Community was the topic of conversation at the Warrnambool Women in Focus (IWD) event on 11 March, uniting over 200 regional women from Victoria’s south-west to celebrate their contribution to business, industry, family and
the community.
Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) CEO and keynote speaker, Natalie Collard shared her agri-business professional experience on leadership, work-life balance,
personal wellbeing and the ability to consider the bigger picture.

“Women in dairy wear so many different hats. From the farm gate to the processing plant, all the way to the ADF office – right across our value-chain women
are contributing to building a stronger, more sustainable future for our industry,” Ms Collard said.

Ms Collard also explored the importance of goal-setting as her “biggest secret”. Referencing a Harvard University MBA graduate program research study,
Ms Collard shared that three per cent of the graduate year which had clear, written goals and plans to accomplish them, 10 years later were earning
on average 10 times as much as the other 97 per cent of the class put together.

“I set career, personal and wellbeing goals for one, five and 10 years ahead. It is a one-pager that sits on my bedside table… By writing your goals
down and affirming them, you’re holding yourself accountable,” Ms Collard explained.

“Goal-setting is not just about earnings, but it really does underscore the power of setting goals as your first step to accomplishing them.”

The IWD Event, hosted by CommBank Women in Focus and LEGENDAIRY South-West Vic Women’s Focus Group, provided a valuable networking opportunity and chance to obtain practical tips for regional women and their businesses.

WestVic Dairy Director, Kirsti Keightley and Operations Manager, Jocelyn Bevin said the day was about bringing together like-minded women within varied
leadership positions in the industry.

“It’s important to highlight and focus on the skills and opportunities that can be brought to the dairy industry and wider community,” Ms Keightley said.

“It’s also vital to support our next generation of women in dairying through sharing our knowledge and experiences, which I hope today’s community theme
encapsulated.”

LEGENDAIRY women (L-R): Katie Gleeson, Simone Renyard, Bilyana Grazing, Natalie Collard, Janet Moxey and Tracey Luhras.

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) Policy Advisory Group (PAG) meetings have
kicked off with a bang for 2015 with the Natural Resources, and Markets, Trade and Value Chain PAG meetings taking place last week.

Natural Resources PAG Chair, Daryl Hoey said the group has come back refreshed and enthusiastic about the next 12 months of work.

Key issues discussed included, the PAG priorities for 2015, input to the Dairy Australia Annual Plan, and developing a dairy policy position on coal seam
gas development.

“Coal seam gas mining, water policy, and future emissions pricing will be a significant focus of the Natural Resources PAG this year,” Mr Hoey said.

The Markets, Trade and Value Chain PAG discussed trade priorities and competition law policy which are both expected to be a major focus for 2015.

Markets, Trade and Value Chain PAG Chair, Roma Britnell said there were some very good wins last year with the China free trade agreement and recently
the introduction of the Prescribed Food and Grocery Code.

“We will continue to work on issues that impact our industry at both an international and domestic level,” Ms Britnell said.

The PAG Chairs for 2015 are:

• Animal Health and Welfare PAG Chair, David Basham
• Farming Systems and Herd Improvement PAG Chair, Tyran Jones
• Markets, Trade and Value Chain PAG Chair, Roma Britnell
• Natural Resources PAG Chair, Daryl Hoey
• People and Human Capacity PAG Chair, John Versteden

PAGs play a key role in setting ADF’s advocacy objectives and driving policy formulation. They also help to ensure dairy’s interests are properly represented
at a domestic and international level.

ADF President, Noel Campbell welcomed the new PAG members for 2015.

“I congratulate ADF’s PAG members on their appointments and look forward to working closely with them to enhance our policy and advocacy strategic direction,”
Mr Campbell said.

ADF has five policy focus areas, each with a dedicated PAG comprised of elected farmers. These groups are led by a farmer appointed Chair, working in collaboration
with ADF policy officers and Dairy Australian technical support, to discuss priorities and develop strategic direction for ADF’s policy and advocacy
responsibilities.

PAGs recommend policy settings to ADF, via the National Council, and also act in an advisory capacity providing feedback to Dairy Australia, state dairy
farmer organisations (SDFOs), and other bodies such as the National Farmers’ Federation and the Australian Dairy Products Federation.

