Dairy News Australia Gippsland - June 2026

Calf day success in SA. PG.28-29

From the farmgate to the fridge

BY ELIZA REDFERN

DAIRY PRODUCTS as a category are not only a staple for the majority of Australian households, but a key driver of traffic and value for retailers.

However, as Bendigo Bank’s latest commodity update outlines, the combination of dairy’s positioning for each of these stakeholders and Australian farmgate milk price mechanisms, can complicate the flow of market signals and the distribution of returns.

For example, in 2022, despite an uptick in production costs, farmgate prices did not materially increase until mid-year, when new season farmgate milk prices reached a historical high for the industry.

The CPI for the ‘dairy and related products’ category then climbed 12 per cent between June and December 2022 – rising much faster than other food categories and exposing Australian dairy products to intense

competition from cheaper imported products. By this stage, consumers were increasingly price sensitive.

Now inflationary pressures are rising again, with the conflict in the Middle East driving higher costs for key producer and processor inputs.

However, unlike the 2022-23 season, dairy market fundamentals have weakened.

Amid strong global supply, volatile export demand and ample milk intakes, 2026-27 farmgate milk prices for southern Australian farmers are likely to settle around the current season’s estimate of $9.40/kg MS.

Consumers remain cost-conscious in light of continued cost-of-living pressures and price changes are still being met with resistance.

Recent increases to the shelf price of private label milk (among other products) by the major retailers generated complaints from consumers, resulting in a price freeze announcement from one retailer on a variety

of household products, including some private label dairy products.

Other responses have suggested a commitment to absorb costs where possible and regularly review shelf prices.

The pressure on retailers to limit their contribution to cost-of-living pain and consumers continuing to gravitate towards affordable alternatives (such as private label or imported products) will hamper dairy’s ability to draw more out of Australian pockets in the near term.

Furthermore, if publicly announced farmgate milk prices are static, dairy manufacturers may struggle to justify wholesale or retail price increases aimed at passing on other manufacturing costs to consumers.

As such it’s likely that any material retail price increases will be drawn out during the 2026-27 season, depending on the processing company’s individual milk supply arrangements and the mechanisms detailed in their contract with the retailer.

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Bulla rallies for Dolly

A CONVERSATION with one of its farming families introduced Bulla Dairy Foods to Dolly’s Dream and a shared commitment to supporting young people across regional Australia.

Dolly’s Dream was founded by Kate and Tick Everett in memory of their daughter Dolly.

The foundation works with schools, families and communities to prevent bullying and provide support resources for young people.

Bulla’s chief dairy and sustainability officer Glen Round said at Bulla, we are a family, and that means looking out for one another, both within our teams and across the communities we are part of.

One of Bulla’s initiatives was the Scoops of Kindness program, which launched at Farm World earlier this year.

Farmers donated in exchange for Bulla Choc Tops, raising money for Dolly’s Dream’s prevention and education programs.

In May, to coincide with Do it for Dolly Day on May 8, Bulla took the Scoops of Kindness School Tour to communities across Colac, Gippsland and Northern Victoria, reaching close to 4,000 students and teachers with resources and conversations around kindness and anti-bullying.

During this year’s campaign, Colac and Elliminyt were named the top Victorian postcode for Dolly’s Dream donations, a reflection of the strength of community spirit in the region Bulla has called home for generations.

“The response from local schools and our farming community has been really humbling.

“You can see how much these conversations mean to families, and we are proud to have played a small part in helping share Dolly’s Dream’s message and resources,” Glen said.

For more information, visit doitfordollyday.org

FUEL RESERVE WELCOMED

AUSTRALIA’S

LIVESTOCK and rural transporters have welcomed a billion-litre national fuel reserve but warned the Federal Government the measure will only matter if diesel reaches the regions when supply fails.

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association backed the Government’s $10 billion-plus fuel security package — including $3.2 billion for a government-owned reserve and $7.5 billion for a fuel and fertiliser security facility — but said the test was whether it worked

outside the capital cities.

ALRTA national president Gerard Johnson said regional Australia runs on diesel.

“Our members move livestock, grain, feed, fertiliser and farm supplies across long distances every day. When diesel runs short, animals do not move. Feed does not move. Farm goods do not move.”

Mr Johnson said livestock and rural transport must be designated as essential users under any drawdown arrangement, with clear rules governing how the reserve is

accessed during shortages.

“Fuel must be where rural operators need it,” he said.

“These are not optional trips. They are part of Australia’s food supply chain.”

The package includes higher stock holding obligations designed to support at least 50 days of diesel and aviation fuel supply and storage.

“The Government has made the right call.

“A strategic national reserve is long overdue and ALRTA commends the commitment

to getting it done,” Mr Johnson said.

ALRTA also cautioned against costs falling on small and family-owned transport businesses.

Mr Johnson said the association supported stronger fuel security, provided it was built for regional operators and did not impose extra costs on the businesses that keep rural supply chains moving.

“Fuel security is food security,” he said. “It is also regional security and national productivity.”

Budget falls short for dairy

AUSTRALIA’S DAIRY farmer representative body says the Federal Budget provides only indirect support to the sector, ultimat ely falling short of the targeted assistance needed to stabilise the industry.

Australian Dairy Farmers president Ben Bennett said dairy farmers would welcome practical measures aimed at easing input cost pressures and improving national resilience; however, the budget failed to include any direct dairy support package, despite mounting challenges across many farming regions.

“Dairy farmers are battling prolonged drought and feed shortages, escalating energy, fertiliser and labour costs, water insecurity, increasing regulatory compliance costs, workforce shortages and more, yet we’ve seen little meaningful support in this budget,” Ben said.

“We welcome constructive steps that may provide some assistance to dairy businesses but have not seen the widespread structural support we’d hoped for.”

ADF said stronger ACCC capability and competition enforcement was a positive step, particularly given growing concern about transparency, pricing behaviour and market concentration across the food supply chain.

“The supply chain that ultimately ends at retail is no longer delivering sustainable outcomes for dairy farmers,” Ben said.

“Farmers are facing increasing costs of production, while the market continues to reward scale and buying power over longterm sustainability.

“Greater scrutiny, transparency and enforcement capability is needed to ensure competition laws are working as intended and that farmers are not carrying disproportionate risk within the supply chain.”

However, ADF criticised the lack of any meaningful support measures to offset the impacts of the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement, which the industry has consistently warned risks placing additional pressure on Australian dairy farmers without delivering commercially meaningful market access outcomes in return.

“Australian dairy farmers are being exposed to increased import competition and additional trade pressure without corresponding support for domestic production,” Ben said.

“The budget contains no meaningful support to help Australian consumers identify and back local dairy products, no domestic dairy promotion package, and no response

Budget items that support Australian dairy

Temporary fuel excise reductions and heavy vehicle road user charge relief

Establishment of a Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility

Additional fertiliser security arrangements

Agricultural export cost recovery relief

Migration and skilled workforce reforms

Increased ACCC enforcement capability and competition monitoring

to the increasing competitive pressure flowing from trade outcomes such as EUFTA.

“Australian farmers should not be expected to compete against heavily subsidised international production systems, while r eceiving little strategic support at home.”

ADF said dairy farmers continued to support fair trade, but warned trade policy settings must not come at the expense of domestic food production capability.

“Australia cannot afford to hollow out

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Critical dairy-enabling items missing from the Budget Items ADF will continue to work with Government on

Direct drought and resilience measures for dairy farmers

Dedicated dairy productivity and profitability initiatives

Meaningful action on energy affordability for food manufacturing

Targeted regional workforce solutions for dairy farming

Support measures responding to increasing dairy imports and EUFTA pressures

Stronger initiatives encouraging Australians to buy locally produced dairy products

domestic dairy production capacity and become increasingly reliant on imported product,” Ben said.

“Food security, regional jobs and sovereign manufacturing capability matter.”

ADF also expr essed concern about the reduction in agricultural funding and capability through budget reductions to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, while expanding environmental and regulatory frameworks.

“Strong agricultural departments are

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Drought and water policy

Regional workforce and migration pathways

Energy and input cost pressures

Supply chain transparency and competition issues

Food security policy

Fair trade and import monitoring

critical not only for biosecurity and trade access, but also for ensuring practical agricultural knowledge informs broader economic, climate, water and industry policy,” he said.

“Farmers support practical environmental outcomes, but policy settings must r emain grounded in production realities and experience to protect Australia’s food security and regional economies.

“Without this, government risks making decisions that push farmers out.”

Limited margin for error

AUSTRALIA’S DAIRY producers are facing the 2026/27 season with limited margin for error as they juggle rising input costs, Rabobank says in its newly-released annual Australian Dairy Outlook.

The report, by the specialist agribusiness bank’s RaboResearch division, says escalating input costs led by fuel, fertiliser, water, labour and interest rates remain the dominant pressure for the nation’s dairy producers. And these are eroding sector confidence and pushing cost of production to levels that leave current milk prices near break even.

Report author, RaboResearch senior dairy analyst Michael Harvey said seasonal conditions had improved in many Australian dairying regions and dairy commodity prices have staged a partial recovery.

“These positives are insufficient to fully offset the compounding cost pressures now embedded across the farm and downstream value chain,” Michael said.

“This will result in a need for careful cost control and strategic planning for those in the dairy sector, with a focus on operational resilience critical for the season ahead.

“Navigating the 2026/27 season will require disciplined cost management and careful capital allocation as well as – for processors – prudent farmgate milk pricing strategies,” he said.

Cost pressures

Input cost pressures were intensifying across the on-farm dairy cost base, exacerbated by the impacts of the Middle East conflict.

“Prices for fuel and fertiliser particularly urea, the most-heavily applied nutrient in dairy systems have risen sharply.

“In addition, fuel surcharges are indirectly increasing the cost of a wide range of farm inputs and service provisions,” he said.

Added to that, the report said, higher borrowing rates and a tight labour market were further reinforcing margin pressures.

Meanwhile, dairy farm businesses operating across the Southern Murray-Darling Basin had also faced substantial increases in water allocation prices, which have more than doubled over the past 12 months.

And rising costs in the dairy supply chain were not confined to inside the farmgate, RaboResearch said.

“Pressure is building across the broader value chain,” Mr Harvey said.

“Processors are facing higher packaging costs, driven by a spike in global resin prices due to the oil supply crisis.

“At the same time, energy and processing costs have increased as have distribution costs,

reflecting higher energy and freight prices, further adding to the cost of getting product to market.”

He said these factors were compounding margin pressure beyond the farmgate and constraining the ability of processors to absorb additional cost shocks, increasing the likelihood of further passing on prices to consumers.

Prices

At the consumer level retailers have already moved to lift prices of private-label (retailer-branded) milk, and further pricing adjustments from branded players in the domestic market are likely.

“A renewed cycle of food price inflation, including for dairy, would further test consumer resilience, with households already adjusting behaviour, increasingly trading down to private-label products and prioritising value over brand.”

On the farmgate milk price outlook for the 2026/27 season ahead, RaboResearch expects guaranteed minimum prices at near prevailing

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levels to be achievable (excluding temporary support payments), supported by the lift in dairy commodity values in recent months.

Commodity milk values have rebounded from their 2025 trough, rising by between approximately five to 30 per cent across the commodity basket since the start of the year.

This had been led by protein – most notably skim milk.

H owever, price momentum across the dairy complex had moderated more recently.

