This is the first time in the history of the Australian Dairy Conference that the gathering of leading national dairy farmers will venture this far south, in what promises to be an iconic return of the event.
ADC 2023 programming chair Dan Brown said the last time ADC delegates gathered was in Melbourne back in 2020 so a lot had happened in that time.
“It is quite incredible to think about the change that has occurred since 2020 and how every business, dairy and other industries, has had to adapt, evolve and transition to a new way of doing business,” Dan said.
“In particular, the most recent floods impact has placed further pressures on many dairy farmers across Victoria and NSW as we continue to face a different wave of challenges and conditions,.
“Hence, it is quite fitting that the theme of our returning event is ‘Cultivate the change’ exploring how as businesses we need to equip ourselves with the right tools and strategies to ensure we are responsive, flexible and ready to face the next frontier — whatever that may be.
“A lot of the change we have seen recently is beyond our sphere of control — such as COVID, climate, global market conditions — so as dairy farmers we need to focus and harness our energy on things we can influence in order to develop and improve aspects that will benefit us into the future.”
Dan said the programming committee had trawled the globe to find the most respected and revered experts to tackle a number of crunch industry issues, including disruption, the growth conundrum, carbon neutrality and climate change, the modern succession landscape and getting dairy voices heard.
“ADC signals the welcome return of speakers from abroad including internationally recognised welfare scientist Professor Marina (Nina) von Keyserlingk (University of British Colombia), Professor Frank Mitleohner (University of California Davis) to debunk cattle methane myths and Mike McCully, US dairy chain consultant on how to overcome significant growth challenges,” he said.
“We have pulled in some big guns of international animal welfare and climate change to really set the scene for the challenges for the dairy industry and the globe into the future.
“We are pretty excited for what we have in store for delegates in 2023, including some revolutionary looks at how we approach our dairy businesses and the mindset that we need, despite disruption, to embrace and cultivate our strengths to be successful into the future.”
ADC 2023 Hobart will be held from February 15 to 17, and registrations are now open.
Farmer registration is $770 (early bird rate prior to mid-January) and the special rate for farmers under 40 years of age is $440.
For more information, visit: www.australiandairyconference.com.au
