Cows on the D’Arcy farm in Tarraganda, NSW are at ease with the robotic milking system.

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) hosted several ministerial and departmental staffers, including from the office of the Federal Minister for Agriculture, on a tour of Bega in October, introducing them to the dairy industry and ensuring that dairy remains at the forefront of the Government’s considerations when formulating policy.

The delegation commenced with a day trip to the Bega factory, where attendees including ministerial advisers and Department of Agriculture staff joined ADF and representatives of industry bodies NSWFarmers, Dairy Australia and the National Farmers’ Federation to discuss challenges facing dairy, including labour and skills shortages.

While touring the factory floor and marvelling at how efficient dairy production lines need to be, attendees discussed the importance of a pro-dairy outcome with regards to the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement and the mutual benefits such a deal would bring for all involved. In particular, the opportunity to widen the potential export market was noted as Bega workers packaged up goods to be transported to the Middle East, USA, New Zealand, and South East Asia.

Continuing on to the 160 hectare D’Arcy farm in Tarraganda, where robotic milkers have replaced manual labour in the dairy shed, the group of dairy novices were treated to a demonstration of owner and farmer Andrew D’Arcy’s six newly installed robotic milking boxes. The D’Arcy farm is the first in Bega Valley to install such a system and the second in New South Wales to do so.

At a time when dairy farms are still rebuilding herd numbers after years of drought in NSW, therobotic system is a spectacular example of farmers’ investment in the future of dairy. ADF explained the many other ways Australian dairy farmers are innovating, ranging from nutrition to genomics to margin-focused business models.

The trip was a brilliant opportunity for ministerial advisers to improve their understanding of dairy farming and production, putting the challenges and opportunities at hand for dairy in direct context and strengthening the relationship between ADF and Government. Following the trip, several ministerial advisers commented on the valuable insights they had gained into the dairy industry and
that they now have a greater appreciation of the innovative practices in use from the farm gate to the factory.

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has welcomed further legal action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) against Coles’ unconscionable conduct towards suppliers in mid-October, 2014.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims said Coles forced suppliers to pay “gaps” in the profit of products it made – including cost of wastage, store markdowns and missing deliveries – even when it had no legitimate basis to do so.

“The ACCC alleges that Coles took advantage of its superior bargaining position by demanding money from suppliers that it was not lawfully entitled to, and was, in all the circumstances, unconscionable,” said Mr Sims.

These proceedings arise out of the same ACCC investigation against Coles on 5 May with regards to Coles’ unconscionable conduct towards 200 of its smaller suppliers, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

ADF President, Noel Campbell said he looks forward to the result of the court case given ADF’s strong track record of advocacy to the ACCC since the introduction of the $1 per litre retail milk price.

“This latest action by the ACCC highlights the need for a Mandatory Code of Conduct, including the establishment of an independent Supermarket Ombudsman with penalties to balance the excessive market power of the major retailers,” Mr Campbell said.

ADF will continue to lobby Government and engage in dialogue with the major retailers about the code.

A China–Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) remains one of our highest priorities for the industry. I have spent a lot of time recently in China, as part of the Australian Dairy Delegation in August and, in September, as the only dairy industry body representative with the trade delegation led by Minister for Agriculture the Hon. Barnaby Joyce.

ADF appreciates the hard work being done by the Federal Government and will continue working hand in hand with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Agriculture to help get the best possible deal.

I took the opportunity to attend the China Dairy Industry Association annual conference in Shanghai in August. The Australian industry
has been working closely with our Chinese counterpart to foster a mutually beneficial trade partnership. I have also met with Chinese Government officials, industry representatives and Australian diplomats. A China-Australia FTA will not only provide the export growth that our industry needs, it will provide Chinese consumers with better access to high-demand products, as well as an improved overall diversity of supply.

On 1 October, we formally launched the Australian Dairy Vision in Canberra, where two Cumberoona Holsteins ventured to Parliament House to graze Federation Mall lawn. ‘Australian Dairy – Prosperous, Trusted, World Renowned Nutrition’ – will be a statement by which our industry is known for and proud of by 2025.

