The Chair Anne Adams introduced Lindsay Ferguson who is the new Regional Manager of WestVic Dairy.
Lindsay has a strong background in dairy-farming and farm business management, which has further developed since he and his family moved to this region nearly 30 years ago from Sydney.
He was a senior lecturer at Glenormiston Agricultural College for 14 years, leading the business management section. He was active in research, education and training ranging from traineeships to Masters degree level at the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne.
His Masters degree in Agricultural Science from was gained by thesis, researching the topic of dairy farm succession planning in the south west region.
He is also a qualified and experienced agricultural consultant, chartered accountant and is a graduate member of the Institute of Company Directors.
For the last 15 years he has worked with Regional Development Victoria in the state government in an industry and business development role. At various times he has worked and managed teams in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool. For most of that period his work focussed on investment, jobs, exports and strategic planning in the food and fibre sectors.
He is now the Regional Manager, Dairy Australia and Executive Officer of WestVic Dairy, leading a team that delivers research, development and extension services to the dairy industry across the southwest.
[Personal] In his spare time he, and his wife Janet, are passionate horse breeders and participate in recreational riding. He is active in the community in the church, the Corangamite Light Horse Group and the CFA.
Lindsay provided an overview of WestVic Dairy and an update of the South West Dairy Industry.
There are 8 dairy regions. 66% of dairy produced is in Victoria. 50% goes to domestic use and 40% goes to export. The levy on farmers goes to WestVic Dairy and stays local. Levies collected go towards research on how to help farmers be profitable and sustainable. Their challenge is to disseminate their research quickly and to as many farmers as they can. Their region goes from the Bellarine Peninsula to the South Australian border, encompassing 25 farms in Ballarat. This region produces 22% of milk production.
WestVic Dairy runs extension programs on animal management, pasture and feeding, farm business management, workforce action and planning, and environmental sustainability.
Other programs include Focus Farms, The Young Dairy Network, Tactics for Tight Times, Taking Stock, Low Health & Fertility, Kitchen Form and many more.
Tactics for Tight Times was brought forward from 1 July to last week due to the milk crisis. It aims to help farmers in drought areas. They have provided breakfast workshops and will be doing farm shed workshops, kitchen table forums, large events, one-on-one support, provide media information and updates and factsheets, productivity issues - feeding and breeding and cashflow considerations, health and wellbeing - emotional resilience, dealing with stress, social welfare, physical and mental health, community morale. UDV - looking over the Farm Gate, support from experts.
