A new date has been set for a forum to support dairy farmers who are looking for long-term sustainable options to stay profitable and viable in the industry.
The Regen Dairy Forum will be held on February 8 and 9 in Warragul (Victoria), and will provide the opportunity for farmers to engage with and listen to active dairy farmers who have transitioned to profitable and healthy dairy systems.
The event, which includes a field trip to a local dairy farm, will be hosted by agro-ecologist David Hardwick from Soil Land Food.
It will focus on making a profit and pasture-based dairying, along with pasture, soil and animal health.
“Dairying can be an expensive business, but there are farmers out there who have turned their systems around and are more profitable,” Mr Hardwick said.
“This takes so much stress out of a really demanding profession.
“The Regen Dairy Forum will include guest speakers like Greg Bott from Bott Consulting who has 40 years’ experience in the finance sector, many of them with Rabobank.
“We also have Judi Earl coming along, who has extensive knowledge and experience in holistic planning and grazing management to regenerate farming landscapes.”
The event will also provide the opportunity for an on-farm visit to meet a local dairy farmer who has successfully rebooted his dairy farm.
Mr Hardwick said the forum was a great networking event to meet other like-minded people in the regenerative agriculture space.
“It can be really daunting thinking about changing the way you farm, which is why networking events such as this forum are really important,” he said.
“Farmers need all the support they can get when trying something new.
“The good news is that there will be a number of great stories about dairy farming businesses who have successfully transformed their farming model.
“For example, our on-farm visit will be to a local dairy farm. The farmer has tweaked his grazing management, amongst other things, which has significantly improved the water infiltration and holding capacity of his soil. This has many flow-on benefits.”
The event, which has been sponsored by a number of innovative companies in the regenerative agriculture space, has limited numbers.
To secure your spot, book online through Humanitix by searching Regen Dairy Forum 2022 or by contacting Soil Land Food on david@soillandfood.com.au or 0409 646 565.