Did you know that dairy farmers next month will be able to identify bulls that can save at least 100 kilograms of dry feed matter per cow, per year while
maintaining milk production?

The Feed Saved Australian Breeding Value (ABV), available to dairy
farmers from April 2015, is the culmination of eight years of research and development activity by Dairy Futures CRC,
in conjunction with a range of local and overseas partners.

It is the first feed efficiency breeding value in the world to incorporate real feed intake data, as well as a prediction of feed required for maintenance
purposes, making the trait more relevant for farmers.

Dairy Futures CRC’s CEO, Dr David Nation, said: “The Feed Saved ABV allows farmers to breed cows in a new way: by reducing their maintenance requirements
for the same amount of milk produced.

“This is the first practical use of genomic tests to measure a trait that can’t be routinely measured on farm, and the start of more extensive genomic
testing to improve the range of traits important to dairy farmers.

“Visually, you can’t spot a highly feed efficient cow, but farmers can now breed for it.”

Victorian dairy farmer, Ron Paynter who spoke at the ABV launch, said it is exciting to see feed efficiency now included in the ABV indexes.

“Feed costs are a significant determinant of on-farm profitability,” Mr Paynter said.

“The new Feed Saved ABV adds further strength to the new Balanced Performance Index developed by the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS),
which aims to maximise profit from selection.” 

The Feed Saved ABV will be published for the first time in the ADHIS’ publications, including the Good Bulls Guide. It
will also form part of the ADHIS’ three new breeding indices,
so farmers who make bull selections using one of the indices will be including feed efficiency in their breeding decisions.

For more information about the Feed Saved ABV, click here.

Victorian dairy farmer, Ron Paynter speaking at the ABV launch with ADHIS General Manager, Daniel Abernethy.

South-west Victorian dairy farmers, Brad and Becc Couch believe when it comes to profitable dairy farming, the simplest of systems are often the best.

Named The Weekly Times Coles 2014 Farmer of the Year on 20 February,
the duo was celebrated for their low-cost and high-efficiency dairy farm operation at Brucknell, near Timboon.

Recognised for their simple yet extremely effective approach to dairy farming, the Couch’s herd is ranked in the top one per cent for milk quality and
the couple have cut costs to about two thirds of the district average.

Brad Couch puts their 360-cow farm’s success equation down to seasonal calving, home-grown fodder, selling off empty cows, replacement heifers and proactive
mastitis investigation.

“Our bottom line is why we do, what we do – it’s what our parents did, as well as our grandparents,” Mr Couch explained.

“Simple things like ensuring sufficient dry-off periods, utilising as much home grown feed as possible and being vigilant with identifying mastitis, can
go a long way towards improved herd fertility, healthy cell counts and a positive cash flow.”

Mr Couch said he and his wife felt privileged to receive the award and hope that it will encourage young people to consider a career in dairy.

“There seems to be a perception that you need to be working your parents’ farm or on a big corporate operation to make a go of it. But I know a few people
that have certainly proved that wrong,” Mr Couch said.

“With the average age of dairy farmers now reaching 60 in Australia, we need to have dairy advocates to promote the diverse opportunities dairy has to
offer.”

Mr Couch encourages all Australians considering a career in dairy, whether on-farm or off-farm, to: “Go for it – but make sure you’re prepared to put in
the hard yards, to reap the rewards!”

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) CEO, Natalie Collard commended the Couch’s for their considered and well balanced approach to dairying, as well as their
enthusiasm towards promoting young farmers in agriculture.

“It’s wonderful to have Brad and Becc in the spotlight as young, passionate dairy farmers, proactively advocating for dairy,” Ms Collard said.

“I congratulate them both for receiving this award and hope they will inspire young people looking to enter the dairy industry.”

Aussie dairy farmers have a good track record of dealing with the
unexpected. From managing a variable climate to coping with fluctuating milk prices – dealing with uncertainty is practically second nature.

This attribute means that dairy is by nature a forward thinking industry – keen to address tomorrow’s challenges today, to ensure our animals continue
to thrive and that our farms are sustainable and profitable in the long term.

