Hico Australia was formed when two long standing Victorian Herd Improvement co-operatives merged in March 2008. Gippsland Herd Improvement Cooperative was formed in 2002 following a merger between three Gippsland based co-operatives, Herd Improvement Co-operative (Maffra) Ltd., South Gippsland Artificial Breeders Co-operative Ltd. and the South Gippsland Herd Improvement Co-operative Ltd.
Each of the individual groups had a long history and strong involvement with farmers in South, Central, East and West Gippsland.
Colac Herd Improvement Cooperative was formed in 1982 following a merger between two Colac based cooperatives, Colac Artificial Breeders Co-Operative Ltd., and Colac Herd Test Co-Operative Ltd. The merging of these two co-operatives brought together a long history of herd improvement in Colac that dated back to the 1950’s. In October 2013, Hico purchased the retail business from Genetics Australia of the Warragul, Leongatha and Maffra offices.
Hico has offices in Colac, Maffra, Warragul and an office and herd recording laboratory in Korumburra. The spread of our facilities enables excellent coverage of both Gippsland and Western Victoria and ensures the best use of our resources.
The shareholders are mostly dairy farmers located throughout Gippsland and Western Victoria, and they are represented by a board of directors of five shareholders and up to two independent directors who meet monthly to set policy and review progress.
Vision: To provide quality products, services and information to benefit dairy farmers.
Mission: Herd Improvement Co-operative Australia will deliver to co-operative members and stakeholders:
- Herd recording
- Artificial breeding
- Farm services
- Software
- And other related goods and services
Our most recent Annual Report can be found here.