Dairy Australia merges extension and trade functions in November restructuring
The redesign follows a strategic review of how Dairy Australia allocates resources to producers’ priorities and longer-term industry challenges. Led by chief executive Dr Matt Shaffer, it rests on four principles: concentrating resources on activities with measurable impact; organising teams around industry outcomes; clarifying responsibility for decisions; and delivering services through a shared “One Dairy Australia” framework.
Research, development and adoption activities will be linked more closely, with farmers given greater influence over research priorities. The arrangements are intended to strengthen collaboration among researchers, regional extension staff and teams supporting technology uptake. Regional engagement personnel will also form a single national capability, with local advisory resources aligned to the differing requirements of Australia’s dairy-producing regions.
Internal personnel and culture operations will be combined with workforce support for the wider industry. The combined capability will address labour shortages on farms, skills development and human-resource management across the dairy sector. These functions bring the organisation’s own staffing work together with its support for dairy employers.
The combined industry-affairs, marketing and trade operation will draw together research evidence, sustainability measures, market analysis and promotional activity. Its remit includes supporting access to markets and strengthening Australian dairy’s reputation internationally. The new structure also connects domestic promotion with international trade work and policy development.
A separate planning and performance function will connect strategy with data systems, digital technology and measures of programme delivery. It will monitor performance across activities financed through levies. Finance will remain a streamlined, distinct division responsible for financial controls, the allocation of capital and compliance across projects.
Shaffer said Dairy Australia’s purpose was to help farmers achieve lasting profitability by improving productivity. He described the restructuring as a way to organise staff, expertise and investment around that purpose, with more explicit accountability, closer working relationships across the organisation and an emphasis on practical benefits for producers.
The operational handover will run throughout November. Teams will move to revised reporting arrangements, key posts will be filled and responsibilities will be transferred. Dairy Australia plans to maintain regional extension services and research activity without interruption during the transition.
