DPI dairy unit preparing industry for stronger future

18 Sep 2020

dairy cows in a field with a rainbow in the sky

As seasonal conditions across much of NSW continue to improve on the back of recent rain, the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) expanded dairy unit is working to prepare producers for better times to come.

The recently appointed NSW DPI Leader Dairy, Nicolas Lyons said the unit had been reshaped to further increase DPI’s focus on the dairy industry, and to capitalise on the appointment of Dairy Advocate Ian Zandstra.

“Ian works closely with industry and provides government with expert advice on how to drive profitability and value across the dairy supply chain and is supported by the Industry Advisory Panel that was established last year,” Mr Lyons said.

“There’s no denying the industry has been through some very challenging times recently with the long-running drought, devasting bushfires in many parts of the state and recently the impacts of Covid-19,” he said.

“But there are also many opportunities for dairy farmers right now, and some innovative producers have already started to capture those opportunities through adapting their farming systems, installing technology and automation, or value-adding on-farm.

“The DPI dairy unit delivers research and industry development programs that develop and enhance dairy farmer business skills and knowledge, in order to support a profitable, resilient and sustainable NSW dairy industry.

“This includes the recent establishment of DPI’s Dairy Business Advisory Unit and the appointment of Mrs Sheena Carter to lead the activities of this unit.

“Sheena brings strong skills and experience in dairy farm business management to the role, having worked closely with dairy farmers across NSW for many years.

“Current activities of the unit include capturing annual physical and financial data on 35 farms as part of the NSW Dairy Farm Monitor Project, supporting farm business management forums and discussion groups and partnering with Dairy NSW to deliver one-on-one support to dairy farmers across NSW.”

Mr Lyons said the industry was well positioned to prosper as a result of a vastly improved seasonal outlook, and the Dairy Business Advisory Unit is here to help people make the most of this opportunity.

“With the combination of Ian’s advice, the expert input from the panel, and the direct engagement and advice the dairy unit can offer, dairy farmers will have help on hand from high-level policy input to day-to-day business planning.

“NSW DPI is currently recruiting for a full-time Development Officer Dairy.

“The NSW dairy industry has a proud history of reliably delivering a first-rate product and we’re excited to be contributing to the continuation of that legacy and the contribution the industry makes to regional communities. The future for dairy in this state is very bright.”

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