YDN December Newsletter

A Year in Reflection

What a crazy busy year it has been!!  Sitting here in December writing the last edition of the YDN newsletter for the year, it is a good point to pause and reflect on what has been achieved by the YDN in a very challenging year. 

The YDN Bentleys Tour to South Australia kicked off the YDN calender this year and what a trip it was!!  This was followed by a number of workshops and field days under the banner of the CIP program.  June to October saw the roll out of Milestone 4 activities which was all wraped up in the 'Skimming the Cream Climax' held as part of the Northern Dairy Conference.  As the year draws to a close, plans are now being put in place for the Next Gen (Succession Planning) project and once again we are in the planning phase for the YDN Bentleys Tour to Tassie in 2012.

I would like to thank all those members involved in their regional operational steering committees and the strategic steering committee for contributing to the network this year.  Special mention goes out to the regional coordinating team, Theresa, Belinda, Di, Ros, Traci, Paul and Lyn for facilitating the network.  Also thank you to Subtropical Dairy, especially Neale for the continued support he gives to the network on a day to day basis.

Finally thank you to you the members whom make this network what it is.  Please all have a safe and merry christmas and I look forward to catching up with you all in the new year.

Cheers

Justin grew up on his family’s dairy farm at Roadvale, in the Fassifern Valley SE Qld, just north of Boonah. The family farm is a dryland farm and runs a milking herd of 110 cows, made up of 60% Friesian, 30% Jersey and 10% Brown Swiss cows.

Justin has 3 brothers, one older and 2 younger, 2 of which are still at home on the farm. Justin is still at home on the farm but also works at the McInnes Bros farm at Harrisville and has been working there for 4 ½ years.

At 24 years of age, Justin sees his future in the dairy industry. He has already established his own Jersey Stud, Justinvale Jerseys, and is actively involved in the cattle ‘Show circuit’. At the 2011 Brisbane Royal Show, he won Reserve Intermediate jersey with his cow Ardylbar Comerica Fairy VG87.

Justin’s main interests in the industry focus around the cows milking and breeding the animals. His is looking forward to owning his own farm in the future, further developing his established and successful Jersey Stud.

Someone else may have a say in this though Justin met a girl called Tahlia Woodforth, about 6 years ago, and he asked her to marry him in April this year. Fortunately, Tahlia is also keen on working in the dairy industry. Her grandparents dairyed many years ago and Tahlia currently works at the Lehmanns farm at Kalbar.

Justin and Tahlia will be married on the 28th April 2012. We wish them all the best and look forward to seeing them as a happy and successful couple moving forward in our industry into the future.

As a final workshop for the Farm Ready "Facing Up" project, Sunshine Coast YDN conducted a Product Innovation and Processing Tour at the Maleny Dairies Farm and Factory.

The day out in the beautiful Sunny Coast hinterland was developed for participants to hear how dairy product innovations for the future are developed and how some of our research levy dollars are invested. The group also toured the Maleny Dairy Factory.

The Network invited Dr Ranjan Sharma, from Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd (DIAL) to discuss Dairy Australia’s investment into developing new products, including the relationship with processors in product development through the formation of (DIAL). The discussion also included innovative uses for raw dairy ingredients as a non-food and non-dairy product, such as converting whey into wearable fabric!

Maleny Dairies is a family owned business situated in the picturesque hills of Maleny. The family has been farming on the property for 3 generations, (since 1948). Deregulation saw a drastic drop in income for the business, and the family decided to expand the businesss and build a milk processing plant. With the combined efforts of parents Harold & Dorothy, brothers Ross and Keith, and sisters Kay and Beth, the family has been successful in the massive task of bringing their plans to fruition. Maleny Dairies began operations in December 2002 and process the milk from 5 other farms in the region.

It was a full day with two presentations from Ranjan and the Farm and Factory tour.  Very successful though, with some great networking over lunch.

Check out the photo gallery from the day.

Your pumpkins should be well and truly up by now. Early reports suggest that the crops in the north and the south are very similar at this stage. There has been one report of dud seeds which have been replaced. If none of your seeds came up give me a ring and I’ll send you some new ones.

Have you got something that your working on or want to improve and would really like to see what other farmers are doing but don’t know how to go about getting onto other people’s farms? We’ve come up with a concept of mini-tours where a car load of farmers go and have a look around other farms for a day with a specific topic in mind. If you have something that you’re interested in seeing give Theresa a ring on 0428 147749 and we’ll get a group together.

Andrew and Natalie Talyor welcome William Peter Taylor into the world on the 24th of November. Weighing a healthy 9 lb 8.5 oz, William is a  "little" baby brother and playmate for Lachlan. Best wishes to Nat and Andrew!!

Australian Year of the Farmer is a celebration of the vital role farmers' play in feeding, clothing and housing us all. We want you to be a part of it!

Check out the great video for this program - spread it around friends and family,

The Northern Dairy Conference has been an outstanding event which would not have been possible with out the valuable support and assistance from our sponsors.

Subtropical Dairy and the Young Dairy Network thank all for their continuing committment to the future of the Northern Dairy Industry.

Check out our Sponsors Page to support those that support you!

Find us on Facebook!

Great pics from the NDC Social events!

Five representatives from the YDN attended this years forum in Melbourne from Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th Nov 2011.  Di Gresham (Sunshine Coast), Frances Hayden (Darling Downs), Annalissa Geraghty (Far North QLD), Clint Stephens (South East QLD) and Viv McCollum (YDN program manager) all participated in the two day forum which culminated in the ADIC Breakfast at Flemington Racecourse on Friday morning.

