Get the nutritional edge at Bendigo

More than 50 of the country’s leading livestock nutritionists and consultants are expected to attend the ‘Meeting the genetics of a modern dairy cow’ seminar being held in Bendigo on 19 May, 2025.

Hosted by Lallemand Animal Nutrition, this seminar aims to provide a holistic approach to breeding, feeding and managing dairy cattle to optimise productivity, welfare and profitability.

The program includes new technology to harness the power of cutting-edge dairy genetics, feeding for optimum performance, monitoring and optimising cow comfort, and reviewing the physiology of the cow
throughout parturition and lactation.

Speakers include renowned U.S. dairy nutritionist and columnist, Bill Woodley; genetic improvement advisor, Joseph Holloway; and Dutch cow behavioural expert, Nico Vreeberg.

They will be supported by Lallemand Technical Manager Ruminants, Matt Bekker, and Lallemand Technical Services Manager, Micheal Savli, who both have in-depth experience in dairy nutrition and rumen
health.

Woodley Dairy Direction Director, Bill Woodley

Bill Woodley has more than four decade’s experience in dairy nutrition and management via his long career with a major North American feed company. He now operates his own consulting business,
Woodley Dairy Direction. Bill is particularly focussed on identifying and addressing the roadblocks that are hampering production and developing timelines for expected production responses. Bill is a regular
contributor to various dairy publications, including Dairy Global.

Semex National Key Accounts and Solutions Manager, Joseph Holloway

Jo Holloway is a genetics advisor specialising in technology that assists dairy producers with their breeding and genetic improvement programs. He is heavily involved in genomic testing and developing
dairy beef supply chains. Jo graduated with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree from Charles Sturt University, majoring in animal reproduction and livestock production, before returning to work on his
family’s 500-cow dairy farm in south-west Victoria and later, a cattle station in central Australia. He joined global artificial breeding company, Semex, as an Area Manager in 2012. A qualified associate judge with
Holstein Australia, Jo and his wife breed and show Holstein cattle. In addition, he is actively involved with his local community in northern Victoria and serves on the boards of several sporting and financial
organisations.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Technical Support Manager – Ruminants, Nico Vreeberg DVM

Nico Vreeburg DVM is an international expert in dairy cow behaviour, barn design, barn ventilation, process efficiency and the use of microbial solutions to optimise rumen health, feed efficiency and animal
welfare. He is a staunch advocate for rethinking conventional barn design to better accommodate natural air flow to reduce heat stress and enhance cow comfort. Nico joined Lallemand Animal
Nutrition in 2021 as a Technical Services Manager after working in veterinary practice for 15 years and 20 years with Cows Signals, an independent organisation that provides training programs about cow
health, welfare and sustainability in more than 30 countries.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Technical Manager – Ruminants, Matt Bekker

Matt Bekker has more than 30 years’ experience in extensive and intensive livestock production, including as a sharemilker in a 600-cow dairy; manager of a 20,000-head feedlot; and as the Asia Pacific
technical services director with a leading premix manufacturer. Joining Lallemand Animal Nutrition in 2023, Matt provides technical support for the company’s growing portfolio of yeast and bacterial
probiotics used in ruminant animals. Matt has a Master in Agriculture degree from the University of New England and is the author of several peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition Technical Services Manager, Micheal Savli

Micheal Savli joined Lallemand Animal Nutrition in 2024 after spending four years working with a Riverina-based feed supplement manufacturer. During this time, he provided sales and technical support to the company’s customers, staff and channel partners before being appointed technical
manager and nutritionist. Michael holds a Bachelor of Rural Science degree from University of New England and is a member of the Australian Association of Ruminant Nutrition. He has also completed several industry training programs, including NSW Department of Primary Industries ProGraze,
Dairy Australia Advanced Nutrition in Action and Feedworks Intensive Nutrition.