This episode is from a recent webinar that discusses the issues and decisions facing dairy farmers as they head into a new season.

Dairy Australia's Agribusiness Program Lead, Greg Duncan, is joined by farm business management consultants Tom Farran and Fiona Smith, who offer key insights about farm financial analysis and identifying opportunities to improve profitability. 

For more information and support with your farm business management needs, visit Farm Business

Watch the webinar: Farm financials webinar - Responding to the shift in settings (youtube.com)

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, DairyTas Extension Team Lead Liz Mann is joined by Dr Richard Rawnsley from Fonterra and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.

Listen to Liz and Richard as they discuss different climate myths and provide guidance on where farmers can start in understanding their greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information about how Dairy Australia supports dairy farmers with managing climate and environment, visit dairyaustralia.com.au/climateandenvironment

Related links

Australian Dairy Carbon Calculator | Dairy Australia

DairyBase | Dairy Australia

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we revisit a podcast that focuses on down cows and how to maximise their chances of recovery.

Hear from vet Phil Poulton, who completed a PhD on the subject, as he speaks to Dairy Australia’s National Lead – Animal Health and Welfare, Stephanie Bullen, about when a cow goes from a down cow to a downer cow, how to safely lift and move her, appropriate nursing and when you should use anti-inflammatories. 

For more information about down cows and how to care for and manage them, visit the Dairy Australia website and search ‘down cows.’

Related links: 

Decision tree for down cows | Dairy Australia

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we share key insights and guidance from Nollaig Heffernan, an independent management consultant specialising in leadership and organisational psychology.

Nollaig joins Dairy Australia’s Bernie Baxter to discuss what makes a high performing dairy business and identifies some immediate actionable solutions that farmers can take to improve their own operation. 

For more information and resources to support staff development and management for your farm business, visit Employing & Managing People | Dairy Australia 

Hear from Nollaig in a previous episode:   

Podcast 29: How being a better employer improves your farm business - DairyPod - Omny.fm

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s General Manager – Sustainable Dairy, Charlie McElhone speaks with Western Australian dairy farmer Michael Partridge about the trade and export opportunities available to farmers, and the relevance for the state’s fresh milk production.

The pair discuss the importance of growth and opportunities for Australian dairy, as well as the need for free trade agreements and work required to remain competitive.   

Find out more about how Dairy Australia is improving market access, while building and maintaining strong international trade relationships at International Dairy Markets | Dairy Australia 

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Analysis and Insights Manager, Eliza Redfern and Head of Economics, Data and Insights, John Droppert, discuss the May Situation and Outlook (S&O) report.  

Eliza and John highlight the recently completed National Dairy Farmer Survey and look at the topline trends from the S&O report. The conversation covers farmer confidence in the industry as well as milk production and demand, both domestically and internationally. 

Access the full S&O report: dairyaustralia.com.au/sando 

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

Related links:  

Industry Reports | Dairy Australia 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, WestVic Dairy Extension Advisor Debbie Twiss speaks with dairy farmers Victoria Burleigh and Luke Davison about their experiences using genomic testing data as part of their herd management strategies.   

The couple – who farm at Nullawarre in Victoria’s south-west – started genomic testing of their herd in 2020. They share how and why they got started, their business decisions based on this new data that saw improved profitability, as well as some practical examples into the business applications of heifer genomics for others to consider. 

You can find out more about heifer genomics and genomic testing visit Genetics | Dairy Australia 

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

Further information:  

• Visit the Datagene website.  
• Phone Datagene on 1800 841 848 for information about the sustainability index.  
• Contact your local extension program provider to register your interest in upcoming dairy industry genomics courses.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we hear from Sarah Crosthwaite – a dairy farmer and mental health social worker from the Kiewa Valley in North-east Victoria. In 2023, Sarah was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship that has allowed her to travel the world and see what other countries are doing when it comes to mental health promotion, particularly in the agricultural sector.  

Sarah speaks with Gardiner Foundation Communications Manager, Meghan Lodwick, about what she has learnt and the impact of her Nuffield experience. 

To find out more about the Nuffield Scholarship and apply for the 2025 intake, visit gardinerfoundation.com.au/nuffield  

Read more about Sarah’s story: From dairy farmer to mental health advocate | Dairy Australia

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

Trigger warning: This episode contains themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The availability of a skilled workforce remains one of the top challenges facing Australian agriculture. The shortages have wide-ranging impacts – from farm output to work-life balance, and succession.

Join Dairy Australia’s National People Lead, Mick Fuller and DairySA’s Extension Coordinator and Workforce Attraction Project Lead, Alberta Badu-Yeboah as they chat to South Australian dairy farmer Sarah Moore about finding and attracting staff, including backpackers, to dairy farms. 

A former backpacker – now farm manager – Sarah shares her perspective on what makes a backpacker a great farming employee.

The conversation explores what a talent community is, how to engage with backpackers specifically and how to make the most of the time they’re on farm to ensure a great experience for the employer and employee.

This episode is part of a DairyPod workforce attraction series providing insights and guidance to help farmers successfully recruit and retain the right people for dairy farm jobs.

To find out more about how Dairy Australia is supporting farmers with employing and managing people and to access employment resources, visit People, Skills & Capability | Dairy Australia

If you have suggestions for future podcast episodes, you can get in contact with us by emailing [email protected]

Related links:

The People in Dairy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy Australia’s Project Manager, Carly Potts brings an inspirational conversation to this DairyPod episode as she speaks with Young Dairy Network Conference guest presenter, Samantha Bloom. 

Samantha is a three-time World Para Surfing champion, author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office movie, Penguin Bloom – the movie adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family.

Following an accident that led to her spinal injury, Samantha shares her story with an inspiring degree of positivity and brutal honesty of her personal challenges. She talks about her journey through depression and anger, and how the kindness of others and the process of telling her story helped her find meaningful purpose again. Today, her passion is fundraising to help others affected by spinal cord injuries as well as an enviable determination to win her fourth World Para Surfing championship.  

To find out more about Dairy Australia’s national events – including the Young Dairy Network calendar – visit Cows, Courage and Curiosity - A Young Dairy Network Event | Dairy Australia 

Other related links:  

NSW YDN sign up page: dairyaustralia.com.au/dairynsw/about-us/dairy-nsw-young-dairy-network 

More about Sam: Home | Sam Bloom 

Trigger warning: This episode does contain themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.