Sally Bethune

Based in Lake Boga, Victoria, Sally Bethune is a dynamic and community-minded dairy farmer who will study the “keys to success in value adding for dairy farmers”.

Sally has a passion for innovation and sustainability, and together with her husband manages a 1000-cow crossbred dairy herd, milk processing business, irrigated cropping operations and a 500-head beef/dairy herd across 5000 hectares.

Since joining the farm in 2006, Sally has played a pivotal role in its growth – from hands-on milking and calf rearing to overseeing operations and building new revenue streams.

She is heavily involved in the family’s processing business - Bethune Lane Dairy – which started out selling cheese, before moving on to offer milk, yoghurt and their unique Belgian Chocolate + Milk drink.

Sally’s leadership extends beyond the farm. She has served for two decades with Girl Guides and Scouts in Victoria, including holding board roles. She is also involved in local church and school groups.

Sally will use her Nuffield scholarship to explore whether value-adding enterprises truly enhance farm sustainability, profitability, and the ability and likelihood of the next generation staying on the farm. Drawing on her own experience and discussions with Australian and international dairy farmers, Sally aims to identify the motivations, challenges, and long-term impacts of value-adding. 

She plans to investigate models ranging from emerging ventures to established businesses in the UK, Canada and Scandinavia.

Sally’s research aligns with the Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework and the Australian Dairy Plan, particularly in enhancing economic viability and consumer trust. Her goal is to develop a practical framework to guide farmers considering value-adding, filling a critical knowledge gap in the industry.