In 2015 our industry’s focus remains the same – from the farm to the processing plant – we continue our commitment to investing in our planet, people and
animals, and investing in the long term profitability of Australian dairy.

I am pleased to inform you that the 2014 Sustainability Framework Progress Report is now available online
. This report outlines the dairy industry’s current sustainability-related investments, accomplishments, and challenges as we work towards our sustainability
targets.

We have built on our progress in 2013, with programs and projects on our farms and in our factories that are guiding the industry toward better profits,
while minimising our environmental footprint and improving the wellbeing of our people and animals.

However, there are still challenges to overcome. We continue to look for improvements and are strongly committed to working towards even better performance
standards.

Looking ahead, our commitment to securing a sustainable dairy industry provides the foundation for all our actions, to establish an Australian dairy industry which is more prosperous, trusted and world renowned for its nutrition than ever before. I look forward to working with you all in pursuit of these goals.

On a more personal note, in April this year our highly respected CEO, Natalie Collard is moving on in search of her next challenge.

I am certain you will all join me in thanking Natalie for her tireless dedication to not only ADF, but to the people that we represent.  Natalie’s
proactive, innovative and considered approach has improved the quality and effectiveness of the work we do on your behalf.

We wish Natalie every success for the future, and hope that her skills, leadership and passion are not completely lost to the dairy industry in future.

Noel Campbell

ADF President

Just released by the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS), the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Report 2014 provides a snapshot of Australian dairy’s national herd across a range of performance criteria.

The informative report analyses production comparisons across region, breed, age, herd size, month of calving and sire type, highlighting our farming systems’
rich diversity.

Whilst the report is loaded with interesting statistics, we thought we’d share a few interesting observations with you…

Did you know?

• 48 per cent of herds are herd recorded – a statistic lower than last year, however similar to five years ago.
• Less than one third of herds (29 per cent) have recorded AI sires for most of their cows.
• Daughters of AI sires produce approximately 52 kilograms more of milk solids than their naturally-bred counterparts.
• More than one third of the productivity improvements achieved over the last 10 years can be attributed to genetics.

Produced in conjunction with the National Herd Improvement Association, the report also features highlights from Dairy Australia’s herd improvement projects
and Dairy Future CRC’s Genomic Information herds research.

To download your copy of the report, click here or visit www.adhis.com.au for more information.

Large risks, huge expenses and long time-lags make investment in research, development, extension (R,D&E) and marketing unfeasible for individual dairy farm businesses.

Instead, to deliver appropriate improvements pre and post-farmgate, all Australian dairy farmers pay a levy based on milk production – an investment that has seen a reported benefit of $3.30 for each $1 spent.

On 4 February, the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) – the peak, national whole-of-value-chain advocacy body – appeared at the hearing of the Inquiry into agricultural levies. This included the dairy services levy that contributes to Dairy Australia (DA) and the equivalent levies paid by farmers for other research and development corporations.

DA and the CRC also appeared at the hearing. The Senators were interested in the DA R,D&E priorities, the processes for determining those priorities, how research had impacted dairy farm productivity and the levy poll process.

The Dairy Services Levy amounts to approximately $33m per year and attracts Federal Government funding of about $20m annually, all administered by DA. Other bodies, such as the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation, state departments of primary industries and dairy manufacturers, also support new and ongoing R,D&E.

The investments are made according to a strategic plan prepared in consultation with all key stakeholders, including Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), and reviewed by government.

ADF and DA have a memorandum of understanding whereby ADF provides strategic direction towards the investment priorities of R,D&E projects to ensure farmers’ levies are positively advancing their interests.

ADF’s feedback to DA has commented on the investment priorities for research, gaps in the draft priorities, program delivery options, as well as monitoring and understanding the effectiveness and uptake of DA programs.

Additionally, the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) is an ADF initiative majority-funded by DA.

In its November 2014 submission to the Senate Inquiry into the systems and structures for the agricultural research and development levies, ADF in collaboration with the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) noted the importance of process for farmers to know about and contribute to the DA strategy, and for DA to report on the benefit of levy investment to farmers. 

