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Biosecurity, Farming operations, Policy & Advocacy

ADF seeks change to Australia’s biosecurity system

November 1, 2022

By CRAIG HOUGH, STRATEGY & POLICY DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS
Dairy is working alongside partners in the livestock industry and the Australian Government to transform Australia’s biosecurity system.

As globalisation continues to increase the rates of movement of both people and goods into Australia from areas where pests and diseases are more widespread, the risk to our industry is increasing.

Biosecurity affects the profitability and sustainability of our industry. An incursion, of any sort, lowers production, disrupts trade and adversely impacts animal welfare and the mental health of farmers and stakeholders. For example, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) estimated a widespread FMD outbreak in Australia would have a direct economic impact of around $80 billion.

In August 2022, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) made a submission to the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs’ committee’s Inquiry into the Adequacy of Australia’s biosecurity measures and response preparedness, in particular with respect to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Our submission endorses, and builds on, the Australian Government’s National Biosecurity Strategy, which provides a 10-year roadmap for significant change to our biosecurity system.

An analysis of various reports from the Inspector General of Biosecurity, the CSIRO, independent reviews and consultation with ADF members and stakeholders informed this submission. For example, the CSIRO report Australia’s Biosecurity Future: Unlocking the next decade of resilience in 2020 found that between 2012 and 2017, the annual number of interceptions of biosecurity risk materials at Australian borders rose by almost 50 per cent. Such an increase in threats requires an increase in capability and efficiency in response.

So, ADF is calling on the Australian Government for additional reforms to the biosecurity system to ensure Australia is fully prepared to respond swiftly to the growing biosecurity threats.

Specifically, our submission calls for everyone to ensure exotic animal diseases do not enter Australia. We call for reforms to governance, funding, disease categorisation, surveillance and detection, diagnostics and vaccine development and a review of compliance measures.

The key recommendations in our submission include:

  • Consolidation of the separate governance models into one biosecurity governance model for animals and one for plants
  • More specific details on what actions and outcomes biosecurity funding is being directed towards to improve funding transparency
  • A commitment from Government for ongoing funding at or above 2016-17 levels in real terms, and to work with industry to explore establishing a dedicated industry biosecurity levy
  • Reinstatement of the 80 per cent screening target at the borders
  • A review of biosecurity infringements and penalties issued over the past decade to determine whether enforcement has been adequate
  • Transforming the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness into a centre of excellence for vaccine and diagnostics capability for livestock diseases to enhance our ability to develop better vaccines and biosecurity tools
  • Amending the Biosecurity Act 2015 to drive continuous improvement in the system.

    • An explanation of the rationale of these reforms can be found in the ADF submission. A final report from the Senate committee is due to be tabled in the Senate on 24 November 2022.

    As we know, there are no silver bullets for biosecurity. Biosecurity is everyone’s business – it is a shared responsibility. We need adequate measures in place to protect Australia’s agricultural industry from any threats of pests and disease, and this involves working together to protect our farms, livelihoods and natural environment.
    —–
    ADF’s submission can be viewed at: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/FMDBiosecurity/Submissions
    For more about the National Biosecurity Strategy:
    www.biosecurity.gov.au/about/national-biosecurity-committee/nbs

    Labour, People & Community, Policy & Advocacy

    Dairy gets seat on jobs taskforce

    October 30, 2022

    By CRAIG HOUGH, STRATEGY & POLICY DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS

    Resolving workforce shortages in Australian agriculture, including the dairy sector, is a key priority for government, unions and rural industry in 2022/23.

    Over 110 recommendations emerged from the Jobs and Skills Summit in September 2022. These need to be analysed and formalised into a White Paper and funded via the October 2022 Federal Budget. Priority should be given to actions that help resolve worker shortage now like providing $36.1 million in additional funding to accelerate visa processing and resolve the visa backlog.

    Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has announced a new tripartite Agricultural Workforce Working Group. The group brings together the Australian Government, unions and employer groups to generate solutions that better skill, attract, protect and retain workers in the agriculture and processing sectors.

    Through collaboration, the working group will ensure the agricultural sector benefits from announcements made at the Jobs and Skills Summit in relation to skills, migration and worker protections.

    Dairy has secured a place in this milestone taskforce, alongside three other employer groups.

    ADF National Council member Ann Gardiner was named representative for the dairy industry, with an alternate member yet to be nominated. This is a fantastic achievement for the Australian dairy industry.

    Farm workforce shortage dominates dairy conversations
    Although the working group is a crucial step in the right direction, more action is needed. The dairy industry requires immediate support and long-term planning to address the systemic worker shortage.

