From farm to strong bones: How Aussie dairy makes a difference

At Dairy Australia, we’re proud to support an industry that nourishes the nation and drives global health outcomes. As a nutrition scientist, I spend much of my time examining the health evidence behind what our farmers produce, and the science continues to show that dairy is essential for building and maintaining strong bones. 

This Healthy Bones Action Week, we’re celebrating the role of Australian dairy helping people live healthier, more independent lives. 

One of the most impactful projects we’ve led is the Fractures Trial, a world-first randomised controlled study showing that increasing dairy intake in aged care residents can significantly reduce fractures and falls.

Over two years, 30 aged care facilities in Victoria continued with their normal menus, while another 30 facilities added more milk, cheese and yoghurt, lifting intakes from two serves to three-and-a-half serves a day. The results were remarkable. Those who increased their dairy intakes experienced: 

• 33% fewer all fractures 
• 46% fewer hip fractures 
• 11% fewer falls. 

These findings have been shared domestically and globally with health professionals, government stakeholders, peak bodies, aged care providers and consumer audiences, positioning Australian dairy as a practical, food-based solution for supporting healthy ageing. 

But bone health isn’t just an issue for older Australians. We reach peak bone density in our late 20s, and from then on, it’s about maintaining what we’ve built. That’s why dairy’s unique nutritional profile with calcium, high-quality protein, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and B12, matters at every age. The dairy matrix means these nutrients work together in ways that supplements or fortified alternatives simply can’t replicate.

This year’s Healthy Bones Action Week is especially focused on women in the ‘sandwich generation’ - those balancing care for children and ageing parents. The message is clear: self-care is not selfish. There are three simple actions that support bone health at any age:

1. Eat dairy every day – milk, cheese and yoghurt for calcium and protein. 
2. Move regularly – weight-bearing activity like walking, gardening, or even farm work supports bone strength. 
3. Get safe sun – for the vitamin D your body needs to absorb calcium. 

For our farmers, this message carries deeper meaning. The dairy they produce isn’t just food – it’s a foundation for lifelong health. Their work underpins the science, the nutrition, and the impact. Through research and education, Dairy Australia is proud to amplify that story loudly, proudly, and backed by world-class evidence. 

Healthy bones are built through simple daily actions, and it all begins with the nutrient-rich milk produced on farm. 

That’s something truly worth celebrating this Healthy Bones Action Week.