Bold ideas shared at dairy day | PHOTOS

With a program that included ways to gain more value from non-replacement calves, maintaining public trust, tricks for resilience in tough times and methods for chromosonal mating.

DairySA chair Michael Connor said the outlook for the industry had changed in the past 12 months since the last central conference.

He said good milk returns had helped bring back confidence, even as farmers were still dealing with raised input prices.

"There is strong demand for product going forward, and we could already feel, even at the Christmas shows, that optimism coming back in," he said.

Even with some brighter prospects on the horizon, The Unbreakable Farmer Warren Davis was on hand to give advice about building resilience and determination through tough times.

He said it was important for people to check with themselves, and others, about their feelings and wellbeing, acknowledge their support network and their triggers - both positive and negative - and seek help if needed.