Jodi Probert and partner Brett farm in Curdievale, having progressed through the industry, starting on a ⅓ share, moving to a 50/50 share before building enough equity to purchase their current farm. Jodi openly shares her dislike of mornings and milking, even in the new dairy and how having a great team around her allows for self appointed sleep-ins. She also shares the reasons behind building the new dairy which has resulted in them milking 720 at peak, with potential to grow. 

Throughout the chat Jodie is incredibly open and honest about her struggles with depression - If you are in need of some support - there are quite a number of services available and I encourage you to reach out to your GP, trusted healthcare professional or online including lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue at https://www.beyondblue.org.au. 

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

Mel McDonald is a 4th generation dairy farmer, who farms alongside her husband Will in Bessiebelle.

Mel never thought she’d return to her family farm, she never imagined her life the way it turned out, but would't change it. She shares the decision from Will to become a farmer and the move home to the farm. She shares her roles within the business and her belief that although she has all of the capability and skills needed to put cups on, it’s NOT something she does.

We delve into finding her identity within the business as well as her struggles with the question - and what do you do?? And the answer is A LOT - because whilst working within the farming business, she also has a specialty cake business, is heavily involved within her community, teaches agriculture & hospitality and is raising her 3 kids. She is truly increidble.

She also gives some really great pieces of advice for dealing with succession and shares her very successful transition of family business from her parents to herself

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Tom Newton works for Maxum Foods, and whilst you may not recognise the company name I'm sure you will recognise the calf milk powder brand, Maxcare. Tom grew up in Queensland and although was surrounded by agriculture with his family involved in wool production and horticulture, notably stone fruits. He had no dairy knowledge before taking up a role with Maxum, but over the last 16 years has become incredibly passionate about the dairy industry, the people involved and calf rearing. 

In this chat we discuss how he made the decision to NOT take over his family farming operation, his move to Maxum and the early days of selling bulk dairy ingredients and the creation of the maxcare brand. Tom is incredibly open and honest, admitting that he didn’t know anything about dairy farming or calf rearing in the early days but loved the opportunity to drive up driveways, meet new people, attend industry field days with a genuine interest in people, learning about what was happening on farm and if or how he could best help. We also discuss calf rearing, however it is simply sharing how Tom likes to approach conversations around best practice and the many changes to calf rearing practices over the years rather than a sales pitch.  

Want to get in touch with Tom or the Maxcare team? You can give Tom a call on +61 439 773 145 or email him at [email protected] or find out more about Maxcare by visiting the website here

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Sarah Chant milks about 270 Jersey cows, on her family farm, which she took over from her dad 7 years ago after he passed away from Cancer. Although taking over the farm hasn’t been easy, especially amongst so much grief, Sarah always knew she was going to be a farmer! 

In this chat we discuss the transition from it being her dad’s farm to Sarah's own farm, her passion for breeding jersey’s and herd improvement, her experience with showing cows & the community within dairy and what she’s hoping for in the future. Sarah is incredibly honest about the stress and pressure she felt in the early years taking over the management of the farm, but it was never the pressure of her dad’s expectation, rather the pressure she put on herself to not stuff it up. 

Sarah has an incredible passion and energy for her cows and farming. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Michael Harvey is a Senior Dairy Analyst at Rabobank, with decades of experience within the dairy industry. He grew up on a dairy farm in Northern Victoria before heading to Melbourne for Uni, working at Dairy Australia before making the move to Rabobank. He publishes a yearly seasonal outlook report around Global Markets, local conditions and gives an independent view on the farmgate milk price and the year ahead. 

In this week's episode we delve into the many aspects that influence dairy markets, the current domestic and export environments and how markets have changed over the years. It’s certainly a chat full of information, but even if you know nothing about dairy markets, Mick breaks it all down really simply for all of us to understand. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

 If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

Monique Jeffries is an agri-accountant, working for McLaren Hunt in Warrnambool. She always had an aspiration to be an accountant, growing up in New Zealand, it was her fathers accountant who was a real inspiration. But It was whilst working on her family farm that Monique took a role with open country, a milk processor in New Zealand, before making the big move to Australia to work at UDC as a field officer. Monique has a real passion for helping farmers be equipped with the best knowledge and team around them, to make the best decisions for their businesses and therefore has recently made the move back to accounting with McLaren Hunt.

