Teaching Dairy

Good health starts with good habits. Teaching students about dairy and nutrition helps them understand what fuels their bodies and why healthy food choices matter now and in the long run.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines highlight dairy as an essential food group, providing vital nutrients like calcium, protein and vitamins that support bone health, muscle function and overall well-being. However, most Australian children aren’t meeting the recommended daily intake of dairy, which can impact their growth and development.

Teaching students about the importance of dairy nutrition helps them understand how these foods contribute to a balanced diet and lifelong health. By learning about dairy's role in meeting daily nutritional needs, students are better equipped to make informed food choices, ensuring they grow into healthy adults. This knowledge not only supports personal health but also fosters an appreciation for the role nutrition plays in the community’s wellbeing.

Milk doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. Students explore where it really comes from, plus the people, care and systems behind every drop.

Teaching students about dairy’s journey from farm to plate helps them see where their food really comes from and the care, effort and people involved in getting it there. Australia’s dairy farmers are at the heart of this journey, producing high-quality milk and dairy products with skill and care. By learning about each step, from what cows eat and how they’re milked, to pasteurisation, packaging and delivery, students gain a deeper appreciation for the people behind the products.

Farm-to-plate education also introduces important ideas like food safety and traceability. It helps students understand why quality control matters and how it ensures safe, nutritious food for Australian families.

As sustainability becomes a growing global priority, it's vital to educate students about the environmental impact of food production, particularly dairy farming.

Australia’s dairy industry has made significant progress in adopting sustainable practices, such as reducing water usage, improving feed efficiency and minimising carbon emissions.

Dairy farmers are increasingly focused on enhancing the sustainability of their operations through innovative technologies and practices that benefit both the environment and animal welfare.

By teaching students about these practices, we can inspire a generation of consumers who are more mindful of their food choices and their environmental impact. Understanding sustainable dairy farming helps students appreciate the critical role agriculture plays in protecting the planet for future generations.

Dairy plays a big role in Australia’s economy, with jobs spanning farming, food production, research and tech. But many students don’t realise just how many exciting career paths exist within this fast-moving, future-focused industry.

By introducing students to the wide range of careers in dairy, from farming and food tech to animal care, research and marketing, we can help them discover pathways that match their interests.

Whether it’s working on a farm, creating new dairy products or driving sustainability, the industry is full of exciting opportunities for young Australians. This awareness can also spark interest in broader fields like agricultural science, veterinary medicine and environmental management.

Encouraging students to explore dairy careers helps meet the growing demand for skilled workers in agriculture and ensures the industry continues to thrive into the future.