The Australian dairy industry has seen significant improvements in herd genetics over the last 40 years, largely due to technology advancements and industry uptake. 

In this episode, we bring you a recent webinar with DataGene CEO Matt Shaffer and DairyTas Extension Team Lead Officer Liz Mann discussing the major changes, turning points and learnings from the last 40 years. 

They also discuss the value of the collaboration between DairyBio Animals research and DataGene – driving continued improvements in herd fertility, health, productivity and sustainability for farm businesses. The conversation also touches on the future of genomics research and continuous innovation for farmers to derive even more from breeding values. 

To learn more about how Dairy Australia is supporting our farmers in the genetics space, please visit Genetics | Dairy Australia

The Australian dairy industry has seen significant improvements in herd genetics over the last 40 years, largely due to technology advancements and industry uptake. 
In this episode, we bring you a recent webinar with DataGene CEO Matt Shaffer and DairyTas Extension Team Lead Officer Liz Mann discussing the major changes, turning points and learnings from the last 40 years. 
They also discuss the value of the collaboration between DairyBio Animals research and DataGene – driving continued improvements in herd fertility, health, productivity and sustainability for farm businesses. The conversation also touches on the future of genomics research and continuous innovation for farmers to derive even more from breeding values. 
To learn more about how Dairy Australia is supporting our farmers in the genetics space, please visit <a href="https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/animals/genetics">Genetics | Dairy Australia</a>

DairyPod is an agriculture industry podcast delivering insights and advice from trusted voices in Australian dairy.

Episodes feature a rotating panel of expert hosts, dairy farmers, industry advisors and thought leaders. Together they explore engaging topics tailored for Australian dairy farmers and our unique farming conditions.

Produced by Dairy Australia, a national services body working towards shaping a profitable and sustainable dairy industry.

DairyPod is an agriculture industry podcast delivering insights and advice from trusted voices in Australian dairy.
Episodes feature a rotating panel of expert hosts, dairy farmers, industry advisors and thought leaders. Together they explore engaging topics tailored for Australian dairy farmers and our unique farming conditions.
Produced by Dairy Australia, a national services body working towards shaping a profitable and sustainable dairy industry.

DairyPod delivers industry advice from trusted voices in Australian dairy.

DairyPod

Forty years of herd genetics

In this episode, we hear from Sarah Crosthwaite – a dairy farmer and mental health social worker from the Kiewa Valley in North-east Victoria. In 2023, Sarah was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship that has allowed her to travel the world and see what other countries are doing when it comes to mental health promotion, particularly in the agricultural sector.  

Sarah speaks with Gardiner Foundation Communications Manager, Meghan Lodwick, about what she has learnt and the impact of her Nuffield experience. 

To find out more about the Nuffield Scholarship and apply for the 2025 intake, visit gardinerfoundation.com.au/nuffield  

Read more about Sarah’s story: From dairy farmer to mental health advocate | Dairy Australia

Trigger warning: This episode contains themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue: beyondblue.org.au  

In this episode, we hear from Sarah Crosthwaite – a dairy farmer and mental health social worker from the Kiewa Valley in North-east Victoria. In 2023, Sarah was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship that has allowed her to travel the world and see what other countries are doing when it comes to mental health promotion, particularly in the agricultural sector.  
Sarah speaks with Gardiner Foundation Communications Manager, Meghan Lodwick, about what she has learnt and the impact of her Nuffield experience. 
To find out more about the Nuffield Scholarship and apply for the 2025 intake, visit <a href="https://www.gardinerfoundation.com.au/nuffield/">gardinerfoundation.com.au/nuffield  </a>
Read more about Sarah’s story: <a href="https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/news-repository/2024/04/26/from-dairy-farmer-to-mental-health-advocate">From dairy farmer to mental health advocate | Dairy Australia</a>
Trigger warning: This episode contains themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Beyond Blue: <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">beyondblue.org.au  </a>

Mental health in agriculture

The availability of a skilled workforce remains one of the top challenges facing Australian agriculture. The shortages have wide-ranging impacts – from farm output to work-life balance, and succession.

Join Dairy Australia’s National People Lead, Mick Fuller and DairySA’s Extension Coordinator and Workforce Attraction Project Lead, Alberta Badu-Yeboah as they chat to South Australian dairy farmer Sarah Moore about finding and attracting staff, including backpackers, to dairy farms. 

A former backpacker – now farm manager – Sarah shares her perspective on what makes a backpacker a great farming employee.

The conversation explores what a talent community is, how to engage with backpackers specifically and how to make the most of the time they’re on farm to ensure a great experience for the employer and employee.

This episode is part of a DairyPod workforce attraction series providing insights and guidance to help farmers successfully recruit and retain the right people for dairy farm jobs.

