Workshop Objective

Dairy Moving Forward (DMF) is an initiative of the Australian dairy industry that helps shape priorities for dairy research, development, and extension (RD&E). It aims to enhance national collaboration, coordination, and effectiveness in delivering on-farm performance, productivity, and sustainability.

At the DMF Steering Committee meeting on 8th November 2023, it was agreed to establish an Industry Action Panel to address the growing trend of intensification in dairy farm systems.

This panel is seeking your input to identify and refine key RD&E priorities and conduct a gap analysis for the next 510 years. This relates particularly to dairy farm systems that are a PMR-TMR based, with a particular focus on those aiming for a zero grazing system with feeding and housing infrastructure to support.

Key Discussion Areas

During the workshop, we will work through the following six key areas, exploring RD&E gaps and potential solutions:

1. Forage Selection to Support High-Quality Diets

Forage growing areas and water requirements for housed dairy systems in each region.
Double-cropping options to maximise dry matter harvest.
Conserved forage management minimising dry matter and quality losses at harvest, clamping, and feed-out.
Contract growing of forages.

2. Herd Nutrition and Feeding

Storage, handling, and equipment for home-grown feed.
Risk management for imported feed (quality, price, supply).
Feed quality analysis.
TMR formulation, mixing, and feed-out strategies.
Group feeding approaches benefits and challenges.

3. Herd Health and Welfare

Physical comfort (resting, thermal regulation, mobility).
Access to feed and water.
Disease management (lameness, mastitis, etc.).
Biosecurity risks and prevention.
Strategies to minimise stress and enhance animal well-being.

4. Infrastructure Design and Construction

Facility design, siting, and development approval processes.
Managing construction and infrastructure installation.
Upgrading/replacing facilities for feed storage, effluent management, and milking.
Conventional vs. automatic milking systems.

5. Facility Operation and Business Management

Technologies to improve productivity.
Data collection, integration, and use for farm management.
Transitioning to steady-state operation.
Operating cost structures and economies of scale.
Success factors and performance benchmarks for housed systems.

6. Workforce Management

Skills, training, and management standards.
Farm organisational structures.
Staff recruitment, retention, and work routines.
Specialisation and succession planning.

For travel and reimbursement information, please contact Alicia on 0427 916 650

For any queries, please contact Alicia Richters at 0427 916 650.

Looking forward to seeing you at the workshop!

Warm Regards,

Alicia Richters

Dairy Australia

Intensification Insights: Mapping RD&E Gaps in Dairy Farming Systems