Victoria’s dairy industry has partnered with the Victorian Government to transform feedbase management on farms and to minimise their impact on climate change and the environment.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney visited Hamilton SmartFarm on Friday to announce the next stage of the $42.5 million DairyFeedbase program, which will deliver six transformational projects across soils, forages and animal nutrition over the next five years.
From researching soil health and pasture composition changes, to measuring and reducing methane emissions, the six projects will aim to increase the profitability and productivity of dairy farms while reducing their impact on the environment.
The projects will also link to other national research under way and make the most of Victoria’s world-class facilities at the Ellinbank and Hamilton SmartFarms and AgriBio, located at Bundoora.
“DairyFeedbase is a leading example of the dairy industry working with government on medium-term, high impact science that will improve the performance of soils and pastures in a way that benefits both cows and the environment,” Dairy Australia chair James Mann said.
“The need to address a changing climate is essential and science has a critically important role.”
Gardiner Dairy Foundation chair Len Stephens said the foundation was proud to support innovative projects like DairyFeedbase to ensure a sustainable and profitable future for the dairy industry.
“This successful collaboration has delivered high-impact innovations through research, allowing dairy farmers to apply new information for productivity growth and mitigation of climate change risks,” Dr Stephens said.
Since 2017, the DairyFeedbase program has worked closely with the dairy industry and developed a range of farmer-ready products and tools — including satellite and sensor technologies to measure pasture production and quality across their farms.
The program has also made research breakthroughs such as optimising herd nutrition to boost productivity in a way that is resilient to the challenges of increasing temperatures and climate variability.
Together with the sister program, DairyBio, the economic benefits are anticipated to exceed $1 billion by 2030 and demonstrate the programs’ potential for enhancing farm profits, milk production and herd health outcomes.
Ms Tierney said these initiatives can both benefit farmers through increased profitability and contribute to meeting sustainability goals by increasing resource efficiency, delivering on the objectives of Victoria’s Agriculture Strategy.
“We’re working alongside the dairy industry to deliver research outcomes that will boost productivity, while reducing emissions,” she said.
“The DairyFeedbase program is helping to invest in our dairy industry’s future so it can continue to be a world leader in innovation, research, and practical on-farm improvements.”
To learn more about the DairyFeedbase program, visit: dairyfeedbase.com.au
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