More Than Milk

In this episode we continue the conversation with Gab Toscan and Michael Dennis from Breakwater Insurance, shifting the focus to the practical realities of insurance inside a dairy business.

This part of the chat dives deeper into the insurable risks dairy farmers face day-to-day — including employment, business continuity, and how events like fire and flood can impact a business beyond the immediate damage. Gab and Michael share real-world examples from working alongside dairy farmers, highlighting why insurance can feel expensive when it's not clearly understood, but becomes invaluable when it's set up with intention and paired with a...

Gab Toscan and Michael Dennis from Breakwater Insurance are working closely with dairy farmers and share what they've learned from supporting businesses through challenging moments — and why dairy insurance isn't always as simple as a set-and-forget farm pack. The conversation introduces Dairy Protect, a dairy-specific approach to insurance advice, and explores the difference between general and personalised advice, along with the questions worth asking so you genuinely understand your cover.

The conversation continues in Part 2 with a deeper dive into insurable risks within a dairy business, including employment, continuity cover, and navigating natural disasters such as flood and...

In this episode of the More than Milk podcast, Chloe sits down with Rachel Nicholson, a dairy farmer based on Jones Island on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

Rachel shares her experience of farming on a floodplain, including the impact of major flood events in 2021 and again in 2025, and what those seasons revealed about resilience, risk, and the strength of the dairy community. She reflects on how community support became critical to keeping their business going, with farmers and industry stepping in when it mattered most.

This conversation also explores capacity and mental l...

Joe Jacobs is the Research Director for Animal Production with Agriculture Victoria, based at the Ellinbank Smart Farm. In this chat Joe shares his incredible journey as a scientist, having worked in multiple dairying regions before making the move to Gippsland. He emphasizes the importance of practical, on farm research and the need for translating scientific findings into actionable insights for farmers, but also understands the need for collaborating with farmers and industry partners to ensure the research is relevant, beneficial and answering the right questions. 

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the T...

Louise Sundermann is the policy lead for animal health and welfare at Dairy Australia. After growing up on a dairy farm in Gippsland, her passion for animals led her to work with Dairy Australia in a number of roles, with her current focus the Calfways Pathway for Dairy Beef in the search for practical solutions to surplus calves. In this chat she shares the complexities of animal welfare and policy development, as well as maintaining social licence and the evolving market dynamics for dairy beef. And whilst there isn't a one size fits all solution, just yet, her message...

Deanne Kennedy had a background in finance and local government, before becoming a dairy farmer's wife, but soon found herself putting the bookkeeping and organisational skills to work, managing the office for a farm consultant and milk processor, before founding Jaydee Events

With a passion for event management and people, she shares how they created Cows Create Careers which has grown into one of the most successful school-based initiatives over the last 21 years. And while she's quick to acknowledge the many people and supporters, she certainly has a heart that is bigger than the contact list in...

Troy Rossborough grew up in suburban Melbourne before a childhood love of the outdoors led him into agricultural studies and a traineeship in dairy. Over the next 25 years, he worked across Northern Victoria and Gippsland, experiencing everything from small family farms to large-scale operations, and navigating the many highs and lows of the industry along the way.

In our chat, Troy reflects on the lessons, the mentors, and the turning points that shaped his career, and why he's now found a role as a tanker driver that brings both balance and connection to the industry that he...

Amy Cosby, a dairy farmer and agricultural researcher, discussed her journey into dairy farming, her academic career, and her passion for agricultural education. She shares her and her husband's long-term goal of farm ownership, the challenges they faced securing financing, and the eventual purchase of their farm in South Gippsland in 2018. Amy explained how she balanced her on-farm responsibilities with a demanding remote career as a research director for Central Queensland University. We also discuss the critical need to attract young people to agriculture through sustained, engaging educational programs, positive industry storytelling, and showcasing diverse career paths beyond traditional...

Warren Davies is the Unbreakable Farmer, who spends his days now as a mental health advocate and speaker, working across the country with a diverse mix of communities and organsiations, but at his heart, he's still a dairy farmer. In this chat he shares how he purchased his own farm next to his parents with ambitions to grow. He was certainly thrown some curveballs by mother nature, and it was during the drought that they shut the gate metaphorically and physically on that farm. We also explore his work now within the mental health space and his observations of...

Billy Buckingham has returned home to his family farm, with a real passion to continue the legacy his grandparents started.

