Current Projects

Communication is an on-going project that has multiple outcomes. Funding for this work comes from the AOP and described in the WVD Communication Plan (WVD Newsletter, the Stakeholder Update, and briefings to the shires, Situation & Outlook workshops, attendance at field days and the web etc). There is a large amount of other communication work that includes the WVD name but is funded from within projects and will have an outcome specific to the project.

Every year the DPI deliver a set of Feedbase Extension programs to our region's farmers and this is to be supplemented by a new investment stream for Feedbase Extension from WVD (2011-14) called Profitable Feeding Systems.

The Cow Health and Fertility project aims to improve cow health and fertility performance on 100 farms in western Victoria.

A $90k project that aims to reward the region’s high performers, tell farmers what that high performance is, the benefits of striving for it and improve dairy’s reputation in western Victoria.

A two year project to increase the capacity of 30 mentees and strengthening the Victorian dairy industry’s network. A project team of Karen Baum, Amanda Heard and Mike Weise formed in October 2010 to deliver three DairySage mentoring programs in Victoria and build a legacy for ongoing programs at the end of the current Gardiner Foundation (GGF) funding.

An initial 24 month project (Stages 1 and 2 to June 2011) and now DDTT 2011-2014, a three year program to: Develop a delivery plan and execute the top actions identified to deliver the Down The Track strategic direction.

An extended three year project which builds on the 2009-11 projects to improve the capacity of farmers in six groups to plan and execute NRM on their farms. Managed and governed by WVD. Farmers work in groups for three years attending 10 sessions using DairySAT, developing whole farm plans and working with the CMA’s who support them to take on ground works where possible. This model has been very successful in developing NRM literate landholders and the 18 groups run to date have produced about 250 dairy properties with more skilled natural resource managers. The first five groups who finished in 2008 developed over $1m worth of NRM.

A three year project that has built on the initial 12 month pilot project that aimed to: a) Upskill 36 women farmers in three groups in planning for profit: and
b) Research how information is shared between members in the farm management team.
Managed and governed by WVD.

A one day event for farmers and service providers to collect the most recent research findings from the previous 12 months. The project is a joint enterprise between DPI and WVD.

Managing Business transitions is an extension and research project to assist farm businesses to plan and move from one business arrangement/structure to another e.g. from self operation to “employing” a share farmer, to improve their wealth and security.

Milk from Moisture is an 18 month project to improve farmers' ability to adapt to more variable weather.

A three year project (2011 -14) project building on the 18 month pilot project to:
a) Coordinate “Cows Create Careers”; and
b) Attract more career seekers to dairy by:
1) Better coordination of the careers’ efforts in western Victoria; and
2) Developing and delivering new way to attract them.

REEC aims to develop an extension and education delivery plan with the support of the REEC and REC that aligns with DMF and DTT.

A project to run until May 2014 which will allow 195 regional farmers to access free energy assessments of their dairy plus a range of resources to assist them to implement actions to reduce electricity usage over time and become more energy efficient whilst providing them with assistance in working out what actions or infrastructure changes will deliver the best value in reducing energy use. Please note as of 1 May 2013 this project has been fully subscribed. Any further registrations will be placed on a waiting list.

Continued work building on the 12 month pilot project (09/10) which provided 50 dairy farmers with soil tests to reduce the risk of acidic soils. The project was managed by the GHCMA but delivered to dairy by WVD, and has provided dairy with a model to continue this work into 2011-12.

Three year project to develop a young farmer network that improves the capacity of its members and provides the industry with a “youth” network. WVD sit on the management committee. The project is governed by GippsDairy.