Some parts of Gippsland are facing much worse conditions than others.
Dust, flies and feed budgets are top of everyone’s mind as we wait for the next solid rain event.
Reach out to GippsDairy if you need support, but also don’t forget your resources within your farm support team — consultants, nutritionists, agronomists and the like.
A cup of coffee with a friend is also great support through a tough time.
A new feature in GippsDairy’s eNews highlights grant opportunities available. Please have a look, there could be something available to you that may help.
If you haven’t registered to receive eNews please do so by contacting the office at: info@gippsdairy.com.au
It’s a great way to see up-and-coming events and information to support your farm business.
It continues to amaze me that a few states away, our Queensland and higher NSW farming friends are experiencing the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred and unprecedented amounts of water and destruction.
The full effects aren’t known yet on-farm, but as farmers we understand the physical and emotional work ahead.
The team at GippsDairy is currently in full planning mode to present to you our Muster for 2025.
The theme this year is Farming into the Future, Imagine | Inquire | Innovate, and will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at the Federation University’s Churchill campus.
A lot of great innovative ideas in our industry have started with a frustrated farmer imagining a better way of doing something, inquiring about how to make a change and leading to innovation that brings productivity and profitability gains or just plain relief.
In my opinion, bale twine might be the best innovation farmers have been given.
Just last week I was so impressed to read a farmer in New Zealand was frustrated with net wrap ending up in landfill that he imagined a more responsible way for use, inquired about his idea and has gone on to innovate a wrap that is palatable to cows and ultimately better for the environment.
I wonder if the next step is to replace bale twine with this same product. It proves the frustrations we sometimes experience on-farm can be the vehicle to positive change for our farms and our cows.
I encourage you to come along to the GippsDairy Muster.
You’ll be surrounded by farmers that have adopted new innovations and hear directly from them about their experiences.
Mark Billing from Dairy Farmers Victoria will also give us an update on the legislations around virtual herding for Victoria.
You can access the program and register at: https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/gippsdairymuster
It’s a great day to catch up with friends we don’t always get a chance to see and an opportunity to meet new ones while hearing some great content. Hope to see you there.
The GippsDairy Board is currently working on the next three-year strategic plan for farmers in our region.
This process takes careful strategic consideration as we contemplate what we’ve heard are the collective needs of farmers now and into the near future.
If you feel strongly about contributing a thought to this process, please reach out to our regional manager/executive officer Karen McLennan or speak with a current board member in your area.
Hearing from you is always welcomed.
The Gippsland Dairy Industry Leadership Group is finalising a 10-year Gippsland Dairy Industry Strategy encompassing the whole industry, from pre- to post-farm gate.
The draft strategy is available for comment from the GippsDairy website until late April 2025.
To be emailed a copy of the draft strategy or to give feedback, please call Karen McLennan on 0409 179 706.
– Sarah O’Brien is the GippsDairy chair.
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