A historic agreement has been struck to secure Victoria’s position as home to some of the world’s most cutting edge scientific research for dairy farmers. Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford and Dairy Australia chairman Geoff Akers announced joint State Government and Dairy Australia funding for DairyBio
a research initiative that will deliver new innovations in forages and dairy herd genetic improvement. The move by the government to partner with the national Research and Development Corporation for the dairy industry, by jointly investing $45 million across five years in a strategic partnership for innovation in dairy bioscience, will drive ongoing improvement in productivity and profitability for this crucial sector. Dairy bioscience continues to provide the best option to substantially improve the key resources of pasture feedbase and herd quality for the dairy industry to increase yield and the productivity of cows.
Building on dairy bioscience developments achieved by the Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, this new initiative ensures excellent work by scientists at the AgriBio facility at Bundoora will continue to deliver maximum impact for Victoria’s dairy industry. This investment demonstrates Victoria’s strong credentials on build strategic partnerships for innovation in agriculture. “The investment in DairyBio will generate an estimated $2.5 billion over 25 years in nation-wide returns for producers with economic benefits including jobs in regional communities,” Ms Pulford said.
“There is no doubt that this historic agreement again highlights how integral Victoria is to Australia’s $13 billion dairy industry. DairyBio is a win for farmers but of course the benefits of this joint initiative will be felt right through the dairy industry, which employs thousands and exports billions.” Victoria’s dairy sector is mature and accounts for about 85 per cent of Australia’s dairy product exports, worth over $2 billion. Mr Akers said: “Cutting-edge research is crucial if Australia’s dairy farmers are to continue building profitable and sustainable businesses long into the future, and I am delighted the research investment announced today will generate returns for dairyfarmers and the broader industry over the next 25 years.”
“The international market opportunities for Australian dairy are growing and DairyBio will ensure those opportunities will be underpinned by scientific expertise.” Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) welcomed the announcement. ADF president Simone Jolliffe said the investment recognised the pivotal role that dairy played in Victoria’s economy as well as rural communities across the State. “DairyBio is a win for the dairy industry, particularly farmers,” she said. “Encouraging uptake of innovative technologies is a challenge in an environment where on farm input costs continue to go up. “Shared government and industry investment in research, development and extension (R, D& E) is critical to our success. “This partnership is an exciting co-investment in forage and genomic research, development and extension crucial to a strong, profitable future for the dairy industry.”
Source: Australian Dairy Farmer