If you’re thinking of trying something new on-farm, or facing challenges and would like to talk to someone with experience, sign up today and we’ll connect you with a support farmer.

This free and confidential service is available to all farmers; owners, sharemilkers, managers, contract milkers, and farm assistants.

Sign up here

We are no taking support farmer registrations due to an overwhelming number of farmers offering their support. This is a good problem to have. Watch this space.

How does Dairy Connect work?

Farmer registers for Dairy Connect A farmer contacts Dairy Connect. The farmer and Dairy Connect Manager discusses their connection needs.	A match is made The Dairy Connect manager identifies a good match on the support database and rings the support farmer to confirm their availability.	Support farmer makes contact The farmer-to-farmer relationship starts here with the support farmer contacting the enquiring farmer.	Dairy Connect manager follows up Within two weeks, the Dairy Connect manager follows up with the enquiring farmer to ensure the topic has been satisfied and offer further assistance if necessary.

Support areas

Not topic is too small or too big for Dairy Connect. Our areas of support include, but are not limited to:

• Animals

  • Improving reproductive performance
  • Overcoming an animal health issue
  • Managing cows through the winter
  • Rearing youngstock
  • Milking intervals e.g OAD/16hrs
  • Breeding

• Pasture and Feed

  • Pasture renovation
  • Nutrient management
  • New crop or excellent crop yields
  • Pasture monitoring and budgeting tools
  • Managing pasture weeds and/or pests
  • Using supplements

• Farm Environment

  • Setting up or upgrading an effluent system
  • Farm infrastructure changes - e.g. feed pad, wintering homes, milking shed improvements
  • Irrigation
  • Water use and management
  • Plantings

• People

  • Staff recruitment and orientation
  • Retaining staff
  • Creating more efficient milking routines
  • Creating a practical farm manual
  • Farm health & safety
  • Dealing with depression or workplace stress
  • Having students or short term workers
  • Networking groups or neighbourhood support systems

• Business

  • Setting goals and strategies for the future
  • Developing and monitoring cashflows and budgets
  • Positioning yourself for future career opportunities
  • Succession planning
  • DairyBase

Support farmers

Our Dairy Connect farmers want to encourage others in the industry by sharing their experiences, both good and bad.

More than 400 support farmers nationwide are willing and waiting to give their time to help other farmers.

Many of our support farmers have themselves benefited from mentors and are keen to return the favour to those who are seeking more information. 

Meet some of our support farmers