PROGRAM WHAT WE SAID WE’D DO WHY WE DID IT WHAT DID WE ACHIEVE? Dairy CRC Focus on genetic improvement through genetic markers and reproductive technologies, and on identifying novel bioactive components Increase the productivity of dairy cattle, better management of their lifecycle, and improved daily management onfarm Reproductive and genetic technologies represent large opportunities for farmers in the identification and breeding of superior bulls and cows A federal funding application for a new Dairy CRC project was not successful. Future investment in biotechnology that can lift farm productivity continues to be a priority for investment and alternate funding arrangements will need to be made from July 2008 onwards Final stage testing of new genetic marker technology is almost complete and will likely result in faster and more accurate identification of elite sires The CRC is also investing on many diverse biotechnology fronts that are building a comprehensive picture of the genetic makeup of cows, gene function, novel means to influence lactation (quantity, quality, presence of high-value components) as well as innovations in embryo biology and the production of stem cells Future Dairy Test the boundaries of future forage, feeding system and technological advances and provide guidelines on-farm adoption Completed a third year of research in complementary forage rotations (three crops per year) and best-practice forage management. Research grew in excess of 40 tonnes of dry matter per ha (crops) and 17 tonnes per ha of kikuyu permanent pastures. Results exceed average dry matter production on the average farm by between 50% and 200%. Future Dairy is now developing an innovative approach to extending results to farmers on a regional basis Completed a one-year comparison of running cows at different stocking rates at different levels of supplementary feeding and per cow production. The project is now continuing for a second year to deliver an assessment of the key factors involved in profitable intensification of systems Completed the commissioning phase of the automatic milking system farm. Progressing with a series of farm systems questions on optimising the management of cows and facilities around an automatic milking system. Also undertake the testing of new innovations that aid management and reduce labour PROGRAM WHAT WE SAID WE’D DO WHY WE DID IT WHAT DID WE ACHIEVE? Farm Business Management Deliver effective business management systems to help farmers deal with the increasing complexity of running a dairy farming business Improve sustainable wealth creation decision making in balancing the physical, financial and family elements of farming More than 1800 farm families reviewed their businesses with service providers using the Taking Stock program Developed and piloted programs addressing margin and input costs issues developed (Getting Increased Margins, Show Me the Profit) with 100 farmers Improved the farm business management skills of service providers using bi-annual training and support activities through the Taking Stock network The People in Dairy Address the issues of employment, farm succession and leadership Developed an industry-wide strategic investment plan covering farm employment, farm succession, youth and leadership to improve the focus of future program investments Developed a training, support and employment program (ADEEP) to address employee-employer relationships and assist those entering a career in dairying Developed and distributed a people management resource kit to give farmers consistent resources, messages and tools to manage farm employees Completed a review of leadership and professional development projects to improve future investment in this area Farming Systems Address farming systems extension and research and development to help industry and farmers meet the challenges of increasing uncertainty and risk in farming systems Increased climate variability demands a better understanding of farming systems than can successfully adapt to change The findings of the influential Future Dairy Farming Systems project in Victoria’s northern irrigation areas was extended to Gippsland and western Victoria resulting in two new reports: 1 How knowledge partnerships develop between farmers, researchers and advisors using Partner Farms, and 2 The multi-disciplinary challenges for large projects like Future Dairy The National Annual Farming Systems Workshop was held in Tasmania in spring 2006 and was incorporated into the National Dairy Alliance’s Australian Dairy Science 2007 symposium program Established a social research module within the 30/30 project, which included a literature review of learning challenges when adopting new technologies and the implications for project management and industry strategy; and a project to identify the networks critical to 30/30 program success in the regions Commenced a project on the networks that are important for 3030 to achieve impact in the regions
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