The 2026 Australian Dairy Conference is set to hit Melbourne February 11 to 13.
The conference includes a plethora of dairy related commentary, discussions and on-farm visits, along with networking opportunities including an early morning ‘milk run’ and a gala dinner sponsored by Rabobank.
Sessions include milking it strong — building on the big picture, wealth beyond the farm gate, technology and innovation along with health and safety.
Leadership Unfiltered will be moderated by Sky News Peta Credlin and will go beyond titles and politics to take a raw, honest look at leadership within Australian dairy.
The session brings together Australian dairy leaders and will explore who they are, how they lead and the impact they make.
Discussion will turn the focus inward — drawing on the experiences of leaders shaping dairy’s direction today and reimagining what leadership must look like for the future. It is not about policy or power; it’s about people, culture, and courage.
Panellists will share insights, challenge assumptions, and spark an honest conversation about the leadership we have today and the kind we need to take the industry forward.
The Power of Protein is facilitated by agri journalist Carlene Dowie and includes Andrew Wheeler (McDonalds), Andrew Ralph (FMG Global) and Vaughn Johnston.
For too long, dairy beef has been positioned as a by-product or a sideline opportunity.
The reality is very different — red meat is a viable, valuable and integrated part of our protein business.
Carlene will reframe the conversation — moving from “what premium can I get?” to “how do we keep value within the supply chain?”
The session will explore what success looks like, the real story behind beef on dairy and why we must see ourselves not only as milk producers, but as beef farmers too.
Other highlights include the ADC Innovator Award sponsored by Gardiner Foundation, which opens the door to a whole new world of opportunities and embraces a spectrum beyond pure science.
This award invites innovative dairy ideas from brilliant minds and offers a chance to showcase research-backed or science-based ideas to the entire Australian dairy industry, capturing talent and pushing the boundaries of innovation.
On February 10, Pioneer Seeds will host a two-day tour through Northern Victoria’s most innovative barn systems and will include a talk from Scott McDonald, Agriculture Victoria’s Dairy Development Specialist.
The trip will also include a visit to a Strike trial site.
The trip is free for ADC delegates. For more information, contact gentechseeds@gentechseeds.com
Lely is also hosting a tour on February 11 which will include a visit to AW contracting, Whipp dairy farm featuring a new shed and two Lely Astronaut A5 milking robots, a visit to Benlock Jerseys and the Rushton family who have installed four robots.
Lunch is included along with coach transport.
This tour is also free for ADC delegates.
For more information, contact lbarnes@lely.com