For Yvette Williams, Research and Innovation Coordinator with Dairy Australia, helping farmers adapt to change is what drives her work in the Murray Dairy region.
“Farmers told us we needed more forage crop research. As systems changed, they wanted to know what to do next and how to stay productive.”
Over the past 30 years, northern Victoria’s dairy farms have shifted from perennial pastures to mixed rations relying on forage crops. That change has boosted productivity but raised questions about long-term sustainability.
Yvette is coordinating C4Milk, a three-year project supported by the Gardiner Foundation, Murray Dairy, Dairy Australia, and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. The research explores how crop-on-crop rotations can remain productive and sustainable.
“We know from grain cropping that break crops are vital for soil health, but we don’t yet understand their role in dairy systems. This project is helping us find the answers.”
Yvette says Gardiner’s backing was crucial.
“Gardiner saw the vision and understood how important this research is. Their support made it possible.”
With research partners including the Birchip Cropping Group and the Irrigation Farmers Network, C4Milk builds local research capacity while generating practical knowledge for farmers.
“It’s about setting the industry up to be sustainable into the future. The more we understand these systems, the better we can support farmers.”
Watch Yvette’s story to see how Gardiner’s investment in research and innovation is helping shape a more sustainable future for dairy farming in northern Victoria.