Services to Dairy Farmers
Services to Farmers
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Dairy priorities and services
Read the full report outlining our priorities and services for the dairy sector.
Service 1: Productivity - feedbase
Feed related costs make up between 25 and 75 per cent of total operating costs. The dairy industry’s ability to maintain its competitive edge is closely linked with optimising feed performance.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Feeding Pastures for Profit |
Feeding Pastures for Profit helps farmers increase profitability and manage the risks of seasonal variation by improving grazing/feed management. DPI delivers this service in collaboration with Dairy Australia. |
Phil Shannon |
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Intensive farming advice |
DPI provides information and advice on feedpad and freestall developments to help farmers make informed decisions when undertaking a shift to more intensive farming systems. This program is based on the Victorian guidelines for dairy herds, developed in partnership with the Geoffery Gardiner Dairy Foundation. |
Scott McDonald |
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Whole farm nutrient plans |
Whole farm nutrient plans can help farmers manage nutrient movement on farm while increasing productivity. |
Barrie Bradshaw |
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The Adaptive Forage Planning project |
Focusing on forage systems, the Adaptive Forage Planning project provides information and activities to support farmers decide on planting alternative feed crops and procurement decisions. |
Tom Farran |
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Target 10 programs |
Target 10 programs help farmers manage dairy cow nutrition, soils, fertilisers and grazing management. This accredited training program is delivered by the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA), with technical support provided by DPI staff as required. |
Website: DPI - Dairy |
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Monthly newsletter |
DPI provides a monthly newsletter to farmers, included with their milk statements, outlining upcoming events, technical information and seasonal management issues to consider. |
Fiona Smolenaars |
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DPI Information Notes |
DPI provides a range of Information Notes on feedbase management. |
Website: DPI - Information Notes |
Service 2: Productivity – animal
Genetic improvement can provide up to 30 per cent of the per-cow productivity gains available to farmers. To capitalise on these, farmers can implement breeding plans and cow management systems suitable for their context.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Breeding for Performance |
Breeding for Performance supports farmers when developing breeding plans to improve their herd quality. The workshop series has been developed with the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) as a part of its genetics learning package. |
Jo Crosby |
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Animal genetics |
DPI and the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) provide enhanced animal genetic information services for breeders and farmers. DPI supports Genetics Australia, with advanced genetics capability and DNA testing. |
Jo Crosby |
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Feedout Checkout Tool |
This is a software decision-support tool that helps with investment decisions about feedpads and feeding machinery. It is designed to help dairy farmers make sound economic decisions on the viability of different supplementary feeding systems for their herds. |
Website: DPI - Feedout Checkout Tool |
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Diet Check |
Diet Check helps farmers ensure that grazing dairy cows consume sufficient metabolisable energy, crude protein and fibre. It also indicates the likely production and economic benefits from feeding supplements. DietCheck is based on the Australian Feeding Standards. |
Website: DPI - Diet Check |
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DPI Information Notes |
DPI Information Notes for information on animal management and reproduction. |
Website: DPI - Information Notes |
Service 3: Business management
Effective business management is critical to improving the productivity and sustainability of agricultural industries. DPI undertakes research, development and extension activities to help farmers better understand the implications of strategic investments in dairy farming and the current state of the industry.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Dairy Farm Monitor |
Dairy Farm Monitor provides farm-level economic and productivity information for dairy farmers and service providers, allowing them to benchmark their performance and identify areas for improvement. |
Daniel Gilmour |
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Market access services |
DPI works closely with the Australian Government and industry to identify and resolve barriers to market access, including those that may affect the dairy industry. |
Peter Myers |
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Dairy research |
This research uses case study farms and modelling to provide insight into potential options for dairy farmers to deal with changes in their operating environment. |
Bill Wales |
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FarmPlan21 |
FarmPlan21 is a whole-farm planning program that helps farmers plan and prepare for present and future challenges such as prolonged drought, climate variability, biosecurity threats, emergency management and variable market conditions. |
Website: DPI - FarmPlan21 |
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Sustainable Farm Families |
Sustainable Farm Families provides information and health checks aimed at improving farmer health and safety. It is delivered in partnership with Western District Health Services and local health agencies. |
Tracey Harper |
Service 4: Adapting to change
Faced with significant changes resulting from record low water allocations, a market downturn and increasing climate variability, dairy farmers in Northern Victoria require tailored support to help adjust quickly to a changing operating environment.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Feed planning and business management advice |
This program provides one-on-one feed planning and business management advice to farmers in northern Victoria who have decided to stay and commit to the industry. |
Jason Leeman |
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Taking Stock: Taking Action |
Dairy Australia’s Taking Stock: Taking Action analysis program is delivered by skilled advisers allowing farmers to determine the current position of the farm business. |
Jason Leeman |
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Rural Financial Counselling |
