Dairy Australia - Victorian dairy farmers benefit from extension centre
Published:October 25, 2006
Source :Dairy Australia
A preliminary report on the progress of Victoria’s Dairy Extension Centre has found it has significantly helped the state’s dairy farmers address both their short-term seasonal and longer-term issues.
The $6 million centre assisted dairy farmers recover from emergent situations such as the effects of bush fires and unrelenting locust plagues in 2005-06.
Through its three Regional Extension Committees, the centre has been able to quickly respond to the drought, with many farmers and industry advisers participating in events now.
Eight of the centre’s 45 staff are trained to address water reform issues, the immediate area of concern for dairy farmers throughout the state, by providing information and support.
Dairy Australia’s program manager Change Management and Delivery Chris Murphy said the centre’s operational success was a result of a Memorandum of Understanding reached between Dairy Australia and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPIV) in early 2005.
“The centre was formed through collaboration with Dairy Australia and DPIV. Experience with several dry years coupled with experienced DPIV staff has enabled the centre to make some significant contributions in the past year,” Mr Murphy said.
“The centre has been responsive and provided extension services that meet farmer needs. This has been achieved through consulting and engaging with key stakeholders, developing and building the centre’s ability to deliver effective services, and by providing services that focus on all aspects of the farm system,” he said.
Mr Murphy said the centre had placed greater emphasis on building capacity – for both DPIV extension staff and other service providers, which had resulted in projects for farmers in areas such as advanced pasture management (Walking through the Seasons) and business management (Taking Stock).
“Three-year training and development programs are being developed for the centre’s staff to retain them, build their capacity and to ensure they are able to meet farmer needs,” Mr Murphy said.
Project manager Penny Shaw commented that over the past year, the centre has focused on all areas of the farm system, including managing the feedbase, dairy cows, natural resources, markets and industry, business and people.
“While the centre is responding to farmers’ immediate needs and assisting them through difficulties associated with the drought, it is also addressing longer-term needs,” Ms Shaw said.
“For example, the centre is looking at its future natural resource management investments; creating a Centre of Excellence for Farm Management Economics; making better use of Dairy Situation & Outlook for guiding planning; exploring opportunities with the ‘The People in Dairy’ program; and establishing linkages with the National Centre for Dairy Education – Australia.
“These longer-term activities will help dairy farmers farm profitably and sustainably into the future,” she said.
