Participants in Fonterra’s Proud to be a Dairy Farmer program for 2025.
A drive to nurture the next generation is having a positive impact on Australian dairy farmers, with 28 young people participating in the Proud to be a Dairy Farmer program in February.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Organised by Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council, the program is in its fifth year and attracted 100 applicants from across the country, the 28 successful participants were from five states and represented nine dairy processors.
Over the three-day program, farmers had the opportunity to visit farms, tour a factory and attend conference sessions.
The conference sessions included speakers from a variety of industry related areas including Fonterra Oceania, Gardiner Foundation and Dairy Australia.
There was a swag of networking opportunities and the program concluded with a gala dinner attended by industry leaders and AFL Wayne Schwass who spoke about mental health.
Farm tours were held at Labertouche in Gippsland and provided attendees with valuable insights into both small and large-scale operations, different pathways to farm ownership and overcoming the many challenges of farming financially and mentally.
The group was also given a behind-the-scenes look at how dairy snacking products are produced and packed at Fonterra Oceania’s Bayswater factory.
Host of this year’s program, Brooke Theodore, a south-west Victorian dairy farmer and Fonterra Australia Suppliers’ Council director, said the program was all about helping participants connect and build strong networks to support long-term careers in the industry.
On-farm tours were part of the program.
“One of my favourite parts of the program is the first hour we spend together as a group,” Brooke said.
“This is where participants get out of their comfort zone to stand in front of the room and talk about who they are, where they’re from and what they love about dairy.
“Everyone in the room can immediately feel the strong connection back to each other, and they realise they’re all passionate about the same thing.
“You can’t underestimate the power of a strong network – young farmers need these networks and encouragement to keep at it and lead dairy into the future.”
Fonterra Oceania managing director David Breckenridge enjoyed the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and reflect on how far the program had come.
“Five years ago, the Fonterra Australia Suppliers’ Council identified a need to nurture the next gen of dairy farmers,” David said.
“To think they started with 12 participants from only Fonterra farms; to now have 100 applications received, representing all major processors.
“It’s an exciting time for this program and the industry.
“We look forward to supporting the program in 2026 and beyond.”
Deniliquin dairy farmer Jane Napier was of this year’s participants.
She decided to apply for 2025 after her sister Tabitha went last year and spoke highly of the experience. Jane wasn’t disappointed.
“The farm visits were incredibly valuable,” Jane said.
“Everyone has different farming systems and it’s been quite eye-opening to see green pastures, it’s very different compared to where I come from.
“A highlight was the exposure to farmers who were willing to share their wealth of knowledge and an enthusiasm to pass it on to young farmers like me.”
She also enjoyed the mental health workshop with Wayne Schwass.
“His messages were what a lot of us farmers need to hear,” she said.
“We can bunker down and just worry and focus on the farm, when in reality, it is just as important to focus on ourselves and our own mental health.”
The Proud to be a Dairy Farmer program will run again in February 2026.
It targets young dairy farm employees excited about the industry and eager to learn more, while providing an opportunity for farm operators to invest in staff development.
Overall, the program aims to attract, support, and retain young people by empowering them to make long-term decisions about their future, and how to go about it.
The program is open to staff and employees of all Australian dairy farms — from small family farms to large corporates.
