DairyPod Dairy Australia

In this episode, WestVic Dairy Extension Advisor Debbie Twiss speaks with dairy farmers Victoria Burleigh and Luke Davison about their experiences using genomic testing data as part of their herd management strategies.   

The couple – who farm at Nullawarre in Victoria’s south-west – started genomic testing of their herd in 2020. They share how and why they got started, their business decisions based on this new data that saw improved profitability, as well as some practical examples into the business applications of heifer genomics for others to consider. 

You can find out more about heifer genomics and genomic testing visit Genetics | Dairy Australia 

Further information:  


Visit the Datagene website.  
Phone Datagene on 1800 841 848 for information about the sustainability index.  
Contact your local extension program provider to register your interest in upcoming dairy industry genomics courses.
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In this episode, we hear from Sarah Crosthwaite – a dairy farmer and mental health social worker from the Kiewa Valley in North-east Victoria. In 2023, Sarah was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship that has allowed her to travel the world and see what other countries are doing when it comes to mental health promotion, particularly in the agricultural sector.  

Sarah speaks with Gardiner Foundation Communications Manager, Meghan Lodwick, about what she has learnt and the impact of her Nuffield experience. 

To find out more about the Nuffield Scholarship and apply for the 2025 intake, visit gardinerfoundation.com.au/nuffield  

Read more about Sarah’s story: From dairy farmer to mental health advocate | Dairy Australia

Trigger warning: This episode contains themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au  
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The availability of a skilled workforce remains one of the top challenges facing Australian agriculture. The shortages have wide-ranging impacts – from farm output to work-life balance, and succession.

Join Dairy Australia’s National People Lead, Mick Fuller and DairySA’s Extension Coordinator and Workforce Attraction Project Lead, Alberta Badu-Yeboah as they chat to South Australian dairy farmer Sarah Moore about finding and attracting staff, including backpackers, to dairy farms. 

A former backpacker – now farm manager – Sarah shares her perspective on what makes a backpacker a great farming employee.

The conversation explores what a talent community is, how to engage with backpackers specifically and how to make the most of the time they’re on farm to ensure a great experience for the employer and employee.

This episode is part of a DairyPod workforce attraction series providing insights and guidance to help farmers successfully recruit and retain the right people for dairy farm jobs.

To find out more about how Dairy Australia is supporting farmers with employing and managing people and to access employment resources, visit People, Skills & Capability | Dairy Australia

Related links:

The People in Dairy
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Dairy Australia’s Project Manager, Carly Potts brings an inspirational conversation to this DairyPod episode as she speaks with Young Dairy Network Conference guest presenter, Samantha Bloom. 

Samantha is a three-time World Para Surfing champion, author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office movie, Penguin Bloom – the movie adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family.

Following an accident that led to her spinal injury, Samantha shares her story with an inspiring degree of positivity and brutal honesty of her personal challenges. She talks about her journey through depression and anger, and how the kindness of others and the process of telling her story helped her find meaningful purpose again. Today, her passion is fundraising to help others affected by spinal cord injuries as well as an enviable determination to win her fourth World Para Surfing championship.  

To find out more about Dairy Australia’s national events – including the Young Dairy Network calendar – visit Cows, Courage and Curiosity - A Young Dairy Network Event | Dairy Australia 

Other related links:  

NSW YDN sign up page: dairyaustralia.com.au/dairynsw/about-us/dairy-nsw-young-dairy-network 

More about Sam: Home | Sam Bloom 

Trigger warning: This episode does contain themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Development & Regional Adaptation Lead – Feedbase and Nutrition Dr Josie Garner speaks with Feedworks’ ruminant nutrition experts Pip Gale and Ian Sawyer about how to prepare for feed gaps with non-forage fibre sources.  This recent webinar on byproducts feeding looks at the considerations for farmers when feeding non-forage fibre sources to dairy cows, including variation in nutrient values. It also provides guidance on how best to utilise byproducts such as almond hulls and palm kernel, as well as associated risks to be aware of when it comes to storage, mould and contaminants. 

To learn more about how Dairy Australia is supporting farmers in feedbase and nutrition, visit Feeding & Farm Systems | Dairy Australia  

Watch the full webinar: Byproducts feeding webinar (youtube.com) 

Other related links:  

Byproducts Report | Dairy Australia 
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In this episode, we share a recent Dairy Australia webinar discussion about heat stress in cows and how to keep your herd cool during extreme heat.  

Join Dairy Australia's Development and Regional Adaptation Lead, Dr Josie Garner, as she delves into the physiology of heat stress and outlines practical short-term and long-term heat stress management strategies that farmers can implement on farm. 

Watch the full webinar: Managing cows through heat (youtube.com) 

Related links:  

Managing in Hot Conditions | Dairy Australia 

Raising the Roof | Dairy Australia 

Strategies For Managing Heat Stress | Dairy Australia 
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