Mary Burgess is an absolute inspiration. Whilst teaching in South West Victoria, she closed her eyes and stuck a pin in a map looking for her next adventure and found it on a farm in Swanpool in Northern Victoria. She has spent the last 37 years alongside husband Derek as a Dairy Farmer, splitting her time between teaching and the farm. After retiring 16 years ago, Mary became full time on the farm and has loved every moment. Sadly Derek died earlier this year and although she’s been questioned about the future of the farm, she is adamant she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 

She may not be as physically active anymore, but she is definitely still as sharp as a tack and in this epsiode she shares how she managed her time, her involvement within the community, the changes and developments over the years both on the farm and within the industry as well as giving us an insight into just how fulfilling a life spent within dairy can be. 

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  

Rem has recently made the move from Nursing to Agriculture and is currently working alongside her partner Josh in Wallacedale. Although she grew up on a dairy farm, her dad sold the cows and leased the land when she was young, and never really experienced the day to day of a working farm. She however is quickly becoming aware of all of the different aspects of dairy farming and has a real eagerness to learn, grow and has an all in attitude. 

In this chat we explore her move from Nursing to the Farm, how that transition has been and she openly shares just how much more she has to learn. You can certainly hear her enthusiasm and passion throughout this chat. 

This is Rem's story.

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. 

Adam Dee has had quite an impressive career within the dairy industry. His passion for cows and breeding was obvious at an early age and it was within genetics that he had a career spanning over 20 years. 12 months ago he made the move back to his family farm, Clydevale Holsteins in Northern Victoria. He now works alongside his 2 brothers and father, within a farming business that has evolved over the years. They run a compost barn with a roof space of about a hectare, housing 500 cows using a robotic milking system. In this chat we cover everything from his passion as a kid, his career at Genetics Australia and National Herd Development, the decision to return to the family farm as well as all things Holstein Cows, Compost Barns and Robots. 

The Dee family regularly host visitors to the farm, even building a viewing platform to take in the whole barn. If you are interested in learning more about Robotics or the Compost Barn or to visit Adam please get in touch with him via his mobile 0427 530 011. 

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. 

Teena Pearse farms in Northern Victoria and does NOT like mud. She cut her teeth during the millennium drought and has faced many challenges over the years including the extended wet season of 2022. In this chat she shares the impacts the wet season has had, how it compares to drought years and the unnexpected flow on effects. She also shares her unique approach to joining and calving each year that allows her to watch her youngest son who is a paralympic swimmer. 

This is Teena's Story. 

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. 

Nathan Mugavin had a passion for cows and dairy farming from an early age. He is currently managing a farm with his partner Sophie near Warrnambool in South West Victoria. He has had quite the journey in a relatively short period of time, having many roles varying from a relief milker, working full time, trying his hand at share farming, working briefly at Genetics Australia and as an AI tech before finally arriving at his current position. In this chat we explore his passion for dairy, how it began and the path he has taken to get to his current farm as well as exploring his love for cow genetics and showing heifers at shows.  

This is Nathan's story

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. 

Carlie Barry and husband Owen milk 300 cows on a certified organic farm near Camperdown in South West Victoria. In this chat we cover everything from her experience as a young mum, her time working at Landmark and Fonterra to how they’ve taken each opportunity to get them to their current farm. We also delve into what organic farming practices she is using on the farm, her love for crazy and quirky ideas, their paddock to plate beef business and her dream for breeding the ultimate dairy cow in an ever changing environment. 

This is Carlie’s Story.

Want to get in touch with Carlie, please send her a message via her Facebook Page, Woolvie Jerseys and Milking Gyr here

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. 

This podcast is proudly supported by CREAM OF THE CROP 

The two day conference is an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and reflect. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. The 2023 event was held on March 1st and 2nd, at the Koroit Theatre, followed by an inclusive evening networking event in Warrnambool and a then half day farm tour in the surrounding region of South West Victoria.

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

Today is International Women’s Day, a day where we can celebrate the incredible achievements of women across the globe, educate and raise awareness for women’s equality and lobby for gender parity. This year’s theme is around challenging gender stereotypes, calling out discrimination and embracing equity. And I think you would struggle to find someone better to encompass all of that than Mandi McLeod.

