THE FORUM & Cocktail Dinner | 17 APRIL 2024 | 9.30 am - 8.00 pm

Dairy Farmers Victoria is hosting its first one-day Forum and a stand-up cocktail dinner for members on 17 April.

The inaugural DFV Forum will open with a discussion about key policy issues, including the price of milk and dairy at the farm gate and through the value chain, nitrogen in the environment, and animal welfare. Next, the meeting will explore the organisation's purpose, the importance of advocacy, and clarity of voice, followed by a discussion about membership, the organisational structure and how DFV will deliver on these outcomes. The DFV Forum will conclude at 4:30 and be followed by networking drinks and a casual dinner.  

KEYNOTE PRESENTER

Jeff Kennett - the importance of advocacy and building networks.

FORUM OVERVIEW | 9.30 AM - 5.00 pm

A Forum that covers both practical and technical information

Milk Price Discussion

• What’s the new milk price paradigm driving Australian milk production and price?
• Are imports a threat? How have global events affected the dairy price over the past few years, and how will they impact the next twelve months?

Enhancing Fertiliser Efficiency

• Advances in fertiliser technologies offer farmers the tools to improve the efficiency of applied nutrients and increase their pasture production, particularly during periods where fertiliser efficiency is compromised.  An Agronomist (Jim Colquhoun) and a Milk Producer (Benn Thexton) will present a case study from one of Benn's farms in Gippsland.
• The case study will demonstrate positive trends in overall production and improved nutrient use efficiency by successfully incorporating these strategies within the farm's fertiliser programme.

Industry Advocacy | Building Statewide Connections

• Jeff Kennett will address the forum on the importance of advocacy and how to be effective within our community.
• This address from Jeff Kennett is followed by a facilitated session asking for members to discuss the structure of branches/regions for growth, membership, and the connection between members on issues and policy development.

Animal Welfare Update

• The session recognises the Dairy Industry’s commitment to providing the best care for animals. We will discuss the animal welfare legislation reform process in Victoria, provide an overview of the surplus calf roadmap, and discuss the Victorian State legislative process. One burning question is how we can advocate for technological adaptation to enable our best care aspirations.

cocktail DINNER | 5.30 PM to 8.00 PM

A stand-up cocktail dinner function will be held immediately following the forum.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

The following is an outline of the program for the inaugural DFV Forum.  This will be updated as more information is available.

ACCOMMODATION

If you require accommodation, then please contact the venue directly @ Best Western Airport Motel & Convention Centre

https://www.airportmotelmelbourne.com.au/

CHILDCARE

Dairy Farmers Victoria is happy to provide childcare services to enable both partners to attend the Forum. If you are interested in taking up this offer, please contact our event secretary to express your interest.

Location