Dairy Moving Forward

This section provides a snapshot of the work being undertaken and the current status in the five research domains and design area of Dairy Moving Forward. This work follows the priorities confirmed at the March 2010 workshop.

The key programs

The five Dairy Moving Forward research areas and the relevant program managers are as set out in the table below. Program Managers have been holding workshops and consulting widely to refine the research priorities. Part of this process will be to ensure integration across program areas and that the design element is clearly articulated.

Latest updates

Each of the Program Managers presented their draft reports to the Steering Committee in late September. Further refinements have been made to the report and  the executive summary. The Program Managers will continue to consult with the industry on the findings in the report.

Updating the Human Resource Capability & Infrastructure Data for Dairy RD&E in Australia April 2010

Stakeholder Workshop 16 March 2010

47 representatives of dairy RDE stakeholders from around Australia were brought up-to-date, involved and motivated about the overall purpose of Dairy Moving Forward. The participants agreed on an indicatvie path forward.

Stakeholder Workshop - 16 September 2009 

26 representatives of dairy RDE stakeholders from around Australia reviewed the strategy and structures to date, endorsed a path forward for taking this to the next level and endorsed the submission of a high level pre-farm gate dairy RDE strategy to PISC and PIMC. The strategy included: five focus areas of research, possible structures for RDE organization, and a focus on building “strategy led extension or design".

Stakeholder Engagement Workshop - 11 March 2009

The meeting reviewed the need, history and progress of the Dairy Moving Forward initiative to date. The participants also agreed the context for the industry and path for the next phase of implementation of developing a national and integrated pre-farm gate dairy RD&E strategy and capability plans with the framework actions for moving towards.

PISC/PIMC Endorsement of DMF strategy

In late 2009 PISC and PIMC endorsed the DMF strategy. This is not the end of the process as there is still much work to be done – indeed of necessity it will be a ongoing process of collaborative strategy development, prioritization and alignment of capability even after the results of the current work are implemented.

Stock take of Expenditure & Infrastructure for Australian Dairy Research and Development & Extension in Australia 2007

These reports provide a high level snapshot of Australian Dairy RD&E in 2007. The views are from both expenditure and infrastructure perspectives and incorporate both funder and provider information. It identifies expenditure of around $150m pa on dairy RDE of which $95m is pre farm gate The reports also draw comparisons to similar studies in the past showing a reduction of funding and staffing of around 20 per cent and significant shifts in capability and funders.

Strategic Context and Future, with Possible Focus Areas for Collective Action

This phase included initial scoping and development for a national integrated dairy RDE strategy and capability plan.