In this chat he shares the current challenges of the drought and how he is able to take advantage of the dry season preparations his family invested in years ago. He also shares the importance of community and networking in the Young Dairy Network, and how these connections have not only helped with on farm investments but are so beneficial for mental health especially during tough times.

TOPICS WE COVER

Career Journey and...

Tori Brindle Mansell grew up in suburban Sydney, but always had a passion for agriculture, turning a summer placement at Uni into a successful career in dairy. 

In this chat she shares her love for robotic farming systems, how she started with calf rearing which has since developed into a manager role. We chat about all things robots, and the flexibility it's given her to work whilst her daughter without access to childcare. She is also the current YDN leader for the south coast and gives an insight into why the role is so important, for not o...

Virginia Mall is a self proclaimed dairy tragic, with a lifelong passion for dairy and guernsey cows. Although she was discouraged from pursuing a career in agriculture, she was drawn back in with a real focus on regenerative farming practices. 

In this chat she shares how she runs a diversified farm, Grace Springs Farm on only 26 acres, incorporating dairy, beef, pigs and chickens for direct to consumer sales alongside agritourism. And although she is currently only utilising the cow's milk to feed her pigs she has dreams of expanding and becoming a full time dairy farmer. 

Alysha & Ryan Conlan had multiple businesses and were making every second of the day count before following their dream to transition from construction into dairy farming. In this week's episode they share how 5 calves quickly went to standing room only, how they didn't let the multiple NO's stop them and how they've moved their family across the state with limited dairy experience to running a successful dairy business for the last 18 months. 

TOPICS WE COVER 

Transition to Dairy Farming: Alysha and Ryan discuss their move from construction to dairy farming, detailing their journey and the ch...

Rachael farms in Southern NSW and today shares her incredibly difficult experience following the milk crash and clawback in 2016 and how it drastically changed their farming system. Alongside partner Craig they had to make decisions and make them quick, including downsizing the herd and reducing the staff to ensure the farm could trade their way out of debt, and whilst it has taken them plenty of blood, sweat and tears they have done just that! 

In this chat Rachael openly shares about the relationships with their consultant and creditors and how creating the $500 dollar club ensured everyone w...

Monique Bryant farms alongside husband Mark in Northern Victoria, and although she has spent time off farm in milk supply and in education, her choice has been and still remains to be farming everyday. 

In this chat she shares how they've worked through succession planning on the family farm, how they've faced significant flooding of their milking platform which has led them to expand and grow the business with risk management at the forefront. And she shares about her involvement within the industry and her time as the 2025 Chair for the Australian Dairy Conference Programing Committee. 

...

Sarah Crosthwaite farms alongside her husband Stuart, in the North East of Victoria but her real passion is mental health, starting her own counselling business supporting the mental health and wellbeing of farmers, rural families and a variety of agricultural workers across Australia. 

In this chat, Sarah shares how she became an accredited mental health social worker and how she is using her many years of experience in agriculture and dairy to provide support for farmers and service providers facing the many challenges that we experience specific to  farming. She gives really practical tips and strategies to ma...

Greg Duncan, is the agribusiness program leader at Dairy Australia. Greg shares his fascinating journey into the dairy industry, starting from his family's sheep and potato farming background in Northern Ireland and England. He discusses his diverse role at Dairy Australia, his early memories of growing up on various farms in New South Wales, and his educational path in agricultural science. Greg elaborates on his career progression, including his time at Pfizer Animal Health and his transition to Dairy Australia, where he has been instrumental in developing and delivering farm performance and business-related extension programs. The conversation delves into t...

Grant Rogers worked as a vet in New Zealand before moving to Tasmania to follow his passion to be a farmer. Whilst he admits it was a very steep learning curve, he spent almost 20 years on farm before knowing the time was right to retire and move back into his veterinary practice. Whilst on farm though, he was regularly frustrated by his staff not remembering simple instructions or the seemingly simple steps to move or repair an irrigator, but it's this common frustration that sparked an idea to create Knowby.

Knowby is a the tech company providing...

Paul Roderick grew up surrounded by dairy and always knew he would return to his family farm which has gone through plenty of changes across the generations. In this week's episode chat he shares about the evolution of the family farm, we chat about grazing grass in the subtropics and the challenges facing not only Queensland dairy but the industry as a whole and he shares why he is passionate about being involved within industry, recently becoming Chair of the Dairy Australia Board.

GROUNDS FOR GROWTH CONFERNCE 2025 

Dairy Australia is hosting a soil and pasture bio...

