Australian dairy farmers have long embraced innovation as a means of improving the productivity and profitability of their farms.
From genetics to forages to farming systems, farmers are continually exploring ways to improve efficiency, manage costs and keep their businesses productive.
Developed by Dairy Australia through extensive consultation with dairy and beef industry stakeholders, CalfWays is a roadmap that reflects a practical approach to improve outcomes for non-replacement calves by 2035.
Its implementation is supported by an initial three-year co-investment from Dairy Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia and aims to support profitable, sustainable pathways for calves not required as dairy herd replacements.
For many dairy farmers, non-replacement calves represent both an opportunity and a challenge.
While there is growing interest in beef from dairy across the supply chain, producers often face uncertainty around calf value, market access and pricing.
At the same time, feedlots and beef processors are looking for greater consistency and confidence in the calves entering their systems.
As part of the broader CalfWays initiative, over the past eight months a pilot program has examined these opportunities in the North east of Victoria, specifically the Alpine Valleys region.
The Alpine Valleys CalfWays Producer Pilot seeks to create a more profitable, transparent and trusted beef from dairy value chain for dairy farmers in the region.
A producer-led initiative, the pilot has focused on bringing together dairy farmers and supply chain partners to better understand what is needed to create commercially viable pathways for non-replacement dairy calves.
Supported by industry consultants, the project has worked closely with farmers, feedlots, and processors to strengthen relationships, define market requirements and establish baseline pricing for calves sold both pre-weaning and at weaning.
Importantly, the pilot has recognised long-term success depends on building trust and alignment across the entire supply chain, while ensuring value is created and shared among all supply chain participants
Ahead of the release of the phase one report, it is already clear there is significant value in bringing producers and supply chain partners together to openly discuss opportunities and challenges.
As the pilot program has rolled out, interest and participation from dairy farmers have grown too, demonstrating our industry’s strong appetite to explore the possibilities.
For dairy farmers, CalfWays highlights the opportunities.
Every calf born on a dairy farm has value.
By developing clearer market pathways and stronger supply chain connections, farmers can potentially capture greater returns while also aligning with growing expectations around sustainability, animal welfare and responsible livestock production.
The lessons learnt through the Alpine Valleys Producer Pilot will help inform future opportunities for producers seeking to maximise the value of non-replacement calves.
By improving the value of calves from dairy systems, we can open new income streams, strengthen sustainability credentials, develop resilience for the future, and continue building pathways that benefit farmers, processors and consumers alike.
As the pilot reaches its conclusion, the focus now shifts to sharing findings with industry and identifying the next steps needed to support a thriving beef from dairy sector in the Alpine Valleys and beyond.
The work is far from over, but the foundations for a stronger and more profitable value chain are now being laid.
Dr Bec Barnewall, CalfWays Co-Innovation lead