Rural Financial Counselling (RFC) plays an important role in helping farmers decide their future role in farming and their business viability. DPI is a significant co-investor in the RFC service. |
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AgFutures project |
AgFutures provides farmer and community groups with the tools to anticipate the changes that will affect agriculture in the future and enable better long term decision making. |
Website: DPI - AgFutures |
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Decision making support |
This program provides farmers with up-to-date information and decision-support resources to help them determine if they will stay or exit the industry. |
Jason Leeman |
Service 5: Securing water
Access to water for pasture, stock and dairy shed use is an essential requirement for dairy farming. This service aims to help farmers and service providers understand and capitalise on changes in available water and the water policy environment.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Irrigation efficiency |
This program helps producers incorporate new irrigation technologies and take full advantage of modernised irrigation delivery systems. It provides advice on water scheduling, soil moisture monitoring, precision irrigation, water use efficiency and water saving practices. |
Neil McBeath |
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Irrigation risk management course |
DPI delivers a range of irrigation risk management courses and context-specific advice on irrigation modernisation and backbone connections in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation Area. |
Rob O’Connor |
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Dairy Shed Water Licence Program |
This program provides dairy farmers with accredited training, farm demonstrations, publications and news articles to support the development of plans to meet stock and dairy-shed water requirements. |
Julie Williams |
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Dairy shed water – how much do you use? |
This booklet provides dairy farmers with information and advice on efficient dairy-shed water use strategies. |
Website: DPI - Dairy Water Use |
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Sustainable water strategy workshops |
DPI develops and delivers workshops on regional sustainable water strategies to encourage industry provider awareness and input. |
Neil McBeath |
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DPI Information Notes |
DPI provides a range of Information Notes on water resource management. |
Website: DPI - Information Notes |
Service 6: Sustainability
To achieve increased productivity while minimising damage to the environment, dairy farmers have the opportunity to actively minimise on and off-farm impacts including soil erosion, dryland salinity, nutrient runoff and reduced water availability.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Effluent system design |
DPI provides support, guidelines and training for the private sector to provide effluent system design services for dairy farmers. |
Scott McDonald |
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Targeted drought programs |
Drought programs help to support dairy production while minimising the potentially negative environmental and animal welfare impacts of low rainfall and reduced ground cover. |
Jason Leeman |
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Climate change adaptation |
DPI provides climate change and seasonal variability training and information tailored for farmers and service providers. This helps build understanding of the current drivers of our changing weather patterns and the response options available for the dairy industry. |
Lyndal Metcalf |
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Milking the Weather newsletter |
Milking the Weather helps dairy farmers understand more about the weather they experience. It helps farmers access current information about climate risk and assists with on farm decision making. |
Zita Ritchie |
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Soil loss prevention |
This program provides farmers with access to a wide variety of tools to protect and restore erosion sites. |
Troy Clarkson |
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Targeted environmental works |
DPI helps farmers access grants for targeted implementation of on-ground environmental works – for example, native vegetation or perennial pasture establishment to reduce the threat of dryland salinity and nutrient contamination of high-value public assets. |
Troy Clarkson |
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Access to EcoMarkets |
This program provides incentives for private landholders to manage their land in ways that conserve and enhance the environment. |
Website: DSE - EcoMarkets |
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Emissions information and training |
This program provides carbon emissions information seminars and training courses, including planning for the risks and opportunities associated with climate variability and training in the use of carbon accounting tools. |
Lyndal Metcalf |
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Climate change information |
The Victorian Climate Change Adaptation Program (VCCAP) helps dairy farmers to understand the potential impacts of climate change and develop response strategies. |
Lyndal Metcalf |
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Victorian Resources Online |
Victorian Resources Online is a key source of information for both agribusiness and farmers. It contains a major section on soil health including a soil checklist and soil health management plan resources. |
Website: DPI - Soil Health |
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DPI Information Notes |
DPI provides a range of Information Notes related to land management and dairy effluent management. |
Website: DPI - Information Notes |
Service 7: Animal welfare
Victoria’s dairy industry relies heavily on access to international markets. Many markets are increasing their requirements for production animal welfare standards. DPI’s animal welfare policy, research and regulation services aim to help better industry understand and respond to emerging market requirements.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Animal welfare strategy |
DPI works with farmers and farming groups to implement animal welfare legislation, particularly the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy,and encourage best practice in the welfare management of dairy cattle. |
Cathy Pawsey |
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Livestock welfare research |
This program develops and distributes practical information on the assessment of livestock welfare. This research is undertaken in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Science Centre. |
