DairyPod

This special DairyPod feature episode takes a look back on 25 years of Gardiner Foundation, and the initiatives that have supported the dairy industry and farming communities. Gardiner Foundation’s Communications Manager, Meghan Lodwick, is in conversation with CEO Allan Cameron, as they explore the history of the foundation, how investments are prioritised, the impact it’s had to date...

This DairyPod episode features an excerpt of a recent Dairy Australia webinar recording which focuses on the farm business and management decisions dairy farmers are facing as they head into the new season.  Dairy Australia's Farm Business Program Lead, Greg Duncan, is joined by experienced farm consultants Fiona Smith, Matt Harms and Tom Farran to discuss insights and observations from their...

This episode recognises the progress dairy farmers are making in animal care and explores how changes to on-farm practices are reflected in the industry’s latest Sustainability Scorecard. Dairy Australia’s Sustainable Animal Care Manager, Andy Hancock, speaks with South Gippsland dairy farmer and Chair of the Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework (ADSF) committee, Graeme Nicoll, ab...

Dairy Australia’s Chair, Paul Roderick, and CEO Matt Shaffer answer the questions farmers are asking about the 2030 Strategic Plan, and the outcomes it aims to deliver on farm. Paul and Matt explore how the development of the strategic plan was shaped by farmer input and industry goals, with farm profitability at the centre. They also discuss the learnings from Dairy Australia’s Indepe...

Internationally respected specialist in leadership and organisational psychology, Dr. Nollaig Heffernan, joins Dairy Australia’s Extension Advisor and Farm Engagement Lead, Mikaela Barca, to discuss proactive ways that farmers can prioritise succession as a valuable, vital part of their business plans. Nollaig explores barriers that farmers may face in broaching the topic of succession - &nb...

Dairy Australia’s National Feedbase Lead, Ruairi McDonnell has a conversation with experienced farm consultant, Phil Shannon, discussing the ways in which farmers are responding to fuel and fertiliser supply disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Phil provides practical tips and expert advice including use of alternate feed options, fertiliser and the principles of maximising home-g...

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Carbon Farming Extension Advisor, Scott Jardine, speaks with Burra Foods’ Sustainability Manager, Warren Landles, about the drivers and benefits of reporting on greenhouse gas emissions.  They discuss the different emission scope classifications and highlight the practical farm data that underpins reporting requirements and data transparency furt...

Dairy Australia’s Carbon Farming Extension Advisor, Scott Jardine, speaks with West Victorian dairy farmer Brad Collins about how taking a practical approach to understanding and then reducing farm emissions not only improved sustainability on his farm but also boosted profitability and efficiency. Brad shares his experiences - from the motivation to first measure his farm's carbon footprint...

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Development & Regional Adaptation Lead, Kristen Davis, speaks with National Milk Quality & Biosecurity Lead, Zoe Vogels, about the vital role of milk quality and her enduring passion for the dairy industry. Zoe reflects on her background as a dairy veterinarian and outlines her current role at Dairy Australia, where she leads the annual Milk Quality...

In this episode, Cath Lescun, National Soils & Water Lead at Dairy Australia, chats with Dr James Hills, Livestock Production Centre Leader at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, to discuss the essentials of irrigation planning and management.   They cover the key steps and checks before irrigating — from preparation and pressure testing to understanding soil types &nd...

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s National Animal & Health Welfare Lead, Dr Stephanie Bullen speaks in depth with veterinary surgeon Dr Mac Kneipp about his early experience growing up on a sheep and cattle property to his research findings and advice for dairy farmers managing cattle with pinkeye.   Dr Kneipp shares insights into the causes of pinkeye in cattle — i...

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Extension Advisor Shannon Logan catches up with South Australian farmer Alex Dohnt and Western Australian farmer Jordyn Dyke to talk about their recent experiences during farm visits from the Young Dairy Network (YDN) Ireland tour.  They discuss what they learned from visiting Irish dairy farms - exploring the differences and similarities to Australian...

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Principal Scientist John Penry and University of Sydney’s Professor Richard Trethowan discuss one of DairyUP’s groundbreaking projects: research into Kikuyu ryegrass and how it could benefit Australian dairy systems. Backed by the largest dairy R&D investment in NSW in recent years, this multi-year study explores the genetic diversity, bioma...

