Dairy Expo returns in style
By Andrew Paloczi WITH the buoyant state of the dairy industry at present, there was a positive vibe at the South Gippsland Dairy and Farming Expo, with exhibitors delighted to be part of the event. Organisers were pleased with the turnout, although...
By Andrew Paloczi
WITH the buoyant state of the dairy industry at present, there was a positive vibe at the South Gippsland Dairy and Farming Expo, with exhibitors delighted to be part of the event.
Organisers were pleased with the turnout, although exact numbers are yet to be determined.
“The people we get are farmers and are generally interested in what they’ve got,” Dairy and Farming Expo committee chairman Phillip Ould said, explaining the appeal of the event to exhibitors.
Given current challenges in finding sufficient high-quality farm staff, talks on both days of the Expo covered the important artform of managing people in a way that gets the best out of them and encourages them to stay and work towards success for the business.
Attendees heard from farming consultant Matt Harms on Wednesday, with St Kilda Football Club champion Nathan Burke speaking the next day.
Both the GEA DairyRobot R9500 and Lely Astronaut A5 milking robot featured, with expert staff on hand to chat to farmers about how they operate and the benefits on offer.
Dairy farmers heard about the advantages of efficient water heating from Chun Goh, general manager of Energy Smart Water, who described Dromana-made Enermax units as “thermal batteries”.
GippsDairy regional extension officers Katherine Byrne and Kristen Davis were on hand at the Expo, offering farmers information on available courses.
While the Expo is geared toward the business of farming, there was time for fun, with the second running of the Gumboot Gift attracting 14 male competitors and three females.
Craig Rollinson of Gainsborough took out the men’s competition, with Outtrim’s Marty Lamers and Korumburra local Tristan Francis making up the places.
With $1,500 up for grabs for the winners of both the men’s and women’s races, $300 for second and $200 for third, it was surprising more women didn’t run.
Women’s winner Sarah Lewis of Leongatha is a keen park runner and adapted well to gumboots, albeit they may not become her preferred footwear.
Sarah also won the inaugural running of the Gumboot Gift, prior to Covid disruptions, but is likely to face more opposition next year as the event’s fame grows.
Ashleigh Ives of Gembrook and Koonwarra’s Stacey Sargant ran second and third respectively.
With Strzelecki Lions Club running the Dairy and Farming Expo, a few of its members took part in their own fun race, with one lining up with crutches and another taking a tumble at the start.
