dry conditions and related challenges for the dairy industry. Discussing this season’s fodder harvest, Dairy Australia’s Development Lead – Feedbase and Nutrition, Dr Josie Garner is joined by The Australian Fodder Industry Association Vice Chair Jason Palmer. They also provide an outlook of the hay market moving into 2024, including availability and pricing. If you would like to access Dairy Australia’s industry reports – including our ...
Dec 13, 2023•14 min•Ep. 98
This episode is the second in a series focusing on seasonal dry conditions and related challenges for dairy farmers and industry. Hear from Dairy Australia’s Development Lead – Feedbase and Nutrition, Dr Josie Garner, and Rural Bank Agricultural Analyst Sean Hickey, as they discuss the current season of feed grain production and how this is expected to impact prices moving forward. They also look at feed grains from a global perspective and examine how the re-entry of China into the Australian b...
Dec 07, 2023•24 min•Ep. 97
In this episode, we share a recent dairy innovation webinar discussion about research into calf vitality and the role genetics, and effective record keeping, plays in the birth of a healthy calf. Dairy Australia's Regional Extension Officer, Liz Mann speaks with Agriculture Victoria's PhD student Michelle Axford about the research. They are joined by Tori Tuckett, a dairy farmer from Western Victoria, to share her insights about the role that farmers can play in research and the benefits for enh...
Nov 23, 2023•42 min•Ep. 96
In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Development Lead – Feedbase and Nutrition, Dr Josie Garner, sits down with Farm Business Performance Lead, Neil Webster to discuss strategies around preparing for dry weather. Neil and Josie highlight the importance of feed budgeting and how to use it. They also look at how to use Dairy Australia’s hay reports to make informed decisions when purchasing fodder as well as interpreting feed test reports and why it’s important to buy feed tested fodder. This is the...
Nov 16, 2023•40 min•Ep. 95
Are you looking for support in recruitment of workers on your dairy farm? In this episode, Dairy Australia’s National People Lead Mick Fuller is joined by Dairy NSW Project Officer – Workforce Attraction and Retention, Tania Ketteringham and Aurora Dairies Talent Lead Michael Gliddon, to discuss how farmers can successfully attract workers to their business. The conversation takes into account the current unemployment rates, what job seekers are looking for, writing a great job advert and where ...
Nov 02, 2023•40 min•Ep. 94
In September 2023, the Bureau of Meteorology declared an El Niño climate pattern for Australia. This is linked with an increased risk of drought, heatwaves and bushfires – and unfortunately, we have already seen the bushfire season arrive in southeastern parts of the country. In this episode, Dairy Australia National Animal Health and Fertility Lead, Zoe Vogels, speaks with Craig Wood, a veterinarian in Victoria’s Terang/Mortlake region and CFA Deputy Group Officer (Camperdown Group), about how ...
Oct 12, 2023•32 min•Ep. 93
In this episode, DairyTas Regional Extension Officer Liz Mann is joined by DairyBio researcher Dan Isenegger to discuss some of the research being undertaken as part of the DairyBio Forages program. Delving into the DairyBio Forages research program, they discuss gene editing technology, forage species in focus and the impact that this work could have for future dairy farms. DairyBio is a $55-million partnership between the Victorian government, Dairy Australia and the Gardiner Foundation, with ...
Sep 28, 2023•34 min•Ep. 92
In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Industry Analyst, Eliza Redfern, delves into one of the highlights from the September Situation and Outlook report with Australian Fodder Industry Association Board Director, Brad Griffiths. Discussing the fodder market, the conversation covers some of the conditions that are changing on the ground. We also gain Brad’s perspective on what the future impacts are likely to be and what it means for future hay prices. If you would like to read the full September 20...
Sep 15, 2023•17 min•Ep. 91
In this third-in-a-series Dairypod episode on energy savings, Jarrod Leak, CEO at Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, explores renewable energy sources for dairy farms. Jarrod is firstly joined by Karin Stark, Founder for the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Stephen Soutar, Engineering Manager at Alternate Energy Innovations to discuss how to get the most out of a solar PV system on farm. The second half of this episode he speaks with Samantha Lamond, Head of Energy 360...
