News : Murray Dairy
Murray Dairy News
General News
Dairy Business of the Year
The 2010 Dairy Business of the Year Competition recognizes business excellence among dairy farmers across Australia and is open to farmers in Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW, South Australia and Western Australia.
Now in its fourth year, the Australian Dairy Business of the Year Competition provides farmers with the chance to benchmark their business against their counterparts at a considerable saving and with some great prizes to be won.
Entries for this competition will be accepted through until 12 March 2010. Between70 and 95 farms entered the competition in the first three years and the response by the entrants in previous years has been overwhelmingly positive.
On Wednesday 23 June in Melbourne, the Westpac Agribusiness & Dairy Australia Dairy Business of the Year Seminar and Awards will culminate in the confirmation of the winners of this year's competition. In addition the winner of the 3rd Trans-Tasman Dairy Business Challenge will be announced.
To download an entry form for the Westpac Agribusiness & Dairy Australia Dairy Business of the Year competition please click here.
To read more about the design of the competition and the activities and timelines then please click here.
Australian Dairy Conference - Opportunity for young farmer to attend - 23rd - 26th February 2010
Murray Dairy through Dairy Australia will sponsor one young farmer from the Murray Dairy region to attend the 2010 Australian Dairy Conference in Wollongong, New South Wales on February 23rd-26th 2010.
Funding will cover the full cost of the registration plus travel and accommodation costs up to $1,000.
Farmers interested need to complete the Application form and return it by Friday 15th January 2010
Click here for a Conference Programme and Brochure outlining the 4 days.
For further information visit the Conference's website at www.australiandairyconference.com.au
Dairy Shed Water License Transition Program
The Dairy Shed Water Licence Transition Program has been launched to ensure water used in dairy sheds is fully licensed.
The program includes an amnesty during which dairy farmers can apply to licence in full the volume of water currently used in their dairy shed, without penalty.
The amnesty ends on 26 February 2010.
After this date, all dairy shed water use – unless it comes from rainwater collected from rooftops or urban town supply – must be accurately licensed or penalties for non-compliance with licence volumes may apply.
Visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au/saving/farms/dairy-wash-licensing for more information.
Maurice Incerti Scholarship:
Murray Dairy and Dairy Australia are offering $8000 scholarship in memory of Maurice Incerti.
The criteria has recently been amended. Click here to download an a copy of the Application Form.
Applications close this Friday 11th December 2009
Lower Murray Darling Basin Inquiry:
The Lower Murray Darling Basin inquiry, commissioned by Dairy Australia in May 2009, aims to assist relevant stakeholders to identify opportunities for the future and help them make decisions.
Stakeholders include:
- dairy farmers
- manufacturers
- service providers
- government, and
- future investors.
Objectives of the inquiry are to:
- improve understanding of the issues in the LMDB region
- engage and consult those affected
- provide independent considerations of future directions, opportunities and risks for the region and dairy industry within it, and establish credible opinions on likely developments in the region and their potential impact on the farm, the community and the regional dairy industry.
Public Meetings were held in:
•Echuca - Wednesday 2 September
•Shepparton - Friday 4 September
•Deniliquin - Thursday 3 September
•Wodonga - Wednesday 16 September
•Murray Bridge - Friday 18 September
For a copy of the Industry Response and other information relating to the Inquiry visit http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Our-Dairy-Industry/Industry%20Studies/Lower-Murray-Darling-Basin-inquiry.aspx
Water Trade Tool Kit
Murray Dairy has developed a Water Trade Tool Kit to assist farmers in Northern Victoria and Southern New South Wales with the complexities associated with water trading. Click here to download a copy
Dealing with Today: Planning for Tomorrow
Dealing with Today: Planning for Tomorrow, is a dairy industry initiative to help dairy farmers in irrigated regions of the Southern Murray-Darling Basin cope with the current season and enhance their ability to confront future challenges.
The project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Irrigation Industries Workshop Program and the dairy industry through Dairy Australia and the Australia Dairy Industry Council.
Activities occuring as part of the program included:
Businesss Forum - 28th - 29th May 2009
Murray Dairy arranged a free Business Forum for 200 dairy farmers at Moama.
Titled, "Painting the Picture: Defining Dairy in the Murray Region", the forum provided farmers with an insighful two days discussing a number of issues affecting the region's dairy industry.
These included:
- World Markets;
- Water Availability;
- Carbon Emissions & Trading Scheme
- Understanding and working with debt - a banks perspective;
- Securing people resources;
- Two farm case studies;
- A Futuristic view of dairy in the region.
Click here to download a full copy of the program.
Click here to download a Murray Dairy Business Forum Speaker presentations.
Situation and Outlook Sessions - 27th April - May 1st 2009
Murray Dairy and Dairy Australia held five meetings for dairy farmers from 27th April to May 1st.
Additional meetings were also held with service providers and the financial sector.
Topics covered in the sessions included:
- Milk price and markets;
- Key drivers for the industry's future;
- Grain and hay availability and prices;
- Water situation;
- Options going forward;
- Farmer survey results (national and regional).
Click here for 2009 Situation and Outlook presentations.
FREE TAKING STOCK: TAKING ACTION SESSIONS:
Free one-on-one sessions with experienced advisers are available to help dairy farmers in the region to:
- Review all aspects of their farm business;
- Gain clear information on how your business is travelling;
- Talk through the important decisions for your farm business;
- Feel more confident in managing these important issues;
- consider your options in the dairy industry and beyond;
Advisers available for the sessions include: Andrew Wright, Ian Gibb, Scott Rathbone, Brian Crockart, Noel Thomas, Cameron Smith and Daryl Poole.
Click here to download an information flyer on Taking Stock: Taking Action sessions.
Situation and Outlook 2009:
Dairy Australia produces a Situation and Outlook - to download copies see below:
March 2009 Update Situation and Outlook
Media Releases
Water Trade Tool Kit for Farmers 13-7-09
Forum Informs Farmers 2-6-09
Incerti honoured in memorial scholarship 2-6-09
Young farmers to talk water 13-5-09
One Day Get Away to Genetics Australia 28-4-09
Dairy Australia Tours the Region 3-4-09
Farmers Informed on Milk Price 10-3-09
New Coordiantor for Young Dairy Farmers 4-2-09
$75,000 Grant for Murray Dairy 30-1-09