Dairy plan unveiled at regional sessions

A new report on the state of Australia’s dairy sector lays bare the impact of several tough years on the industry and the necessity for it to pull together in developing the Australian Dairy Plan.

The report, Australian Dairy Situation Analysis provides an overview of key issues and conditions across a range of metrics including farm profitability, milk production and global competitive position.

It was produced by partner organisations of the Australian Dairy Plan to inform discussions at more than 20 consultation workshops across Australia.

The Warragul workshop will be held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Tuesday, June 18 between 10am and 2.30pm.

The workshops are an opportunity for farmers and industry stakeholders to have their say on what matters most for dairy.

Australian Dairy Plan independent chair John Brumby said the report provided a snapshot of the current state of Australia’s dairy industry.

The former premier will serve in this position until the Australian Dairy Plan report is finalised later this year.

The plan will set a new agenda for the industry and aims to identify key industry priorities at a national level.

The expectation of industry leaders is that the plan will deliver transformative and positive change for dairy over the next five years and beyond.

While flagging many positive factors for the industry that point toward a positive future, the report also provides an honest assessment of challenges that we hope will be addressed during the course of the consultations.

“Market volatility, challenging conditions on farm and a breakdown in trust between farmers and processors have taken a toll on where the industry stood a decade ago.

“It is vital that all sides now pull together to agree a roadmap of priorities and actions, in order to reset the direction and confidence of the industry.

“In my view, the challenges we face today are bigger and more complex than the industry has faced before. If we are to write the next chapter of dairy’s story, we not only need to be honest about the issues we face, but also open to taking difficult decisions and supporting radical change if required,” Mr Brumby said.

The Gardiner Dairy Foundation’s Bruce Kefford said the plan would inform the strategic priorities and planning of all organisations involved in supporting dairy to make a difference for the future.”