The RaboResearch report said while the recovery in dairy commodity markets provides firmer footing for farmgate pricing ahead of the June 1 guaranteed price deadline, global fundamentals remain challenging.

“Commodity prices in US dollar terms are still below the levels of June 1 last year and the appreciation of the Australian dollar against the US dollar since that time has e roded export returns,” Mr Harvey said. Rabobank expects the AUD/USD exchange rate to remain broadly near current levels in the near term

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Constrained production

While improved rainfall has alleviated soil moisture deficits in key dairying regions in southwest Victoria and South Australia, national milk production for the current season is broadly flat, the report says, with annual output sitting at approximately 8.3 billion litres, as of March.

Mr Harvey said milk production output continues to differ across regions, with growth being led by the northern states, while year-onyear declines in Victoria and South Australia are weighing on national production.

Looking ahead, national milk production growth is expected to stay constrained in the coming season, RaboResearch says, with cautious on-farm decision making limiting expansion across most dairy regions – and keeping competition uneven across processors.

“Despite improved growing conditions, farmers are responding to elevated fertiliser prices by reducing application rates and applying fertiliser more strategically,” Mr Harvey said.

“This is likely to constrain homegrown feed production and increase reliance on purchased feed.

“While some herd management practices are being adjusted to partially offset these impacts, feed costs remain a key pressure point.”

Forecasts for the high likelihood of below-average rainfall in the coming months, and a possible shift to El Nino conditions later in winter, are also hanging over the production outlook.

Against this backdrop, RaboResearch forecasts national milk production to decline by 1.2 per cent in 2026/27, marking a third consecutive – albeit modest – annual contraction.

Competition for milk supply among dairy processors is expected to remain mixed, the report says, reflecting differences in processing companies strategic priorities and regional exposure.

Structural transformation

The Australian dairy sector continues a significant long-term structural transformation towards scale and efficiency, although in the near term, resilience not growth, will be a priority.

Mr Harvey said the sector had reached a key milestone in 2024/25 when farms producing more than 10 million litres of milk annually overtook operations producing one to two million litres as the largest contributors to the national milk pool.

“This development highlights the broader consolidation trend with farms producing more than five million litres accounting for 40 per cent of milk production in 2024/25.”

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Trans Ova team expands

TRANS OVA Genetics is expanding in Australia with the appointment of a new commercial operations manager, one of five new recruits joining the team.

Helen Thoday, who has extensive leadership and commercial operations experience across agribusiness sectors, has taken up the lead role and will oversee Trans Ova’s growth across the country.

Trans Ova, a global leader in bovine reproductive technologies, was introduced to the Australian market in 2025 part of Genetics Australia’s joint venture with the URUS Group.

In her new role, Ms Thoday will be responsible for strengthening Trans Ova’s commercial operations, supporting sustainable growth, and working closely with teams in a partnership model to deliver new IVF services across Australia.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Ms Thoday has a broad background in livestock health, welfare, production and genetics, including working in pig production profitability and welfare in the UK, managing beef and sheep genetics programs in the Falkland Islands, livestock contract research in Canada and more recently in dairy welfare, health and production in New Zealand.

“Agriculture in Britain has unfortunately a low percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) so it doesn’t get traction from the government, so I have worked in New Zealand and now Australia for the draw of their strong agricultural sectors.”

The move to Australia follows her husband Warren Landles’ appointment as sustainability manager for Burra Foods and will continue her close connection with agricultural industries

“It’s a great opportunity to help grow the Trans Ova brand across Australia in partnership with satellite units and practitioners, to deliver IVF services to farmers,” Ms Thoday said.

“Trans Ova is huge in America and continuing to grow. Australian beef and dairy herds can benefit significantly from IVF, a technology that can advance farmers’ genetic gain exponentially.”

Ms Thoday said the five new recruits would join the existing Trans Ova team in Australia, reflecting the rapid growth of the business.

“It’s a big investment,” she said. “We have developed a strong process in Victoria under the Genetics Australia brand and will now build more partnerships with people who have extensive networks and are trusted by the farmers in the region, have the right facilities and align with our values to expand this valuable technology in farming stronghold areas across Australia.”

Trans Ova Genetics is expanding in Australia with the appointment of a new commercial operations manager, one of five new recruits joining the team.

Helen Thoday, who has extensive leadership and commercial operations experience across agribusiness sectors, has taken up the lead role and will oversee Trans Ova’s growth across the country.

Trans Ova, a global leader in bovine reproductive technologies, was introduced to the Australian market in 2025 part of Genetics Australia’s joint venture with the URUS Group.

In her new role, Ms Thoday will be responsible for strengthening Trans Ova’s

commercial operations, supporting sustainable growth, and working closely with teams in a partnership model to deliver new IVF services across Australia.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Ms Thoday has a broad background in livestock health, welfare, production and genetics, including working in pig production profitability and welfare in the UK, managing beef and sheep genetics programs in the Falkland Islands, livestock contract research in Canada and more recently in dairy welfare, health and production in New Zealand.

“Agriculture in Britain has unfortunately a low percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) so it doesn’t get traction from the government, so I have worked in New Zealand and now Australia for the draw of their strong agricultural sectors.”

The move to Australia follows her husband Warren Landles’ appointment as sustainability manager for Burra Foods and will continue her close connection with agricultural industries

“It’s a great opportunity to help grow the Trans Ova brand across Australia in partnership with satellite units and practitioners, to deliver IVF services to farmers,” Ms Thoday said.

“Trans Ova is huge in America and continuing to grow. Australian beef and dairy herds can benefit significantly from IVF, a technology that can advance farmers’ genetic gain exponentially.”

Ms Thoday said the five new recruits would join the existing Trans Ova team in Australia, reflecting the rapid growth of the business.

“It’s a big investment,” she said. “We have developed a strong process in Victoria under the Genetics Australia brand and will now build more partnerships with people who have extensive networks and are trusted by the farmers in the region, have the right facilities and align with our values to expand this valuable technology in farming stronghold areas across Australia.”

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SADA marks 90 years of unity

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

THE SOUTH Australian dairy community was out in force when more than 200 members gathered at Morphettville Racecourse to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association.

Celebrating nine decades of advocacy, resilience and leadership, the evening brought together farmers, processors, industry partners, politicians and supporters.

Guests were treated to a flawless presentation by John Elferink, who took attendees on a journey through the past 90 years of dairying in South Australia, sharing stories, milestones and reflections that highlighted the resilience and evolution of the industry across generations.

SADA president Robert Brokenshire said the evening was a reminder of the strength, passion and unity within the South Australian dairy community.

“Celebrating 90 years is a significant milestone, and it was wonderful to see so many people come together to honour the past, while looking confidently toward the future of our industry,” he said.

“SADA has always been built on the strength of its people, and the event was a reflection of the relationships, resilience and commitment that continue to shape South Australian dairy.”

Long-term SADA president David Basham was presented with a commemorative plaque recognising his longstanding dedication and contribution to SADA and the dairy industry over many years.

Her Excellency the Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson and Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven were presented with commemorative plaques in recognition of their support for the industry.

The association acknowledged the incredible support of sponsors and the generous contribution of historical items and memorabilia from the Southern Fleurieu Historical Society, which helped showcase the proud history throughout the evening.

A special thank you was also extended to Mandy Pacitti for her unwavering support and tireless dedication to the dairy industry in so many ways over many years.

Mandy said it was an amazing evening and the connection, reconnection and collaborativeness in the room created a great vibe. She said the 90-year milestone showed just how proactive the SA dairy industry is.

“SADA is the oldest advocacy body in

Australia and it has always championed the farmers and the industry,” Mandy said.

“I can remember 20 years ago we had an issue on farm and we had the media on our door, and SADA turned up out of the blue and said we are here to dig in and help you through.

“And that has been the case recently with the collapse of Bestons,” Mandy said.

Master of ceremonies and young farmer Narelle Zanker said it was an honour and privilege to have such an important role and it was definitely out of her comfort zone.

“SADA have been massive supporters of

what we are doing here on our farm with Dairy Adventurers, so it was an honour to be able to support them in return,” Narelle said.

The 90th anniversary celebration

recognised

Record set at Kaarmona

BY NICHOLAS SPANDLER

THE KAARMONA stud set a new Australian cow sale record with a Jersey selling for $54,000.

The standout animal, Kaarmona Bosa Buoy 15, set the new national benchmark during the second day of the Kaarmona Holstein and Jersey Complete Dispersal Sale in Kaarimba on Friday, May 8.

The elite young cow attracted intense competition before being secured by Araluen Park Jerseys of Shady Creek in Gippsland.

The record price reflects strong confidence in high-end dairy genetics, with Bosa Buoy 15 backed by generations of leading sires and a proven maternal line tracing back to the influential US cow Foundation Sooner Buoy.

The sale drew a large on-farm crowd alongside strong online bidding, highlighting widespread interest from buyers across Australia as the Sprunt family dispersed their renowned herd.

Rohan and Graeme Sprunt had been running the stud together for 32 years, but said that the time had come for them to hang up their boots.

Auctioneer Brian Leslie said that the stud had made a “tremendous contribution to the dairy industry” and that the sale was a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

The Kaarmona stud remains the only herd in Australia to achieve Master Breeder status in both Holstein and Jersey cattle.

Other standout results reinforced the

depth of demand, including $40,000 for Kaarmona Invincible Babe 323 and $33,000 for Kaarmona Sturgis Tulip 18, with numerous

cows achieving five-figure prices.

Overall, the two-day sale grossed more than $1.65 million, with sales averaging $4940 and

some families, such as the popular “Babe” line, showing particularly strong

interest.

Passions connect with success

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

NARELLE ZANKER’S passion for education and the dairy industry has seen the young farmer crowned the South Australia AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for 2026.

Narelle established Dairy Adventures on her family farm at Mannum in South Australia, after leaving her career as a teacher.

The move home enabled Narelle to continue her love of education, while combining it with her love of dairying.

She has been blown away by the win and is still digesting the news, which comes with $15,000 and a chance to go on and compete nationally.

Narelle said the money would go toward establishing a dedicated picnic area on the farm and would also help her continue to host a virtual classroom with the help of Dairy Australia — ‘Farmer Narelle’, which will be available to schools across the country.

In its first year, Dairy Adventures has welcomed over 1200 visitors from young kids through to retirees and includes family and school groups.

“I wanted to merge my love for teaching and education with the farm, and it has been flat out ever since,” Narelle said.

Dairy Adventures offers a wide variety of on-farm interactive experiences, including Feeding Frenzy, Milking Memories, Dairy Discovery, Graze and Gaze and the popular Elvis Encounter — a chance to pat and feed some treats to the family’s pet Speckle Park steer Elvis.

Narelle said one of the most popular things for young kids was the sensory trough — an old feed trough filled with grain and plastic farm animals.

The adventures are open to large or small groups, and Narelle even caters for birthday parties.

“I love it and we are starting to get quite a few return customers so they must love it too,” she said.

The immersive and hands-on experiences has enabled Narelle to teach some pretty powerful lessons to her visitors around food safety, animal care and where food actually comes from.

“When people see the science, the systems and the care that goes into every bottle of milk, something clicks.

“We’re not just a farm, we’re a food

production facility, and we want people to understand and value that.”

South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association CEO Andrew Curtis said Narelle’s nomination reflected her strength, innovation and leadership within South Australia’s dairy sector.

