In the latest DairyPod episode, Down to Earth Advice Ltd consultant and former DairyNZ scientist Dr John Roche gives his thoughts on some of the main challenges facing Australian dairy farmers in the future, and how decision making can be the difference between a successful or struggling farm business. From marginal milk to production costs, the internationally renowned dairy consultant provides a fascinating insight into how the best farmers approach decision making and how good choices can improve your balance sheet and lifestyle.

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Northern Victorian dairy farmer Dehne Vinnicombe, who has tested positive for COVID-19, speaks to Murray Dairy’s Lachie Barnes about operating a farm under the threat of coronavirus spread and how he has adapted his farm business to minimise the potential damage that can be caused by the virus.

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This episode looks at how markets, both internationally and domestically, are shaping up in the post COVID-19 world. Dairy Australia’s Industry Insights and Analysis Manager John Droppert caught up with Fresh Agenda director Steve Spencer whose analysis of the food industry, especially dairy, is always worth a listen.

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Gippsland dairy farmer Andrew Perry talks us through the critical steps he's taken to protect the people on his farm and the farm business itself from COVID-19.
Andrew, who is also a highly respected vet, believes dairy farmers need to treat COVID-19 seriously or risk damage to their business – as well as their health.
Steph Bullen from Dairy Australia’s animal health team caught up with her fellow vet to find out what exactly he’s doing to fight COVID 19 on his farm.

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Steph Bullen from Dairy Australia’s animal health team and DA’s technical and innovation manager John Penry will take you through some of the fundamentals of how to deal with the threat of COVID-19 on your dairy farm.

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Still unsure which perennial ryegrass variety to choose for sowing this autumn? Hear Dairy Australia’s Ruairi McDonnell chat to Prof. Kevin Smith from the University of Melbourne about the Forage Value Index, including how to use it on your farm to select the most profitable cultivar.

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With lots of farmers around the country focusing on Autumn calving, it’s a good time to have a listen to Dairy Australia’s Ruairi McDonnell speaking with Dr Bob James, a dairy consultant from the US who's had a long and productive career in extension, teaching and research, specialising in dairy calf management and rearing.
In a thought provoking discussion, Bob spoke about several aspects of calf rearing, including:
- How much milk should you feed your calves each day
- Target weight gains pre-weaning
- Long term effects of how heifer calves are reared on their milk yield as mature cows
- Pros and cons of automatic calf feeders
- Antibiotic use in calves
- Role of “secondary” or transition colostrum in calf performance

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Western Australian farmer Jacqui Biddulph talks dairy life with northern Victorian farmers Peter and Susan Wearden who’ve seen the highs and lows of dairying over almost three decades and have developed strategies for staying optimistic even in the toughest times.

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Gippsland dairy farmer and vet Andrew Perry recently caught up with Ruairi McDonnell to discuss his approach to management and rearing of heifers on his farm, including:
- What is the true cost of heifer hearing on dairy farms?
- Key targets to aim for when rearing heifers to enter your herd
- What the ideal number of heifers to rear each year?
- The role of the export heifer market in Andrews farm system

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Dairy farmer and CFA captain Mark Billing speaks …