Ancret Shipton farms in the Bega Valley, not far from where she grew up, but she never envisioned herself as a farmer. That was until she met Michael, who just wanted to be in dairy. Ancret however considered herself the farmers wife; the sounding board, the support and backstop for Michael's farming dreams. That was until he suddenly passed away after receiving a cancer diagnosis a short 9 weeks earlier that would change their lives forever. 

In this incredibly emotive chat, Ancret shares how they progressed from workers, to sharefarmers and into farm ownership, the grief she has e...

Andrea Vallance started her working career as a woodwork teacher, but quickly moved into farming after marrying Bruce. Although he wasn't in dairy at the time, agriculture was in his blood, so when an opportunity came to lease a farm in Mepunga they jumped at it. They've since built up the business, now currently in an equity partnership, by continually seeking advice and upskilling and always focusing on an efficient grass based system. Andrea is deeply involved within her community and we chat about the Timboon Agriculture Project and DemoDairy Foundation and her passion for providing educational and career...

Julie Moore is a self proclaimed dairy tragic, born and bred within dairy, she has enormous passion for cows and has spent her life balancing farming, family and community. And now begins the process of slowing down with retirement in sight.

She's spent years donating her time volunteering on a number of agricultural boards including being the current NSW Women in Dairy Treasurer, and has spent the last 10 years showing and stewarding the Guernsey breed at Sydney Royal building up the entrant numbers and helping bridge the gap between the city and agriculture. 

In the s...

Celina Pellett was an outdoor loving thrill seeker, born in New Zealand on a path to have a very physical career until a freak accident completely changed all of her plans, combining that with covid limiting her ability to find work, it was knocking on a farmers door asking for work that has seen her find a love for dairy she never knew existed. 

With a thirst for knowledge, she has jumped straight into learning everything she can, being awarded the 2023 Trainee of the year for Hunter and Central Coast and the NSW Woman in Trade Award. I...

Nick Hutchinson is the General Manager of Fleurieu Milk Company, having been involved with the company for over 12 years ago, the business & Nick have seen incredible growth over that time, with now over 100 people employed and having complete traceability across their raw milk collection, the processing and distribution of their dairy products.         

In today's chat Nick shares how his role began and how it's evolved over the years alongside the continued slow and steady growth of the company with the innovation & efficiency in the manufacturing side of the business. We chat about the patriotic nature of south australia...

Brookbora Jersey's has been developing and improving the genetics of the herd for 60 years, with his father and grandfather at the helm, but after the recent death of his dad Robert, it's now Daniel Bacon who is continuing that legacy whilst also forging his own path on the farm. In this chat he shares openly about his time as a nutritionist and his love for fully feeding cows, how an incredible spreadsheet helps them breed with confidence and see them as Number 2 BPI Jersey herd in the country, he shares the changes to the farming system in recent times...

Victoria Mulchay has always known farming was going to be in her life, but what started as a fill in for the herd manager, at their family corporate business 10 years has into evolved into a separation from the corporate business, construction of 2 compost barns and plans for further expansion with water use efficiency, animal welfare and business sustainability at the forefront. In this week's episode Vic shares openly about the changes on the farm, how they've worked through the planning and buildings of the barns and why they've chosen the compost system. 

We were grateful to tour t...

Jess Gavenlock grew up in the United States, in a large family passionate about cows and was heavily involved in the handling and showing of cattle. But it was whilst on exchange that she met her husband Brad and fell not only in love, but found a home in Australia. They now run Cherrylock Cattle Co in Northern Victoria where they board and manage elite genetics as well as prepping and showing cattle. 

If you are wanting to get in touch about maximising your genetics or how they can help in the show ring you can find C...

Nick Mignanelli is an energetic young farmer who is focused on doing better every day, whether it's pastures, fencing or breeding, he is making small but impactful changes on farm to get the most out of his patch of dirt in South Australia and has such a great outlook on life and farming. 

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal an...

Sally Bethune is from Lake Boga in Victoria and alongside managing a 1000 cow dairy farm, her and husband Paul have value added to the business in the form of a micro milk processing facility producing milk, yoghurt and Bethune Lane Dairy's star of the show belgian chocolate plus milk. Sally joined me before Cream of the Crop at the end of July, sharing all about her non-traditional farming skills which have since become an essential part the farming business, how the farm has changed drastically over the years and is incredibly open and honest about the many challenges and...

