International Dairy Week 2025: Gene geniuses set for Tatura

It’s been a tough season for the dairy sector. But all signs are pointing to a strong showing at International Dairy Week.

Through dought, recessions, bumper milk prices and clawbacks – International Dairy Week has been that space on the calendar when farmers can get together in the good times and bad.

The 2024 calendar year was a mixed bag for dairy, with near-record prices in the first half followed by a profitability squeeze in the second.

IDW director Declan Patten said despite the farmgate price downturn, a surprisingly strong showing has registered for the 2025 event scheduled between January 18 and 23.

More than 1100 entries had been notched up by the December deadline, with farmers travelling from across Australia to the Tatura extravaganza.

“We’re celebrating our 35th anniversary in 2025 and with more than 1100 entries, that’s in our top three best performing years since 1990,” Mr Patten said.

“We all know it’s been a tough six months for dairy with farmgate prices and some parts of the country experiencing drought. But the dairy industry is known for resilience and getting back up and going and that’s clearly the case for International Dairy Week.”

IDW 2025 will kick off on January 18 with the showmanship clinic, followed in the evening by Tatura’s 3rd annual food truck festival and Australia’s clipping championship competition.

On January 19 there will be the Holstein Australia youth challenge, state junior judging and parading as well as showmanship classes and fancy dress.

January 20 features the national all breeds youth show, national red and white whow, national Illawarra show while January 21 has the national Ayrshire show and national Guernsey show and Brown Swiss shows.

Mr Patten said a highlight on the calendar will be the 35th anniversary dinner on the Tuesday evening.

“We all know the week is about showcasing the best cattle in the world, the best in Australian and international genetics. But it’s also about bringing the dairy community together and we’ll have a lot to celebrate at the anniversary dinner,” Mr Patten said.

Wednesday January 22 includes the national Jersey cow show, national Holstein heifer show and the Create The Future sale, while the final day boasts the Lex Bunn and Bette Hall award presentations as well as the awarding of supreme interbreed champions.