    This issue is long-standing but has been exacerbated by the pandemic, particularly the Omicron outbreak which saw thousands of workers along the dairy supply chain having to isolate because they have caught COVID-19 or are close contacts.

    The National Agriculture Workforce Strategy, which was launched last December, was welcomed by ADF as it contains 37 recommendations to modernise agriculture’s image, attract and retain workers, embrace innovation, build people’s skills, and treat workers ethically. Most of these recommendations align with the Jobs Summit recommendations. In some instances, the strategy provides a more effective option than the Summit’s proposal. For example, the strategy recommended establishment of a Workforce Data Unit to improve agriculture workforce statistics and forecasting.

    Currently, significant gaps exist like with the ABS’s Job Vacancy data which reports on most sectors but not agriculture. The Jobs Summit acknowledged the issue but proposed a different solution. It recommended the establishment of an independent body called Jobs and Skills Australia to undertake this and other workforce planning tasks. A unit in the department is a preferred option because it is quicker to establish, subject to direct Ministerial oversight and is more cost-effective. It is important that the new working group considers the strategy in its deliberations. Significant work was undertaken by ADF and other agriculture groups to develop the strategy with government. We do not want to see this disregarded just because it was a former government initiative.

    At an agriculture workforce roundtable chaired by Minister Watt in Brisbane back in August, I highlighted the efforts industry is taking to help address the worker crisis. The People in Dairy website provides extensive workforce information for potential and current employees and employers in the industry.

    In September, Dairy Australia launched a new national marketing campaign to promote the benefits of working in dairy farming and encourage Australians to explore a job in dairy. This extension of the Dairy Matters campaign is being delivered into dairying regions across TV, YouTube, radio, social media and local newspapers. We encourage jobseekers to visit www.dairyjobsmatter.com.au for more information.

    All these efforts to bring people to industry – and keep them – are vital to resolving the workforce shortage.

    Farming operations

    Backing our farming operations

    October 1, 2022

    By RICK GLADIGAU, PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS

    SINCE 1942, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has been developing policy, and advocating on issues such as water, climate, biosecurity, energy and animal welfare, to support dairy farmers’ operations.

    To mark ADF’s 80th anniversary it is timely to look back on significant advocacy outcomes.

    One of the great success stories of the Australian industry is the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS), which was set up in 1979 to progress increased herd genetics. ADF was instrumental in the development of the ADHIS.

    In 2011, ADHIS released Australia’s first Genomic Breeding Values. ADHIS became DataGene in 2016. By 2016, it is estimated that ADHIS had generated $200 million in net benefits to dairy farmers at a cost of about $10 million.

    Another achievement is this publication, the Australian Dairyfarmer magazine. Initially set up in 1984 to communicate Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) for production traits to farmers, it quickly evolved into the go-to source of information, learning tools and community engagement, as it still is today.

    In 2018, ADF adopted the NFF climate policy for an economy-wide target of net zero emissions by 2050 (with conditions). One of these conditions is that Australian and state governments must adequately fund emissions reduction programs and research to enable farmers to utilise new methodologies and technologies to lower greenhouse gas emissions across their business while also increasing farm productivity.

    ADF successfully advocated for an independent analysis of socioeconomic impacts of the Murray Darling Basin Plan in the southern basin. ADF has adopted the National Farmers Federation’s position the plan, so long as the water acquired by the Australian Government achieves good environmental outcomes without harming dairy operations and rural communities. ADF believes a smart and efficient implementation of the plan can generate positive environmental and socio-economic outcomes without the need for the Government to acquire an extra 450 gigalitres (GL). ADF continues to advocate for outcomes-based policymaking for water management to sustain dairy production in the food bowl of Australia.

    In 2020, ADF developed a policy framework that addressed issues for dairy farmers in bushfire management e.g. land clearing, consultation with fire affected farmers and on-the-ground responses to bushfires. The framework considers findings and the implementation of recommendations from bushfire inquiries, including the 2010 Victorian Royal Commission. The framework was shared with the Australian Government to support the nation’s bushfire recovery effort.

    A new approach for managing animal health, welfare
    A fresh approach to the management of Bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) in cattle emerged in 2016 with the release of a framework by Animal Health Australia.

    ADF sought revisions to the framework (which were endorsed), including a focus on a program to assess individual BJD farm status and how to eradicate or manage the disease so as not to bring it on-farm. Further, ADF released a revised risk-profiling score to assess and manage the likelihood of BJD in dairy cattle.

