DairySA is involved in many projects each year. Following is a selection of key projects currently operating. Further information and full project listings can be obtained from the Project Library page.
iDairy is a once in a life time opportunity and a completely new way of developing emerging leaders. It will increase the industry sustainability and positively portray dairying, enhancing the attraction and retention of people to the sector. iDairy is a multi-faceted project consisting of an overseas study tour, development of a documentary, a special dinner documentary launch, plus the development of a short film.
This program is designed to provide a limited number of aspiring dairy women across the state with specific skills to actively and assertively participate in dairy industry committees, boards and projects with confidence. Throughout the 2BHerd program participants will be coached on how to get involved, and stay involved, in industry leadership through a series of advanced communication, governance and confidence building workshops and training sessions.
This project aims to reduce soil acidity on dairy farms in the South East and Mt Lofty Ranges. Dairy farmers will participate in planning strategic soil sampling of their property, partnering with local agronomists to identify develop management strategies to reduce acidity and maintain fertility while reducing the risk of leaching of nutrients. Activities include soil sampling, development of farm acidity and nutrient loss risk maps, development, implementation and monitoring of farm fertility strategies.
Future Ready, Dairy Systems is a Dairy Australia national project. It examines dairy farm adaptation strategies and technologies that have been used by farmers to:
Sites will be chosen in SA to demonstrate these strategies and will be accompanied by relevant field days and data.
The FORAGE Skill$ Program aims increase farmer confidence in on farm forage management through skills development and implementation to improve forage utilisation. Coaches are used to deliver activities on farm to train skills in forage management – using underpinning adult learning principles. 8 groups completed the program in 2006/2007 and 6 more have commenced. The program is ongoing.
Funding for coordination and facilitation for discussion group workshops over 12 months.
Farmer-focused forum designed by dairy farmers for dairy farmers. Guest speakers, trade stalls, workshops.
Cows Create Careers is a national project that operates in four DairySA regions. It promotes dairy career and education opportunities for students (years 7-11) in the dairy industry by:
Greg Mitchell and members of the 3030 national project team are working with a commercial Fleurieu dairy farm to implement the R-Max grazing system tested at DemoDairy in western Victoria. Fleurieu farmers were impressed by how the R-Max system allowed grazing cows to produce high levels of milksolids from grass-dominant diets, with lower feeding and production costs because of the emphasis on home-grown grass. They also noted how these Victorian herds seem to have less problems getting cows back in calf compared to Fleurieu herds. The 3030 Fleurieu Partner Farm is replicating the R-Max farming system as best as possible on a typical Fleurieu dairy farm, to determine the success (or otherwise) of this system in dryland conditions in SA.
DairySA is involved in many projects each year. Following is a selection of key projects currently operating. Further information and full project listings can be obtained from the Project Library page.