Farmers are known for their resilience—after all, they battle unpredictable weather, fluctuating markets, and the occasional invasion of fall armyworm. But sometimes, they earn a reputation for expecting someone else to swoop in and fix their problems, like our good friend Farmer Joe.

You’ve probably heard the story: the flood comes, Joe climbs onto his roof, waiting for God to save him, all the while turning down a truck, a boat, and a helicopter. When he gets to heaven, Joe’s a bit miffed with the Almighty.

“Lord,” he asks, “Why didn’t you save me?” And God, perhaps with more patience than Joe deserved, replies, “I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter—what more did you want?” It’s a classic tale and a warning against waiting for miracles while solutions float right by.

Fortunately, the NSW dairy industry isn’t waiting for divine intervention. Faced with significant workforce shortages, dairy farmers across the region have chosen to take positive action rather than hope for a miracle.

In recent years, attracting skilled workers to regional farms has been about as challenging as milking a bull. Farmers have struggled to find the right people, and the looming crisis has threatened the future of the industry.

But rather than sitting on the metaphorical roof, waiting for someone to come along and fix it, the NSW dairy farmers, in partnership with DairyNSW, have been proactive in solving their workforce woes.

Enter the Workforce Attraction and Retention Specialists—the heroes of this story. Among them is DairyNSW’s Tania Ketteringham, a local whizz who has been instrumental in delivering strategies to attract young workers to our regional dairy industry.

With a background in employment services, Tania specialises in matching job seekers with sustainable employment opportunities. Through innovative programs like Dairy Ready—a pre-employment course that trains individuals in essential dairy skills—her efforts have led to over 85% of participants being placed into jobs, with all of them still employed three months later.

DairyNSW has also introduced virtual training for workers in remote areas, helping to increase the number of traineeships and bring much-needed talent to the industry.

This approach is tailored to meet the specific needs of the NSW dairy industry. Tania and the workforce specialist team collaborate with regional extension officers who specialise in areas such as finance and animal health, ensuring that farmers receive the support they need to create a positive working environment.

The workforce specialist team has also been instrumental in delivering leadership and people management courses for farmers, ensuring that dairy farms are attractive places to work for both new entrants and experienced workers.

Their efforts have paid off. By promoting opportunities in the dairy sector, offering training, and connecting potential employees with farms in need, Tania and her team have filled crucial job vacancies while sparking renewed interest in agricultural careers.

One of the key successes has been the establishment of the Young Dairy Network, where young workers can connect with like-minded individuals, attend educational and social events, and develop supportive networks.

Our region has become a shining example of what can happen when you engage the right experts. Local farms, once struggling to find workers, are now attracting fresh talent. Young people are staying on, building skills, and contributing to the community, making the dairy industry more sustainable and resilient for the future.

Unlike Farmer Joe, the NSW dairy industry isn’t waiting for someone else to solve its problems. They’ve hopped into the metaphorical boat, taken the helicopter ride, and made sure they’re doing everything in their power to secure the future of dairy farming.

It turns out, when you take action and work with experts like Tania Ketteringham, the results can be downright miraculous. See the previous article in The Bugle to hear from young people now working in our local dairy industry.