• Monash University
• The University of Melbourne

• The Team, A listing of all the researchers currently participating in the Dairy Interest Group

Inter-faculty and Cross-disciplinary Steering Committees 2008

Wider Dairy Interest Group

Introduction

This project addresses three objectives:

1. To build a shared picture among University of Melbourne researchers and others of their research and industry support activities in dairy and associated rural projects.
2. To identify opportunities in the short-term for the University of Melbourne to make a more effective contribution to knowledge transfer activities in dairy and community health, including possible contributions from an extended researcher group.
3. To explore the benefits of inter-faculty contributions to a longer-term plan for a University of Melbourne: Dairy Australia partnership.

Period of Dramatic Change

Drought, climate change, and new water allocation, trading and pricing arrangements, have placed the regional Victoria and the dairy industry in Victoria under enormous pressure. This is especially so for irrigated dairy, such as in the Goulburn-Broken catchment. Buffered to some extent by high prices for dairy products in global markets, the industry is facing extreme short-term challenges and the prospect of radical change in the medium-term.

Examples of immediate challenges include:

• Mental health
• Decision-making (especially business decisions)
• Emergency measures, eg alternative feed using available waste products.

University of Melbourne Activities

The University of Melbourne dominates Victorian research institutions in dairy. Extensive research capabilities have been built in the faculties of Land & Food, Veterinary Science and Engineering. Complementary activities in the faculties of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences and Arts, and to a lesser extent, Economics & Commerce and Science have developed and could be extended.

The University's leading dairy researchers have very strong, established links across the industry. Some researchers hold industry-funded positions and the University receives the lion's share of industry research funds, amounting to in excess of $2m each year.

However, University researchers are not fully aware of the activities and interests of their colleagues. While many have connections with industry bodies and farmers, they are relatively unaware of each others' connections. This limits the development of collaborative research and our most effective contributions to knowledge transfer in the industry.

The rationale for investing in greater collaboration around knowledge transfer in the University of Melbourne's dairy activities is listed:

• Focus of University of Melbourne interests in the Goulburn Valley: a key 'demonstrator' in Uniwater's strategic plan; the Dookie Campus; Rural Health
• The key role that 'dairy' plays in the Goulburn Valley and urgency of need
• The 'fatigue' with engagement activities (workshops and the like) for industry participants under extreme pressure, and the opportunity to make a more meaningful 'niche' contribution through filling gaps in current extensive industry programs
• The opportunity to improve our contribution through cross-disciplinary communication and learning from other engagement programs at the University, for example in mental health and community wellbeing.
• Assist other University initiatives, for example Uniwater, to engage and contribute to the dairy industry without cutting across 'core' dairy research activities
• Established presence in the dairy industry that can be 'geared up' for a relatively small investment
• Possibility of ongoing fruitful cross-disciplinary connections.

Although the University has substantial and long-standing engagement with the dairy industry and rural Victoria through specific projects and programs, it is the nature of project-based research that funding and time are not available for linking efforts across the University. Our leading dairy researchers simply do not have the time, especially in the current climate of constant demands from an industry in crisis, to undertake a coordination effort themselves. The program has been designed with the over-committed situation of the anticipated participants in mind. We are keen to establish a high coordinator time - low participant time approach. Ms Sally Simson, is the Steering Committee Coordinator liaising with Professor David Chapman for overview. Ms Simson has the advantages of substantial experience with the University and knowledge of its initiatives especially in the Goulburn Valley, as well as having no preconceived agenda in dairy. Her skills, experience and local knowledge mean that she will be able to be proactive in the role and be reliable and creative in dealing with pressured and busy people.

Suggested Program