“Dairy Innovation Day is WA's biggest annual gathering of dairy farmers and industry stakeholders, showcasing dairy and agricultural production ideas and innovations.”
This year’s event was well attended, with people coming from all over Australia to participate. The informative day was held at the beautiful Melville Park, run by co-custodians David Doepel and Barbara Connell.
Melville Park is no longer a working dairy. It has evolved into a cheese making facility and the lucky attendees were able to indulge in some fine cheese. The farm was brimming with tasty delights from the farm shop and market garden, showcasing some of the best local produce ever tried. If you happen to be visiting the Bunbury – Harvey region, this is well worth a stop.
The day was a great opportunity to catch up with Milne dairy customers and make new acquaintances. Unsurprisingly, the main point of discussion was the very dry year we are all experiencing and when the rain will finally come. But, as all agreed, there is always rain after a drought. There was a great deal to be learnt from listening to other famers share some inspiring stories.
Regional Extension Officer, India Brockman, and her team, must be congratulated on putting on an amazing event that all enjoyed. A huge amount of preparation goes into these days, and their efforts were much appreciated.
One of the most impressive talks of the day was from Paul Weir, a dairy farmer from Lismore NSW. He described the challenges that the 2022 floods brought to their business. The resilience he and other farmers showed was outstanding. From the heartbreak of seeing his cows being washed away in the floods, to the rebuilding, Paul was humbled by the many people, from all walks of life, who dropped everything to help. One instance he described was the local Rabo bank manager, who spent days helping clean up with a high-pressure cleaner. It was a timely reminder that, when the going gets tough, be it flood or drought, country people always come together to support one another and get the community back on its feet.
The day finished up with the Gala Dinner at the Bunbury golfclub, which Milne Feeds was proud to sponsor. The food was fantastic and the drinks much appreciated. The entertainment brought a lot of laughs, and resulted in a very late night for those in attendance!
Read more on Paul's story here. To see more about the Dairy Innovation program click here.