The forum was a excellent opportunity to network with all the other YDN groups from around the country and to share ideas and hear new ones from other regions.  Each state outlined the activities they had done for the year and in particular the West Vic YDDP presented how they organised and delivered the "Milk it 4 More Expo".  Sub Tropical YDN presented the "skimming the cream" project and outlined how we have run this activities and the learning outcomes gained.

The idea of a National YDN program was discussed to gain a general consenses that all states were in favour of exploring this idea with the view that funding support for the YDN can be gained from DA.  The outcome from this discussion were that a working group be formed with representatives from all 8 RDP regions across the country that will develop a business plan to present to the DA board.  If you would like further information about this discussion paper please contact Viv McCollum - vivienne@dairyinfo.biz.

A group of young dairy farmers from South Australia are currently on a global dairy study tour, made possible through DAFF funding (Australia's farming future) and special sponsors. They have a blog site for the tour and the group is currently in Chile. Visit www.idairyproject.com to catch up.

DDYDN Christmas Party!!

To celebrate another great year you’re invited to our Mystery Progressive Dinner on Saturday the 17th of December. Our meeting point, pre-dinner drinks and canapés from 7pm at the GPO Café - Margaret St Toowoomba (opposite Fibbers). The Bus leaves at 8pm sharp for our next destination (own transport may be used). After desert you will be dropped back at the GPO at approximately 10.30pm. Dress: Cocktail / Shirt and tie. Cost: $20 for members $30 for non members. RSVP to Theresa by Tuesday 13th December on 0428 147749

The SEQ YDN are celebrating christmas this year with an afternoon of Golf followed by a dinner and a bit of socializing. 

It is being held at the Boohah Golf Club on Thursday 15th Dec 2011.  18 holes of golf kicks off at 2pm with motorised buggies for hire at $25/2 people.  You do not need to be a Pro to play.

Dinner is very kindly sponsored by Alltech with representative Stevie McMurtrie joining us to discuss some of their current products and dealing with Heat Stress for Cows.

Please join us for drinks at 6.30pm followed by a buffet dinner and dessert from 7pm. 

It will be a fun night, casual and relaxing for everyone, lots of socialising before the silly season catches up with us all. Look forward to seeing you all there. Children are welcome.

RSVP by Mon, 12th Dec to Belinda on

0423003638 or belinda@dairyinfo.biz.

Don't forget to let me know if it is golf, dinner or both!

This event is funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Now is a great time of year to brush up on your first aid so come along to the dairy 1st Aid day on Friday the 9th December at 10am in the Gold Room DPI&F Tor St Toowoomba. The day will cover CPR for all ages, Anaphylaxis, Poisoning, bites and stings, Cuts, burns (including chemical an eye splash), abrasions and other wounds and bandaging, Broken bones, slings and splints and What you should have in your first aid kit house, vehicle and dairy. Sample kits will be there for you to order. This is non-certified training that has been designed to specifically cover the types of situations you may encounter on farm. RSVP: Theresa on 0428 147749 by Tuesday 6th (lunch provided)

THE YDN TOUR 2012 will be off to Tassie from the 12 to 16th Feb 2012. Please email vivienne@dairyinfo.biz if you are interested in going so I can make sure you get kept up to date with all the information.

Murray Dairy is looking for Australia’s best young representatives from the dairy sector to participate in the first stage of the “Dairy for the Future in a Changing Environment” workshop.

This unique and exciting three day workshop provides an opportunity for 15 people aged between 18 and 30 years of age working in the dairy industry to develop personal, professional and leadership qualities with a focus on the Federal Government Carbon Policy and the effects it will have on the dairy industry.

Successful candidates will attend a three day all expenses paid (including travel)workshop in Melbourne from the 27th to 29th February 2012, to meet and network with industry leaders, discuss the effects of the Carbon Policy on the industry while developing your personal skills to be one of the ...next generation of leaders.

Applications close on Friday 9th December 2011

To apply you will need to complete an application form that can be downloaded from the Murray Dairy website www.murraydairy.com.au under project “Dairy for the Future in a Changing Environment”

The 10th anniversary of the Austalian Dairy Conference promises to be the biggest and best event yet.

There is funding available for young people from our region to attend the event - to be held in Gippsland Victoria from Feb 21-24th 2012.

www.australiandairyconference.com.au

Please contact Neale at neale@dairyinfo.biz  or 3396 6229 by 13 January 2012 to express interest in attending! Click more for extra info.

Putting it out there if anyone wants to go to the cricket as a group of Young Dairy Network Members. There is a one dayer, Australia vs India at the Gabba on the 19th of February. Ring Theresa to register your interest 0428 147749

" The future depends on what we do in the present. "

- Mahatma Gandhi

So......

Darling Downs: Theresa Kunde
p: 0428 147 749  
e: theresa@dairyinfo.biz

South East Qld: Belinda Haddow
p: 0423 003 638  
e: belinda@dairyinfo.biz

Sunshine Coast: Ros D'Addona
p: 0457 686 504 
e: ros@dairyinfo.biz

Far North Qld: Lyn O'Connor
p: 0407 736 746 
e: lyn@dairyinfo.biz

NSW Mid North Coast : Traci Gordon
p: 0406 781 553 
e: traci@dairyinfo.biz

NSW Far North Coast: Paul Judge
p: 0413 126 918 
e: paul_jo@dairyinfo.biz

The Young Dairy Network is a joint initiative of the Subtropical Dairy Programme and the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation, and is supported by the NSW Farmers Association, Milk Processing Companies and the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.