The new year has started off with favourable growing conditions for our summer crops, just add water.
Decent rain that warrants turning the wheel off has been patchy, and looking around, it seems that the north-east has won that title.
Although we haven’t had too many days that have been super-hot, the nights have remained quite warm, contributing to cumulative heat stress in some of the cows, and workers without airconditioning.
Summer storms have been wreaking havoc here and there with pivots blown over, trees and powerlines down, and power lost.
The Murray Dairy office has welcomed Kylie McKee as the new regional manager.
Kylie has re located from New Zealand and has a background in sharefarming and a career in the health industry managing people.
I’m sure her previous roles have made for solid foundations within her new role with Dairy Australia and I look forward to my interactions with her in my role as Murray Dairy Board chair.
I recently had the opportunity to catch up with the Gardiner Foundation at Ann and Mark Gardiner’s Bamawm dairy farm.
It was an introductory tour for their new chair-elect, Andrew Metcalfe, who will replace Dr Len Stephens when he retires later this year in October.
We talked about current farming challenges, project updates and future opportunities.
I am always impressed with the calibre of people that the Gardiner Foundation attracts to both their board and staff.
As an industry, Victoria is certainly fortunate to have this organisation.
The Murray Dairy Board has welcomed Fiona Elgin as our interim executive officer.
Fiona filling Amy Fay’s maternity leave position. She has an impressive CV with a focus on governance and a passion for rural boards.
Fiona comes from an agricultural background and is already working well with the Murray Dairy Board.
I recently had the pleasure of attending International Dairy Week. This year they celebrated 35 years!
My favourite part is in the evenings, when you can usually spot some exhausted exhibitors snoozing with their cattle in the hay.
I’m not a show person myself, but I can certainly understand the passion!
The Australian Dairy Conference will be taking place in February on the Gold Coast — what an excuse for a summer holiday.
After that it will be time to get the seeder out and have a yarn to your agronomist.
Make sure to reach out to the Murray Dairy team for any support you need over the coming months — they are always happy to help and love hearing a “g’day” from our local dairy farmers.
– Rachael Napier is the Murray Dairy chair.