ADF also encouraged farmers to make their own submissions to the inquiry, to ensure their perspectives were heard by the Senate Inquiry on more than one platform.

For more information about the Inquiry, its terms of reference and to view the full ADIC submission please see here.

Healthy, happy cows are productive cows and are a key to a sustainable future for dairy. The progress made in genomic technology by Dairy Futures CRC will be central to producing the happy, healthy kind of cow you want to milk.

The progress made in genomics technology helps farmers address key issues in herd health, which impact on the animal’s wellbeing. It also allows farmers to reduce the cost of production and exposure to external price shocks.

The AgriBio, centre for agribioscience, in Bundoora, is the home for Dairy Futures CRC’s work to develop world-leading gene technology. Members of the ADF team toured the facility in January, accompanied by the CRC’s CEO, Dr David Nation and Manager of Education and Industry Engagement, Belinda Griffiths, where they were exposed to a variety of the CRC’s projects.

Dr Nation explained how recent achievements in pasture and animal breeding will help farmers evolve their production systems.

“Recent achievements by the CRC, including the development of an Australian Breeding Value (ABV) for feed efficiency, which will be published in April 2015, have significantly increased farmers’ ability to improve the quality of their herds,” Dr Nation said.

“An improved model for calculating the fertility ABV and the ability of farmers to select young bulls before they have sired milking daughters also contribute to this.”

The technology developed in collaboration with the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme, will help farmers boost the productivity of their stock by matching animals which produce offspring with greater disease resistance, milk production and fertility.

Such progress, Dr Nation said, gives the industry the certainty that it will be able to grow regardless of economic and climatic environments. 

“This will give us the scope to improve dairy’s productivity and resilience now and in the future.”

Developments in breeding ryegrass have also been made with pasture breeders now able to select breeding plants for desirable traits using a world-first ryegrass cultivar map. Additionally, pasture breeding companies have low-cost, accurate tests to screen ryegrass seed and plants for contamination by toxic or undesirable endophytes.

ADF looks forward to working with Dairy Futures to build the long term sustainability of farming practices, and will continue to advocate strongly for the positive innovations of transformational bioscience.   

Find out more about Dairy Futures CRC and the work they do here.

For any organisation to succeed, its members must truly believe that they are investing in something worthwhile. To Natalie Collard, outgoing CEO of Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), there is no cause more worthy than that of the Aussie dairy farmer.

“My career in dairy was very deliberate,” Ms Collard said. “I was convinced that dairy could be the next economic boom for Australia – it was already in 97 per cent of Australian homes – Coca Cola can only dream of such consumer cut through!”

While Ms Collard wasn’t born into dairy, she quickly developed an appreciation for the resilient and humble people who worked to put their products on the kitchen table.

“Without their generosity in sharing their knowledge, there is no way I could‘ve succeeded in my position.”

Believing in the importance of a unified, commodity-based representation, Ms Collard joined ADF in 2008 with a view to help dairy become more sustainable.

General Manager of Shareholder Relations at Murray Goulburn, Robert Poole noted the challenging time in which Ms Collard took over the role of CEO at ADF in 2011. Mr Poole, also Deputy Chair of the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) said the organisation was in need of stabilised financial and governance procedures, as well as stronger industry ties and improved policy.

“Natalie was not deterred by these hurdles,” Mr Poole said. “She always maintained her professionalism and drive toward improving ADF and the ADIC, and therefore outcomes for farmers.”

Chair of the NSW Farmers Dairy Committee, Robert McIntosh said Ms Collard had shown true leadership, always acting nationally and ensuring that all perspectives were heard and acknowledged.

“Under Natalie’s leadership, the state dairy farming organisations now feel as though they are valued members of the national network,” Mr McIntosh said. “Our interests are now recognised on a national level.”

Mr McIntosh said the ADF National Dairy Farmers’ Summit, held in March 2014, had a substantial influence on the strategies and policies of the industry, and was a true testament to the renewed focus and vision that Ms Collard brought.

With Ms Collard at the helm, ADF fought hard for farmers on key issues including $1 per litre milk and achieved milestones, such as the positive dairy outcome at the conclusion of the China-Australia free trade agreement.

As a firm believer in positive change, Ms Collard said she is confident it was the right time to look for the next challenge.

