News in brief

As well as managing the day-to-day operations of a commercial dairy farm, he also plays a key role in supporting cutting-edge research projects and welcoming school groups, industry visitors and the wider community onto the farm.

The TIA said the award was well-deserved recognition of Andrew’s skill, dedication and passion for showcasing the future of dairy farming.

Entries open for dairy produce show

The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW is encouraging dairy producers nationwide to enter the 2026 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show.

The competition provides producers an opportunity to benchmark their products and gain independent industry feedback, while showcasing quality to consumers through champion, gold, silver or bronze medals.

The competition offers more than 90 classes, from butter and ice-cream to camel milk and buffalo cheese, including a research and development class for innovative products.

Products are judged on a 20-point scale for presentation, flavour and aroma, and texture and body.

Entries close on October 22, with judging in February 2026 at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park.

For more information or to enter, visit: www.rasnsw.com.au/cheesedairy

Farmer confidence surveyed

Sentiment in Australia’s agricultural sector has softened over the winter months, the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey has found.

Farmers reported feeling mostly positive about seasonal conditions and commodity prices, although producers in Victoria and South Australia remained concerned about weather.

High input costs, as well as concerns about government policies and intervention, were the main causes for pessimism.

Dairy farmer confidence edged higher this quarter (to seven per cent, up from five per cent) with a third now expecting conditions to improve.

“Dairy farmers are cautiously positive, driven by strong commodity prices and seasonal expectations, but they are still managing the pressures of flooding in eastern states, ongoing dry in the south, and high input costs,” Rabobank’s Marcel van Doremaele said.

“Australian milk production is trending lower, with this reduced supply boding well for stronger farm gate prices, supporting improved income expectations across most regions.”

Yogo gets a high-protein glow-up

Brownes Dairy has launched its new, innovative ProGo high-protein dessert, an evolution of its beloved Yogo brand.

Brownes Dairy’s Nicole Ohm said the new Brownes ProGo was a game-changer in chilled desserts, packing 17 grams of dairy protein into every serve while also featuring no added sugar, all-natural colours and flavours, and a gluten-free formulation.

“The growing demand for convenient ways to boost protein intake has brought people back to dairy, so we developed our new high-protein ProGo to deliver in the desserts space,” Nicole said.

“Brownes is here to do dairy better,” she said.

“By taking an iconic brand like Yogo and reformulating it to be both highly functional and delicious, we’re aiming to attract health-focused millennials and Gen Z to the category.”

Brownes Dairy is Australia’s oldest dairy company, established in 1886.

Collecting about 110 million litres of milk each year from more than 45 dairy farms in Western Australia’s south-west, Brownes Dairy has a diverse portfolio of dairy including milk, cream, yoghurt, flavoured milk, juice and desserts.

Calling all dairy innovators

Have a great innovation or project that can make a difference to the Australian dairy industry?

The ADC Innovator Award, sponsored by Gardiner Foundation, is seeking fresh and emerging dairy innovations and projects that have the greatest potential to impact the Australian dairy industry.

This is an opportunity to profile and highlight your research, innovation, on-farm trial or scientific exploration in front of the national industry at the next Australian Dairy Conference in Melbourne from February 11 to 13, 2026.

For more information and to enter, go to: australiandairyconference.com.au