What happens when an entire dairy farm goes under water? In this episode, Dr Stephanie Bullen, Dairy Australia’s National Animal Health & Welfare Lead, speaks with veterinarian Dr Sam Rowe from UniVets Livestock, about his on-the-ground experience working with flood affected farmers across New South Wales dairy regions in May 2025. They discuss impacts on animal health – including...

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s National Animal Health & Welfare Lead, Dr Stephanie Bullen speaks with Donna Woerz from Debenham Australia, about how dairy farmers can navigate feed shortages in wet and dry conditions. Donna shares insights on why fodder supplies are tight, what practical steps farmers can take to manage their feed budgets and how to get the most out of what’s o...

This episode features an excerpt of a recording from a recent Dairy Australia webinar focused on the key settings and decisions shaping the current dairy season.  Greg Duncan, Dairy Australia’s Farm Business Program Lead, joins farm consultants Fiona Smith and Tom Farran to share practical insights from their work with dairy farmers.   Topics include:  planning and responding...

In this episode, Dairy Australia’s Analysis and Insights Manager, Eliza Redfern and Bendigo Bank Agribusiness Senior Agricultural Analyst Sean Hickey, explore the Mid-year Situation and Outlook (S&O) report. Eliza and Sean discuss the Dairy Farmland Values Report – a first for the industry – and the key drivers and factors across agriculture that impact land prices across dai...

In this episode of DairyPod, dairy farmers Rachael Napier (Murray Dairy Board Chair) and Paul Bennett (Dairy Australia Board member) share how farmers across the country have helped shape Dairy Australia’s new five-year Strategic Plan. Alongside host Greg Duncan (Dairy Australia), Rachael and Paul reflect on the extensive consultation process, the key priorities raised by farmers – inc...

In this special World Milk Day edition of DairyPod, Dairy Australia’s Karl Ellis is joined by sports commentator and milk enthusiast, Dwayne Russell and proud dairy farmer and AFL fan, Evan Nicholas. Together, they dive into the heart of what makes milk great – from footy fields to farm gates. Hear stories of childhood milk moments, the role of dairy in Aussie sports culture, and the d...

In this episode, dairy farmers Tania Luckin and Sarah Kelly join Dairy Australia’s Head of Marketing Glenys Zucco to discuss how the industry is being promoted and protected in the public eye. The trio speak about how important it is to have farmers involved in dairy industry promotion for authenticity and transparency, reflecting on the successful Dairy Matters campaign – which ran fr...

For over a decade, the Australian dairy industry has been internationally recognised for commitments to tangible goals and targets established through the Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework. Dairy farmer Simone Jolliffe joins Dairy Australia’s Rebecca Joyce to discuss these industry-wide commitments on the Framework’s four key sustainability priorities: Enhancing econom...

This episode is part of a series that focuses on Fall Armyworm (FAW), a destructive horticultural and field pest that was detected in Australia in 2020. Queensland dairy farmer, Melvyn Zischke, shares his FAW experience with Dairy Australia’s Dr Brenda McLachlan, Dr Melina Miles (Department of Primary Industries, Queensland) and New South Wales agronomist Peter Beale.  The panel also di...

In this episode, South Gippsland dairy farmer Graeme Nicoll joins Mikaela Baker (Dairy Australia) and Kevin Smith (Agriculture Victoria) to share practical insights into how he selects the most productive and profitable ryegrass for his farm using Dairy Australia’s Forage Value Index (FVI).  They discuss how the FVI ratings for Annual, Perennial and Italian ryegrasses are determined usi...

Hear from New South Wales dairy farmer, Simon Scowen, as he joins Dairy Australia’s National People Lead Mick Fuller to discuss the importance of a safety-first culture in the workplace – particularly when it comes to onboarding and training for new employees.  For more information about employee inductions, visit Getting started | The People in Dairy Related links:  Farm saf...

In this episode, hear from Irish dairy farmers Gillian and Neil O’Sullivan as they discuss their farming system and successfully changing from a conventional, monoculture pasture system to a multispecies pasture system.  The couple joins Dairy Australia’s Cath Lescun and Donna Gibson from Gardiner Foundation for this conversation, where they also share the reasons behind making th...