Dairy Feedbase
Boosting productivity through smarter feed and farm management.
DairyFeedbase is a long-term joint venture between Dairy Australia, Gardiner Foundation, and Agriculture Victoria, focused on improving feed efficiency, animal health, and farm profitability.
Combining farm-based research at Ellinbank and Hamilton SmartFarms with advanced technology and bioscience, DairyFeedbase delivers practical insights into feed, soil, and animal nutrition.
Key outcomes include better milk production without increased feed input, improved heat stress management, and enhanced early-lactation nutrition. Current research is tackling fertiliser reduction, optimised forage management, improved heifer retention, and real-time decision-making using on-farm data.
This work supports more efficient, profitable and sustainable dairy systems across Victoria and beyond.
The following video outlines current research on the Ellinbank SmartFarm.
To learn more about the DairyFeedbase visit DairyFeedbase.
Current Projects
Current Dairy Feedbase projects include:
DairySoil – More Rhizosphere, Less Fertiliser
Resilient Forages
Together, these projects aim to deliver practical, science-based solutions that improve farm performance while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs:
Dairy Soil: Improving soil function to reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers
DairySoil focuses on improving soil health to support productive pastures while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers. The project explores how better understanding and management of the rhizosphere can improve nutrient efficiency, water retention and soil resilience.
By combining new soil measurement technologies with biological nutrient approaches, DairySoil aims to help nutrients be applied at the right place and time, reducing losses and supporting long-term soil performance.
Resilient Forages: Building a more resilient, productive dairy feedbase
Resilient Forages focuses on strengthening pasture systems to better withstand climate variability and input cost pressures while maintaining productivity. The project explores multispecies forage options and strategies to extend the productive life of pastures.
By investigating forage diversity, pasture persistence and improved measurement, Resilient Forages aims to deliver pasture systems that produce more usable feed with fewer inputs, supporting long-term resilience and performance.