She is currently an agri business consultant, focusing on communication, and the 5 d’s as she calls them, debt, death, disaster, divorce and dispersal and the tough conversations we need to have but often aren’t. In this chat she gives us some practical tips about how to start having these conversations and why we should be… but she also gives us a real insight into her own dairy farming journey, taking over the family farm, the pioneering she has done with farming practices long before they were a thing and the struggles she has had, and continues to do so around identity. She also spent a number of years working with Norco, through deregulation and shares how this has shaped her. 

This is Mandi’s story.

If would like to get in touch with Mandi regarding consulting work please send an email to [email protected] 

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. 

This Podcast is proudly supported by CREAM OF THE CROP 

The two day conference is an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and reflect. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. The 2023 event was on March 1st and 2nd, with a range of inspirational speakers, panels and workshops as well as farm tours on day 2. More information can be found on their Website or via Instagram  or Facebook  

James Clyne is a fourth generation dairy farmer with a real passion for innovation, beautifully uddered cows and irrigation, milking just over 1100 cows in the Macalister Irrigation District of Gippsland. This chat is a real insight into the whole operation, we talk mastitis, irrigation, contingency plans for drought and everything in between.

This is James’ story

If you would like to listen to James and Luke on Dairy Pod around cell count, mastitis and milk quality check out the episode HERE 

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. 

About CREAM OF THE CROP 

The conference, in it's second year is an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and reflect. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community.

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

Stu Griffin is a fourth generation farmer with a real passion for dairy. He studied vet science and worked in Northern Vic before returning home to the family farm, where he milks just under 500 cows with a 10 in 7 milking interval. In this chat we explore a whole range of topics including the influences his parents have had, his time as a vet, what the farm looks like now and the decision to move to once a day and into 10 in 7 as well as the many roles within dairy advocacy he has held. I also learn what a ‘cow day is’ and Stu gives his predications for the future of the industry. 

This is Stu’s story

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. 

Want to learn more about Extended Milking Intervals, you can watch to the LIC Webinar here

About CREAM OF THE CROP 

The conference, in it's second year is an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and reflect. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. 

The 2023 event will be on March 1st and 2nd, with the first day held in the Koroit Theatre, followed by an inclusive evening networking event in Warrnambool and a then half day tour in the surrounding region of South West Victoria. 

With a carefully considered 1.5 day program, attendees will have the opportunity to be challenged and inspired by speakers, panels, workshops, and farm and factory tours; as well as having the opportunity to network with like-minded people in the industry. The conference is open to farmers and service providers of all ages and stages, and the organisers encourage both group and individual registrations.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased HERE 

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

Jess Howe was a farmer in her own right, before meeting her husband and becoming part of his family farming operation. In this chat she speaks openly about her job with Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, as a field officer, working through the transition to Saputo. And how quickly her career path quickly changed as children and in particular medically complex babies became the most important occupier of her time. As a side arm to the dairy, in the hope to find a solution to surplus bobby calves, they have created Brucknell Creek Produce, a Jersey Beef business. 

This is Jess’s story

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. 

Want to learn more about Brucknell Creek Produce? You can find them on Facebook or Instagram or send an email to [email protected] 

About CREAM OF THE CROP 

The conference, in it's second year is an opportunity for women in the dairy industry to come together to learn, connect and reflect. Recognising the contribution, regardless of their role, they make to the industry and their wider community. 

The 2023 event will be on March 1st and 2nd, with the first day held in the Koroit Theatre, followed by an inclusive evening networking event in Warrnambool and a then half day tour in the surrounding region of South West Victoria. 

With a carefully considered 1.5 day program, attendees will have the opportunity to be challenged and inspired by speakers, panels, workshops, and farm and factory tours; as well as having the opportunity to network with like-minded people in the industry. The conference is open to farmers and service providers of all ages and stages, and the organisers encourage both group and individual registrations.

Tickets are ON SALE NOW and can be purchased HERE 

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