Milk shock from fires

MILK prices could rise in spring if farmers in bushfireaffected Victoria are unable to sow and fence their properties.

Fires in Penshurst, Terang and Cobden have been burning for more than a week and killed thousands of head of cattle, with concerns for future prices if winter preparations are delayed.

“The next six to eight weeks are a critical time … it has the potential to affect the spring when milk flow is at its peak ... (and) that’s when we’d see prices rise,” state president of United Dairyfarmers Adam Jenkins said.