“Narelle is an exceptional advocate for dairy farming and regional communities,” he said.

“Through Dairy Adventures, she is helping build trust and understanding between farmers and consumers — something that is critical to the future of our industry.”

“Her passion for education and her ability to tell the story of dairy in a meaningful way is something we are incredibly proud of.”

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is supported by Westpac and is Australia’s leading award, recognising the innovation, leadership and impact of women in rural and regional industries and communities.

AgriFutures Australia managing director Brianna Casey AM said the award celebrated women creating lasting impacts where it mattered most.

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award recognises women who are shaping the future of rural and regional Australia through innovation, enterprise and leadership.

“Narelle’s work is a compelling example of how agritourism and education, when done well, can transform public understanding of farming and strengthen the connection between producers and consumers.”

Westpac regional general manager Brad Higgins said Narelle’s work was creating lasting change in Mannum and beyond.

“Through Dairy Adventures, Narelle is opening doors for people of all ages to connect with farming, understand where their food comes from, and develop a genuine appreciation for the people behind it.

“We’re proud to support Narelle as she continues to grow Dairy Adventures and showcase the innovation and education at the heart of Australian farming,” Brad said.

Later this year, Narelle will proudly represent South Australia at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award gala dinner at Canberra in September 2026.

The national winner will receive an additional $20,000 Westpac grant, while the runner-up will receive $15,000.

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Mustering up support

THE GIPPSDAIRY Muster once again delivered as the region’s flagship dairy event, bringing together farmers, industry and service providers for a day of learning, connection and forward thinking.

Held April 23 at Clint and Tania Staley’s farm, Franklin Downs, Toora, the 2026 Muster attracted 199 attendees, with dairy farmers making up half of the audience.

This strong farmer representation reinforced the value of the event as a space for practical, relevant conversations grounded in on-farm experience.

Set in the heart of South Gippsland, Franklin Downs provided an ideal host location, offering a working farm backdrop that complemented the day’s focus on real-world application and discussion.

A key theme of this year’s muster was succession planning, presented by Claire Booth and explored through both the keynote and a dedicated breakout session.

With many farm businesses navigating generational change, these sessions sparked important conversations around planning ahead, maintaining business continuity and supporting family transitions.

The keynote was further strengthened by Clint and Tania Staley, alongside Ken White, who shared their own succession journey and provided practical insight into the realities of navigating change within a family farming business.

The inclusion of succession across both plenary and smaller group formats allowed

attendees to engage at different levels - from big-picture thinking through to more personal, practical discussions with peers.

The program also featured breakout sessions focused on utilising homegrown pastures and genetics, delivering practical, farm-focused insights.

The homegrown pastures panel, facilitated by Phil Shannon and supported by Clint Staley, Paul Cocksedge and Jim Colquhoun, explored strategies to maximise pasture utilisation and optimise on-farm feed systems.

The genetics panel, facilitated by Michelle Axford and supported by Tania Staley, Amy Wright and Jamie Drury, provided valuable perspectives on breeding decisions and longterm herd improvement.

Together, these sessions offered attendees targeted insights to support productivity

and long-term farm performance and gave farmers the opportunity to explore current approaches, ask questions and share experiences, with discussions grounded in local conditions and systems.

Together, the breakout topics reflected the balance between planning for the future and continuing to optimise on-farm decision-making today.

The success of the 2026 Muster was also made possible through the support of 12 sponsors, including a major sponsorship from the Gardiner Foundation, whose contribution helped deliver a high-quality, relevant event for the Gippsland dairy community.

Their involvement highlighted the strength of collaboration across the dairy sector, bringing together different parts of the industry to support farmers and regional

development.

Beyond the formal sessions, the GippsDairy Muster continues to play an important role in strengthening networks across the region.

The event created space for informal conversations, peer-to-peer learning and connection between farmers, advisors and industry representatives.

This value was reflected in attendee feedback, with one participant noting,“These type of events are critical for sharing of hands-on information which has been the strength of dairy for a long time.”

Another added,“These are key messages that can’t be retold enough.”

With 50 per cent of attendees coming directly from farming businesses, discussions throughout the day reflected real challenges, practical experiences and shared opportunities - reinforcing the muster’s reputation as a trusted and valuable forum.

As GippsDairy’s flagship event, the muster remains a key pillar in supporting a connected, informed and resilient dairy community.

The 2026 event demonstrated the continued importance of bringing people together face-to-face to share knowledge, build confidence and plan for the future.

With strong attendance, high farmer engagement and a program that balanced strategic thinking with practical outcomes, the GippsDairy Muster once again showcased the strength and commitment of the Gippsland dairy industry.

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New-look winter fair returns

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

IT MIGHT be the same great show, but this year’s National Herd Development Victorian Winter Fair will have a new look, after Clare and Stu Modra handed over the reins of the event to International Dairy Weeks Declan Patten and Emmelie Nijskens.

The show will be held June 30 to July 2 at the Bendigo Showgrounds.

Declan said the show had been very successful over the last decade and he and his team were hoping to build on the success.

“We will bring the same level of professionalism to the fair as we have to IDW,” Declan said.

“As we move forward, we are excited to introduce a fresh new chapter, including a rebrand that reflects both the proud history of the winter fair and our vision for its future.

“While the look may evolve, the heart of the event remains unchanged — elite autumn calved cattle, strong competition, community spirit and opportunity for exhibitors of all ages.”

Declan said they had decided to bite the bullet, and for the first time, introduce the Jersey breed to the show.

“We have had a really positive response, and we are looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds in the ring.”

This year’s judge is Kevin Doeberiener, owner and operator of Queens Manor Farm in West Salem, Ohio.

Kevin has owned and exhibited numerous All-American and All-Canadian Holsteins and Jerseys, earning multiple nominations and top honours.

Notable achievements include exhibiting Grand Champion Red and White at the 2021 Canadian National Show and Junior Champion Holstein at the 2019 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. He is a well-respected dairy judge, with top judging experiences including Wisconsin Dairy Showcase, Northeast All Breeds Spring Show, New York State Fair, World Dairy Expo and Western PA Championship Show.

There will also be a show string tag sale. The sale will follow a tag auction format and will open Monday, June 29 and close on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30pm.

A heifer parade will be held on site and all

animals for sale will be entered in the fair. Entries are now open via https:// showman.app/shows#/victorian-winter-fair-e9ef/ a nd will close on Friday, June 5.

Keeping downed cows up

GETTING A downed cow back on its feet urgently is critical to keep the milk flowing for dairy farmers, which is where a Stay-Right Cow Sling becomes a lifesaving item.

With rising fuel costs already putting pressure on dairy farms across Australia, it is crucial farmers do everything they can to recover a downed cow.

Dairy cows commonly face illnesses such as milk fever, mastitis, metritis and calving paralysis which can down a cow and make it struggle to stand up.

Dairy Australia recommends cow slings as method of lifting, stabilising and moving a downed cow, stating they can relieve limb pressure and improve recovery rates.

Australian-based agricultural tarpaulin manufacturer, Ellis and Sons Group, prides itself on manufacturing humane cow slings, with Stay-Right Cow Slings being a go-to for dairy farmers nationwide.

Made with heavy, reinforced PVC and heavy-duty nylon web straps, they can handle cows of any weight and can be easily moved by clipping to a loader or tractor.

Tarpaulin department manager, Sarah Ellis, said a V-shaped support at the front ensured the cow’s airway was left clear, lifting from brisket, and the leather cross over pad at the back left the udder free –making for a very humane cow sling.

“Traditional lifters like hip clamps can cause trauma to hip bones and muscles, which is why we developed a cow sling

that provides balance and support while assisting in circulation and respiration,” she said.

“These cow slings can speed up a cow’s

recovery.

“The great thing about them is once the cow is in the sling it can be left in it for as long as needed and put down again each

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Celebrating master breeder

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

BREEDING QUALITY cows has been a long held passion for the DeCicco family which began when Cosimo and Maria started Benevento Holsteins in 1974.

They named the stud after their home town in Italy.

At the time Cosimo and Maria milked 12 cows — a mixture of Friesians and crossbreed cows in a six-aside herringbone.

Over the decades, their dairy business has grown to encompass an additional 129 hectares, 350 mostly registered Holstein cows and a third generation dairy farmer in grandson Daniel, who has taken over the running of the farm from his parents Fred and Sonyia.

Fred said from an early age his dad Cosimo taught him if he was going to do something to do it properly, and that advice has held true, particularly when it comes to breeding.

The DeCicco family were recently awarded their second Holstein master breeder.

“Dad started Benevento after he bought a few stud cows from Joe Watts from Kyabram. He was a well-known breeder at the time and that was the beginning of it all really,” Fred said.

“I just love cows and I love watching their journey as they come into the herd as a heifer and then hopefully leave many lactations later.

“It just gives me a real buzz.”

Fred said initially the family developed their own cow families, and it wasn’t until the drought in the early 2000s, when the opportunity developed for them to invest into some well-known cow families including the Roxies, Ashlynns and Jacobina’s. Their own successful families have been the Tammy’s, Suzannes and Vivianna’s.

“In the early ’80s, we had a cow called Enhancer Tammy VG87 — she was an amazing cow, and I can still see her great front end and her tremendous udder.”

Another early Tammy, Astre Tammy 2nd (daughter of Enhancer) went EX92, and was a 16-star brood cow.

“She achieved 110,000 litres of milk over her lifetime, which is good enough for a superior production award.

“She bred so well for us, and I wish we had here with us here today with the breeding technology we have now.

“She had six or seven lactations and gave us some amazing daughters.”

Fred believes around a third of the animals in the herd can be traced back to Enhancer or Astre Tammy.

“The most prominent cows were probably the Igniter Tammy’s.

“They all bred off in different directions, but Igniter Tammy 4th EX 90 and two stars gave us a couple of bulls that were sold into China —HoTaber and HoTaurus.

“HoTaber in particular had great type and production, and we had a couple of great heifers in our herd.”

The calf Havenofear Tammy (pictured) is a direct descendant of Ingniter Tammy 4th and has five generations of excellent behind her pedigree.

“That is something we are really proud of, and it doesn’t happen all that often.

“Our Tammy’s really have been such a great and long-standing amazing family for us.”

Not only has breeding given the DeCicco’s quality cows, it has also given them friendships that have lasted decades.

Back in the early 1990s, Benevento had a

couple of really good Juror heifers in milk and Lou and Leon Giglia from Ponderosa Holsteins in WA came over to have a look.

“From that day on we established a great friendship with the Giglias.

“We looked after some of their heifers after they had their dispersal sale, and we also went into partnership as well.”

Frank laughs as he thinks back to those early days when he and Sonyia were showing cows.

“We had a couple of Warden heifers we took to the Kyabram Show.

“We thought they were the best cows in the world and we were proud as punch of them, but we were also as green as grass when it came to showing and they placed second last and last in their class.

“We didn’t care though, we had such a

great day and we would go on to learn so much about Holsteins from some of the great people in the industry, including Pam Malcolm, who was always so generous in sharing her knowledge.”

Both Fred and Sonyia are now starting to think about retiring and they have basically handed over the running of the farm to Daniel.

“He is very capable and doing a great job as he starts to make his own way in the industry.”

The couple is in the process of commencing its succession plan which has included a few trips to the lawyers to get it right.

