Renee’s Dutch dairy experience

Renee won the week-long tour, courtesy of Lely at last year’s Dairy Farmers Charity Ball, hosted by the WestVic Dairy – Young Dairy Network.

The Warrnambool local has worked on a Purnim dairy farm for almost seven years. Renee took her friend and work colleague Niesha Hunter along for the experience. 

“We finished calving and off we went. We knew it was an opportunity we’d never get again,” says Renee. 

Apart from getting separated when Renee missed getting on a tram, the trip went smoothly. It was the first time overseas for both. The highlight? Seeing how different dairy farming is in the Netherlands. 

“The whole experience was amazing. Everything over there is so different to Australia, seeing the different systems and the Lely robots in action was very, very cool,” says Renee. 

“Opportunities like this are such an eye opener. I’ve only worked on one farm, so to go overseas and see how they are doing things was great.” 

The Lely Headquarters in Massluis impressed Renee. 

“It was huge. They took us to the Lely Museum and we got to see where it all started to where their robots are now.”

The itinerary included four farm visits and seeing other technologies. The housing, robots, and the cut and carry approaches Renee saw was a big contrast to the 44-bale rotary and pasture based system she’s used to.

“It was a crazy difference to farming here. One farm that stood out was one that housed everything; their calves, heifers, and bull calves were all barned.

“At another farm they went out and cut fresh grass and fed it to the barned cows straight away, along with other supplements in a total mixed ration.”

The tour highlighted that some challenges farmers face are universal. 

“I don’t think the general public realises how much hard work farmers put in to produce the food that goes on to their tables.”

“When people hear stories about what farmers go through, the more they understand. I think the more we can showcase the great work farmers do and how much they care for the land and their animals, the better.” 

The trip reaffirmed Renee’s love of agriculture. What does the future hold? More of what she enjoys – dairy farming. 

“I love what I do now, calf rearing, milking, caring for them through all their life stages. Cows are such intelligent, friendly animals,” says Renee. 

“I want to stay in the industry.  I feel like there are so many experiences and opportunities to have in farming and so many places I could go.”