WESTERN Victorian women are about to find out there is such a thing as a free lunch.

The Lead Laugh Lunch will be held next Tuesday at Warrnambool's Deakin University cafeteria and organisers expect 200 women to attend.

The lunch is part of a joint function between the university and the dairy industry to address the role of women on farms and the future of farming.

Guest speakers will include researchers addressing the issue of water, climate, land-use change and skills for sustainable farming.

For details phone WestVic Dairy on (03) 5592 2477.

National dairy plan

A NATIONAL plan has been developed to unite and better co-ordinate research, development and extension in the dairy industry.

Industry, government and the research sector have joined together as part of the plan which outlines key goals for the future of dairy RD&E programs.

All investment in pre-farmgate RD&E will be linked into this new national plan. Future programs may include adapting farm systems to volatile business environments and climate, increasing the skill and capacity of people and industry training as well as driving animal performance.

Christmas break-up

THE South Gippsland Young Dairy Development Program invites farmers to its Bowls and Barbie Christmas break-up. The events is on Friday from 6.30pm at the Meeniyan Bowls Club and Recreation Reserve, Hanily St, Meeniyan.

Dinner will be provided, but drinks will be at bar prices. RSVP by tomorrow by contacting 0428 889 337 or email yddpgipps@dcsi.net.au

Production drops

AUSTRALIA'S milk production has dropped 3.9 per cent up this year.

Dairy Australia figures to September showed the biggest drop was in Tasmania where production decreased 8.7 per cent on the same time last year.

Queensland production was 8.6 per cent higher.

Milk supplied in Victoria was 6.2 per cent down, the biggest drop was 11.7 per cent in northern Victoria, the smallest decrease was 3.4 per cent in the west.

Eastern Victoria dropped 4.8 per cent.