“We realised it was time to start to reward Daniel, so every calf born this year will go to him as reimbursement for lost salary, and he already owns half the farm, so he is well on his way.”

Daniel has made a few changes along the way introducing genomic testing to the herd and improving calf management. (See story page 24.)

He has also introduced Fred to some technology including the herd data app which he loves.

They have cut back on their breeding a bit, choosing to only breed from their best and joining the bottom end of the herd to beef.

“I want to focus on feed efficiency and grow more fodder,” Daniel said.

“We might cut back the herd size a bit to reduce some of the workload, and I want to see the herd 100 per cent Holstein registered.

“We will continue to improve our cow families and hopefully down the track we might even sell some of our own cows in an on farm sale.’’

success twice is nice

Roof raised in Shepparton

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

DAIRY AUSTRALIA’S Raising the Roof event has been declared a success with over 200 farmers heading to Shepparton for the three-day event. The program included two days of informative sessions on systems, nutrition, effluent, climate, energy and managing people, and finished off with on-farm visits on the final day.

Raising the Roof is the only major dairy event in Australia with a focus on intensive farm systems and supporting infrastructure.

It is held every two years.

Development and regional adaption lead Alicia Richters said she was pleased with the event.

“Farmer input very much shaped this year’s program and it was a reflection of the topics and issues farmers wanted to hear,” Alicia said.

She said the climate and energy sessions were very popular along with waste management.

“New technologies are always popular – six years ago we wouldn’t have even been talking about things like bio-digestors.”

Guest speaker Dr Gordon (Gordie) Jones is a globally recognised dairy performance consultant with more than 40 years of experience. He talked about the importance of looking after workers and how best to go about it.

Calivil dairy farmer Dehne Vinnicombe spoke about the difficulty he had with compost bedding and mastitis which in the end has seen him transition across to sand.

Alicia said they made a conscious decision to ensure the crowd included a majority of farmers.

“Over 70 per cent of people in attendance were farmers — we built the program around that and it has been a real success,” she said.

Peter Mulchay spoke about the process he went through installing his effluent and solids separation system. The sessions included a question and answer period which were informative for everyone in attendance.

GIPPSLAND REGION

COMPETENT AND CAPABLE

Maree Deenen’s love of dairy has taken her from New Zealand to Australia, and from share farming to leasing and finally dairy ownership. See story PG 8

Gippsland farmers demonstrate resilience

AS WE head toward another calving season across Gippsland, there is a timely reminder for dairy farmers and farm workers to think about protecting themselves and their teams on farm.

The GippsDairy-led “Rethinking Q Fever” project has now vaccinated more than 400 farmers and dairy workers across Gippsland, with clinics in Western Victoria and the Murray region preparing to open soon.

Supported by partnerships with Dairy Australia, WorkSafe Victoria and industry partners, the project continues to improve awareness and access to vaccination clinics across regional Victoria.

As calving approaches and workloads increase, Q fever vaccination remains the best way to protect people working closely with livestock.

It is encouraging to see more farmers proactively discussing health and safety and taking practical steps to protect their families, staff and businesses.

Recently, the board of Gardiner Foundation visited our region to connect with local farmers and hear first-hand about both the opportunities and pressures facing Gippsland dairy businesses.

These conversations are important in helping industry leaders understand regional challenges and where future investment can create the greatest impact.

We greatly value our relationship with the Gardiner Foundation and the support and opportunities they continue to provide for dairy farmers, regional communities and the broader Victorian dairy industry.

At the same time, there are broader conversations happening across agriculture that farmers should continue watching closely — particularly around fertiliser, fuel and global supply chains.

While we may not yet be seeing the full impacts of current international uncertainty and market volatility, there is understandable concern about what the situation could mean later in the year, particularly around harvest time and the availability of key inputs.

For dairy farmers, any disruption to freight and supply chains has the potential to affect access to feed supplements, fertiliser, fuel, rubberware and even antibiotics and treatments needed for herd health management.

The full impacts may still be ahead of us rather than visible today.

Dairy Australia is responding proactively through a webinar series focused on fertiliser and fuel disruption, helping farmers better understand emerging risks, global market influences and practical strategies for farm business planning.

Farmers are encouraged to visit the Dairy Australia website to listen to the webinars and access further information.

For many businesses, the most practical approach is simply to plan ahead where possible.

Reviewing feed budgets early, considering ordering your supply needs ahead of running out and considering contingencies before peak seasonal demand arrives may help reduce pressure later in the year.

One thing Gippsland dairy farmers continue to demonstrate exceptionally well is resilience and adaptability.

Whether facing seasonal volatility, market pressures or workforce challenges, our industry consistently shows an ability to respond, adjust and continue moving forward together.

Sarah O’Brien

Gippsland Women in Dairy 2026 Ladies Lunch

Save the date

The women of the Gippsland dairy industry are invited to an invaluable social opportunity to meet and network with like-minded individuals.

Join us for the Gippsland Women in Dairy 2026 Ladies Lunch and meet other women from the dairy industry in a fun social setting.

When: 20 November 2026

Where: Morwell Bowling Club (52 Hazelwood Road, Morwell)

Come along to hear and share personal stories of the achievements and change in Gippsland’s dairy community.

For more information and to register your attendance, contact Sue Mead on 5624 3900 or sue.mead@gippsdairy.com.au

30 years of Gippsdairy Muster

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

THIS YEAR’S Muster in Gippsland celebrated 30 years of GippsDairy and the organisation’s collaboration with Gippsland dairy farmers and service providers.

The Muster is held annually, with alternate years on a Gippsland farm, and addresses topics of interest to dairy farmers.

It is organised each year by a subcommittee of dairy farmers and GippsDairy staff.

This year’s Muster in Gippsland was held at Franklin Downs, on the dairy farm of Tania and Clint Staley, near Toora, Victoria.

The 2026 theme was a focus on long-term decision making - ‘From grass to growth: Building your farm’s future through smart succession, genetics and pasture strategies’.

GippsDairy regional manager Karen McLennan said the muster is about giving farmers practical insights they can take home and apply on their own farms.

“Muster attendees hear insights from industry experts and local farmers on ways to enhance the future of their farm business.

“Hosting the Muster on a farm enables peer to peer learning by farmers and they see concepts in practice on the farm in real time.”

This year’s breakout topics of discussion included the challenges of succession planning, utilising pasture, crops and fertilisers, and using genetics to improve the herd’s breeding and production potential.

The keynote address was delivered by Claire Booth, a lawyer and first-generation cropping farmer in the Dubbo region, NSW.

Claire pivoted her regionally-based legal business to focus on succession planning and distills her learnings into an engaging, relaxed and conversational presentation.

She was joined on stage by Clint and Tania, and accountant and first-generation grazier, Ken White.

Ken, based in Bairnsdale, Victoria, also advises clients about succession planning.

“Doing succession well means managing the transfer of the farm’s wealth on the balance sheet and keeping that wealth in our community and our farming families,” Claire said.

She said this transfer was especially important in the dairy industry, where the structure of the industry supported a multitude of family farms and enabled regular cash flow, asset growth and wealth creation.

“Dairy farms are pregnant with unrealised gain,” Claire said.

“Have the conversations about what people want to do, often and as early as possible. Managing expectations is also important in succession planning.”

Clint said his parents enabled conversations with their children from a young age, to understand each person’s goals and what they wanted to achieve, either in or outside farming.

He and Tania have three children and are preparing to start those same conversations.

“A lot of the time you don’t know the value of the assets you have, in the farm,” Clint said.

“We learned to use our accountant and lawyer and other advisers to identify the farm’s assets and break it down into values.

“Then we learned how to transition those transfers from one generation to the next.

“As dairyfarmers, you learn to manage people and assets. The next step is doing that same process for succession planning.”

Claire and Ken both advised including lawyers, accountants, bank managers and service advisers in farm succession conversations.

Many people forgot to include people such as nutrition, pasture and genetics advisors

in their succession conversations, but these service providers also brought expertise and knowledge about the farm business to discussions about its future.

“Banks either want loans paid back or they want a succession plan in place that favours the next generation and their plans,” Claire said.

Ken told attendees that managing successful succession planning meant using the tools available to achieve the most efficient tax outcome for the business.

He said trillions of dollars of farm wealth

would be transferred over the next decade in Australia, and managing that well included utilising the tax exemptions housed within legislation.

“Dairy farming is a good lever for building wealth and fairness in asset transfers,” he said.

Ken and Claire advised completing a tax impact statement for the business and identifying the appropriate tools for structural transfer of assets.

Break-out sessions during the day enabled attendees to discuss succession planning strategies for their own farm businesses, planning pasture and crop production against fertiliser shortages, and leveraging genetics for herd fertility and production gains.

Genomic testing saves cash

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

CLINT AND Tania Staley milk 700 Friesian/ Holstein cows in a 50-stand rotary dairy, off a milking platform of 405 hectares at Toora, called Franklin Downs.

They also own a dryland outblock of 295ha.

The herd’s annual milk production averages 650kg milk solids per cow.

Clint and Tanis began their farm-ownership journey as sharefarmers at Yarram, where they built their asset base.

Twelve years ago they purchased an initial 168ha at Franklin Downs, with the 50-unit rotary, and 315 milking cows plus young stock, and began building their land assets from there.

“We started growing the herd straight away, we kept all our heifer calves,” Clint said.

“We had the ability with our Yarram property to get some surplus heifers to add to the herd at Franklin Downs.

“And we purchased 60 in-calf and in-milk cows in that first year to add to that herd.”

The herd is split-calving. The heifers and 70 per cent of the milking cows calve in JulyAugust, with the balance of the herd calving down in February-March.

“We AI everything,” Clint said.

“We use Datamars collars to identify rumination and health and heat status for the cows.

“The main herd gets three rounds of artificial insemination – three weeks of sexed Holstein

semen, three weeks of conventional Holstein semen, then three weeks using Angus conventional semen.

“With the rising two-year-olds, we do a seeder program. They get one AI go with Holstein sexed semen, then follow up with Angus conventional semen.”

The breeding strategy is to focus on robust cow health traits and functionality.

“We have an ongoing attention to hoof and leg soundness in our cows, because the farm’s topography and size means they walk long distances,” Tania said.

The decision to turn off a cow is based on fertility.

“I’ve got a limit of 250 days,” Clint said.

“If they’re not in calf by 250 days, I keep them until their production drops, then they’re sold at Koonwarra.”

The livestock exchange at Koonwarra is the closest saleyards to Toora.

The herd age averages five years old.

The outblock is used for grazing dairy yearlings to rising two-years-old heifers.

Clint and Tania also raise 150 head of dairybeef cattle, turning them off as trade cattle.

These Angus-cross cattle are bred from heifers and the bottom end of the herd.

Tania and Clint also raise Wagyu-dairy calves, bred from their February-March calving herd.

These cattle are turned off at 200kg.

Tania and Clint have been breeding and raising Wagyu-dairy cattle for the past six years,

in a contract with the Sher family of Beefcorp Australia. Since 1996, the Sher family has been providing semen to Victorian dairy farmers to use in their Holstein cows, to breed an F1 calf.

“Our dairy heifers are brought back from the outblock at six weeks prior to calving, to get them familiar with the dairy feed ration and using the feedpad,” Clint said.

They breed 160 replacements annually, and recently began selecting this final group of heifers based on genomics.

