FutureDairy is a national program to evaluate technologies and farming systems aimed at improving productivity of Australian dairy farms in the future. It addresses the predicted challenges of increased cost and reduced availability of land, water and labour, while recognising the importance of lifestyle-related issues.

The project was developed by a team of independent researchers under the outstanding and visionary leadership of Professor Bill Fulkerson, head of the project from 2004 to 2008. This first phase of FutureDairy focused on understanding the 'people' issues that can make the difference between a technology being used on-farm or not. This is why we had research scientists, extension personnel, dairy farmers and social researchers working and learning together, in what was termed a 'co-learning approach'.

FutureDairy 2 is a new project that evolved from the learning and knowledge generated in phase 1 to continue delivering high quality independent research for the benefit of the Australian dairy farmers. It does not contain extension or social research staff within the project but has increased linkages and interactions with existing extension resources, in a natural evolution of knowledge generation and technology adaptation.

Phase 2 is led by Associate Professor Sergio (Yani) Garcia who also leads the Feedbase area of research. Dr Kendra Kerrisk (nee Davies) leads the Precision Farming area, which comprises Automatic Milking and other Innovations. The team also includes a Research Fellow and a Lab manager in the Feedbase area and several technical assistant and postgraduate students.

Our team is always prepared to assist the Australian dairy farmers. We hope you find our website interesting and challenging and would love to hear your feedback!