A unique approach to attract young people into the dairy industry has just concluded its pilot year in Gippsland.
Four schools from the across the region — Leongatha Secondary College, Korumburra Secondary College, Gippsland Grammar and Foster Secondary College — participated in the trial.
The idea for the course came out of the Workforce Attraction Project, to promote dairy farming careers within the tertiary sector.
“We decided to extend the project into secondary schools,” GippsDairy extension team lead Veronica McLeod said.
“An expression of interest application was sent to all Gippsland secondary schools.
“Four schools opted to participate, and they asked for an expression of interest process from their students, to determine who wanted to participate.”
There were 30 students chosen, ranging from Years 9 to 12, with one supervising teacher attending from each school.
Project funding was provided by the Department of Education Victoria.
The learning was a mix of practical and theory, with on site visits to dairy farms, the Ellinbank Research Farm and other businesses.
“At the research farm, the students learned about technology and trials,” Veronica said.
“Everyone learned about the value of having a research farm to trial new technology and pastures and feeding systems, something the individual dairy farm can’t afford to do.”
The students completed the full Cups On Cups Off training course, under the supervision of dairy farmer and veterinarian Dr Andrew Perry.
They visited HiCo to learn about genetics and herd testing.
They undertook their practical training and assessment at Bushlea Farms, under the supervision of dairy farmer Wayne Kuhne.
They also visited Grant and Leesa Williams’ robot dairy to learn other practical skills and discuss the differences with managing a herd of voluntary milkers.
The students also undertook mentoring and discussion sessions, focusing on careers in the agriculture industry in general and dairy specifically with Belinda Griffin and James Freemantle.
Leongatha Secondary College supervising teacher Lyn Grabham, has already seen the difference the short course created for her students.
“Six Leongatha Secondary College students participated in the month-long project,” she said.
“After participating in the Cups On Cups Off program, where each student received a certificate, one of our students secured a part-time milking position.”
So far, two students from across the program have secured part-time milking positions, on weekend and school holiday rosters.
Lyn said the program had demonstrated for students the diversity of career paths available in the dairy industry.
“This has been a great opportunity for our students, some who are eager to work on a dairy farm and for others who love the idea of dairy farming, but don’t necessarily want to milk cows,” she said.
“One student has decided that genetics is the field of study and career he would like to pursue.
“As teachers, it has opened our eyes to the many possibilities within the dairy industry.
“A huge thank you to Veronica McLeod from GippsDairy who was instrumental in getting this wonderful opportunity off the ground in our local area.
“I feel the students have gained a lot of knowledge and experience by participating in this program.”
Veronica said the four schools had already indicated they wanted to participate again in 2024, and the Department of Education Victoria funding will enable a second program to be completed before June 30.
Ongoing rollout of the program will depend on securing ongoing funding beyond June 30.
“We’re asking for more expressions of interest from Gippsland schools to participate in the course in the first half of 2024,” Veronica said.
“The four schools who participated in 2023 have already indicated they will participate again.
“We’ll need to find ongoing funding to extend the course beyond the middle of next year.”