“We started using DNA testing last spring –looking at wellness and fertility traits, and longevity of life and production,” Clint said.

There were 223 heifer calves genomically tested from the 2025-drop.

“I want to raise the best 160 calves, rather than spend the time and money raising 200 calves and choosing our replacement heifers when they’re older,” Tania said.

“It saves us $10,000 per annum in feed costs alone for that group of animals.

“Over four lactations, that contributes a profit of $40,000 for that group of animals.”

With trait reliability confirmed by genomic testing, Clint and Tania are responsible for optimising animal and pasture management and feeding to enable each cow to perform to its capacity.

A 150Ml irrigation license enables them to take seasonal water from the nearby Franklin River to irrigate 40ha of pasture, using a lateral shift system.

The Franklin River also supplies stock and domestic water supply and wash down water in the dairy.

Apart from the 40ha of irrigated pasture, the remainder of the home farm is dryland.

“About the only grazing on the farm is on the irrigated pasture,” Clint said.

A concrete feed pad was constructed in 2020, with capacity for 800 cows; and is used practically all year round.

“Ninety per cent of the fodder fed out is fed on the feed pad.

“The wet weather is our main reason for installing the feed pad.

“During the wet weather we do next to no feeding in the paddock.”

The business focus is on producing homegrown feed for grazing and silage production.

“Cows go to the paddock to graze during those times of the year when feed is available,” Clint said.

“They then return to the feed pad for silage.

“If we feed silage in the paddock, about 50 per cent of it is wasted. When we feed silage on the feed pad, there’s only five per cent wastage.

“We also mix crushed wheat into the grass silage on the feed pad to increase quality, protein and intake of what they’re eating, which also increases milk production.”

Clint and Tania purchase 1500 tonne per year of wheat, as whole grain, and crush it themselves.

A 100-kilowatt solar power unit installed at the dairy six months ago runs the hot water

system and the grain crushing mill. Spring harvest of grass silage is a day-by-day decision, based on pasture quality and access.

“Depending on conditions, we might be able to harvest one paddock, or 10 paddocks,” Clint said.

“Home-grown feed is our biggest challenge

and we’ve changed our pasture management over the years to a cropping program.

“On the home farm, 8-9tDM/ha is grown on a reasonable year.”

Clint and his team have recently harvested 970 dry tonne of maize, off 60ha dryland. It is the third year he has sown and grown maize on

the farm, starting at 20ha in the first year, doubling in the second year, then sowing down 60ha in the third year.

All maize and pasture is harvested as pit silage.

The outblock is also used for fodder production, and is undergoing an extensive renovation

program to improve its quality and productivity.

“We harvested 2500 dry tonne of grass hay and silage off the outblock and we’ve started to do some cropping over there for young stock to graze,” Clint said.

“Cropping is part of the renovation plan on that block.

“We started with a leafy turnip and red wheat, and we’ll sow back into permanent ryegrass with a blend of other grasses.”

Fodder harvested on the outblock is stored there, and Clint and Tania use their own truck to transport it to the home farm, where it is fed out on the feed pad.

“The open market to purchase fodder is too expensive for our business model,” Clint said.

“We want to maximise the quality of forage we produce across the two farms.”

Underpinning this production system is a workforce of fulltime and casual staff, including backpackers and international workers.

Tania and Clint are fulltime on the farm. Their second-in-command employee has been working with them for nine years.

Among their other four fulltime employees, two of them are international workers who have been working with Clint and Tania for three years. Another fulltime worker has been working on their farm for four years.

Three casual roles are backfilled by backpackers, mostly working as milkers and feeding calves.

“The backpackers are fulfilling their 88 days,” Clint said.

This enables people from overseas travelling on holiday visas in Australia to qualify for a second or third-year Subclass 417 Working Holiday Makers Visa, by doing 88 calendar days of work in the agricultural sector, in designated regional postcodes.

Prioritising mental health

BY JEANETTE SEVERS

NICOLE SAUNDERS is a dairy farmer in the Maffra district who, with her husband Brendan, has developed a multi-faceted business in the eight years they have been in Australia.

Like many dairy farmers, Nicole spends a lot of her time on the farm, managing animal health and production and making decisions in a volatile agricultural landscape.

She also has a young family, and had to develop new support networks when she moved to Australia.

Nicole recently told Dairy News Australia about how she has also had to implement strategies to look after her mental health.

Nicole and Brendan arrived in Australia in 2018 as a newly-wed couple, leaving behind their lives in New Zealand’s dairy industry.

They began working in the Australian dairy industry in a share farming partnership in the Macalister Irrigation District, in Gippsland, Victoria.

Brendan and Nicole bought land and progressed to leasing and owning two dairy farms in the MID.

They changed both herds to spring calving, to take advantage of irrigation licenses that helped optimise pasture growth and milk production.

Four years ago, Nicole and Brendan

developed plans for a pick-your-own strawberry farm on their Maffra dairy farm.

Nicole and Brendan planted the first of their initial 20,000 strawberry plants in winter 2023. They also built a café and supporting infrastructure, as their plans developed for the strawberry farm to become a summer tourism destination.

The couple also had two young children, and Brendan’s older children visited periodically.

Then a flood hit the Maffra farm in October 2023, followed by two other floods leading into peak production time and Christmas 2023. The natural disasters reduced their strawberry plants by 30 per cent and impacted their dairy platform.

On the surface, Nicole was coping, as the couple regrouped, planted more strawberries in winter 2024, and in the following year received several industry awards. She is hands-on with the business and managing employees, alongside raising their children.

Nicole was aware her mental health was being challenged.

“I’d done a lot of learning about mental health when I had anorexia in my teens,” she said.

“I had depression when I was a teenager, so that awareness has always been in my background.

“Then in the past couple of years there’s

been a lot of stress.

“I had two little kids and a lot of financial pressure while I was developing the café business.

“I realised the way I was operating and my workload wasn’t really long-term sustainable; and probably really impacting my health.”

One of the things that Nicole was doing was scrolling social media on her phone.

Some of that time was justified, because she was using social media platforms to build an audience for the strawberry farm, café and its associated infrastructure such as the petting zoo. She was also building an events calendar around the strawberry farm and café.

But Nicole was reaching for her phone first-thing when she woke up, scrolling through social media and checking news sites.

“You do that and there’s your spare time – your me time – gone,” she said.

Nicole identified how to improve her personal habits like changing her diet and making time for exercise. She is now productively using her phone to help her better manage her life.

“I’m more focussed on segmenting my time so there’s clear time for family, for me, and for the business,” she said.

“I started making little changes, and now I’ve made quite a few changes.

“Every morning my alarm goes off and I get up and do my exercises.”

Nicole uses an app on her phone for her workout routine.

“It’s only 15 minutes, but it’s something I struggled to fit in with the kids and everything,” she said.

“The app helps me make exercise a priority first-thing and that just puts me on the right side of the day.

“I then sort out the kids and get them to school.”

Nicole is also using apps to manage her phone and computer use.

“I found out you can set time limits now for using your apps. So I’ve done that as well.

“I don’t use any social media apps until after the kids are at school. I still use social media for the business, but I don’t actually use personal social media more than once a month.”

Nicole is using apps to set time limits around use and clear time segmentation between family and work.

“I am now balancing my personal and family time against work responsibilities,” she said.

“I’ve set my phone so it kicks me off at 10.30 and it sends me a weekly report to let me know how many hours I’ve used my phone each day.

“Now I’m trying to reduce that time every week.”

Boosting dairy communities

GARDINER FOUNDATION has opened two grant programs, investing in locally led initiatives to strengthen connection, resilience and long-term prosperity across Victoria’s dairying regions.

The Community Collaborative Grants and Community Development Grants are open simultaneously, offering funding across different scales and project types, from small community-building activities through to multiyear collaborative initiatives.

Gardiner general manager, Community and People Development, Jenny Wilson said the two programs reflect Gardiner’s commitment to vibrant, well-supported dairy communities.

“Strong communities underpin a strong dairy industry. These grants back local organisations to deliver practical projects that bring people together and build stronger, more connected regions,” she said.

Community Collaborative Grants

Up to $75,000 over three years

The Community Collaborative Grants program supports multi-year initiatives that respond to the significant transitions occurring within dairy communities, including climate pressures, workforce challenges, changing demographics and industry evolution.

Delivered in partnership with Australian Communities Foundation, grants of up to $75,000 over three years ($25,000 per annum) are available for seed funding, service delivery,

training and education, workshops and events, regional data and planning, and other community-led activities.

The 2026 round builds on the inaugural program, which supported three projects across Victoria:

Murray region: Alpine Valley Dairies, Safe Farms, Strong Communities, a three-year farm safety and training initiative.

Gippsland: Catholic College Sale for an

expanded Agricultural Program connecting students with dairy through hands-on learning, industry engagement and climate-focused pasture trials.

South West: Food and Fibre Great South Coast for a farmer-led innovation network focused on climate and production challenges.

“What stood out in the first round was the strength of local leadership and the willingness

of organisations to collaborate around shared challenges and opportunities.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the next generation of ideas and partnerships come forward,” Ms Wilson said.

Expressions of interest close 5pm Tuesday, July 7. For more information: https://communityfoundation.org.au/grant-rounds/gardiner-foundation-2026-community-collaborative-grants/

Community Development Grants

Up to $10,000

The Community Development Grants program supports smaller, place-based projects that foster social connection, wellbeing and resilience in dairy communities. Following a successful inaugural round in 2025, which invested $150,000 into local projects, the program returns for its second year.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for initiatives that promote social interaction, enhance wellbeing, enable digital inclusion and improve access and mobility for people in Victoria’s dairying regions.

The program is delivered in partnership with the South West Community Foundation, Gippsland Community Foundation, Border Trust and Greater Shepparton Foundation. Applications close June 30. For more information: https://gardinerfoundation.com.au/community-development/ community-grants/

Passion powers dairy success

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

MAREE DEENEN is a pretty capable woman.

Afterall, she has been running a 100ha dairy farm outside Leongatha for quite a few years now.

Maree’s husband Jason has a full-time job off-farm, and helps out after hours, but the day-to-day jobs are all Maree.

The family milks between 160 to 180 Holstein cows.

Born in New Zealand, Maree comes from a dairy farming family.

When she was 21, she came across to Australia on a working holiday.

“I found a good job, married an Aussie and never went back,” Maree said.

In the early days there were different roles and different farms, including working on a 700-cow irrigation farm her parents bought in northern Victoria in 2002.

“We worked a couple of years there, but it didn’t work out, so we moved back to Gippsland and share-farmed for a while, milking 400 cows.

“By then we had a young family, and we were so busy, I felt like there was no time for the kids.”

The couple decided to buy a house on 2ha while their four daughters were young, and Jason got a job at the Murray Goulburn factory.

But the love of dairy farming never quite left Maree.

In 2014, an opportunity came to lease the farm they would eventually go on to buy in 2020.

“We leased the farm off Bill Haw and he loves the fact that a woman runs it, he laughs and tells me I grow better grass than he ever did.

“He still comes over and has a cup of tea, and I think so highly of him, he really is a lovely gentleman.”

Maree said it was the help of vendor terms offered by Bill that enabled them to buy the farm and she will be forever grateful.

Maree said she was very much an animal and pasture girl.

“Hubby does the tractor work at night and fixes anything I break — we are very much a good team,” she laughs.

