Leah’s presentation stems from a critical review she authored on strategies for reducing emissions in Australian dairy farming, a rapidly evolving area of research with significant implications for the industry’s sustainability and competitiveness.
Leah co-manages a 320-cow dryland farm with her partner, Joel Hourigan, in partnership with Joel’s parents, who run a separate 400-cow dairy farm in nearby Milawa.
While managing the demands of dairy farming, Leah has pursued academic excellence, recently completing a Master’s degree through the University of New England.
“Along with dairy farming, I completed a Masters last year through UNE. My project was on methods of abating greenhouse gas emissions from Australian dairy farms,” Leah said.
“I felt the literature review I did as part of my dissertation would be a valuable resource to dairy researchers and the industry, especially as it is such a quickly evolving field.
“So, after I finished, I turned my literature review into a paper, in collaboration with Richard Eckard from The University of Melbourne.”
Her dissertation focused on abatement strategies for Australian dairy farms, and was published in the CSIRO journal, Animal Production Science.
Her critical review explores the potential for Australian dairy farms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly enteric methane, which accounts for a significant share of emissions.
The review highlights promising strategies, such as dietary adjustments to reduce methane by up to 50 per cent and methods to lower greenhouse gas emissions from fertilisers and effluent.
However, Leah emphasised the economic barriers to adoption.
“Many abatement options aren’t yet cost-effective for farmers,” Leah said.
“To achieve widespread implementation, we need more research investment, particularly to refine these strategies for grazing systems and ensure they’re practical and economical on the ground.”
Leah’s research also addresses the global demand for lower carbon footprints in agriculture, a trend that is reshaping market expectations.
By identifying research gaps, her work provides a roadmap for future innovation in greenhouse gas mitigation, ensuring the Australian dairy industry remains competitive in a sustainability-driven global market.
Becoming a dairy farmer was a life-changing decision for Leah, who relocated from Darwin to Moyhu in 2020 with Joel and their two young daughters.
She brought with her a strong background in agricultural extension, which continues to influence her approach to farming.
“We aim to grow as much high-quality pasture as possible, efficiently and sustainably, while prioritising the health of our cows and family,” Leah said.
Leah was sponsored by Gardiner Foundation to attend ADSS.
Her presentation at the symposium not only offers an opportunity to share her work with researchers and industry leaders, but also underscores the importance of connecting science and farming practices.
As the industry grapples with environmental challenges, her insights contribute to the broader conversation about creating a sustainable future for Australian dairy farming.