In this week's episode of the podcast we discuss the many differences between New Zealand and Australia, and the current dairy landscape, as well as Monique's personal experiences that are giving her an advantage within her current accounting role. 

If you would like to get in touch with Monique or the team at Mclaren Hunt, you can contact her by calling (03) 5562 3544 emailing her on [email protected] or visiting the website at https://www.mclarenhunt.com.au

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

Jacqui Suares is a dairy farmer at Calderbrae Holsteins, in Larpent where she and husband Ross milk around 165 Registered Holsteins. Whilst at Ross’s family farm in Hordern Vale, their eldest daughter was diagnosed with a disability and so they made the move closer to Colac for the best opportunities for her. Jacqui began her working life as a nurse, but it soon became clear the services on offer for their daughter Mia, weren’t what they wanted so she made the move into the disability sector where she has had quite a career. 

In this chat we discuss the move into farming and how it’s changed over the years, their progress through share farming and leasing before ownership of the current farm. We also discuss the aim to keep the farm at a manageable level that allowed for Jacqui & Ross to juggle off farm work, raise their family all whilst managing the cows well, feeding them adequately and have a level of comfort. 

She is also admits, isn’t the best at sitting still and is currently the Chair of WestVic Dairy Board and sits on the Holstein Australia Board. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

Paul Weller is based in Lockington, Northern Victoria, and has spent his life in dairy. 

His father and grandfather farmed before him, with many changes to the farm over the years. In the early days, Paul had seen the dairy business fund the beef operation and quickly came to the conclusion that dairy was the best financial return. Although now is running both cropping and dairy businesses on his farm with Share-farmers. Paul has a real focus on advocacy and the united voice of agriculture, having had quite the impact over the years. He was involved in multiple boards including UDV & VFF, the Murray Goulburn board and currently the Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council and the National Herd Co-op as well as spending some time as the Nationals Members for Parliament all whilst running his farming business. 

In this chat we explore his farming journey and the changes over the years, as well as his plans for the future. We chat about advocacy and what we, as an industry may need to consider to encourage the next generation of advocates and leaders. We also chat about his impacts representing farmers across the years and what issues Paul believes we might face in the coming years. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

Rebecca Toleman is the newly appointed Teaching & Education Manager for Agriculture at South West Tafe. Although she never completed high school herself and never imagined she would get into Education - she is an absolute trailblazer. Having spent time on farm before making the move into teaching she has a real passion for people and sharing knowledge, especially those key skills she would have loved to have in her early days on farm. 

In this chat we explore Bec’s pathway into Agriculture, the impact of the dairy crash and clawback, her time away from dairy and her move back into Education. We discuss her new role at South West Tafe and her real passion for people. She also shares some of her big dreams and hopes for the future. We generally discuss the variety of courses that Tafe offers, but if you would like more information about the courses or to discuss anything specifically please visit their website

Bec is a bundle of energy and has a real passion for sharing knowledge and finding the next generation, if you would like to get in touch with her specifically you can get in touch with her at TAFE on 1300 648 911 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you. 

Celia Hobbs grew up on a sheep property in the Wimmera before her parents made the move to Northern Victoria, where their sheep were surrounded by dairy cows. Her parent's made the switch to dairy farming in 2018, but it wasn't until after her brother stepped away from the farm that Celia made the move to take over the operation. 

She always thought a career off farm and within the arts was where she would end up, but life had other plans. She is currently farming alongside partner Brian, where they are setting up the herd, the dairy and the farm to how they’d like it - trialling what works and what doesn’t to find what is the right fit for them and their farming system. 

In this epsiode we chat about the move to dairy and her passion for community. We explore some of the trials to find the right type of dairy cow for their herd and where she thinks the farm might go into the future. 

This is Celia's story. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of the Crop is a two day conference, with an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and grow. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. Although the 2023 conference is over, planning is underway for the 2024 event and it's going to be wonderful. 

More information can be found on the Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

 If you know someone who you think would be great on the podcast, or you would like to share your story, please get in touch by sending an email to [email protected] or stay connected by following us on Instagram or Facebook and send us a message - I'd love to hear from you.