“He thinks I am crazy about cows, but he likes his fishing and hunting, so we can meet in the middle.”

Maree comes from a registered cow background and has established Carisma Holsteins.

Carisma is no slouch in the show ring either — winning IDW in 2023 with Stanley Cup Evie, a cow she owns with good friend Alex Matthews.

The herd is calved in mid March-April and again in July-August and Maree runs a pasture base system supplemented with quality hay.

“I have big Holsteins and my priority is to feed them and look after them very well.”

Maree said her key to success had been to surround herself with positive people who were good to work with.

“The dairy industry is traditionally still male dominated, but I work with people who don’t care that I am a woman.

“There are of course many great men in the dairy industry who I have learnt off over the years, including my dad, who was wonderful with cows and calves.”

Maree said as the years are getting on and the next generation of their family is starting to hit the ground with grandbabies

— she is trying to find a better work/life balance.

“It is really hard to find someone who will come and milk on the weekends or anytime to give us a bit of a break,” she said.

“I have a grandson now and I haven’t quite got the balance right.”

Maree and Jason’s daughter Sage was recently awarded a $10,000 Gardiner Foundation Scholarship.

“We are working seven-days-a week, and more cows mean more work, and we are getting to the point now where Jason either needs to come home or I scale back — we haven’t quite worked out which direction to go.

She is studying to be a large animal vet.

“The scholarship helps takes the pressure off Sage and us as she has a seven-year course ahead of her.”

A team from the Gardiner Foundation board recently visited Maree’s farm and spent a few hours learning about her business and meeting some of her cows.

Elite lines at showcase sale

HOLSTEIN ENTHUSIASTS from all over Australia and New Zealand were onsite and online for the Avonlea Invitational Showcase Sale.

The sale was held in May at John and Cherrie Gardiner’s property at Nar Nar Goon and included lots from Avonlea, Gorbro and Maxmount Holsteins.

Top lot of the sale was Avonlea Gator Shakira (Imp.ET) who sold for $37,000 to Grantie Hills Holsteins of Cobram.

The 13 month old heifer is backed by eight direct dams all class EX 93 or higher. The same buyer also selected Avonlea Sidekick Velvet (Imp.ET) for $20,000 - a July calving two year old and direct daughter of MS Beautys Black Velvet, EX 96, two time All American and WDE winner.

Second highest lot seller was Avonlea Tatoo Satin a six month old grand daughter of the record priced cow View Fort Jagger Satin, EX 93 (selling for $54,000 last year). She sold to Rockstar Holsteins, Cobargo, NSW for $21,000.

WA buyer T McSwain selected Avonlea Delta Bindi an eight month old Lambda from a Harris daughter of Jacobs Octane Babe, EX 96 at $18,000.

The Benlargo herd of the Tweddle Family, SA purchased Avonlea Dylan Alana who sold carrying an embryo from Glenunga Wind Butterbrook, EX 95 at $16,000.

There was a lot of praise for Avonlea Lambda Camino, a daughter of Royal Champion Cow Linsand Aspen Cinnamin, EX.

The yearling sold for $15,000 to S and J Oslear of NSW.

Other noted sales included Avonlea Captains Timeout backed by many

generations of EX and All Canadian winners for $13,000 to Clydevale Holsteins.

Avonlea Crushabull Princess, an exceptional milking two year old sold for $12,000 to M and A Taylor.

Avonlea Tatoo Mistress a top young second lactation cow sold for $10,000 to P Latimore from NSW.

Avonlea WB Jagger Lynzi bred down from Idee Windbrook Lynzi, EX 95 sold for $10,000 to the Walters Family, Tasmania and Avonlea Sidekick H Ruth also sold for $10,000.

Gorbro sold a wonderful line of milking two year olds along with spring calving heifers.

They started off with the recently scored VG 86 two year old Gorbro Lambda Vienna, bred from three generations of EX dams with the second dam Murribrook Goldwyn Verbena, EX 92 the 2025 Holstein Cow of the year.

She sold for $20,000 to Tim and Kellie Walden of Muswellbrook, NSW.

Gorbro Shimmers Lambda, VG 86 and from an eighth generation EX dam, sold for $15,000 to Distinctive Dairy, SA.

Other noted sales for Gorbro included Gorbro Perennial Noni from an EX Chief dam sold for $12,000 to Weventure Farms, Kyabram.

Two year old Gorbro Dazzle Marra, VG 85, sold for $10,000 to M and A Taylor and Gorbro Parfect Mildred due to an embryo from VWF Champion Reginal Victory also sold for $10,000 to Burn Brae.

Maxmount Holsteins sold a wonderful line of young milking cows including Maxmount Isnt She Elegant, VG 85.

The two year old sold for $11,000 to Llandovery Farms, Girgarre.

Cattle were sold to all states in Australia accept Queensland and Dairy Livestock Services report 76 Holsteins gross $603,600, averaging $7,945.

Milk price must reflect costs

BY BERNIE FREE

Every dairy farmer I know is doing the sums.

New season milk prices will be announced in the coming weeks, even though early signals suggest they may be close to this year’s levels. That does not stack up against the increase in the cost of producing milk.

Farmers are looking at feed budgets, fertiliser and fuel bills, interest rates, labour costs and the season ahead. A price signal that does not recognise the cost of production on farm will put real pressure on milk supply.

No part of the dairy supply chain is escaping higher costs. Processors, transport operators and retailers are feeling it too. But the simple fact is this: without milk, there is no dairy supply chain. If farmers cannot keep producing, the impact does not stop at the farmgate.

That is why farmgate milk price matters. It is not just a number on a contract. It determines whether farmers can invest, employ and manage seasonal risk.

The pressure we are feeling in Victoria is being felt in dairy regions across Australia and around the world. Higher input costs, tighter margins and global instability are not ours alone. But the longer-term fundamentals remain strong. The world needs high-quality protein, and the Victorian dairy industry is well placed to supply it, with skilled farmers,

established processing capacity and access to domestic and export markets.

Australian families rely on milk, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products every day. But if we want Australian dairy on Australian tables tomorrow, we need to value it properly today.

Australian dairy farmers are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for fair treatment of the whole supply chain. and pricing

that recognises the true cost of producing high-quality food. Any increase at the retail end must be passed back through the supply chain in a way that reaches farmers with a fair share.

Consumers have a role to play too. Choosing Australian dairy products is a practical way to support food security, regional jobs and local farm businesses. It is also a vote of confidence in the quality of what Australian dairy

farmers produce. The latest Australian Dairy Sustainability Scorecard reported that 91 per cent of consumers agree Australia’s dairy industry produces high-quality products, while 87 per cent of regional communities agree dairy is an essential part of their community. That confidence has been earned, and it should be reflected in how dairy is valued at the checkout and through the supply chain. But fair value is only part of the equation. Farmers also need confidence that when they produce and supply milk, they will be paid for it.

The Dairy Code of Conduct has been important, but recent experience has shown some of its limitations. It has set rules around milk supply agreements, but it has not removed the commercial risk farmers face when processors fail to meet payment obligations. UDV will continue to advocate for reform, including how dairy farmers can be better protected when processors do not pay on time. Farmers who have produced and supplied milk should not be left exposed as unsecured creditors.

Dairy farmers are used to tough seasons, but they cannot keep absorbing costs that are not reflected in the price they receive. If the numbers do not work on farm, they stop working for everyone.

- Bernie Free is the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president

Robots transform business

FUTURE DAIRIES

Gippsland, GEA’s east Gippsland dealer, has recently completed a significant robotic milking installation at Valencia Creek, marking another step for ward for automatic milking systems (AMS) in the region.

The dairy owners, Dennis and Erin Lomax, made the decision to invest in 10GEA R9500 Dairy Robots in April 2025.

Twelve months later, in April 2026, the first cows were milked through the system.

The new robotic dairy is currently milking around 530 cows, with plans already in place to increase numbers to more than 600 cows in the near future.

Prior to the upgrade, the herd was milked through a 50‑unit rotary, so moving to a fully voluntary milking system required an adjustment period for both cows and people.

As expected, the first few milkings involved some gentle guidance to help cows find their way into the robots.

The GEA R9500 robots are designed for

full voluntary milking, allowing cows to choose when they are milked and fed.

One feature that stood out during start‑up was the milking pit concept, which allows operators to safely stand behind the cows while they are in the robots.

This made it easier to observe the process closely and assist with cupping in the early milkings where required.

Everyone involved in the start‑up was impressed by how quickly the cows adapt ed to the new system — and how fast the robots learned individual teat placement.

By the second day, cupping times had dropped significantly, and cows were notice ably calmer and more relaxed in the robots.

Targeted feed rations delivered during milking played a key role in encouraging cow flow and supporting a smooth transi tion, reinforcing positive cow behaviour from the outset.

From day one, the GEA system was actively managing milk quality. Any

high‑conductivity (high cell count) milk and colostrum milk was automatically separated and directed to the calf milk tank.

The system also monitors milk at a quarter level, meaning individual quarters producing contaminated milk — such as blood‑tainted milk — can be automatically diverted to the calf tank or sent straight to waste, depending on the farm’s pre‑set sys tem settings.

This le vel of control gives confidence around milk quality while reducing manual intervention.

With more cows planned to come online and the system now well settled, the Valencia Creek installation with pioneers like Dennis and Erin, highlight how large herds in Gippsland can successfully transi tion from conventional milking to robotics, while maintaining cow comfort, milk quality and operational control.

Call Future Dairies Gippsland dealership on 03 5147 2571 to start the conversation and map the best fit for your operation. Visit GEA.com/ dairyfarming for more details.

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Supporting next gen of leaders

SAPUTO DAIRY Australia (SDA) is proud to support the next generation of dairy industry leaders through its annual Supplier Scholarship Program, reinforcing its long-term commitment to a strong and sustainable dairy industry.

This year, 11 recipients from across Victoria and South Australia have been awarded scholarships to support their higher education and career aspirations within the dairy and broader agricultural sector.

The Supplier Scholarship Program provides each recipient with up to $5000 in financial support, helping ease the cost of tertiary study and enabling students to develop the skills, knowledge and leadership capability to advance the future of dairy farming and regional communities.

SDA’s director of milk supply Kate Ryan said we’re proud to invest in the next generation of dairy industry leaders.

“These students bring passion, dedication and fresh thinking to the industry, and we’re pleased we can support them as they build careers that will help strengthen dairy farming and regional communities for the future.”

The 2026 scholarship recipients are undertaking studies across agriculture, agronomy, veterinary science, veterinary nursing and related disciplines, with many planning to return to regional areas to support farmers through innovation, sustainability and best-practice dairy production

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Feeding for the future

BY LEIGHTON HART AND GREG MORRIS

From weaning through to first lactation, heifers represent one of the longest and most capital-intensive investments on a dairy farm.

Yet too often, their nutrition relies on suboptimal feed.

Consistently hitting growth and weight targets requires dedication and a deliberate, year-in, year-out commitment to a heifer-focused feeding program.

Once calves are weaned, the objective is steady, uninterrupted growth.

In pasture-based systems, this generally means targeting daily liveweight gains of 0.6 to 0.8 kilograms, ensuring heifers reach 60 per cent of their mature liveweight at joining and 85 per cent of their mature liveweight at first calving.

Achieving these targets cannot be left to pasture alone because seasonal feed gaps during winter or summer commonly result in growth checks that are difficult and expensive to recover from.

