News

This May, GreenCon Managing Director James Green travelled to Shepparton in northern Victoria’s Goulburn Valley, to attend Dairy Australia’s Raising the Roof 2026 event – one of Australia’s leading dairy industry forums focused on intensive farming systems, feeding infrastructure, animal welfare and modern dairy facility design.

Held across three days from 20–22 May, Raising the Roof brought together dairy producers, agricultural specialists, infrastructure providers and international subject matter experts to share practical insights into the future of Australian dairy operations.

One of the event’s key international speakers was Professor Nigel Cook from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the United States. Professor Cook is Director of The Dairyland Initiative and is internationally recognised for his work in dairy cattle welfare, ventilation, cow comfort and facility design.

Across multiple sessions during the conference, Professor Cook spoke on topics including stress-free calving, calf housing, ventilation and cooling systems, and the impact facility design can have on animal health and productivity.

GreenCon was pleased to assist Professor Cook during his Victorian visit, collecting Nigel from Melbourne earlier in the week before travelling north with him to Shepparton, for the event.

James said events such as Raising the Roof provide an important opportunity to better understand how dairy infrastructure continues to evolve — particularly around animal welfare, ventilation, operational efficiency and long-term farm productivity.

“Modern dairy operations continue to evolve rapidly, and it’s valuable to hear directly from farmers, designers, engineers and international experts about what’s working well in practice,” James said.

“As a regional contractor already working within the dairy and agricultural sector, attending events like Raising the Roof helps us continue learning about the infrastructure challenges and opportunities facing modern farming businesses.”

GreenCon has previously delivered works associated with dairy infrastructure projects across Victoria and South Australia, including concrete, civil and construction support works for agricultural and food-production clients.

Posted 22 May 2026. All rights retained by GreenCon Australia Pty Ltd. For more information about the subject matter this News post refers to, make contact with GreenCon c/- info@greencon.com.au or +61 3 5595 1078