The FutureDairy team comprises just three researchers with a dynamic team of post-graduate students. The group is governed by a Steering Group which comprises representatives from each of the program investors and a small number of dairy farmers.
Staff
Professor Sergio (Yani) Garcia
Project Supervisor and Senior Researcher
Key areas: Forage Production and Utilisation, Dairy Systems.
Ph: +61 2 9351 1621
Assoc. Professor Kendra Kerrisk (nee Davis)
Project Leader and Senior Researcher
Assoc. Professor Cameron Clark
Senior Research Fellow
Key areas: Dairy, Sensors, Automation, Robotics, Farm Systems
Ph: 0477 324 206
Kirsty Jaensch
Administrative Officer
Post-Grad Students
| Dr Momena Khatun (PhD; degree awarded 2020) Principal Supervisor – Prof. Yani Garcia Area of research: Early detection of mastitis in AMS |
| Ms Alexandra Green (PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – A/Prof. Cameron Clark Area of research: Dairy cattle vocalisation |
| Mrs Mardhati Binti Mohammad (PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – Prof. Yani Garcia Area of research: Modelling DM intake in dairy cattle |
| Mr Ashraful Islam (PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – A/Prof. Cameron Clark Area of research: Monitoring and mitigating heat stress in cattle |
| Mr Juan I Gargiulo (Masters upgraded to PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – Prof. Yani Garcia Area of research: Investigations into the applications and impacts of automation in pasture-based dairy systems. |
| Ms Patricia Colusso (PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – Dr. Sabrina Lomax Area of research: Virtual Herding |
| Ms Sarah Mac (PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – A/Prof. Cameron Clark Area of research: The behavioural and physical development of calves: Impact of mother and environment. |
| Mrs Crystal Espinoza (PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – Dr. Sabrina Lomax Area of research: Pain and welfare research. |
| Ms Meaghan Douglas (PhD, submitted February 2020) Principal Supervisor – Prof Sergio Garcia Area of Research: Investigating the nutritive characteristics of perennial ryegrass in Victoria to formulate supplementary grain rations during each season to optimise milk production |
| Mr Stewart Scott (PhD, candidature temporarily suspended due to health related reasons) Principal Supervisor- Prof Sergio Garcia |
| Ms Sarah Legge (PhD, in progress) Principal Supervisor – Prof Sergio Garcia Area of Research: Automatic calf rearing in intensive systems. |
| Dr Juan Molfino Graduated in 2019 Principal Supervisor – Prof Sergio Garcia |
| Alex John BSc (Agr. (Hons)) Studies commenced: 2014 PhD Thesis Title: Investigating feed management and incentive systems to optimise robot utilisation and maintain cow performance in pasture based automatic milking systems |
| Ashleigh Wildridge BSc (Animal Science. (Hons) Studies commenced: 2014 PhD Thesis Title: Management and infrastructure considerations and their impact on cows welfare and behavior in pasture-based AMS |
| Derek Keeper BVSc (Hons), BSc (Agr. (Hons) Studies commenced: 2012 Thesis completed:2017 Masters Thesis Title: Investigation into reproductive management practices and performance on commercial dairy farms utilising automatic milking systems |
| Michael Campbell BScAgr (Hons) Studies commenced: 2010 Thesis completed 2015 PhD Thesis Title: Opportunities to improve production and decrease risk in a dairy business by utilising forage crops |
| Saranika Talukder B.Agric.Sc. equivalent Studies commenced: 2011 Thesis completed: 2015 PhD Thesis Title: Reproductive performance of dairy cows in automatic milking system under pasture based management system |
| Victoria Alexander (nee Scott) B AVBS (Hons) Studies commenced: 2011 Thesis completed: 2015 PhD Thesis Title: Investigations into incentives to encourage voluntary cow traffic in the pre-milking area of a pasture-based robotic rotary system. |
| Nicolas Lyons B.Agric.Sc. equivalent Studies commenced: 2010 Thesis completed: 2013 PhD Thesis Title: Investigation into the effect of variable milking intervals, cow performance and grazing behaviour in a pasture-based automatic milking system |
| René Kolbach B.Appl.Sc. Studies commenced: 2010 Thesis completed: 2012 Masters Thesis Title: Operational efficiency of incorporating a novel robotic rotary into a pasture-based dairy farming system |
| Santiago Farina B.Agric.Sc. equivalent Studies commenced: 2007 Thesis completed: 2011 PhD Thesis Title: Comparison of Dairy Cow Systems in terms of productivity and profitability |
| Helen Smith B.Anim.Sc. (Hons I) Studies commenced: 2006 Thesis completed: 2011 PhD Thesis Title: Understanding milk acetone cycling in dairy cattle |
| Daniel Dickeson B.Agr.Sc. Studies commenced: 2008 Thesis completed: 2011 Masters Thesis Title: Quantification of the effects of inaccurate pasture allocation in a pasture-based automatic milking system |
| Ravneet Jhajj B.Vet.Sc.A.H., M.Vet.Sc. Studies commenced: 2006 Thesis completed: 2010 PhD Thesis Title: Effects of forage type, mixed diets and feeding practices on the efficiency of feed utilisation in sheep |
| Pancha Shrestha B.Sc.Ag (Hons), PG Diploma in Animal Breeding Studies commenced: 2006 Thesis completed: 2008 Masters Thesis Title: Studies on Complementary Forage Rotation as a forage option for dairy pasture systems |
| Bertin Kaboré M.Sc.Vet.Ag Studies commenced: 2006 Thesis completed: 2008 Masters Thesis Title: Comparison of soil status under an intensive complementary cropping rotation and pasture systems |
| Mariana Pedernera B.Vet.Sc. (Hons) Studies commenced: 2004 Thesis completed: 2008 PhD Thesis Title: Energy balance and reproductive performance in early lactating dairy cows fed to achieve contrasting milk yields on pasture-based systems |
Steering Group
The Steering Group represents stakeholders and its role is to guide and direct the project and make it accountable to the industry. The current members and their affiliations are:
| Mrs Shirley Harlock Representing ADF and the Innovations Working Group (Chair) |
| Mr Steve Coats Representing Dairy Australia |
| Assoc. Professor Kendra Kerrisk Representing FutureDairy (Project Leader) |
| Mr Martin Paley Industry Relationship Manager – DeLaval International Representing DeLaval |
| Assoc. Professor Yani Garcia Representing University of Sydney and the Dairy Research Foundation |
| Assoc. Professor Paul Sheehy Representing University of Sydney |
| Mr Mark Billing Farmer Representative nominated by Industry |
| Mr Aubrey Pellett Farmer Representative nominated by Industry |