Located near Blyth, South Australia, Donava Dairy Farm is a third-generation family operation with 300 milking Holstein Friesian cows and a total herd of 360. The farm has made significant technological upgrades, including installing a GEA robotic milking system and a confined housing feeding facility. These advancements have modernised their processes, improved efficiency, and aligned with their long-term goals of profitability, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. Despite current challenges posed by South Australia’s dry season, requiring the purchase of cereal hay, the farm remains highly productive and adaptable.
Donava Dairy leverages advanced health-monitoring collars and robotic milking systems to optimise herd health and milk production. Each cow’s health metrics, such as rumination and activity levels, are tracked with real-time data updates through collars. The robotic system improves precision and efficiency, milking cows three to four times daily based on their lactation cycle and monitoring milk flow and quality. The system also ensures high hygiene standards through automatic alerts for any irregularities in the milk.The robotic technology has reduced the physical labour demands on staff, allowing a later start to the day and better work-life balance for the owners. Challenges such as occasional ingredient omissions in feed rations underscore the importance of skilled and attentive staff.
The farm uses tailored rations, adjusted monthly by a nutritionist, incorporating locally grown cereal hay, barley silage, potatoes, and supplements like canola meal, wheat grain, and brewer’s grain. Minerals are added to balance lactation-related deficiencies. Feeding occurs twice daily in a confined feeding area designed to reduce wastage, assisted by a robotic feed sweeper and grain feeding during robotic milking. This approach supports the production of 36 litres of milk per cow daily, exceeding the target of 33 litres while maintaining 3.8% fat and 3.4% protein.
Sustainability and Environmental Practices Environmental initiatives include recycling wastewater from flood bays and converting it into nitrogen-rich pasture fertiliser. The farm composts manure and provides sheltered bedding (Photo 3) for cows with regular aeration to maintain dry, clean conditions. Scratchers and outdoor access enhance cow welfare, reducing stress and improving overall productivity. The Donava Dairy family faces issues with its recycled water pump and high hay prices, prompting the son to take on additional contract work to pay for hay. Despite these challenges, the farm’s use of advanced technology, commitment to animal welfare, and focus on sustainability position it as a model for modern dairy farming
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