A new research partnership between the Andrews Labor Government and the dairy industry will help boost the productivity and profitability of Victoria’s dairy farms.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford today announced the DairyFeedbase initiative, which will bring together large-scale integrated research using cutting-edge agricultural technologies to improve pasture performance, animal nutrition and the cost-competitiveness of the feedbase.
The initiative will use new genetics technology to help farmers make more informed decisions about feed allocation – boosting herd productivity, pasture utilisation and management of cattle in early lactation, as well as helping to select and feed cattle that are more tolerant of hot weather.
The Labor Government, Dairy Australia and the Gardiner Dairy Foundation will provide a total of $54 million over six years for the initiative, which is expected to boost farm operating margins by $100 million per year.
The DairyFeedbase initiative demonstrates Victoria’s strong credentials in building strategic partnerships for innovation for the dairy industry, and builds on the transformative work by scientists at the Ellinbank and Hamilton research centres and AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience.
Dairy is a key agricultural industry in regional Victoria, accounting for more than 65 per cent of annual national milk production and 80 per cent of Australia’s dairy exports worth $1.7 billion in 2016-17.
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“We’re supporting our dairy industry to innovate, embrace new technology, and be more productive and profitable.”
Quote attributable to Dairy Australia Chair Jeff Odgers
“By helping farmers improve pasture production, utilisation and herd nutrition, we are confident DairyFeedbase will positively influence farm profitability and the competitiveness of our industry.”
Quote attributable to Gardiner Dairy Foundation Chair Bruce Kefford
“Gardiner Dairy Foundation is delighted to be part of this exciting initiative. We are committed to investing to improve the dairy feedbase and this joint investment will provide the scale and the vision we need as an industry.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020