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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260531T173000
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UID:15100-1780248600-1780347600@vff.org.au
SUMMARY:2026 VFF UDV Dairy Conference
DESCRIPTION:The VFF UDV Dairy Conference will be held on 31 May and 1 June 2026 at the Goods Shed in Ballarat. The theme is Uniting Dairyfarmers of Victoria – the future. With the welcome networking drinks to be held on the Sunday evening at Itinerant Spirits\, conference and dinner on the Monday. The VFF Conference will follow\, on 2 June. \n\n\n\nUDV Annual Conference 2026 Uniting Dairyfarmers of Victoria – The Future \n\n\n\nMonday 1 June 2026 · Registration from 8:15 am \n\n\n\nA full day of thought-provoking sessions\, expert panels and industry insights shaping the future of Victorian dairy farming. \n\n\n\nMC: Kirsten Diprose \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOpening Keynotes \n\n\n\n8:45 am – Conference Welcome Bernie Free\, President\, United Dairyfarmers of Victoria \n\n\n\n9:00 am – President’s Report Bernie Free\, President\, United Dairyfarmers of Victoria \n\n\n\n9:15 am – ADF Strategy Overview Ben Bennett\, President\, Australian Dairy Farmers \n\n\n\n9:30 am – Dairy Australia Strategy Overview Matt Schaffer\, CEO\, Dairy Australia \n\n\n\n9:45 am – VFF Overview & UDV Policy Council Election Results Charlie Thomas\, CEO\, Victorian Farmers Federation \n\n\n\n10:00 am – Dairy in Focus: Market Fundamentals & Cost Pressures John Droppert\, Head of Insights & Government Services\, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank \n\n\n\nJohn will provide a clear\, data-driven outlook on the forces shaping Australian dairy — covering market fundamentals\, demand\, trade dynamics\, input costs and global volatility. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanel One – 11:00 am Profit First: Managing Margins\, Costs & Farm Decisions \n\n\n\nThis panel brings together leading industry\, research and farm business perspectives on what really drives profitability in dairy — managing cost of production\, strengthening margins\, and making disciplined\, financially-focused decisions on feed\, inputs and farm systems. \n\n\n\nModerator: John Droppert\, Head of Insights & Government Services\, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Speaker: Ruairi McDonnell\, Technical Lead\, Feedbase & Nutrition\, Dairy Australia Speaker: Wolfie Wagner\, Managing Director\, agCAP Speaker: Bill Malcolm\, Professor of Agricultural Economics\, University of Melbourne \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n12:20 pm – Lifetime Achievement Awards Presented by Ian Morris\, UDV Vice President \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPanel Two – 1:45 pm From Policy to Paddock: Unlocking Technology for Dairy \n\n\n\nThis panel explores the role of advocacy\, regulation and industry leadership in enabling technologies such as virtual fencing on Victorian farms — covering the policy and regulatory pathway to approval\, what adoption looks like in practice\, and the benefits and challenges on farm. \n\n\n\nModerator: UDV Vice President Speaker: VFF Representative Speaker: Dougal Purcell\, Executive Director\, Agriculture Sector Development & Services\, DEECA Speaker: Ross Anderson & Bruce Vallance (early adoption perspectives) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2:45 pm – Your Milk\, Your Decision: Understanding & Negotiating Milk Supply Agreements \n\n\n\nA practical overview of the Dairy Code of Conduct and how it applies to milk supply agreements — helping farmers understand their rights\, obligations and common contract terms to make clear\, considered decisions. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3:35 pm – Next Generation: Bringing Young Voices into Dairy Advocacy \n\n\n\nExploring the perspectives of the next generation of farmers — what matters to them\, how they want to engage\, and how the UDV can better connect with and support emerging leaders stepping into advocacy roles. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4:00 pm – Resolutions Nicholas Ayres-Wearne \n\n\n\n5:00 pm – Conference Close Bernie Free\, UDV President \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nStart booking your accommodation now. Please see some options below. \n\n\n\nQuest Ballarat Station | Ballarat Serviced Apartments – book direct using code VFF2026QBS (enter it in the gold banner) to secure the great rates. \n\n\n\nQuest Apartments Ballarat | Ballarat Serviced Apartments – use the promo code: VFF26QBAL (in the gold banner) and this is valid for stays from Thursday 28 May to Thursday 4 June 2026. \n\n\n\nThe Provincial Hotel | Book directly to redeem the special offer for the event dates\, and use code: GS2026. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nWhy not extend your stay before the VFF UDV event\, and bring along a friend or family member who can enjoy the surrounds while you’re at our Conference? For some inspiration visit: Itineraries – Visit Ballarat
URL:https://vff.org.au/event/2026-vff-dairy-conference/
LOCATION:Goods Shed\, 200 Lydiard St N\, Soldiers Hill VIC 3350\, Ballarat\, VIC\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://vff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/EWI-20180917-017.jpg
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