At the beginning of the year I spent a month in Australia as part of a Holstein UK and Holstein Australia exchange programme, travelling across Victoria, parts of New South Wales, and a little of South Australia. I visited 15 pedigree dairy farms, took part in two major shows, and helped at a youth camp – it was an unforgettable experience!

Grazing Systems and Farm Setups

One of the biggest differences from the UK is that around 98% of Australian dairy herds are grazed all year round. Most farms don’t have housing—just milking parlours—and many rely on irrigation to grow grass due to the hot, dry climate. In areas like Northern Victoria, some farmers are moving to housed systems to manage the heat. Where irrigation isn’t used, a PMR diet of hay, cereals, and maize is common.

Challenges and Resilience

The harsh climate presents constant challenges: extreme heat, drought, and the ever-present risk of wildfires. Visiting the Bega Valley in NSW, I saw the long-lasting effects of the 2019 fires. Farmers shared stories of loss, resilience, and survival—one even used his swimming pool to save his home by spraying it all night.

Innovative Farms

One of the most fascinating farms was PD & MM Smith’s, milking 750 cows with a 45-point GEA robotic rotary. The parlour was packed with innovation—from a system to trickle-feed milk for better cooling to tech that separates high-SCC milk. Calves were fed using automatic machines from 24 hours old—something I didn’t see elsewhere in Australia.

Youth Camp and Education

I helped at the Western Districts Youth Camp in Noorat—an amazing three-day event for 8–15-year-olds. Each child cared for their own heifer, took part in practical workshops, and learned about genetics, calving, and farm safety. It was inspiring to see the next generation so engaged.

Show Highlights

International Dairy Week was a personal highlight. I judged the youth parading section, helped prepare cattle for the STGenetics Sale, and showed in the National Brown Swiss Show. Our team had a fantastic week with multiple champion wins—it was a real honour to be involved.

I’m incredibly grateful to Holstein UK, Holstein Australia, and LLM for the opportunity. Despite the differences in farming systems, the shared passion for breeding world-class cattle united everyone I met.