Ellen Jongman |
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Supporting industry QA programs |
DPI provides support for the design of industry quality assurance programs to effectively audit livestock properties in line with the new Livestock Management Act 2010 to demonstrate compliance to export market requirements. |
Michelle Edge |
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Animal welfare training |
This program provides training and information to support the development of skills required to achieve best practice in animal welfare. |
Annette Radford |
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DPI Information Notes |
DPI provides a series of Information Notes relating to animal welfare. |
Website: DPI - Information Notes |
Service 8: Market access – animal health
Victoria’s dairy industry is highly export focused and competes in a global market. Minimisation of pest, disease and food safety threats is critical to maintain global competitiveness and market access.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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The Victorian Disease Surveillance Initiative |
DPI contributes to the rapid detection of disease threats and helps to build the skills and capability of both DPI staff and industry participants for managing threats to the livestock industries. |
Cameron Bell |
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Emergency Animal Disease Preparedness |
This program is aimed at providing Victoria with the necessary processes, tools and skilled people to respond to disease incursions using the Ausvetplan model. |
Malcolm Ramsey |
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NLIS |
This program provides detailed information about the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) and how it is used to track livestock for food safety, disease control and market access. |
Peter Corbett |
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National TSE Freedom Assurance Program |
DPI works with dairy producers to provide evidence of Australia’s freedom from mad cow disease (BSE) and to help protect access to export markets. |
Cameron Bell |
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BJD control |
DPI field staff, in cooperation with private veterinarians, facilitate Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) control within Victoria. DPI will also contribute to the national framework in which BJD policy is agreed. |
David Champness |
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EBL eradication |
DPI field staff will administer and facilitate the Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) eradication program in Victoria in cooperation with private veterinarians. DPI will also contribute to the national framework in which EBL policy is agreed. |
Cameron Bell |
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Investigation of significant disease outbreaks |
DPI veterinarians in collaboration with private veterinarians investigate unusual presentations of disease or unexplained deaths of dairy cattle, providing security to the industry that new or exotic diseases are rapidly excluded or diagnosed. |
Cameron Bell |
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DPI Information Notes |
DPI provides a range of Information Notes on cattle diseases and health. |
Website: DPI - Information Notes |
Service 9: Weed and pest management
The effective management of invasive plants and animals is a key issue for the dairy industry. Uncontrolled invasive species can significantly affect productivity and exotic species can represent threats to market access.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Pest animal management |
Pest animal management activities focus on prevention and early intervention to ensure the best chance of eradication of high-risk new and established invasive animals. Specific programs are in place to control fox and wild dog impacts on stock and native fauna. |
Brett Harrison |
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Weed management |
Weed management activities assist landholders understand and implement weed management programs. Activities focus on the prevention of new infestations and the treatment of known infestations. This includes management of Regional and State Prohibited Weeds and Weeds of National Significance. |
John Balfour |
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Containment of Established Invasive Plants |
DPI helps prevent the spread of invasive weeds by establishing and maintaining containment lines around core infestations and mitigating pathways of spread. |
Michael Bretherton |
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1080 regulation |
This program provides farmers with access to comprehensive information on the regulations governing 1080 use. DPI also governs the regulatory framework and system for the manufacture and supply of 1080 pest animal bait products. |
Michael Rosier |
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DPI Information Notes |
DPI provides a range of Information Notes on invasive plant and animal management. |
Website: DPI - Information Notes |
Service 10: Emergency management
Victoria’s dairy industry is often faced with significant challenges arising from natural disaster emergencies including, fire, flood and storms. DPI has a lead role in helping rural landholders and communities recover from these emergencies.
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Initiative |
Description |
For more information |
|---|---|---|
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Online resources |
DPI has developed a website to help landholders to prepare for and reduce the impact of emergencies on their businesses. |
Alex Goudy |
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Incident response |
This program provides a swift response to animal welfare incidents associated with emergencies affecting dairy enterprises. |
Alex Goudy |
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Management advice |
DPI provides farmers with management advice on supplementary feeding, costing alternative feed options, and recovery options for pasture and soil health. |
Alex Goudy |
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Loss assessments |
DPI undertakes assessments of loss and damage to agricultural assets and livestock and the needs of affected people and communities. |
Alex Goudy |
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Recovery advice |
This program provides advice to individuals, communities and government agencies on re-establishment of rural enterprises or alternative strategies for economic recovery. |
Website: DPI - Emergency management |
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Recovery programs |
DPI works to identify and deliver specific funded recovery programs, where available, including administration of specific recovery subsidies. |
Alex Goudy |
