Murray Dairy’s key farm management support program, Taking Stock, has engaged hundreds of farmers in the region during the past 12 months. Taking Stock sessions are aimed at helping farming families work through key management decisions and identify support available to manage their businesses through challenging times.
Advisors work with key members of the farm team across the kitchen table to support financial and physical analysis of their operation and discussions on the current business position, future options and an action plan for the business.
Murray Dairy chief executive officer Jenny Wilson told last week’s Murray Muster dinner that the regional development program had delivered more than 340 visits this year.
Murray Dairy had also run technical workshops focusing on supporting decision-making throughout the season, workshops including Setting Up Your Season, summer cropping options, and on issues with nutrition and water, with more than 900 participants across 35 events.
More than 1000 phone calls were made by dairy liaison officers, offering support and making contact with service providers.
Ms Wilson said Murray Dairy would continue to provide courses in the areas of: Cups-on, Cups-off; employment basics; heat stress; farm safety; risk and strategic planning; and pasture development.
Murray Dairy has developed a strategic plan for the industry in the region called Future Focus.
Ms Wilson said it identified the areas of profit, systems, water, people, planning and promotion that required attention by all arms of industry, government, commercial and private organisations.
■Murray Dairy is the regional development program for the Goulburn Valley, north-east Victoria and southern Riverina dairy industry, funded through Dairy Australia.
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