Lockington dairy farmer Dustin Kemp has been appointed to the Murray Dairy board as a new director.
Mr Kemp has extensive experience in the dairy industry and currently manages a 194 ha farm, milking 180 cows.
He has run a mixed operation there for about three years, growing rye-grass and some permanent lucerne.
“Ag is a really great industry and I'm keen on the environment I live in and the community I live in, and I think it's worth protecting,” he said.
Mr Kemp first became involved in the dairy industry in 2002, when he gained an apprenticeship after graduating from school.
He has completed a Certificate III in Horticulture with Wodonga TAFE, majoring in Arboriculture, and a Diploma with Dairy Australia/TAFE SA, majoring in Agribusiness Management.
Through the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, Mr Kemp became involved in broader industry discussions, leading him to his current position.
He has held roles as president of the Campaspe Young Dairy Network and as a member of the Goulburn-Murray Water Irrigator Customer Representative Committee and is currently a member of the Young Farmer Ministers Advisory Committee advising Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes.
“I look forward to being a part of the broader conversation of dairy in our region with our vast and innovative farming styles,” he said.
Looking to the future, Mr Kemp said more change was on the way for dairy farmers in northern Victoria.
“There’s a bright future in dairy and the fact that farmers here are willing to adapt to change is encouraging.”
He said the industry had done everything it could in response to the coronavirus but that the optimism of farmers was varied.
“It goes season by season; water is a key driver in the area and favourable seasonal conditions help out a lot.”
Reappointed to the Murray Dairy board for a second term was Goulburn-Murray Water’s Mark Bailey, as was Tongala dairy farmer and board deputy chair Andrew Tyler.
Having filled a casual role since last year, Finley dairy farmer Rachael Napier was officially appointed to her first term on the board.
More on the Murray Dairy board of directors can be found at: www.dairyaustralia.com.au/murray-dairy/about-murray-dairy/board