Young dairy leaders set sights on global innovation
There was never any doubt in 21-year-old Chloe Krichauff’s mind that she would make a career on her family’s Delamere dairy on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.
Having been encouraged by her parents to get a taste of employment away from the farm before making the decision to return, Chloe moved to Hamilton Island to work as a cook.
But she knew the dairy industry was where she was meant to be.
“I’ve always really loved cows, there’s just something about them that I’ve always been drawn to,” Chloe says.
In June 2025, Chloe will join other young South Australian, Tasmanian and Western Australian members of the Young Dairy Network (YDN) on a 14-day study tour to Ireland to gain an insight into sustainability and emerging technologies.
It will also open the gates to extended networking opportunities, and as a keen traveller who is excited about the future of the dairy industry, Chloe is relishing the opportunity to expand her knowledge.
“I’ve been involved with the YDN for about a year now and it’s been so beneficial to be learning about the industry with other young people who understand what you’re going through,” she says.
“Already I’ve attended local discussion groups, dry season and calving workshops, networking lunches, and the major dairy conference. It was eye opening to hear from leaders in the field about an industry we share a passion for.
“One of the greatest things about being part of South Australia’s YDN has been the number of people I’ve met through this network.”
The Krichauff family milk 250 Friesian Holsteins at their Three Bridges Dairy, which was converted from a 30-a-side herringbone system to a four-robot automatic dairy system three years ago.
As a third-generation farmer, Chloe said her father and grandfather were inspired to convert to robotics to encourage the next generation into the industry, with the chance Chloe and her sister would come home to work on the farm.
The benefits of the new system have been wide-reaching.
Just by being able to monitor the animals more closely, Chloe says they have noticed a massive change in cow health and fertility.
“This year, with such dry conditions in SA, we’ve had a few pneumonia issues and we’ve been able to get on top of that effectively.”
Experiencing such success in robotics has been a motivator for the YDN member joining the tour.
“I’m excited to be part of the study tour and look forward to seeing pasture-based robotics in operation in Ireland,” Chloe says.
At home, the cows are not the only ones benefitting from robotics. It has also created a more flexible work/life balance for the family, and everyone involved with the robots.
With not having to conventionally milk cows, the family have been able to get to their long list of other jobs.
“Where we used to spend seven to eight hours a day completing the conventional milking routine, we can now shift our focus to other jobs on the farm.”
Chloe and her dad even have more time to get back to their shared passion for motorsports, racing their Subaru WRX in hill climb events.
Chloe said it was an exciting time for the dairy industry, and she is enthusiastic about seeing where it leads her.
The 2025 YDN International Tour is supported by DairySA, Western Dairy, DairyTas, SADA Fresh and major sponsor Lely Australia. Twenty-four participants will depart for Ireland on Sunday 22 June where they will engage with the local dairying community.
Discover more about Dairy Australia's Young Dairy Network and the experience it offers passionate young people in the industry: South Australia Young Dairy Network