Drought, Deluge, and Desperation: Australia’s Dairy Farmers Plead for Government Action
In a plea issued after talks with Victoria’s Agriculture Minister, the Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has called for swift and tangible support, warning that more than 40% of the country’s dairy producers are operating in regions affected by drought, including parts of South Australia, South West Victoria, Gippsland, and southern New South Wales. Meanwhile, northern NSW is grappling with the aftermath of a one-in-500-year flood.
“Farmers are being stretched past the breaking point,” said Ben Bennett, president of ADF. “We're calling for immediate crisis relief—because without it, we may lose a significant portion of our industry.”
A perfect storm of rising costs and falling prices
The timing couldn’t be worse. Input costs are soaring. Feed, water, and transport expenses have surged as domestic supplies dwindle. Yet milk prices for the upcoming season look weaker than anticipated, threatening to squeeze producers even further.
According to ADF, many farmers are now in a liquidity crisis—forced to spend heavily just to keep cattle alive while future revenues remain uncertain. The federation is urging governments to deliver a package of emergency measures, including feed and water transport subsidies, cash grants, low-interest loans, and activation of Category C and D disaster designations under federal protocols.
“It’s not just about dairy,” said Bennett. “It’s about keeping rural communities alive. Farmers spend locally. If they go under, the towns go with them.”
Feed imports: a short-term lifeline
ADF is also urging the federal government to underwrite the commercial import of stock feed—particularly Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE), a protein-rich feed widely used in New Zealand. “We need to give importers the confidence to act now,” said Bennett. “With government backing and freight subsidies, we can get more feed into the country fast.”
ADF has been working with feed importers, transporters, and the Department of Agriculture to ensure swift access to alternate feed sources. Bennett says feed imports are not a luxury, but a necessity—one that could determine whether dairy herds survive the winter.
“Without this, we face not only economic fallout but real animal welfare risks,” he warned. “Time is not on our side.”
Preparing for tomorrow, not just surviving today
Beyond the immediate crisis, ADF is calling for longer-term investment in water infrastructure—chiefly, the proposed stock and domestic pipeline for South-West Victoria. Bennett believes that while short-term aid is essential, true resilience requires forward-looking commitments.
“Governments talk a lot about preparedness and food security,” he said. “Well, here’s a real opportunity to act. Infrastructure like this would give certainty to our farmers and communities.”
A five-point plan for survival and resilience
ADF has outlined a clear roadmap for policymakers:
-
Deliver feed and water transport subsidies to tackle acute supply shortfalls.
-
Provide cash grants and low-interest loans to relieve financial pressure.
-
Activate Category C and D disaster relief measures in partnership with the Commonwealth.
-
Underwrite stock feed imports to boost supply confidence for the commercial sector.
-
Co-invest in water infrastructure, including immediate support for South-West Victoria’s pipeline project.
As the dairy sector hangs in the balance, industry leaders say what’s needed now is not more consultation—but courage. “With decisive action, we can save this industry,” said Bennett. “Without it, we may lose it for good.”
