About 300 people visited the expo each day over August 24-25. One of the many highlights was the multi sampler developed by Bega-based BreSha Industries’ directors Brett Reeve and Shane Platts, which takes fat protein and bacteria samples from milk. 

Mr Reeve said as farmers are paid on fat content and penalised on bacteria, it was an important device as it was about improving sample integrity.

As Bega Cheese will use this system from September 1, it will also standardise sampling in the industry, in addition to making it simpler.  

Mr Platts said they had interest in the system from major players across Australia and would look at introducing it internationally. 

GEA Farm Technologies Australia area manager Anthony Ferguson was displaying the new CowScout Activity Monitoring System, which detects when a cow is on heat and is also a health alert device. 

There had been interest in his exhibit’s technologies, but he said milk prices had dampened the spirits of some farmers so they were “not exactly opening their check books”. 

“But those who are here long term are looking at what’s available and planning for the future,” Mr Ferguson said.  

Sales agronomist with PGG Wrightson Seeds Bruce Ramsey had an exhibit where he discussed base perennial ryegrass, the standout of its type for grazing. 

He said it was able to grow at different times of the year and had high growth in season, in contrast to natural grasses that were low quality and difficult to milk off. 

Held at the Bega Showground the expo was run by Bega Cheese and the company’s senior environment and sustainability officer Melissa Balas said the event’s aim was to showcase new technology in farming. 

“It gives farmers an opportunity to see new technology and if they see something they like, they might adopt it to improve the efficiency of their business,” she said. 

On August 25, Sapphire Coast Anglican College students in Years 11-12 visited the expo to learn about the careers offered in agriculture. One of the event’s most interesting moments for the college’s Chantelle Livesey-Azcue and Courtney Yelds was listening to a student from Sydney University doing a project on calf behaviour, observing the animals without touching, such as listening to their calls.

“She can pick out certain calves without looking at them,” Chantelle said. 

So what was the expo like?

“It’s legen-dairy,” Courtney said.