Dairy Australia: Championing the Australian Dairy Industry

Location: Dairy Australia is headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria, with regional offices strategically located across Australia to ensure a broad and effective reach within the industry.

Financial Indicators: Operating as a not-for-profit entity, Dairy Australia is primarily funded through levies collected from dairy farmers, complemented by government support. The organization generates an annual revenue of approximately AUD 60 million, which is reinvested into various initiatives including research and development, improving farm productivity, and enhancing marketing efforts to boost the global competitiveness of Australian dairy products.

Important Events: A key upcoming event for Dairy Australia is the anticipated release of June milk production figures, expected to reach around 600 million liters due to favorable seasonal conditions. The organization is currently undergoing a leadership transition following the departure of David Nation. Additionally, recent market data from NielsenIQ indicates 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 also plans to nominate new candidates for its board of directors at the forthcoming annual general meeting to ensure the board retains a diverse skill set and perspectives.

Company Plans: Dairy Australia is committed to enhancing sustainability by reducing environmental impact and optimizing resource efficiency within the dairy industry. The organization is investing in research to advance dairy farming techniques and promote product development. Expanding market presence is a priority, with 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 engaged in discussions about investment in DA services and faces challenges in securing funding commitments from processors. 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 has been proactive in hosting informational webinars for farmers, addressing issues such as the impacts of rising fuel and fertiliser prices and supply shortages affecting petroleum/oil-derived products. The organization reports a 2.8% increase in production for March 2026, although the 2025/2026 season overall reflects a 0.7% decline. Dairy Australia forecasts potential changes in milk production, predicting a 2% decline for the 2026–27 season, with potential contraction ranging from 1% to 3%, influenced by geopolitical crises and disruptions in global trade lanes.

Dairy Australia's 10-year strategy aligns with the beef-on-dairy initiatives. The strategy, called “Calfways,” is supported by data from a pilot program conducted between 2022 and 2024. Dairy Australia is involved in initiatives to transform dairy calf management. Bec Barnewall from Dairy Australia highlighted the shift from viewing calves as an \'issue\' to an \'opportunity,\' as farmers find viable pathways for calves that can offset weaning costs. Furthermore, Dairy Australia assesses bird flu risk for farmers in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, recommending enhanced biosecurity measures for farmers as the risk of H5 bird flu affecting Australian dairy herds is low. Dairy Australia is collaborating with both federal and state authorities to maintain active surveillance and support farmgate readiness.

Modified: 2026/07/31