    In 2021, ADF formed a skills-based group tasked with recommending a policy for managing surplus calves in the Australian dairy industry. This work follows the ADF Dairy Beef Forum in July 2021. This forum explored current information, research and business opportunities for surplus calves in Australia. Establishing a policy on surplus calves is a priority in the ADF Strategic Plan.

    An end to routine calving induction that generated high animal health and welfare outcomes was achieved in January 2022. Following a decision in April 2015 to phase-out routine induction by 2022, work by ADF, Dairy Australia, farmers, vets, and processors, together with improved herd improvement practices, tools and technologies, achieved this goal.

    Economics & Trade, Farming operations

    Margin risk offsets high milk prices

    July 15, 2022

    By RICK GLADIGAU, PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS

    WHILE high opening milk prices are critical for the viability of the Australian dairy sector, increasingly volatile global markets are taking effect with rising cost pressures through the supply chain.

    There is strong competition from processors in the market, which is fantastic for dairy farmers. ADF recognises that these opening prices for milk at the farmgate are strong, and we believe there is potential for more increases because processors need to meet existing domestic and international contracts with a limited milk supply.

    However, the costs of fodder, fuel, fertiliser and electricity are skyrocketing, eating into the margins of most dairy producers.

    Currently, the biggest cost is grain, with wheat prices jumping 25 per cent in recent weeks. In extreme cases, feed costs can represent one-third of a dairy farm’s turnover.

    In a volatile market, the increase in the milk price paid to farmers is not keeping pace with the unprecedented rises in the cost of farm inputs. Some dairy farmers are under significant pressure.

    It is timely for farmers to review their operations in response to the increasing input costs.

    Real action needed to support dairy recovery

    The next three years is a defining period for the sustainability of the Australian dairy industry. As the recognised national policy and advocacy organisation working for dairy farmers, we will be doing our utmost to ensure the reality of this situation is well understood by the Labor Government and consumers.

    The government made pre-election pledges that respond to several issues in our policy statement – which if properly executed – will help the profitability and sustainability of dairy farmers. These include:

    • setting minimum standards for nutrition in residential aged care
    • improving existing regulations that deliver accurate and clear food labelling
    • providing $500m for agriculture in the $15b National Reconstruction Fund
    • protecting the competitiveness of emissions-intensive export industries
    • investing $3 billion from the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund to fund emission reduction initiatives
    • directing financial support to energy efficiency projects under a new Powering the Regions Fund and funding two regional tech hubs

    More money needed for regions, biosecurity, jobs

    Beyond these pledges, ADF is calling on Federal Government to invest more in regional development, biosecurity capabilities and a skilled regional workforce to reduce risks to dairy production, support the adoption of supply chain traceability reforms and reduce the impact of pests and weeds.

    It is heartening to read that 88 per cent of respondents to the 2022 National Dairy Farmer Survey reported an operating profit in 2020/21. With the rising cost of inputs during the past two months, the outlook for some farmers in 2022/2023 is less optimistic.

    For many dairy farmers, the uplift in opening prices will give them the confidence to continue to invest into their farms. For others, however, labour shortages, high beef cattle prices and soaring land values, will see some farmers make a business decision to exit the industry.

    Due to the surging costs of farm inputs, the need for movement in retail prices is critical. A significant upward movement in milk pries at the checkout in the short to medium term is essential.

    The ongoing strength of the dairy sector is crucial to Australia’s future, as we navigate the Covid-19 recovery phase. Resilient and prosperous regional communities need a robust dairy sector.

    We look forward to working with the new Labor Government to deliver on our election platform, much of which seeks to drive profitability and sustainability through the Australian dairy industry. This includes creating even more transparency of prices across the dairy supply chain.

    Farming operations

    On the long road to recovery

    May 15, 2022

    By HEATH COOK, ADF DEPUTY PRESIDENT

    Dairy farmers across New South Wales and South-East Queensland face a long road to recovery after recent flooding. Almost three years of stress from fires, drought, and pandemic-related workforce issues have seen the recent floods place enormous mental and financial strain on farmers.

    At least 290 farms have been affected. Accounts of damage and losses include 200-head herds wiped out, infrastructure and machinery swept away by floodwater, kilometres of fencing ripped from the earth – with winter crops, fertiliser and fodder being collateral damage.

    Stories of heroism abound, of farmers working tirelessly to rescue people and livestock alike. In the aftermath though, it is keeping herds fed that is proving to be a daily challenge.

    There has been a significant toll on animal health, with conditions such as lameness and mastitis becoming prevalent. Exhausted, distressed and undernourished, cows that would usually produce 20-30 litres daily are giving barely a trickle.

    Cold, wet weather has scythed its way through calf populations. Rescuing heifers and cows sunk deep in mud is a daily event. Costs are likely to be in the range of hundreds of millions.

