Dairy Australia: Championing the Australian Dairy Industry

Dairy Australia, based in Melbourne, Victoria, plays a pivotal role in the Australian dairy sector. With regional offices across the country, this organization ensures an extensive reach within the industry, supporting its mission to enhance the sustainability and global competitiveness of Australian dairy products.

Financial Indicators

Functioning as a not-for-profit entity, Dairy Australia is primarily funded through levies collected from dairy farmers, supplemented by government support. The organization generates an annual revenue of approximately AUD 60 million, which is reinvested into various initiatives, including research and development, farm productivity enhancement, and marketing efforts.

Important Events

One of the significant upcoming events for Dairy Australia is the release of June milk production figures, anticipated to reach around 600 million liters due to favorable seasonal conditions. The organization is also undergoing a leadership transition following the departure of David Nation and plans to nominate new candidates for its board of directors at the forthcoming annual general meeting to ensure diverse skill sets and perspectives.

Recent market data from NielsenIQ shows a 0.7% rise in retail milk volumes and a 0.8% increase in total value to AUD 2.92 billion between February 2024 and February 2025. Dairy Australia has been proactive in addressing challenges such as rising fuel and fertilizer prices and supply shortages affecting petroleum/oil-derived products through informational webinars for farmers.

Company Plans

Dairy Australia is committed to enhancing sustainability by reducing environmental impact and optimizing resource efficiency within the dairy industry. There are ongoing investments in research to advance dairy farming techniques and promote product development. Expanding market presence is a priority, with strategic plans to strengthen Australia's international reach amid evolving global market dynamics.

Despite a reduction in the number of farms from 4,163 in 2022/23 to 3,889 in 2023/24, Dairy Australia is actively working on projects like the Heat Tolerance Australian Breeding Value (HT ABV) to enhance cattle resilience to climate change. The organization is also involved in the "Calfways" strategy, which aims to transform dairy calf management, and collaborates with federal and state authorities to maintain active surveillance and support farmgate readiness against threats such as the H5 bird flu.

Insights manager Eliza Redfern highlights that trade tariffs have created unexpected opportunities for Australian dairy exporters, revealing increased prospects due to shifts in global trade dynamics. Dairy Australia forecasts potential changes in milk production, predicting a 2% decline for the 2026–27 season, with possible contraction ranging from 1% to 3%, influenced by geopolitical crises and disruptions in global trade lanes.

Additionally, Dairy Australia is involved in the herd improvement industry through initiatives like DataGene, focusing on genetic evaluation and dairy herd improvement programs.

Modified: 2026/08/17