Our Dairy Industry

The success of our industry is the result of great dairy farmers, who have proven they are robust and adaptable. Although there are fewer farms in total today, there is no doubt that today’s dairy farmers are more efficient than ever before and have grown in size, with an average herd size of 85 cows in 1980 to 214 cows in 2007/08.

Dairy Situation and Outlook

The dairy industry continues to ride the rollercoaster – with a significant improvement in operating conditions compared to 2009.

The Australian Dairy Industry

Australia’s dairy industry is one of the three most important rural industries, with a farmgate value of $4.0 billion in 2008/09. Dairy ranks fourth in agricultural exports valued at $2.9 billion.

Partners in the Dairy Industry

The Australian dairy industry gets better outcomes, leverage and returns from its programs and projects through the following partnerships with the following Partners InThe Dairy Industry

Dairy Markets

Over the past two decades Australian milk production has been above that volume required for domestic consumption, so that a significant proportion is destined for export markets.

Dairy Trade Environment

Many countries within the Organisation for Economic Development & Co-operation (OECD) assist their dairy industries by supporting domestic prices through a combination of import restrictions, price supports, government purchasing ...

Industry Statistics

The Australian dairy industry is the third most important rural industry at the farmgate - valued at $4.6 billion in 2007/08. It is the fifth most important in agricultural exports - valued at $2.5 billion.