The Federal Government is undertaking an inquiry into the systems and structures for the agricultural research and development (R&D) levies. This includes
the dairy services levy that contributes to Dairy Australia and the equivalent levies paid by farmers for other research and development corporations.

The Senate Committee is very keen to hear farmers’ views about levies, including views on: turning R,D&E into results on-farm; the value of having
a dairy research and development corporation; opportunities levy payers have to influence how it is spent; and in general, views on having a levy poll
which many other commodities do not have.

ADF encourages all dairy farmers to make a submission to the inquiry and has developed a template letter and example writing points for farmers. Your submission letter can be as short or long as you like,
and cover all points of the inquiry or just one. Although the official submission date has passed, the Senate Committee is open to receiving submissions
until the end of November; however you may contact them if you require additional time.

Contact details for the Inquiry secretariat are 02 6277 3511 or rrat.sen@aph.gov.au. Submissions can be sent to this email address. For more information,
please contact the ADF office (03) 8621 4291.

For more information about the Inquiry and its terms of reference, click here.

Attending Dairy Futures CRC Industry Mentoring Dinner (L-R): CRC Education Officer ‘Get into Genes’, Sian Fitzpatrick, CRC Deputy Chief Scientist, Prof. Ben Cocks, ADF CEO, Natalie Collard, mentor and Portland dairy farmer, Naomi Pye.

Celebrating an important milestone with 30 Dairy Futures CRC PhD students benefitting from a dairy industry mentor, this year’s Dairy Futures CRC Industry Mentoring Dinner went off with a bang.

Following an intensive two-day workshop, some of Australia’s brightest PhD bioscience candidates joined industry leaders in a celebratory dinner to thank the industry and its mentors for their ongoing support, and to congratulate the alumni on the program.

The mentoring program, which began in 2012, forms part of Dairy Futures CRC’s commitment to providing high-quality bioscience researchers to support a productive dairy industry.

Dairy Futures CRC Manager for Education and Industry Engagement, Belinda Griffiths said the mentoring program helps connect students with people in the dairy industry who can provide first-hand support for their careers.

“The impact of the mentoring program can be profound in terms of technical gains and personal development. Strong industry connections also build a strong sense of belonging that encourages students to continue to work within the dairy industry after they complete their PhD,” Ms Griffiths said.

For more information on the program, contact Belinda Griffiths:
Belinda.griffiths@dairyfuturescrc.com.au or (03) 9032 7187

China was also under discussion at the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO) Conference on 16 September.

The conference theme was ‘New Horizons’ with discussion of potential opportunities and challenges for dairy. Norco Deputy Chair, Tony Wilson’s presentation, ‘Alternative Markets/Building Demand’ sparked great interest given the Norco deal to export fresh milk to China.

ADF CEO, Natalie Collard updated participants on ADF activities and reinstated ADF’s mission to improve the profitability and sustainability of dairy farmers in Australia.

Ms Collard outlined industry priorities identified at the ADF National Dairy Farmers’ Summit in March – in particular to encourage innovation investment and growth; to encourage investment and confidence in the industry; and to encourage Government to continue with trade reform that benefits dairy.

Ms Collard and ADF Senior Policy Manager, David Losberg said they enjoyed the panel discussion with Paul Roderick from Harrisville and David Kucks from Quinalow, which explored challenges and opportunities in dairy.

The Herd Improvement Industry Strategy has been developed throughout 2014. ADF is represented on the Steering Group. In addition, the Farming Systems and Herd Improvement Policy Advisory Group (PAG) has had a significant role in reviewing and developing ADF feedback on drafts of the Strategy. ADF also requested input from state dairy farmer organisations and hosted a farmer workshop on the draft Strategy in July.

The final version of the Strategy was confirmed by the Steering Group on 29 August. It is now considered to have a clearer vision and stronger recommendations in key areas of interest to ADF. It provides an important reference document for implementing projects that will drive change.

The herd improvement industry vision is: “Dairy farmers maximise their profit through a vibrant herd improvement industry offering effective and highly valued services.”

At a meeting on 11 August, the Steering Group discussed the implementation of the Strategy and a draft implementation plan was agreed in principle, with further detail to be developed. The Steering Group will next meet in late October.

The full Strategy is available from ADF or Dairy Australia.

