Dairy Research Foundation
2023 Symposium
Another successful Symposium completed!
Earlybird registrations for the 2024 Symposium opens soon!
7th – 8th November
Camden | NSW
About the
2023 Symposium
The 2023 Dairy Symposium was held at The University of Sydney’s Camden Campus (Liz Kernohan Conference Centre) on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th November (Corstorphine Dairy).
Our theme for 2023 was A lot more than just CARBON, highlighting what can be done to address future pressures related to Cows, Adaptation, Risks, Business, Opportunities and New research. Presenters included a mix of national and international researchers, farmers and service providers bringing the very latest trends, news and research updates.
We kept the popular 2-day format:
- Conference Day on Tuesday 7th November, followed by the DRF Dinner.
- Field Day on Wednesday 8th November and our trade-mark Emerging Scientists competition.
We look forward to seeing you at the next DRF Symposium in November 2024.
Hot Topics
Program Snapshot
Day 1
Keynote: Future challenges and solutions - learning from the Kiwi dairy industry
Tim Mackle, Chief Executive, DairyNZ
Tim will reflect on the huge changes that have occurred in the NZ dairy industry across that time allowing us all to reflect on our own challenges in industry and how we can make decisions now to lay solid foundations for our own future ahead.
A 'birds-eye’ view of the ‘Carbon reality' for Australian dairy farms
Prof. Richard Eckard – Melbourne University
What is the ‘carbon reality’ for farmers and industry? Are cows mere C recyclers? how do we tackle the challenges ahead?
Dairy UPdate: what is Dairy UP doing in C research?
Prof. Luciano Gonzalez, Sydney University
Luciano is a livestock and technology expert and Project Lead of Dairy UP’s P1d project (environmental footprint of Kikuyu-based pasture systems). He will present the latest from Dairy UP research on this truly hot topic!
A 'farmers-only' panel on resilience, recovery and forward-looking ways into the future
Phil Tate, dairy farmer, Albion Park, NSW
Phil and Craig Tate have seen it all – drought, floods, fires and more! The massive M1 highway crossing their farm and creating new challenges, excavations and permits delays for installation of new dairy facilities… and much more. Yet they have managed to run a very productive and profitable system and invest heavily into the future. How do they do it?
Jorge Massa, General Manager, “Hilltop”, Leslie Manor Trust (Simpson, VIC)
The Leslie Manor Trust (LMT) is a privately held trust which owns and operates two separate properties that combined span over 1000 hectares in South Western Victoria, Australia. ‘Hilltop’ is an intensive dairy operation near the town of Simpson.
Ruth Kydd, dairy farmer, Finley, NSW
Ruth and Neville Kydd milk over 1300 crossbred cows in just about 400 ha. And they are building another dairy farm to grow the family business! Risk management, cost control and an incredible amount of determination and belief in the future of the industry all combine in this great story!
Peter Morgan, dairy farmer, Pokuru, South Waikato, New Zealand
Pete Morgan and Ann Bouma milk over 600 crossbred cows in South Waikato. They have adopted virtual herding technology to make their system more efficient and environmental friendly. A technology-adoption pathway to sustainable growth while keeping the system simple and profitable. Resilience at its best!
Abbey Smeets, dairy farmer, Mooland, NSW
Abbey Smeets and her partner, Ben Clarke have purchased their own property and started from scratch on a green field site. They have made many improvements to the farm including building a new dairy, hay shed, mill room, calf shed with automatic feeders and feed pad all within 1.5 years.
Remote pasture management - are we closer?
Dr Martin Correa-Luna, Sydney University/Dairy UP
What have we learnt by working with 14 dairy farms in NSW and measuring pastures remotely. Are we getting closer to increasing productivity of the pastures without the hassle of investing more time measuring?
Day 2
Emerging Scientist Competition
The DRF Symposium’s ‘trade-mark’! the 2023 Emerging Scientist Competition (ESC) will feature 8-10 of our youngest and brightest PhD students or recent graduates presenting to and discussing their research with, farmers, service providers and industry reps. Meet the Emerging Scientists here.
More Dairy UPdates: Fast-tracking productivity gains in Intensive systems
Dr Helen Golder, Scibus
More on the latest research from P2 -Unlocking the potential of cow.
International speakers
An on-the-field interaction with our international guest speaker New Zealand’s Tim Mackle and dairy farmer Peter Morgan in an interactive Q&A with the audience.
And much more..!
Speakers
A full program of insights into the Dairy Industry
News & Blog
Carbon the focus as 2023 Dairy Research Foundation Symposium wraps up
The annual two-day DRF Symposium, held at the University of Sydney’s Camden campus and Corstorphine Dairy, has now concluded – after a stunning showcase of the industry’s most recent scientific research and developments in carbon, sustainability, business and farming production.
World and Australian dairy leaders head to NSW for 2023 Dairy Research Foundation Symposium!
200 of the brightest minds in dairy from across the world are on their way to the University of Sydney’s Camden campus for the 2023 Dairy Research Foundation Symposium!
A Carbon EDUCATION – options for the Dairy Industry
With an increasing focus on CARBON and a 2023 Symposium theme of ‘A lot more than just Carbon’ – Senior Research Scientist, Dr Aaron Simmons, will use the event to provide a better understanding of the processes for dairy farmers and industry stakeholders.
Photos from the 2022 Symposium
Testimonials
“There’s so much to gain from simply turning up!! And not only by meeting and making new friends, but by being informed, with science-based innovation that is targeted towards progressing a positive and prosperous NSW dairy industry!
If you want to learn, be surrounded by positive and progressive farmers and supported by industry enthusiasts, this is simply the place to be!”
The Dairy Research Foundation Symposium is an important event on our yearly calendar. We feel it is an opportunity to hear from world leading experts and learn about emerging issues within the industry. It is also valuable for us to network with other farmers, industry representatives and scientists.
With the profit margins within the industry coming under threat from rising costs, we believe it is essential for our business sustainability to stay up to date within an ever changing industry. Attending the symposium is a key mechanism in keeping our knowledge and practices current.
“As the premier dairy event each year in NSW I have found the Symposium to be a great place to network and catch up with colleagues plus it stimulates thought and provides insight into what’s new and emerging. Very rewarding and well worth the investment.”
“Having participated in the DRF Symposium for the past four years, initially as a PhD student and now as a professional in the industry, I can attest to the tremendous value it offers to young scientists.
The event serves as an invaluable platform for emerging scientists, bridging the gap between research and practical dairy farming.”