As the deadline for government flood relief grants near, it is a timely reminder for dairy farm businesses affected by the late 2022 floods to ensure applications have been finalised and submitted.
The Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant, Victorian Rural Landholder Grant, Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Transport Support Program and Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Concessional Loan all close on April 30.
I encourage anyone looking for assistance with the application process to get in touch with financial counselling services.
There are a number of services available in the region, including AgBiz Assist and the Rural Financial Counselling Service, who can work with you on the application.
Murray Dairy can help connect you to these organisations through the Taking Stock flood recovery program.
Regional extension officer Russell Holman is facilitating this program. You can contact him by emailing russellh@murraydairy.com.au
Murray Dairy’s annual conference event, The Murray Muster, is fast approaching.
Held over one informative day and evening at The Woolshed in Shepparton, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a range of farmers and industry professionals on ways dairy farm businesses can attract and maintain a strong workforce.
Speakers include dairy farmer and Olympian Richard Hamilton, Antarctic expedition leader and teamwork expert Rachael Robertson, and Minds at Work founder Jason Clarke.
The event will conclude with an industry dinner, which is a great opportunity to connect with other farmers and industry across the Murray Dairy region in a more relaxed evening format.
Registrations are essential for catering and seating purposes, so to secure your spot at The Murray Muster, register online via: murraydairy.com.au
Recently, I was fortunate enough to welcome a cohort of 13 international delegates to the region as part of Dairy Australia’s South-East Asia Trade Scholarship tour of the Murray Dairy region.
Myself and fellow dairy farmers Mark Mullins and Andrew Murphy were given the opportunity to share key information about our farm businesses, farm systems and our confidence in the future of the industry during a round table discussion.
This was a very valuable exercise in showcasing the initial work needed in the supply chain that leads to a premium Australian milk product.
Members of the delegation said they came away from the session with a better understanding of how much work was involved in operating a dairy farm business.
Also on the tour, the visiting international delegates explored Kristy and Ryan Grant’s dairy farm and spent an evening with local processors and Murray Dairy board members and staff.
This provided an opportunity for stories to be shared about the industry — motivations, challenges, insights — giving the delegates an overall personal feeling about each of the companies and how they strive to produce the very best dairy for their markets.
Visits such as these are essential to building and maintaining lasting relationships with international partners.
Lastly, on behalf of the Murray Dairy board, I am excited to share that Tatura dairy farmer Phil Lang has been endorsed by the board to take on a co-opted director position (see page 3).
Phil brings a wealth of farm business experience and industry knowledge to the board. I look forward to working further with Phil in his new role.
Andrew Tyler
Murray Dairy chair