Genomic testing of heifers can save you money on rearing costs and fast-track improvements in everything from milk production to fertility.
In this episode, Daniel Abernathy from Zoetis explains to Dairy Australia’s Steph Bullen how genomic testing can benefit farm businesses and how to get started.
In the second part of the pod, Steph talks to South Australian farmer Shane Gardiner about the impact of genomic testing on his herd.

Genomic testing of heifers can save you money on rearing costs and fast-track improvements in everything from milk production to fertility. In this episode, Daniel Abernathy from Zoetis explains to Dairy Australia’s Steph Bullen how genomic testing can benefit farm businesses and how to get started. In the second part of the pod, Steph talks to South Australian farmer Shane Gardiner about the impact of genomic testing on his herd.

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

Genomic testing of heifers can save you money on …

Podcast 49: Building a more profitable herd through genomic testing

In this episode, WestVic Dairy Extension Advisor Debbie Twiss speaks with dairy farmers Victoria Burleigh and Luke Davison about their experiences using genomic testing data as part of their herd management strategies.   

The couple – who farm at Nullawarre in Victoria’s south-west – started genomic testing of their herd in 2020. They share how and why they got started, their business decisions based on this new data that saw improved profitability, as well as some practical examples into the business applications of heifer genomics for others to consider. 

You can find out more about heifer genomics and genomic testing visit Genetics | Dairy Australia

Further information: 
Visit the Datagene website.
Phone Datagene on 1800 841 848 for information about the sustainability index.  
Contact your local extension program provider to register your interest in upcoming dairy industry genomics courses.

In this episode, WestVic Dairy Extension Advisor Debbie Twiss speaks with dairy farmers Victoria Burleigh and Luke Davison about their experiences using genomic testing data as part of their herd management strategies.   
The couple – who farm at Nullawarre in Victoria’s south-west – started genomic testing of their herd in 2020. They share how and why they got started, their business decisions based on this new data that saw improved profitability, as well as some practical examples into the business applications of heifer genomics for others to consider. 
You can find out more about heifer genomics and genomic testing visit <a href="https://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/animals/genetics">Genetics | Dairy Australia</a> 
Further information:  
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="20" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Visit <a href="https://www.datagene.com.au/">the Datagene website.</a>  </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="20" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Phone Datagene on 1800 841 848 for information about the sustainability index.  </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="20" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Contact your local extension program provider to register your interest in upcoming dairy industry genomics courses.</li>
</ul>

The business of genomics

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>

Podcast 49: Building a more profitable herd through genomic testing

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