There’s been a lot of talk when it comes to the new wave of dairy conversions but what’s really going on in terms of design and fitout?  In this episode Anne Lee speaks with Tambo consultant Luke Palmer about what setups farmers are favouring, what they should be aware of when planning and what costs are on the rise. Tambo is an agribusiness management and consultancy company that has been working with a number of recent and planned conversions. Luke says it’s important to start with a clear understanding of the “why”, whether it’s expansion, succession, or improving system efficiency to guide decisions around design, scale, and investment.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Luke Palmer, Consultant, Tambo

A thorough understanding of environmental compliance requirements is a must as they will likely underpin many design considerations including effluent and off-paddock infrastructure. Luke says today’s conversions are being built with the future in mind, from larger rotary sheds and improved cow flow to layouts that reduce labour and support staff efficiency. He highlights the growing role of automation, real-time data and animal monitoring. Alongside this, there is rising interest in solar energy and flexible, modular systems that allow farms to adapt over time, while early planning remains critical to managing costs, securing contractors, and avoiding delays in a busy pipeline.

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