CONTENTS

Starting a Dairy

Dairy Development Guide for the South East of SA 2005 pdf (551kb)

The above document provides assistance for dairy farmers or developers to go through the development application process for the South East of SA.

Local Government Checklist Of Requirements

Different local governments within South Australia will require different processes to be undertaking when starting a dairy. An example of the Grant District Council (Lower South East) council is provided as a guide only. Please contact the relevant council direct for their requirements and information.

District Council of Grant (SE) Starting a dairy checklist 

EPA requirements

The Environmental Protection Agency also requires that dairy farms comply to requirements and regulations.

Information on this, fact sheets and guidelines on dairy effluent available from http://www.epa.sa.gov.au/

Local Government contacts

Please contact the relevant council direct for their requirements and information on starting a dairy or requirements and regulations for dairies in the particular council area.

Local Government contacts 

Feedpads and Feedlots

Dairy Feedpad Requirements - Shepparton Irrigation Region

Guidelines for operating a cattle feedlot in SA

Dairy planning made easier

Planning your new dairy or upgrade is now much easier, thanks to CowTime's Dairy Decisions - an interactive CD that guides you through the process of assessing your future needs, reviewing your options and documenting a plan.

Dairy Decisions can be purchased from the National Centre for Dairy Education, phone 1300 062 332 and ask for Hungry Minds Bookshop or go to www.cowtime.com.au

Building a new dairy or renovating an existing one?

Want it to be environmentally friendly?
Like it to incorporate resource (energy/water/chemicals) efficient designs and equipment?

These InfoSheets can get you started:

Efficient Dairy Layout & Design:

Getting Started - Deals with the principles of environmentally friendly efficient design.  It identifies things to consider and highlights the importance and benefits of planning.

Thermal Efficient Design - Looks at elements of design that can improve the thermal efficiency of the dairy.  The things to consider that will keep it warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Construction Materials - Provides information about materials and their environmental impacts.  Looks at some of the principles to adopt when building a dairy and how the environmental footprint can be reduced.

Renewable Energy Sources - Gives an overview of the available types of renewable power.  It gives a brief explanation of how each work, their limitations and their opportunities.

Efficient Dairy Operation:

Dairy Lighting - Looks at efficient lighting design and selection.

Dairy Pumps & Motors - Identifies specific components of the milking machine and related equipment that can be selected to reduce energy consumption and maintenance.

Heating Water - Provides information about the different technologies available to heat water.  It discusses their limitations and benefits.  There is a list of things to do to to minimise the losses associated with heating water.  There is also a small section on Government grants that are available.

Cooling Milk - Looks at energy efficient ways to cool and refrigerate milk.  It incorporates a checklist that can be used to analyse the cooling efficiency of existing installations.

Efficeint Water Use:

Water at the Dairy - Gives an overview of ways to reduce water usage at the dairy.  It covers the water used for milking, plant cleaning and yard washing.