Proud to be a Farmer entrant Albany farmer Jemma Smith

Jemma Smith works at the cutting edge of dairy robotics – but the tech-savvy operator says there’s still plenty more to learn.

For most, robots are the stuff of Hollywood fiction.

But for Jemma Smith, a robotic calf feeder has terminated the mundanity of an essential but time-consuming dairy chore.

The Albany region farm manager was one of Western Australia’s first dairy farmers to use an automated mixer and feeder and says the change took some getting used to.

The cutting-edge device involves a computerised system that can monitor feed levels and which calves need more or less feed.

“When I first started rearing calves at another farm, it was still buckets and troughs,” the 22-year-old said.

“The robotic system came in at the farm here in mid-2022, and it’s saved a lot of time.

WA farmer Jemma Smith previously participated in the Proud to be a Dairy Farmer program.

“You learn to use them with trial and error. If all else fails, turn them on and off like any computer.”

Jemma travelled to Victoria earlier this year to become one of 25 young primary producers taking part in this year’s Proud to be a Farmer program.

Working on a farm at Kronkup, a short drive east from Albany, Jemma encourages any young farmer or dairy-connected worker to take up the opportunity to be involved in next year’s program.

“Seeing how the rest of Australia runs their dairy farms is one of the most interesting parts,” Jemma said.

“Western Australia is different to Victoria when it comes to feed, silage is a bigger part of dairy in Victoria.”

Run by the Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council but open to all applicants no matter the processor they’re connected to, the industry mentoring program is aimed at attracting and retaining the next dairy generation.

“I thought it’d be a good idea to apply and it was a really interesting experience. You find out how things work right along the supply chain,” Jemma said.

Applications are now open for the 2025 program.

The three-day program will include guest speakers on a range of topics including farm operating models, pathways to farm ownership and how the industry is structured.