About

It's TIME... Technology, Investment, Management & Environment

These are the four pillars that define the future of the New South Wales dairy industry.  Together, they form something even more value to every dairy farmer: TIME.

The Dairy Research Foundation Symposium offers you the chance to invest your TIME where it matters most.

We invite you to make the most of this opportunity and take the TIME to:

- Reconnect and share experiences with industry colleagues

- See Dairy UP research and innovation in action

- Exchange insights and ideas

- Come together to help shape the future of dairy in New South Wales

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

Wednesday 26th November 2025

DAY 1 - The Symposium (The Premiers Room @ WIN Stadium) | 8.00am to 5.30pm

Agenda

8.00AM     Arrival and Registration

8.30AM     Official welcome; from MC Niall Blair - Dairy UP Chairperson

8.45AM     Session 1 | Making the Power of the Cow Work for You

                  It's TIME to harness the science behind your herd: Can we put dairy science into action?

                 -Introduction - Dr John Penry (Dairy Australia)

                 -Harvesting the power of the cow - Dr Ian Lean (Scibus)

                 -Life and death in pasture and TMR farms - the fat? David Sheedy (The University of Sydney)

                 -AI and heat Stress - Dr Anna Chlingaryan (The University of Sydney)

                 -How early should you calve your heifers? - Andrew Lean (Charles Sturt University)

                 -When bugs go bad - who is attacking your calves - Dr Barbara Brito (DPIRD)

10:20AM   Session 2 | DRF Trademark - Emerging Scientist Competition

                  It's TIME to recognise the emerging minds shaping dairies future: Who are the voices driving dairy forward?

                  -Entry 1 to 4 of the Emergeing Scientist Competition

10:50AM   Coles Morning Tea

11:20AM   Session 3 | What is Holding Dairy Back - and What Will Drive It Forward?

                  It's TIME to remove the roadblocks and reimagine what's possible.

                 Panel Session: Alison Stone (NSW Agriculture Commissioner), Michael Perich (Dairy farmer), Jane Sherborne (Dairy farmer), Mike Jeffrey (Norco) &

                 Philip Tate (Dairy farmer)

12.25PM   Session 4 | The Genetic Future

                  It's TIME to focus on breeding: Are your cows up to the challenge?

                  Prof. Jennie Pryce (Agriculture Victoria)

1.00PM    GenTech Seeds Luncheon

2.00PM     Session 5 | Redefining the Future of Grazing in a Changing Climate

                  It's TIME to rethink how we graze for tomorrow's climate: Can we make grazing smarter not harder

                  -Introduction - Dr Tori Alexander (The University of Sydney)

                  -Harvesting the power of the pasture - Prof. Yani Garcia (The University of Sydney)

                  -Are we understanding the 'hoofprint' of pastures? - Prof. Luciano Gonzalez (The University of Sydney)

                  -How different is Kikuyu from ...Kikuyu? - Prof. Richard Trethowan  (The University of Sydney)

                  -Panel Session: Dairyfarmers

4.00PM     Afternoon tea

4.30PM     Session 6 | DRF Trademark - Emerging Scientist Competition

                  It's TIME to again hand the mic over to tomorrow's dairy changemakers: Who are the next dairy science pioneers?

                  -Entry 5 to 8 of the Emerging Scientist Competition

5:20PM     Wrap-up from MC Niall Blair, Dairy UP Chairperson

DAY 1 - The Symposium Dinner (The Premiers Room @ WIN Stadium) | 7.15pm to 10.30pm 

Agenda

7:15PM     The Norco Dairy Research Foundation Symposium Dinner 2025 

Thursday 27th November 2025

DAY 2 - Dairy Australia Annual General Meeting (The Winners Room @ WIN Stadium) | 9.30am to 12.30pm

This year, the University of Sydney is partnering with Dairy Australia who will be hosting their Annual General Meeting on day two.

Please note that ticketing for the Dairy Australia Annual General Meeting is free and managed by Dairy Australia. To register your attendance for the AGM, please visit the Dairy Australia website.  

Agenda

9.30 AM      Light morning tea and registrations

10:30AM     Dairy Australia Annual General Meeting

12.00PM     Lunch

DAY 2 - The Dairy Innovation Farm Tour (On Farm @ Phil & Craig Tate's, Albion Park) | 12.30pm to 5.00pm

Agenda

12.30PM     Registrations and Refreshments - Rabobank & Elanco Coffee Cart

1.00PM       Official start time of event

2.00PM       Welcome and introduction

2.30PM       First rotation - Compost Barn (Infrastructure)

3.00PM       Second rotation - The Dairy (Technology)

3.30PM       Third rotation - The Hay Shed (Effluent)

4.00PM       Bega Afternoon Tea - Mingle with Trade Sponsors

                   Q & A with Philip & Craig Tate

5.00PM       Closure

Please download the full program here.

TICKET PRICES

The following are ticket prices for The University of Sydney Dairy Foundation Symposium & Dairy Innovation Farm Tour: 

All full packages includes the Dairy Research Foundation Symposium, the Symposium Dinner & The Dairy Innovation Farm Tour

Full package - dairy farmer $520 ($395 early bird offer until 10 October)

Full package - dairy farmer - family ticket for two people $1,000 ($775 early bird offer until 10 October)

Full package - service provider $620 ($495 early bird offer until 10 October)

Symposium - Conference Dinner only -  $120

On Farm - Dairy Innovation Farm Tour only  - $100

Please note that ticketing for the Dairy Australia Annual General Meeting is free and managed by Dairy Australia. To register your attendance for the AGM, please visit the Dairy Australia website.  

OUR SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS

LOCATION

Win Sports and Entertainment Centre
Corner Crown &, Harbour Street, Wollongong NSW 2500

Contact Event Organiser