The benefits of investing in heifer nutrition carry through to first lactation and beyond.

Heifers that calve at 22 to 24 months, and at the correct liveweight have 20 per cent more chance of getting back in calf, produce 5 per cent more milk and are 10 per cent more likely to remain in the herd .

Undergrown heifers, by contrast, divert nutrients to continued body growth instead

of milk production, reducing first-lactation yield and lifetime performance.

So how can farmers ensure their heifers are on track?

The keys are a good feed supply, regular liveweight monitoring, and targeted feeding.

Whether purchased or home-grown, feed allocated to young stock needs to be budgeted annually, matched to performance targets, and protected during periods of feed pressure.

Adding just 2kgDM of maize silage to a pasture-based heifer diet can equate to an extra 0.2 kg of liveweight gain per day.

Growing feed specifically for heifers is a practical way to ensure they meet weight targets.

Crops such as Pioneer brand maize and forage sorghum can provide reliable, high-energy feed to complement pasture and smooth seasonal variation.

Maize silage offers excellent palatability and consistency, and can be stored and fed when required.

Forage sorghum adds flexibility in warmer or drier seasons, with strong biomass production and the ability to generate large volumes of feed.

Purchased supplements play an important role when homegrown supply falls short.

The focus should always be on meeting nutrient requirements that match the heifer’s stage of growth, rather than simply filling a feed gap.

Federal fuel and fertiliser package announced

BY NICHOLAS SPANDLER

THE FEDERAL Government’s newly announced $10 billion fuel security package is being welcomed by farm groups, with a strong focus on improving fertiliser supply for Australian producers.

The Albanese Labor Government said the Australian Fuel Security and Resilience package would secure fuel and fertiliser in the Federal Budget, including a $7.5 billion fuel and fertiliser security facility to boost supply and storage.

The initiative will provide financial support such as loans, equity, guarantees, insurance and price support aimed at strengthening fertiliser availability alongside fuel reserves.

The National Farmers’ Federation said the measures were critical to protecting

Monitoring is also a critical step, and heifers should be weighed routinely to track progress against target weights rather than relying on visual assessment.

Dairy Australia suggests weighing every 2–3 months is a practical minimum to detect problems early and adjust nutrition in time.

More frequent weighing (e.g. every 4–6 weeks) is encouraged after weaning, leading

into joining or if heifers are behind or ahead of target 1.

By committing to focused heifer feeding and monitoring programs, producers can consistently deliver well-grown heifers that can convert feed into milk sooner, thereby improving cash flow, labour efficiency, and whole-farm profitability across successive seasons.

Australia’s food production system, particularly in the face of global supply disruptions.

NFF president Hamish McIntyre said fertiliser security was essential for farmers across the country.

“These are practical decisions that will increase our liquid fuel and fertiliser security,” Mr McIntyre said.

“Reliable and affordable fuel and fertiliser underpins every stage of food production, and recent events have shown just how exposed Australia is to global shocks.”

The package also includes a government-owned fuel reserve and increased minimum stock holding obligations, but industry leaders say fertiliser support will be just as important for regional communities.

Mr McIntyre said recent disruptions had exposed Australia’s reliance on global supply chains.

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Smart calf feeding with Lely

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

THE FIRST weeks of a calf’s life shape the future of the entire herd.

Growth rates, health, and early nutrition all have a direct line to lifetime performance.

Yet on many farms, calf feeding remains one of the most labour-intensive and inconsistent parts of the operation.

That is where the Lely Calm automatic calf feeder is making a real difference.

At its core, the Calm is about consistency. It prepares milk at the right temperature for frequent, natural calf feeding, resembling their natural rhythm.

This supports better nutrient uptake and steadier daily weight gain than traditional bucket feeding. Feeding strategies are fully adjustable too, so replacement heifers and beef calves can each be managed according to their own goals, with gradual step-downs that encourage rumen development and set the foundation for improved vitality, fertility, and milk production later in life.

Hygiene is handled automatically.

The Lely Calm cleans itself multiple times a day using water and specialised detergents.

Additionally, the optional HygieneBox adds a two-step process rinsing the teat after every visit and thoroughly cleaning the internal system, consistently keeping bacterial build-up low and milk quality high.

The labour savings are just as significant.

The repetitive work of mixing, filling, and manually feeding calves is largely automated, giving farmers meaningful time

back without compr omising on care or consistency.

What brings it all together is the recent integration with Lely Horizon.

The Lely Calm now captures feeding data every time a calf drinks, turning it into clear, practical insights. D rinking behaviour, early health signals, growth tracking are all in one place.

For farms running Lely Astronaut milking robots, this creates a complete digital record from calf to cow, supporting better decisions at every stage.

Calves and cross-suckling

CROSS-SUCKLING IN calves has lasting impacts on udder health and future production.

This behaviour is linked to higher rates of first lactation mastitis and increased incidences of blind quarters.

The teat canal is sealed with a keratin plug that protects the udder from pathogens. During cross-suckling, this plug is removed, leaving the developing teat canal exposed.

Bacteria then colonise the tissue, setting the stage for mastitis and permanent damage.

Why do calves cross-suck? Calves are born with a strong suckling instinct. In nature, this is satisfied by the slow milk delivery of the cow - about one litre over four minutes. After 9-11 minutes, neurological feedback signals that the calf has consumed enough, the instinct switches off and the calf is content.

Problems arise when calves are fed with a fast flow. Valved teats squirt milk at the slightest touch, allowing a calf to consume a litre in 1-2 minutes.

Calves fed from a bucket can consume a litre in under a minute. This rapid intake is far quicker than nature intended. The brain continues to tell the calf to suckle, where in the absence of milk, it turns to its pen mates, leading to cross-suckling.

How to prevent cross-suckling

Cross-suckling is linked to drinking speed.

By regulating milk flow to 3-4 minutes per litre the calf’s brain receives the correct feedback, and the suckling instinct is satisfied.

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Giving calves the best start

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

EVERY FARMER knows how important it is to give newborn calves the best start possible, and for the DeCicco family from Benevento Holsteins at Undera, this begins before a calf even hits the ground.

Fred, Sonyia and son Daniel have got their management down pat these days, but that wasn’t always the case.

It wasn’t until they started to prioritise colostrum management that they noticed a big change in the health of all of their calves.

“About five years ago, we started to follow advice from our nutritionist Ellen Fitzgibbon, which included the purchase of brix monitor to measure the amount of colostrum in the milk — anything above 22 we freeze and keep,” Daniel said.

“In the old days, we just used to say if the milk was a gold colour it was good, and 90 per cent of the time that’s probably true, but over the years we have learnt it certainly pays to check with the brix monitor.”

Newborn calves are fed two litres of colostrum within their first hour of birth. This is followed by another two litre feed and then three litres over the next 12 hours.

“It is a bit of work at the start, but it is certainly worth it down the track,” Daniel said.

Pregnant cows are calved undercover in a shed, where they are monitored 24 hours a day by a camera installed in the roof.

This enables Daniel and Fred to feed calves within an hour of being born.

The benefits of the camera are two-fold — whoever is on calf duty doesn’t physically have to get out of bed at night to check a calving cow, and if there isn’t any action, they can just roll over and go back to sleep.

Looking after the dry cows well and ensuring they have access to shade, water and quality feed including lead feed before calving is a crucial starting point, and also contributes to the quality of colostrum a cow produces.

Both Fred and Daniel look after the newborn calves together, but after a couple of days, Daniel takes over.

Initially, the calves are kept in small group where they get used to feeding from a bottle — where they are fed three litres twice a day. They then move across to the milk feeder, where they are fed seven to eight litres a day.

Once they are feeding well, they then transition across to a bigger group of 12-16 animals.

They have access to fresh water, pellets and hay from day one.

“I keep an eye on the calves and their manure because that tells me what and how well they are eating.

“We aim to wean our calves at about three months of age,” Daniel said.

Daniel said around 18 months ago he introduced scour shield, and that has made a huge difference to the health of his animals.

“I don’t think I have had a calf with scours since.”

The other game changer for the family was the building of a purpose-built calf shed about four years ago.

The 50m x 30m shed has sliding doors which open at each end to help with ventilation.

The shed has been built to take advantage of the sun, and on cold frosty mornings, the calves remain nice and snug, while in summer, the ventilation helps keeps them cool.

The calves are bedded on saw dust, which is removed after each season when the pens are cleaned out.

“We haven’t had any issues with the sawdust, but we do keep our stocking rates low, so they last well.”

When the calves are weaned they move to a sheltered outside paddock, lined with trees for shade, where they continue to access hay

and pellets.

Both Fred and Daniel agree the first couple of days for each calf are pretty hectic, but putting the effort in early has meant they very rarely, if ever, get a sick calf.

“Our growth rates have been amazing and

we are now calving heifers in around 550kg — when you look out across the milking herd it’s hard to pick out the heifers because they are so well grown.

“It gives us all a great sense of achievement,” Fred said.

Scorecard tracks sustainability

AUSTRALIA’S DAIRY industry has shared its latest sustainability achievements with the release of its 2025 Sustainability Scor ecard, which provides a transparent snapshot of performance against key sustainability commitments and the priorities shaping future efforts.

Developed through the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework (ADSF), the scorecard reports on progress across four commitments: best care for animals, enhancing economic viability and

More Milk, More Profit

livelihoods, impr oving wellbeing, and protecting the environment.

Key achievements in 2025 include a further reduction in the amount of waste produced from dairy manufacturing, with 86 per cent diverted away from landfill –up from 81 per cent in 2024 – and broad recognition by regional communities of the importance of the dairy industry, with 87 per cent of people agreeing that dairy is an essential part of their community.

In a ringing endorsement of Australian

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dairy, 91 per cent of consumers agree that Australia’s dairy industry produces high quality products, up from 89 per cent in 2024.

South Gippsland dairy farmer and chair of the ADSF steering committee Graeme Nicoll said the 2025 Scorecard reflects how farmers and processors are tracking against sustainability commitments in a changing operating environment.

“Sustainability is essential to the future of Australian dairy and central

to maintaining a profitable and trusted industry,” Mr Nicoll said.

“The scorecard provides a clear, evidence-based view of how the industry is pr ogressing using the most up-to-date data and shows where continued focus is needed.”

“The progress made against benchmarks has enabled us to lift our ambitions higher, particularly under our best care for animals commitment.”

The 2025 Sustainability Scorecard is the first reporting cycle under the industry’s updated commitment to providing best care for animals.

Following a review of animal care priorities, goals already achieved have been removed, and new goals aligned with leading practices and current industry needs have been introduced.

One new goal already achieved is the development of a whole-of-industry surplus calf roadmap.

T he road map, known as CalfWays, is now being delivered in partnership across the dairy and beef sectors to strengthen supply chain connections, promote best-practice calf management and improve long-term outcomes for dairy-origin calves.

Mr Nicoll said the scorecard plays a critical role in maintaining transparency with stakeholders.

“By openly reporting against agreed commitments, the industry can demonstrate progress, respond to community and cust omer expectations, and focus collective effort where it will have the greatest impact,” he said.

“Consistently high consumer and community confidence in the safety and quality of Australian dairy shows that the Sustainability Framework continues to build trust in dairy.”

The ADSF continues to evolve in response to changing expectations, climate risk and emerging issues.

