A group of dairy farmers from Australia are in South America on a tour to learn more about the challenges their peers face. Here’s a photo, courtesy of tour sponsor, Dairy Australia, of members of the study tour examining forage crops.

The competition for milk supply, the impact of cultural differences and ongoing effects of an unstable economy are some of the issues faced by South America’s dairy farmers. Four farmers and a milk processor representative are visiting factories and meeting government and industry officials in the major dairying regions of Mercosur as part of a 20-day study tour sponsored by the Gardiner Foundation and organised with Dairy Australia.

Mid-way through the tour are farmers Wayne Weller of Longwarry, John Keely of Cohuna, Michelle Whiteside of Terang and Allen van Kuyk of Toora, and Murray Goulburn Rochester production supervisor Andrew Wellington. The tour has given them valuable insights into this potential export market and cultures to which they would not normally have access and could impact the way they operate back on the farm. “We have had many opportunities to observe and discuss farming techniques and issues,” Wayne Weller said. “One of the major issues facing dairy farmers is the rapidly expanding soy industry which is limiting the opportunity for the expansion of dairy production. Although we are also seeing an industry with enormous potential for growth and prosperity.”