Southwest Showcase of Dairy Innovation
The Southwest Showcase of Dairy Innovation was held on 25th and 26th February, an inspiring and cutting-edge two-day event, which highlighted world leading research and innovation right here in southwest Victoria.
Highlights included live demonstrations of operational hydrogen fuel cell applications by Deakin Hycel and industry partners, focusing on practical solutions for end-users and investors. Attendees also participated in field visits to two innovative primary dairy producer businesses, Doolans Farms and Smiths Dairy, who are leading the field in energy generation, energy use and robotic rotary dairy platforms, with the first fully functioning robotic dairy platform in the southern hemisphere.
Attendees were treated to dinner featuring a selection of delicious locally grown produce, along with a captivating line up of key speakers including Gavin Hunt, Farm Performance Manager at Farm Source, who spoke about Farm Zero C, an innovative project focused on achieving a climate-neutral dairy farm in Ireland. Dr Megan Verdon Senior Research Fellow - Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture spoke about her research strategy to ‘Redesign livestock systems for the benefit of the environment, the people and the animals involved’ where she has been working almost exclusively with cattle, including calf rearing, dairy beef systems, and virtual-fencing technology. Greg Burgoyne, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Portland, wrapped up the evening with a frank and exceptionally relevant brief on the key opportunities available to our region, and the barriers we need to overcome to realise them.
This two-day event was designed to inspire and connect investors, industry leaders, and end-users, with an emphasis on collaboration and the potential for export and partnerships with overseas stakeholders, and we have no doubt that it did just that, unlocking new markets, driving the future of the dairy industry, and demonstrating innovation both inside the farm gate and at the processor stage.
