Dairy

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says a Ricardo report commissioned by Dairy Australia raises serious concerns over the future of the dairy industry, with water buybacks potentially leading to a further 270 million litre decline in milk production.

Milk production could plummet by up to 15 per cent in the southern Murray Darling Basin if water buybacks are not halted immediately, a new study has shown. The Dairy Australia report … Australia’s annual milk production could plummet by up to 270 million litres if the federal government pressed on with water buybacks that would strip dairy farms of vital water supplies.

The United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) has expressed disappointment in Fonterra’s opening milk price of $8.60/kgMS for the 2025–26 season, saying it falls short of what is needed to sustain Victorian dairy farmers through one of the toughest periods in recent memory.

“This is a heartbreaking announcement for 300 workers, their families, and the wider community. It’s also a clear signal that our food manufacturing industry on which our region relies, is under increasing strain — from rising input costs to workforce challenges and from uncertainty driven by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan”: Chair of the Murray River Group of Councils, Cr. Dan Straub.

Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ Monthly Commodity Update, released today, reports even higher beef export volumes in early May, and heralds the possible breaking of the previous monthly export record for cattle, set in October 2024.

Australia’s dairy sector may be the beneficiary of a new school milk program being implemented in Indonesia.

...Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ Monthly Commodity Update finds that US tariffs should have less impact than initially expected, however dry conditions across key cropping regions still have grain producers on edge. Lamb markets are stable with wool a bright spot, while supply chain issues for fruit and vegetables have seen a lift in wholesale prices on the east coast...

Cattle ticks have been found on cattle at a property next to the Bonalbo Showground. It was during a routine inspection of the cattle that the ticks were discovered and the relevant authorities notified the managers of the showground. 

The quality of the region’s dairy supply has been put on show for the world to see with Riverina Fresh claiming the top spot at the National Barista Championships in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The competition sees contestants use milk suppliers from around the world in their bid to claim the title of the best barista in the gulf state.

National dairy productivity has continued to stall since 2010-11, achieving an average annual growth rate of -0.04 per cent from 2010-11 to 2022-23. Yet, under the surface of these national level aggregates, the story has some positive elements.

The cost of producing milk in Australia continues to compare favourably with other dairy-exporting regions, despite a structural lift in global milk production costs across the past five years, according to a new report by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

The latest Monthly Commodity Insights report from Bendigo Bank Agribusiness flags a strong start for Australian agricultural markets in 2025.

Changed eating patterns due to the rising use of anti-obesity drugs, a shift towards in-home alcohol consumption and increasing demand for dairy products tailored to older consumers are among some of the top global trends in food and agri set to be felt in Australia in the next five years, according to a new series of podcasts from Rabobank.

Bovaer is getting a lot of attention – and not the good kind. Bovaer is a feed additive for cattle – including some used to supply milk and beef sold at Coles supermarkets. Why? Because Bovaer reduces cattle methane emissions (in burps) significantly. Bovaer is made using silicon dioxide, propylene glycol and the organic compound 3-nitroxypropanol (known as 3-NOP).

A new RaboResearch report expects milk supply growth from the biggest exporting regions in the second half of 2024. Growth is expected to continue into 2025, with gains anticipated in all major regions for the first time since 2020.

As key players in the food supply chain set targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Australia’s dairy sector is grappling with how to best transition to lower- emissions production, and how the cost will be borne, Rabobank says in newly-released research.

Ian Osborne. The 1922-established Group Settlement Scheme aimed to avert an annual loss of £940,000 to WA from the purchase of butter, preserved milk and cream, cheese, bacon and hams from the Eastern States. Settlers were placed on the land in groups of adjoining blocks so they could share the infrastructure and services installed before their arrival and the load of land development work thereafter.

Pioneering Adelaide Hills cheese producer, Udder Delights, has released a special cheese to help fundraise for the health and wellbeing of farmers and advancement of the agricultural industry. Stocked in Coles and selected independants nationally, 20 cents of the specially labelled Udder Delights Double Cream Brie is donated to the National Centre for Farmer Health...

The Minns NSW Labor Government slammed the door on Norco being reinstated as a supplier to NSW Health on the North and Mid-North Coast in parliament last week, despite a previous NSW government decision to dump the 100 per cent farmer owned co-operative being reversed. When the issue was raised in parliament last Wednesday night, a public interest debate erupted where a motion was put forward by the NSW Nationals calling on the Minns Government to reverse its decision.

Australia's most promising  paraders  of dairy cattle have been announced by Agricultural Shows Australia as eligible to compete in the national finals of the prestigious annual competition to be judged this month at Melbourne Royal Show. The winner of the dairy cattle young  paraders  competition will be determined by who has best prepared, presented and paraded their animal before a judge.

Terry Toohey’s family have been dairy farmers at Woodview, west of Casino since 1901. Back then a busy Bruxner Highway didn’t cut through the green paddocks and cows didn’t have to risk being hit by a car or truck ... The chance of that happening again has been dramatically reduced with the installation of signs with flashing lights when the cows cross the road twice a day.