Aug 31, 2023•46 min•Ep. 90
In this episode, our guests discuss some of the considerations when looking to invest in renewable energy installations on farm. From solar to wind turbines and hydro pumps, the discussion offers some questions farmers should ask and what to look for when it comes to securing a quality supplier. For this conversation, Jarrod Leak, CEO at Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, is joined by John Cutler, Managing Director for Keemin Energy Solutions and Mario Como, Senior Project Manager for ...
Aug 10, 2023•42 min•Ep. 89
Feedbase management research into forages, soils and nutrition is key to ensuring our industry remains viable into the future. Agriculture Victoria’s Research Director, Professor Joe Jacobs, is our guest on this episode talking about the DairyFeedbase research program. He joins Dairy Australia’s Liz Mann to discuss the practical findings from the past six years of research, as well as what we can expect from the next phase of research which commenced July 2023. __________________________________...
Jul 26, 2023•58 min•Ep. 88
Are you looking to reduce your on-farm energy costs but not sure where to start? In this episode, Jarrod Leak, CEO at Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity , leads the conversation with Dairy Australia’s April Browne and Christopher Horvath from pitt&sherry , discussing on-farm energy efficiencies, quick wins versus longer term planning and offer ideas on where you can get started. Find out more about ways to save energy on farm, at Energy | Dairy Australia Our DairyPod episode partici...
Jul 16, 2023•38 min•Ep. 87
This episode's discussion explores the latest in feedbase management research; how using digital technologies can provide farmers with valuable information to help improve timely pasture management decisions. In this webinar recording, Dairy Australia’s Liz Mann, Project Coordinator Major Innovations, speaks with DairyFeedbase researchers Dr Liz Morse-McNabb and Dr Anna Thomson, about how the use of modern sensor-technologies, delivering pasture biomass and nutritive data, is informing on-farm s...
Jul 02, 2023•34 min•Ep. 86
In this podcast episode, Dairy Australia’s Policy Lead Natural Resource Management, Megan Hill and Regional Climate Adaptation Lead Cathy Ashby, discuss with Jane Stokes, DairyTas Regional Climate Adaptation Lead, the growing need for the dairy industry to reduce on-farm carbon emissions. The discussion covers the market drivers behind carbon emission reduction targets for dairy, the imperative to be proactive as an industry, as well as what information, tools and resources are available for Aus...
Jun 01, 2023•20 min•Ep. 85
In this podcast episode, Dairy Australia’s Industry Analyst, Eliza Redfern, talks with Laura Richardson, Regional Manager DairyTas, about some of the insights from the May 2023 Situation and Outlook report. Their discussion looks at what has been impacting farmer sentiment - from weather events and farm gate milk prices, to the ongoing challenges presented by increasing input costs. While labour challenges and farm exits continue to weigh on production, there is some modest potential for growth ...
May 31, 2023•12 min•Ep. 84
The Australian dairy industry has become the first in the world to release a national set of guidelines to help dairy farmers looking to invest in innovative feeding and housing solutions. In this episode, Dairy Australia’s National Feeding and Farm Systems Lead, Karen Romano, and Program Manager, Dairy Services at Agriculture Victoria, Scott McDonald, talk about the development of the new National Guidelines for Dairy Feedpads and Contained Housing - a comprehensive guide to help with decision ...
May 05, 2023•26 min•Ep. 83
Increasing efficiency in pasture management is one of the main drivers of profitability in grazing systems. New research from the Dairy Feedbase program at Ellinbank Research Farm has revealed a substantial difference in milk production within the herd, between cows that are milked first in a pasture based grazing system versus cows milked towards the end. In this podcast, Dairy Australia’s National Lead in Feedbase and Nutrition, Dr Rodrigo Albornoz, and Agriculture Victoria’s Research Scientis...
Apr 21, 2023•33 min•Ep. 82