“It has been an honour to represent the proud and passionate people of dairy, and I am keen to see them prosper,” Ms Collard said.  “I am confident ADF is in a strong position going forward, and that I can now step into a new horizon and seek out my next challenge.”

Falling interest rates on loans delivered under two vital Federal Government schemes will improve the long term viability of dairy farmers according to national advocacy body, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF).

Interest on loans delivered under the Farm Finance Concessional Loans Scheme and the Drought Concessional Loans Scheme fell to 4.34 and 3.84 per cent respectively as of 1 February 2015.

ADF President, Noel Campbell said the improved terms of both Federal Government loans would help dairy farmers reduce the cost of farm debt as well as providing cheaper finance for drought recovery on farm.

“This interest rate cut means farmers will be better placed if they want to use these Government loans,” Mr Campbell said.

“While there are many factors beyond our control when it comes to seasonal conditions and drought, this decrease provides a better option for dairy farmers who are trying to return to full viable production as soon as possible.”

As the national voice of Australian dairy farmers, ADF has continually sought Government support to ensure viable farms have access to practical measures that will improve the industry’s longevity.

The decision by Government to lower interest rates shows confidence in Australian agriculture’s efforts to improve its long term sustainability, providing industry with the support to maintain our efforts.

While the interest rate cuts are welcomed by the industry, ADF highlights the need to reduce the loans red tape to ensure they are more accessible to dairy farmers.

To find out more about the Farm Finance and Drought Concessional Loans Schemes and your eligibility, click here. 

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) welcomes 2015 with enthusiasm as we fine-tune our advocacy priorities to establish a sound policy platform to ensure we can capitalise upon growth opportunities delivered by 2014’s advocacy.

The prospects presented through 2014’s policy wins, such as the China FTA, prove that dairy is a force to be reckoned with when the whole value chain works collectively to achieve its aims. However, challenges including limited opportunities for domestic growth, as well as labour and skills shortages, and competition issues continue to constrain our industry.

We must persist in identifying and addressing these issues and solutions at the Federal level, whilst assisting our State Dairy Farmer Organisation (SDFO) members at the State level as required. ADF’s 2015 agenda is committed to carrying out whatever we can to progress these policies and help dairy become the best it can be.

Over the next 12 months, ADF is focused on addressing five key priority areas: continuing to drive market, trade and farm prosperity; building a highly skilled and productive workforce; developing fair and sustainable access to natural resources; and promoting animal health and welfare standards.

Under the ‘building a highly skilled and productive workforce’ umbrella, ADF will continue to advocate to reduce the three-hour minimum engagement requirement from the Pastoral Award  2010 and ensure that milking is included as an essential requirement, alongside feeding and watering of livestock.

The Pastoral Award is one of ADF’s 15 key policy priorities to Government this year. To find out more about other 2015 policy priorities, please stay tuned over the coming weeks to download your copy of ADF’s ‘Policy Priorities to Government 2015’.

I look forward to working with you throughout 2015 and trust you had an enjoyable festive season spent with family and friends.

The Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) lodged its submission in response to the Federal Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness Green Paper on 19 December, 2014.

In the joint submission with Dairy Australia, the ADIC commented on many of the Green Paper’s policy proposals, with a particular call on the Government to address four priority areas that affect the industry’s competitiveness in the short to medium term; research, development and extension (R,D&E); access to international markets; investment; and people.

Recognising the Government’s funding of dairy R,D&E as an acknowledgement of its essential role in creating a more durable industry, the ADIC encouraged the Government to reaffirm its commitment to these programs.

The ADIC welcomed the successful conclusion of the China-Australia free trade agreement (ChAFTA), but highlighted that there are still opportunities for growth through the conclusion of further bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that provide genuine liberalisation of all dairy products. The ADIC also sought the removal of hurdles such as technical barriers to trade that need to be addressed.

Increased Government support for industry efforts to encourage investment and ensure a positive regulatory environment to underpin confidence and certainty for dairy investment was a further recommendation.

The ADIC also highlighted the need for enhanced Government support for Australian dairy programs designed to attract and retain a highly skilled, productive workforce.