Key Issues Identified for Dairy Industry Action Plan

14 Apr 2020

The NSW Dairy Industry Advisory Panel has identified in its most recent meeting a range of issues to be addressed in a Dairy Industry Action Plan.

NSW Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate Ian Zandstra convenes the panel.

Mr Zandstra has been tasked by NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall with delivering the plan, and to work with .

“The Panel meets monthly and is contributing to the creation of a plan which will set the foundations for a successful future for the NSW dairy industry,” Mr Zandstra said.

“The most recent meeting included a wide-ranging discussion highlighting specific issues that could be addressed in the plan.”

The panel identified on-farm labour, research and development investment, business management skill and milk price, among a range of other issues, as areas the plan should address.

“The dairy industry has been through a very difficult period and many dairy operations have accumulated debt as they have managed their business through the drought and, more recently, bushfires,” Mr Zandstra said.

“The Panel is focused on producing a plan that addresses those challenges and helps position the industry attractively to the next generation and to stakeholders.

“We need not only to equip our dairy operations with the resilience and skills to effectively manage and grow their businesses, but also to provide a regulatory framework which enables them to do so.

“Questions of succession planning, education, training and competition will be critical as we continue to move the industry forward with a view to a prosperous and confident long-term future.”

Mr Zandstra said the Panel also discussed ongoing south coast bush fire recovery efforts, research and development milestones and seasonal conditions affecting dairy operations across the state.

The Panel is scheduled to meet again later this month.

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