I ndustry working groups are reviewing goals, targets and data sources across r emaining commitments.

Updated measures will be reflected in the 2026 Sustainability Scorecard, strengthening reporting on environmental performance, wellbeing, and social impact

“Sustainability is ongoing work,” Mr Nicoll said.

“This scorecard shows where the industry stands today and demonstrates our commitment to a sustainable future for Australian dairy.”

The 2025 Sustainability Scorecard is available at dairy.com.au

Norco milk the fave again

IN ONE of Australia’s most competitive supermarket categories, the nation’s shoppers have spoken - and for the second year in a row, Norco has been named the country’s most satisfying fresh full cream milk.

Australia’s oldest and last operating 100 per cent farmer-owned dairy co-operative has taken out the Canstar 2026 Most Satisfied Customers — Fresh Full Cream Milk Award, reinforcing its position as a trusted staple in households across the country.

Based on independent research with Australians who have recently purchased and used fresh milk, the award recognises the brands performing best on what matters most at the checkout - from taste and freshness to value and overall experience - making it a powerful endorsement from everyday Australians.

Despite being produced in Northern NSW and Queensland, Norco has outperformed larger national and international brands in one of Australia’s most competitive grocery categories.

And in a category where loyalty is hardwon and competition is fierce, achieving back-to-back wins reflects the consistency and quality delivered by Norco’s farmer-owners and teams across the Cooperative.

The recognition also comes at a time when Australian producers and manufacturers are facing increasing pressure from rising input costs, shifting consumer behaviour and growing competition from imported goods, making the accolade even more meaningful.

Norco ceo Michael Hampson said the result reflects something bigger than brand preference.

“This isn’t just about milk — it’s about

what Australians are choosing to support,”

Mr Hampson said.

“Across dairy, manufacturing and agriculture, Australian owned and operated

businesses ar e under increasing straineven when they’re doing the right things, investing in their people and backing their communities.”

“There’s never been a more important time to support Australian, farmer-owned businesses, because those choices don’t just shape what’s on our shelves, they shape the future of our industries.”

Mr Hampson said the recognition ultimately belongs to the farmers behind every bottle.

“This isn’t judged in a boardroom — it’s decided by Australians in their weekly shop, and that makes it incredibly meaningful,” Mr Hampson said.

“To be recognised two years in a row speaks to the care, pride and consistency our farmers bring to what they do every single day, and our commitment to creating Australia’s best tasting dairy.”

With more than 130 years of heritage, Norco continues to operate under a unique model where every purchase directly supports its farmer-owners and regional communities.

“Every bottle of Norco milk supports Australian farming families and the communities they serve,” Mr Hampson said.

“This award is recognition of that connection between farmers and consumers, and the trust that comes with it.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our customers for their continued support, it’s something we never take for granted.”

Annual calf day a big success

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

HOLSTEIN AUSTRALIA’S South Australian sub-branch held their 45th annual All Breeds Calf and Handlers Day at Murray Bridge in April.

The event was well attended with about 60 participants and 70 animals on show.

Senior Champion Heifer was Froglands Mr Bright Ranunculus owned by Chris Thompson and Toby Zilm from Toris Holsteins and Jerseys.

Reserve Senior Champion Heifer was Zenith Park Jets Fortune owned by Niki and Jackie Davies.

Senior Champion Handler was Chris Thompson and reserve was Indie Guidolin.

Junior Champion Handler was Lachlan Fiebiger and reserve was Maree-Sage Morter-Grant.

The ring was presided over by Luke Gardiner from Avonlea Holsteins.

Event organiser Courtney Afford said the event, which was open to all dairy breeds, was a great success.

“It is a great opportunity for anyone to come along and develop their skills.

“We have classes from handlers to fancy dress as well,” Courtney said.

Courtney said she had been involved in the show since she was little helping her mum, who was also once an organiser of the show.

MATES CELEBRATE WIN AT MURRAY BRIDGE

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

CHRIS THOMPSON and Toby Zilm might have grown up in different places, but their love for showing cows has seen them establish Toris Holsteins and Jerseys together.

The boys recently took home Grand Champion Heifer at the 45th Murray Bridge calf day with Froglands Mr Bright Rannunculus, a heifer they bought from the PRS sale in NSW.

Toris Ventura Trauma was also crowned Reserve Junior Champion Heifer.

The boys said they couldn’t have been any happier with how their heifers performed in the ring, considering there were lots of entries on the day.

The mates first met while studying at Urrbrae College Agricultural High School in Adelaide.

They bought their first cow in 2023 and now own over 20 cows together.

Both Chris and Toby work well together — Chris does the washing and leading, while Toby does the clipping and preparation.

Chris comes from a non-farming background, while Toby is a fourth-generation dairy farmer from Birdwood in South Australia.

Chris said his love for showing started with leading cows and had developed into a love for

the breeding side as well.

He is currently at university and hopes to move into ET and IVF work.

“I would like to get into dairying, but without family it is pretty hard – I might be able to get into sharefarming or work my way up to a management position one day,” Chris said.

Toby is currently working on the family farm with his parents, milking 200 mixed cows on 160ha.

He first started showing cattle with Illawarras when he was younger.

“My mum comes from a big Illawarra family and my dad had always had commercial Holsteins — we never had a Jersey until I met Chris at school,” Toby said.

Toby laughs as he says there is a story behind every cow he and Chris have bought, including Stgen Davinci Cosmopolitan.

“One of the girls we went to Urrbare with won the animal in a raffle,” Toby said.

“She lived in the middle of the city and wasn’t that into cows so we bought the calf off her.

“Toris Perennial Cosmopolitan is her 10-month-old daughter and we are hoping to sell her in the sale at this year’s Winter Fair in Bendigo.

The boys will be showing Perennial Cosmopolitan along with Ventura Trauma (Reserve Junior Champion) at the fair.

Variation in intake, feeding patterns and rumen conditions means nutrient supply is inherently inconsistent.

It’s not just what you feed, it’s what the cow gets

Improving the consistency of nutrient supply, through feeding management or controlled-delivery technologies such as microencapsulation, has been associated with measurable improvements in efficiency and performance.

BY SOPHIE BALDWIN

DAIRY NUTRITION often focuses on what goes into the ration, energy, protein and minerals, balanced to meet the cow’s requirements. However, on-farm, what is formulated and what the cow actually receives are not always the same.

In both total mixed ration (TMR) and grazing systems, variation in intake, feeding patterns and rumen conditions means nutrient supply is inherently inconsistent. In grazing systems, where pasture quality and intake can change daily, this variability is even more pronounced.

The result is a gap between diet formulation and nutrient delivery, which can limit performance, reduce efficiency, and increase the risk of metabolic malfunction.

Why nutrient delivery varies

In both TMR and grazing systems, cows experience variation in nutrient supply across the day. However, grazing systems typically amplify this variability due to pasture growth dynamics, changing sward structure, and variable intake behaviour between animals.

In pasture-based systems, intake is less controlled and often occurs in distinct grazing bouts. Supplementation is typically delivered in discrete feeding events, meaning cows experience peaks and troughs of nutrient intake rather than a steady supply we refer to this as “slug feeding”.

This leads to fluctuations in rumen fermentation and nutrient availability.

Research has shown that rumen pH can vary substantially throughout the day, with cows often spending several hours below pH 5.8, a level associated with subacute ruminal acidosis.

Another example is that when nutrients arrive at different times, microbial efficiency declines, and excess nitrogen is converted to urea rather than being captured as microbial protein.

When natural supply is not enough: B vitamins as an example

Although rumen microbes produce many B vitamins, this supply is not constant. It depends on rumen conditions such as pH and substrate availability, which fluctuate throughout the day.

Under high production or metabolic stress, microbial supply may not always meet demand. Research has shown that supplementation with protected forms of B vitamins such as folic acid and vitamin B12 can improve milk production, reproduction, and metabolic status.

These responses are driven not just by increased supply, but by more reliable delivery to the site of absorption in the small intestine.

From precision to reliability

Dairy nutrition has made major progress in defining requirements and improving ration formulation. However, further gains are increasingly limited by biological variability rather than formulation accuracy.

The next step is not simply greater precision in what is fed, but greater reliability in how nutrients are delivered and utilised within the cow.

This means shifting from: balanced diet - delivery of nutrients at the right time and rate average intake - nutrient supply over time correct formulation - nutrients reaching the right place and usable Microencapsulation fits within this shift by helping protect nutrients and control their release, improving consistency of delivery under real farm conditions.

Closing the gap

In both grazing and TMR systems, variability in nutrient delivery is unavoidable, more so in grazing systems.

ProDairy can assist you with the development of a tailored plan:

• On-farm visit by a ProDairy veterinarian.

• Review of the current biosecurity principles, the major risks and actions taken to reduce those risks.

• Development of a customised biosecurity plan.

Visit prodairy.com.au for more information.

This variability has direct consequences whereby only 20–30 per cent of dietary nitrogen is typically captured in milk, with the remainder lost via urine and faeces.

To be efficient, rumen microbes rely on a stable supply of fermentable energy and rumen degradable protein (RDP) for the synthesis of microbial protein, necessary for milk protein synthesis and muscle growth.

If variability in intake cannot be eliminated, particularly in grazing systems, the next step is to improve how nutrients are delivered within the cow.

It is clear that inconsistency reduces efficiency, affecting rumen stability, nutrient utilisation, and metabolic resilience. Technologies such as microencapsulation help address this by improving the consistency of nutrient delivery. In doing so, they support a more reliable link between what is fed and what the cow actually receives. Ultimately, improving performance depends on feeding more precisely and consistently.

Jefo Nutrition manufactures rumen-protected solutions designed to support consistent and efficient delivery of nutrients to dairy cows. For more information, contact your nutritionist or Jefo representative.

Stationary baler mixes crops

BY ASHLEY DARLING

THE ONLY stationary baler in Australia made a visit to Congupna in May to create 250 bales of a mix of white seed sorghum and barley grain with minor weevil contamination to become silage.

The Vario Master Stationery Baler-Wrapper from Göweil, a manufacturer in Austria, is one of only around 1000 stationary balers worldwide and only around 200 of which are the same variable chamber model, allowing for different sizes of bales.

The baler was hauled up from its Korumburra home in Gippsland, a six-hour drive that started at 4am the previous day.

Arron Daniels Ag Contracting has been hiring out the $740,000 machine since it arrived in January to farmers across Victoria and southern NSW.

Arron Daniels said the machine offered more options to smaller farmers and “anything you can mix together you can put in a bale”.

The benefits of the baler include tighter compaction, which reduces the risk of mould by decreasing the amount of oxygen inside the bale.

Tighter compaction also reduces freight costs.

The ability to mix forage crops with grain in a fast fermenting environment means the stationary baler can reduce waste of contam inated crops.

Avoiding the use of pits also reduces loss and potential for spoilage.

Ashley Dempster saw his weevil contaminated grain mixed into his freshly harvested sorghum crop at a ratio of 20 per cent grain to 80 per cent sorghum when the machine was working on his Congupna property.

Mr Dempster had believed that his crop was failed in January due to a lack of rain and no irrigation because of water costs and allocation.

The crop benefited from rain in February,

If the machine was floated on a truck, the estimate cost could have been up to $3000. Mr Daniel said many people were unaware of the benefits of this type of baler and “everyone wants to see it before they commit to it”.