In this episode, South Gippsland dairy farmer Graeme Nicoll joins Mikaela Baker (Dairy Australia) and Kevin Smith (Agriculture Victoria) to share practical insights into how he selects the most productive and profitable ryegrass for his farm using Dairy Australia’s Forage Value Index (FVI). 

They discuss how the FVI ratings for Annual, Perennial and Italian ryegrasses are determined using independent data from Pasture Trial Network sites around Australia, and how the FVI continues to evolve.

To find out more about the FVI and access the 2025 data, visit Forage Value Index | Dairy Australia.

This episode features a conversation with: 

Mikaela Baker, Dairy Australia Extension Advisor & Farm Engagement Lead
Professor Kevin Smith, Professorial Fellow, Agriculture Victoria Research and Professor of Pasture Science, The University of Melbourne 
Graeme Nicoll, dairy farmer, Fish Creek 

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Hear from New South Wales dairy farmer, Simon Scowen, as he joins Dairy Australia’s National People Lead Mick Fuller to discuss the importance of a safety-first culture in the workplace – particularly when it comes to onboarding and training for new employees. 

For more information about employee inductions, visit Getting started | The People in Dairy

Related links: 
Farm safety starter kit | The People in Dairy
Farm Safety Manual | The People in Dairy

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In this episode, hear from Irish dairy farmers Gillian and Neil O’Sullivan as they discuss their farming system and successfully changing from a conventional, monoculture pasture system to a multispecies pasture system. 

The couple joins Dairy Australia’s Cath Lescun and Donna Gibson from Gardiner Foundation for this conversation, where they also share the reasons behind making the change.

For more information and to access resources across all areas of soil, effluent, water and irrigation management, visit Soils & Water | Dairy Australia.  

This episode features a conversation with: 
Cath Lescun, National Soils & Water Lead, Dairy Australia
Donna Gibson, Program Manager, Research and Innovation, Gardiner Foundation
Gillian and Neil O’Sullivan, Irish dairy farmers 

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In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Carly Potts is joined by Jade Pepper to discuss career opportunities and staff retention within the dairy industry. 

Jade is a farmhand and trainee at Wallis Dairy in Bega, New South Wales. She speaks about her pathway into the dairy industry – which came through a school-based apprenticeship with Australian Training Company – as well as the transition from school to the workforce, and ways the industry can support staff retention.

To find out about how Dairy Australia provides support with employing and managing people, and building skills for successful careers in dairy farming, contact your regional team or visit People | Dairy Australia.

Related links 
Home - Australian Training Company  

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In this DairyPod episode, Dairy Australia’s Cath Lescun sits down with Professor Helen Suter and dairy farmer Simon Scott to discuss how dairy farmers can potentially improve soil health through the use of multispecies pastures. 

Hear more about a new University of Melbourne study that examined the forage production of multispecies pastures and the impact on soil properties. The panel discuss the results of this project, and some of the applications it can have for dairy farmers interested in implementing biodiversity in their farming. 

For more information and to access resources across all areas of soil, effluent, water and irrigation management, visit Soils & Water | Dairy Australia.  

This episode features a conversation with: 
Cath Lescun, National Soils & Water Lead, Dairy Australia
Helen Suter, Professor of Soil Science, The University of Melbourne
Simon Scott, dairy farmer from Barongarook, Victoria

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Since 2013, the Regional Wellbeing team at the University of Canberra has surveyed Australians in remote, rural and urban areas to better understand community liveability, wellbeing and resilience – crucial research supporting the future of Australian agriculture.

In this episode, hear key insights with Gardiner Foundation’s Meghan Lodwick and Professor Jacki Schirmer from the University of Canberra, who is leading this research.

The 2024 Regional Wellbeing Survey is open until 31 January. Find out more and take the survey: Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management.

Further information can be found at Home - Regional Wellbeing Survey.

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“I’m not only looking at hazards for the adults on farm – I am also now looking out for these hazards for not only my children, but those of my staff and the friends who come to visit.”   

Hear from South Australian dairy farmer Jen Stolp, who speaks to Dairy Australia’s National People Lead Mick Fuller about how she and her husband keep their children safe when running a business that is also their backyard.  

Jen outlines the policies and procedures their business has in place to create a safe workplace and culture on their farm.  

For tools to build and maintain your safety system for children in the workplace, visit Visitors, Children and Traffic | The People in Dairy  

Related resources  

Farm Safety Manual | The People in Dairy 

Farm safety starter kit | The People in Dairy 

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In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Eliza Redfern and Helen Quinn sit down to dissect the December Situation and Outlook report and Dairy Farm Monitor Project (DFMP) results.

The pair discuss the impact seasonal conditions had on DFMP results in Victoria and New South Wales, as well as the key challenges and opportunities ahead of the upcoming season.

To read the full reports and results, visit Industry Reports | Dairy Australia.

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This episode is part of a series that focuses on Fall Armyworm (FAW), a destructive horticultural and field pest that was detected in Australia in 2020.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Principal Entomologist, Dr Melina Miles, has been investigating FAW since it arrived in the country and discusses the topic with Dairy Australia’s Dr Brenda McLachlan.

They explore the potential impact on dairy farm crops and pastures, as well as delve into pest control options to minimise risks and the challenge presented by pesticide resistance.

Find out more and access resources at Fall Armyworm | Dairy Australia.  

Related links 

Fall armyworm | The Beatsheet 

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In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Head of Marketing Glenys Zucco speaks to Rex James Stockfeed Managing Director, Sam James. 

Sam reflects on his personal experiences helping Australian dairy farmers through tough times, the business’ role in the dairy industry and how it has evolved. He also speaks about the business’ recent commitment and involvement in Dairy Australia’s Picasso Cows program as a sponsor, and its benefits to the industry. 

To find out more about how Dairy Australia promotes Australian dairy through consumer marketing, school and health and nutrition, visit Promoting Australian Dairy | Dairy Australia.

Interested in sponsoring the Picasso Cows program? Send an email to [email protected].  

Related links
Picasso Cows Discover Dairy
James Stockfeed & Fertilizers - Home

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