The second residential session of the 2014 Developing Dairy Leaders Program (DDLP) was held in Canberra in June.

(L-R): DDLP Warrnambool participant, Jessica Westwick; Dairy Australia Director, Kelvin Jackson; Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan MP; ADF President, Noel Campbell.

Participants delivered their project presentations to the group and learned about effective advocacy and communication techniques. The participants also heard from several politicians, including Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, Member for Mallee Andrew Broad, and Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie. Journalists Colin Bettles from Fairfax Rural Media, Rob Harris from the Weekly Times and Tony Mahar of the NFF spoke about effective advocacy.

Participants also attended the Dairy Australia Legendairy Breakfast at Parliament House to practise their informal networking and advocacy skills with politicians and media. More than 30 Parliamentarians joined the DDLP participants for breakfast, giving them valuable networking experience as well as the opportunity to snap a few ‘selfies’.

The program is expected to run again in 2015. Farmers interested in the 2015 program should contact the ADF office on (03) 8621 4200.

The Health Star Rating scheme was endorsed by the combined Federal and State Ministerial Forum in June. The scheme rates packaged processed foods from 0.5 to 5 stars based on nutritional value.

The voluntary scheme is now available for manufacturers to implement and it is likely that some dairy companies and some private label dairy products will take it up.

The dairy industry advocated strongly for a labelling scheme that will treat dairy foods appropriately and, in particular, to make sure core dairy foods under Australian Dietary Guidelines (milk, cheese and yogurt) receive an appropriate star rating compared to ‘discretionary’ foods.

There are still some anomalies, with cheeses and yogurts rating too low, and the dairy industry is currently seeking a review of the star rating. There is a formal process to review certain products where there is inconsistency with the Dietary Guidelines.

The preliminary product ratings can be found at: www.foodswitchstars.com.au

Australian women’s contribution to the dairy industry was a cause for celebration at this morning’s Australian Dairy Industry Council’s
(ADIC) Legendairy Women’s Breakfast.

ADIC Chair, Noel Campbell, said Australian dairy would not be the $13 billion farm, manufacturing and export success story it is today, without the contribution
of women over the course of its history.
“Today we shine a spotlight on the many talented, passionate and dedicated women working across the dairy industry,” Mr Campbell said.
“From the farm, to the factory, to the family dining table, today’s ADIC breakfast celebrates the major contribution that women have made, and continue
to make, to our industry.”
Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), CEO, Natalie Collard, said women continue to perform many varied
and important tasks across all levels of the industry.
“This is reflected in the fact that 62% of all women working on dairy farms are owner-managers, 25% are employees and a further 13% contributing family
members,” Ms Collard said.
“When we also consider the hugely significant role that women play in shaping household budgets and associated purchasing decisions – their significance
to the industry from farm gate to supermarket shelf becomes all too clear.”
Scientist and inaugural recipient of the ADIC’s Outstanding Service Award (OSA) in 2010, Dr Anne Astin, described women’s involvement in the industry as
an important chapter in the history of Australian agriculture.
“Whether it’s on-farm, in the factory or the complex world of agri-politics, women continue to play a leading, if sometimes unheralded role, within the
industry,” Dr Astin said.
“We can and must do more, as an industry and as a community to recognise and celebrate women’s unique and enduring contribution to Australian dairy.”
Mr Campbell thanked the event’s keynote speaker, Carolyn Creswell, founder and Managing Director of Carman’s Fine Foods.
“Carolyn’s success with Carman’s is an inspiration to a generation of young men and women and demonstrates in particular, how it is possible to balance
success in business with family life,” he said.
Mr Campbell said in dairying regions and rural and regional Australia more generally, there has been a shift in the workforce, with more women working
(46% of the workforce) and more men working part-time.
“This trend reflects the changing face of the modern Australian workforce, and the dairy industry is no exception,” he said.
“Over time, we will likely see more women involved in the industry and it’s important that we continue to focus our efforts in promoting the industry as
an attractive career choice into the future.”
Mr Campbell thanked women involved at every level of the industry for their dedication, passion and commitment to Australian dairy.
To view the ‘Celebrating Legendairy Women’ video launched at the breakfast, click here.