The Australian Dairy Conference this year is tackling the issue of culture - looking at what it will take across the board and on the farm to move the dairy industry forward.
The conference to be held in Melbourne from February 19-21 has attracted a quality line up of international and Australian speakers.
Conference programming committee chair northern Victorian dairy farmer Brendan Hehir said the conference was tackling culture head on - both for the industry at large and at the farm gate.
"Dairy farming is about more than just producing milk," he said.
"Sure, its about quality and sustainable production but in the environment we operate today its also about how we unite as industry, how we combat change and conduct ourselves and about how we communicate with those beyond our sector and our social licence to operate.
"We have all been witness recently to those doing it tough and increased industry exits.
"There has never been a more poignant time to come together to celebrate our successes and collectively gather and combine our thinking to address issues likely to confront us all from managing dairy waste to rattling the supply chain."
CEO and founder of OzHarvest Ronni Khan headlines the opening session, looking at how changing culture is possible.
There are plenty of people who theorise on how to change a culture but Ms Khan has done it with great success.
She took an idea, changed legislation and turned food waste into a food resource for people who need it.
She will be followed by independent livestock sustainability consultant Jude Capper who will look at what the global dairy industry needs to do to be able to meet the sustainability challenges being thrown at it.
Workplace culture will also be on the program.
Leading behavioural consultant Mandy Johnson looks at what people can do to change habits, reduce conflict and foster more engagement and productivity in their people.
Dan Brown, a manager from Australia's largest dairy farming group, will explain how he had to turn around the culture in a new business to bring it up to the expectations of the new owners.
Supermarkets in spotlight
The role of supermarkets is also under the spotlight.
Consumer insights specialist Julian Mellentin, founder of global consultancy New Nutrition Business (NNB), looks at the impact consumers are having on the supply chain.
This discussion will be led by Rabobank's senior dairy analyst Michael Harvey and picks up from the themes explored with Australia's largest processors at last year's conference.
Signature names join forces for charity
Some of the biggest names in global dairy are lining up to take part in a signature charity auction as part of the conference gala dinner hosted by Rabobank on Thursday, February 20.
UK Farming Hero of the Year 2018 Dr Capper, surrealist artist Andrew Baines and leading dairy auctioneer Brian Leslie will combine to raise funds for breast cancer and Blaze Aid.
Keynote speaker Dr Capper's recent breast cancer journey is the catalyst to raise breast cancer awareness at ADC 2020.
Tama Australia, known throughout the industry for their iconic pink silage wrap, has extended its support for the breast cancer cause commissioning a highly sought-after cow painting from surrealist artist Mr Baines to be auctioned live on the night by esteemed dairy auctioneer Mr Leslie.
A number of other limited signature items, including a Matt Moran donated dinner for two at one of his Sydney restaurants, will also be on offer as part of the charity auction with proceeds donated to Blaze Aid.
More information: http://www.australiandairyconference.com.au/