To find out more about how Dairy Australia is supporting farmers with employing and managing people and to access employment resources, visit People, Skills & Capability | Dairy Australia

Related links:

The People in Dairy

The availability of a skilled workforce remains one of the top challenges facing Australian agriculture. The shortages have wide-ranging impacts – from farm output to work-life balance, and succession.
Join Dairy Australia’s National People Lead, Mick Fuller and DairySA’s Extension Coordinator and Workforce Attraction Project Lead, Alberta Badu-Yeboah as they chat to South Australian dairy farmer Sarah Moore about finding and attracting staff, including backpackers, to dairy farms. 
A former backpacker – now farm manager – Sarah shares her perspective on what makes a backpacker a great farming employee.
The conversation explores what a talent community is, how to engage with backpackers specifically and how to make the most of the time they’re on farm to ensure a great experience for the employer and employee.
This episode is part of a DairyPod workforce attraction series providing insights and guidance to help farmers successfully recruit and retain the right people for dairy farm jobs.
To find out more about how Dairy Australia is supporting farmers with employing and managing people and to access employment resources, visit <a href="https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/people-skills-and-capability">People, Skills &amp; Capability | Dairy Australia</a>
Related links:
<a href="https://thepeopleindairy.org.au/">The People in Dairy</a>

Employing backpackers in your business

Dairy Australia’s Project Manager, Carly Potts brings an inspirational conversation to this DairyPod episode as she speaks with Young Dairy Network Conference guest presenter, Samantha Bloom. 

Samantha is a three-time World Para Surfing champion, author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office movie, Penguin Bloom – the movie adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family.

Following an accident that led to her spinal injury, Samantha shares her story with an inspiring degree of positivity and brutal honesty of her personal challenges. She talks about her journey through depression and anger, and how the kindness of others and the process of telling her story helped her find meaningful purpose again. Today, her passion is fundraising to help others affected by spinal cord injuries as well as an enviable determination to win her fourth World Para Surfing championship.  

To find out more about Dairy Australia’s national events – including the Young Dairy Network calendar – visit Cows, Courage and Curiosity - A Young Dairy Network Event | Dairy Australia

Other related links:  

NSW YDN sign up page: dairyaustralia.com.au/dairynsw/about-us/dairy-nsw-young-dairy-network

More about Sam: Home | Sam Bloom

Trigger warning: This episode does contain themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at beyondblue.org.au

Dairy Australia’s Project Manager, Carly Potts brings an inspirational conversation to this DairyPod episode as she speaks with Young Dairy Network Conference guest presenter, Samantha Bloom. 
Samantha is a three-time World Para Surfing champion, author and inspiration behind the #1 Australian box-office movie, Penguin Bloom – the movie adapted from the international bestselling book, Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family.
Following an accident that led to her spinal injury, Samantha shares her story with an inspiring degree of positivity and brutal honesty of her personal challenges. She talks about her journey through depression and anger, and how the kindness of others and the process of telling her story helped her find meaningful purpose again. Today, her passion is fundraising to help others affected by spinal cord injuries as well as an enviable determination to win her fourth World Para Surfing championship.  
To find out more about Dairy Australia’s national events – including the Young Dairy Network calendar – visit <a href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dairyaustralia.com.au%2Fevents-calendar%2Fcows-courage-and-curiosity--a-young-dairy-network-event%2Fa3aIS0000004ctMYAQ&amp;data=05%7C02%7CNicolett.Hart%40dairyaustralia.com.au%7Cd8b6f7c14005424fc15c08dc2da9ea84%7Cdaa484bea6d04d7586b2a10b92472c82%7C0%7C0%7C638435455021980288%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=s0CnQ8Sa68ufGYe%2FzdvUzRYTeE%2BFPLqDsQPjSaDVag0%3D&amp;reserved=0">Cows, Courage and Curiosity - A Young Dairy Network Event | Dairy Australia</a> 
Other related links:  
NSW YDN sign up page: <a href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dairyaustralia.com.au%2Fdairynsw%2Fabout-us%2Fdairy-nsw-young-dairy-network&amp;data=05%7C02%7CNicolett.Hart%40dairyaustralia.com.au%7Cd8b6f7c14005424fc15c08dc2da9ea84%7Cdaa484bea6d04d7586b2a10b92472c82%7C0%7C0%7C638435455021990535%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=uZ4J0kz8Gpf6M7hP7KIwZDq3QHr3s6zkfEe0ITfVHSM%3D&amp;reserved=0">dairyaustralia.com.au/dairynsw/about-us/dairy-nsw-young-dairy-network</a> 
More about Sam: <a href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsambloom.com.au%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CNicolett.Hart%40dairyaustralia.com.au%7Cd8b6f7c14005424fc15c08dc2da9ea84%7Cdaa484bea6d04d7586b2a10b92472c82%7C0%7C0%7C638435455021997358%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=NiIcv%2BadGoXiCQHlLQoxed5DcJ6VLjE0wOuQXjCn0s0%3D&amp;reserved=0">Home | Sam Bloom</a> 
Trigger warning: This episode does contain themes that may be upsetting for some of our listeners. If this does raise personal issues for you, there is help and you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at <a href="http://www.beyondblue.org.au/">beyondblue.org.au</a>

Forty years of herd genetics

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