New Victorian Dairy and Agricultural Study Tour opens

Funded by the Gardiner Dairy Foundation, the Victorian Dairy and Agricultural Study Tour is open to people aged between 18 and 35.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Paul Mumford said the Victorian dairy industry was the largest and most sophisticated in Australia and the tour was an opportunity for emerging dairy leaders to gain a unique look into operations.

"The dairy industry is evolving rapidly with new cutting-edge science and technology and changing farming practices," he said.

Gardiner Foundation chief executive Dr Clive Noble said the Victorian dairy tour was a new and exciting opportunity for young dairy people from along the supply chain.

"Across Victoria there are many dairy businesses that are innovative, well managed and with an eye on growth," he said.

"This new tour for emerging dairy leaders will help their development and build stronger linkages across the Victorian dairy industry."

Successful applicants can expect a comprehensive eight days full of insights and inspiration covering the full range of Victoria's leading dairy facilities as well as visits to other agricultural industries.

There will also be an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of industry advocacy through meetings with senior representatives of the Victorian Farmers Federation and the UDV.

Mr Mumford encouraged those interested and eligible to apply quickly to avoid disappointment.

"We're expecting the Victorian tour to be extremely popular amongst our young dairy leaders," he said.

"Those who are selected will visit a variety of farms and be taken through state-of-the-art research and processing facilities."

The Victorian study tour is a temporary replacement for the annual UDV-Gardiner New Zealand study tour, which has been postponed due to the current uncertainties for international travel.

"In the future, the Victorian study tour may become a regular event alongside the New Zealand tour," Dr Noble said.

Applications for the Victorian study tour are now open and close at 9am on Monday, May 10.

Further details about the tour, including application forms and contact details can be viewed on the VFF website at https://bit.ly/3x3YHVr

To be eligible, applicants must be aged between18 and 35 years, live and work in Victoria, be actively involved in the Victorian dairy industry, either on farm or in the supply chain and be available for travel between 28 June and 6 July, 2021.