Future Proof your Dairy Operations
AUSTRALIA - Farmers who want to future proof their dairy operations for Australia’s variable and changing climate can now access the latest knowledge with the launch of a new project website from the Future Ready Dairy Systems (FRDS) programme.
3 April 2012
2 minute read
The new site contains all of the information and resources collected by the FRDS programme during the past two years throughout Australia’s eight dairy regions.
FRDS is about practical and profitable practices for dairy farmers so they can deal with increased climate variability and carbon emissions policy.
Farmer led, FRDS has captured and shared the lessons from dairy farmers who have been innovative in adapting their farming systems to the challenges of a variable climate and the pressure to reduce carbon emissions.
An innovation of the new site is the virtual event section that has re-created 27 FRDS events including field days, seminars and workshops so website users can become a part of the event online.
The virtual events use case studies, presentations, field day notes and even audio or video content from the original events and cover a range of issues such as heat stress, drought feeding, energy efficiency and the confusion around carbon.
All of the information on the site is accessible via national and regional maps, a feature that has proven popular during site testing. Every dairy region also has a dedicated home page on the website so users can utilise the information that is applicable for their business.
Dairy Australia’s Natural Resource Manager, Cathy Phelps, said it was exciting that all of the resources generated by the program were now available in one location.
“The basic principle underpinning the FRDS was that there are dairy farmers across the country who are trying things and who are willing to share their knowledge with other farmers.
“For example, two feed pad tours were recently completed where more than 100 farmers listened to the experiences of three farmers and this information is now available to farmers throughout Australia.”
Future Ready Dairy Systems is one of the many examples of the dairy service levy at work. Farmers receive a benefit of $3 for every $1 invested by Dairy Australia on their behalf.
FRDS is a joint collaboration by Dairy Australia and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the website can be accessed via: frds.dairyaustralia.com.au
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