Shaping the future of dairy
Dairy Australia Board member Kären Moroney has been “knee-deep in dairy farming for four generations,” and is encouraging other farmers to help shape the industry by becoming Dairy Australia members.
Kären and her husband Wayne farm in the Mitta Valley in northeast Victoria, sharefarming alongside their son Blake and his partner Chelsea. “Our youngest son came home to farm five years ago, and we expect that they will take over the operational side of the farm by January next year,” Kären says. “It’s exciting!”
The Mitta Valley has averaged around 1,100mm of rain over the past five years. The Moroneys milk 260 Aussie Reds in a 20-a-side double-up system. Their operation is largely pasture-based, with around 40% fodder inputs – an average of 6kg wheat is fed in the bales combined with a Highpro pellet mix. They presently produce 520kg of milk solids per cow and hope to push that to 550kg, along with an increase in herd size to 300, by 2025.
Kären’s father was instrumental in bringing the red breed to Australia. In addition to farming, Kären was involved in researching, importing and marketing the genetics, eventually taking the helm of the International Red Dairy Breed Federation. Her work in this area took her around the world and allowed her to identify dairy industry trends, particularly in environmental sustainability and social license issues, well before they surfaced in Australia.
Her long experience as a dairy farmer, combined with her exposure to the global direction of the industry, led Kären to seek leadership positions within the Australian dairy sector. She was drawn to the potential to help shape the industry and to keep dairy on the national agricultural agenda. Before joining the Dairy Australia Board in 2023, Kären served on the board of Murray Dairy for seven years, including as Chair in her final two years. In 2020, she also joined the board at AgBiz Assist, a not-for-profit centred around rural financial counselling across the agricultural sector in North-east Victoria.
“I worked towards these roles from about 2011,” Kären reflects. “I've had my successes and failures, but I embraced both. All those experiences helped build the person I've become and the skills I’ve attained.”
Since joining the Dairy Australia Board, Kären has been focussed on ensuring farmer needs continue to be at the centre of Dairy Australia’s investments and services. These include driving herd and feed innovation, enhancing farm business management, managing climate and environment, supporting international dairy markets and responding to critical issues.
“Dairy Australia’s strategy concentrates on profitable growth for our farmers. Speaking as a farmer, if it’s not relevant and it's not profitable, farmers won’t do it,” she says. “Dairy Australia delivers cutting-edge solutions to increase yields and profits, focusing on advancements in feed optimisation, disease control and herd management practices, to name a few.”
Kären would love to see more dairy farmers put their hands up to become more involved in Dairy Australia by becoming members. Membership of Dairy Australia is voluntary and free for all Australian dairy farmers. Members are entitled to vote on important issues, including the election of directors.
“By attending the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or voting on key issues, farmers have a direct say in shaping our industry,” Kären says. “This includes decisions on leadership appointments. They can also influence the focus areas of the organisation’s programs, for example, climate adaptation, animal health or market development.”
Other benefits afforded to Dairy Australia members include the opportunity to scrutinise and ask questions about how funds are being spent to support farmer businesses via access to detailed reports and the financial status of the organisation.
“Events such as the AGM bring farmers, service providers and advocacy bodies in our industry together, which can lead to collaborations and a stronger collective voice,” Kären says.
“Membership can also serve as a pathway for farmers to be involved on farmers’ issues. They may even be inspired to take on a leadership role themselves.”
To check your membership status or to register as a member of Dairy Australia, visit dairyaustralia.com.au/members