Exciting opportunities for dairy industry
The medium to long term opportunities in the dairy industry are exciting, according to Dairy Australia managing director Ian Halliday.
The Gippsland dairy industry is worth about $3 billion to the region’s economy and has the potential to increase with opportunities for further investment.
The dairy industry’s importance to the Gippsland economy and the growth opportunities on the horizon were highlighted at a forum in Warragul recently involving key decision-makers from the region.
“Gippsland Dairy - Leveraging the Opportunities,” highlighted the important contribution dairy provides the region.
Mr Halliday said the forum was important in bringing together key industry stakeholders to discuss future opportunities.
“Yes there will be periods of volatility and climatic challenges but the medium to long term opportunities are exciting.
“The chine free trade agreement will make a difference but a lot of our processors are selling to all over Asia.
Mr Halliday said it was important farmers and industry processors did not forget about the importance of domestic markets and not just about China.
Mr Halliday said prices were currently holding “fairly well” but one of the real challenges was responding to seasonal conditions.
“It is very dry and Gippsland is no different to that,” he said.
Speakers at the event included GippsDairy chairman Graeme Nicoll, United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) president Adam Jenkins and keynote speaker David Williams - an investment advisor with Kidder Williams.
In his speech Mr Nicoll, who farms at Fish Creek, highlighted the potential for growth and importance of dairy industry profitability – and the spin-off benefits in investment, jobs and stronger communities.
“Dairy across Victoria has the potential to grow substantially to take advantage of the burgeoning demand for safe, high quality dairy products overseas,” Mr Nicoll said.
“This means more jobs and more economic activity which, in turn, helps maintain the towns and services that make this and other dairy regions attractive as investment and tourist destinations.
“But we have to work hard to attract the investment to deliver this prosperity to the regions. Investors – new and existing – have many choices about where they put their dollars. It is not inevitable they will choose Gippsland or any other dairy region in Victoria.”
Dairy farmers and industry leaders networked with government, financiers and community representatives while showcasing the high quality Gippsland dairy produce being exported to the world.
Mr Halliday said the Warragul forum was an important opportunity for the dairy industry to show its worth and potential to the wider community.
“It’s vital that decision-makers understand what dairying contributes to regional economies and the Australian economy as a whole,” Mr Halliday said.
“Having a chance to get people together and discuss our opportunities and concerns is the best way to promote understanding of how we can all help each other build a better dairy industry and a more prosperous Gippsland.”