Emma Poole is a dairy farmer and veterinarian from the Waikato region in New Zealand and joined us at the Cream of the Crop Conference sharing her experience as the first female to win the FMG Young Farmer of the Year in 55 years. In this chat we cover everything from Emma's experience as a vet, the transition to Chris's family farm, their calf rearing & embryo transfer business and the future of calf rearing and dairy more broadly in New Zealand as well as what it takes to win Young Farmer of the Year. 

In the spirit of r...

Rachael McGrath simply loves Jersey cows, and has a real passion for improving the genetics so they're not only great in the paddock but also perform well in the show ring. Although as a teenager a farming accident fundamentally changed the family farm it was obvious to Rachael that the farm was where she wanted to be. In this chat she shares how she found her love for the farm, how she is working towards the genetic improvements of the herd and how she's developed a passion for showing cows. Rachael was also recently awarded the Young Leader Award...

Kim Wilson and husband Greg are 50/50 share farmers in South West Victoria, where they are running a really successful business that is simple and repeatable and an incredibly positive representation of share farming done well. Kim is managing a large team of staff, but believes it's doing the doing alongside them all, with a focus on communication and teamwork that allows them to achieve what they are, which has a real focus on growing grass and fully feeding their cows and getting better every single day. 

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY CREAM OF THE CROP 

Cream of th...

Sammie Smith has a passion for getting people in a room and helping to make dairy the best it possibly can be. Coming from the Bega Valley, she is currently sharing her time between one of the smallest farms and one of the largest in the region, working both on her family farm milking 150 and working at Kimba's down the road milking 1200. And whilst there isn't enough room to return to the home farm right now, she's using this time to build her skills and knowledge and get ready so when the time comes to return home she can...

Jimmy Eggert runs a micro dairy where he is currently milking 30 cows and producing Hastings riverlands, an organic milk and yoghurt, and whilst he might be laid back in nature and very young, he certainly has a work ethic and mindset that is all about making the most of the opportunity he has.

In today's chat he shares how he started the business, what goes into pasteurizing and bottling milk, and whilst he doesn't like making too many long term plans there was certainly plenty of optimism about the future.

In the spirit of reconciliation...

Erica Dibden and husband Nic farm on the South Coast of NSW where they have created Tilba Dairy, producing milk, yoghurt, cream and a mix of soft and hard cheeses to add value and help create a profitable farming business. Although the ultimate goal would be to have a factory on  farm, they've built a brand, processing factory and retail shop that continues to go from strength to strength. In today's chat Erica shares how she became involved in dairy, her passion for connection to the food system, how the business has evolved and what it looks like as w...

Mia Ryan struggled to find love as a farmer, and although trying via the normal visits to the pub and other dating apps, she found the apps weren't working especially given her rural location... so she asked the question where is the dating app for farmers?? 

Her answer, there wasn't one - anywhere in the world! So she created it. 

Launching on March 1st, Howdy Global is the dating app for farmers or anyone wanting to find love in the country. With a new approach, the app is designed with real intention and desire to he...

Liza Fahey farms in South West Victoria and works at Dairy Australia with a real passion for people, and to see them develop and grow, not only in dairy but also across all of her many interest areas, of which there are many. In this chat she shares her experience completing her apprenticeship and leasing her family farm, the transition to her husband's family farm and what it was like to be a female in multiple male dominated industries. You'll also notice Liza loves taking every opportunity as it presents itself, using each opportunity to gain skills and knowledge...

Max Bond has recently returned home to his family farm in Cooriemungle and to say he is passionate and energetic about farming and the wider industry would be an understatement.

In this chat he shares about his school based apprenticeship and studies at Longerenong College, why he made the call to come home and how that fits within the family business as well as his involvement within the community and Young Dairy Network. 

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, s...

This is the second part of my incredible chat with Aaron Thomas, so if you haven't listened to part 1 yet, head there first and then come back here because you won't want to miss this chat.

In this week's epsidoe Aaron shares his involvement within industry and the newly formed Dairy Farmers Victoria, how he has taken on part of the farming business and we delve in the 3 pillars of the business and chat about all things farming. 

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia a...

Aaron Thomas farms with Paul & Lisa Mumford in South East Gippsland, starting in a farm hand role and slowly progressing, taking on more responsibility and every opportunity to gain experience and knowledge as a self proclaimed sponge. He believed he was ready to take the next step and when Lisa & Paul purchased a second farm, Aaron was given the full reins to manage the operation. But it was here that his relationship with alcohol became increasingly damaging to his mental and physical health and detrimental to the farming business. 

I had goosebumps for the entire chat, so f...