    Many farms are not only experiencing stock feed issues but fuel shortages, phone and internet outages.

    Dairy Australia is working with government, industry bodies and emergency response services to provide aid services. Flood-affected farmers and land managers can call the Department of Primary Industries’ hotline on 1800 814 647 to request assistance for emergency fodder, aerial surveillance and veterinary assistance.

    Emergency fodder distribution centres have been set up in Casino, Alstonville, Grafton and Coraki, and reimbursement for emergency fodder freight has been made available by the Rural Assistance Authority in New South Wales. Need for Feed, a volunteer service coordinated by Lions International is also supplying fodder.

    Farmer welfare and mental health is a priority. After prolonged strain, there is a real risk of farmers leaving the industry. Dairy Australia encourages farmers to make use of recovery centres, as well as grant application support for flood recovery services. Grants of $25,000 are available for small farmers, and up to $75,000 for primary producers. Zita Ritchie at NSW DPI is managing New South Wales support, with Belinda Haddow at Subtropical Dairy supporting farmers from affected areas in Queensland.

    One-off disaster payments have been announced by the federal government, available to farmers from 80 local government areas across New South Wales and Queensland, to help with livestock assessment, veterinary support, euthanasia and burial costs. Funds are also being released to fast-track road repair.

    Norco Cooperative has been severely impacted by the floods, particularly the Norco ice cream factory, feed mill and two rural stores. The federal government, in partnership with the New South Wales government, has announced a business support package to help restore operations and assist with ongoing employment.

    The floods, like other disasters from recent years, have highlighted challenges facing the dairy industry. Not limited to animal welfare and human mental health impacts, increasing instances of fire, drought and flooding could see insurance premiums rise to untenable levels for some farmers. These risks need to be addressed in a long-term manner, as implications carry on long after acute events – as demonstrated by the long tail of mental hardship, cow health issues and financial strain that has followed these floods.

    Any rise in prices for dairy foods on retail shelves at this time may likely be a necessity for ensuring dairy farmers make it through these challenges and stay on their land with their mental health intact.

    Now, more than ever, our beloved northern industry needs to know that we ‘have its back’.

    Moving forward, we recognise that insurance will be a challenge, and let me assure every farmer affected by the floods that ADF will be working on this issue with representatives from the insurance industry.

    At meetings of the National Coordination Mechanism, attended by the Hon Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, and the Director General of Emergency Management Australia, Joe Buffone, ADF has represented the national dairy industry’s interests.

    If retail prices for dairy products increase, one of the reasons will be the floods. If this happens, please tell everyone that the increase is an absolutely necessity to ensure flood-affected farmers survive this disaster.

    Animal Health, Biosecurity, Farming operations

    Policy shifts on live viruses importation

    May 15, 2022

    By DAVID INALL, ADF CEO

    Lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus, identified in March in Indonesia – and Singapore shortly thereafter – is posing a threat to Australian livestock. The proximity of these nations to Australia means the disease could be transferred to Australian cattle or buffalo via windborne biting insects. Currently, the virus is only around 3,000 kilometres from Australia. Once introduced, the virus is very hard to eradicate.

    Australia has restricted the importation of certain live viruses for laboratory purposes, primarily to reduce the possibility for such diseases to escape and spread. However, an exception is being made so that CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, can begin developing vaccines for lumpy skin disease.

    Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) supports the development of safe, effective vaccines for lumpy skin disease virus, in acknowledgement of the significant risk this disease poses to the industry.

    The virus does not affect humans – but has serious implications for animal health. It causes emaciation, damage to hides, a decrease in milk production, fever, reproductive losses and can ultimately be fatal. This can lead to major disruptions to livestock trade and dairy supply. There would also be trade implications for Australian exports if Australia was to suffer a lumpy skin disease detection.

    The disease, identifiable by nodules on animal skin, is usually spread by flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Infected animals can also contaminate products and equipment.

    The federal government is working with its counterparts in Indonesia to stem the outbreak and prevent the disease from making its way to Australia. Current prevention efforts are extensive, with strict import regulations and conditions to prevent the disease entering via traveller, cargo and mail pathways. However, the risk of spreading via insects crossing the ocean is Australia’s primary concern.

    Without local research, Australia would have to rely on sending samples overseas for diagnosis and, if confirmed, importing vaccines. These can be of inferior quality to Australian standards and obtaining adequate quantities could be a challenge. With Australia undertaking development, vaccine supply will not be an issue for Australian farmers. Once developed, the vaccine will also be shared with neighbouring nations.

    Livestock industries as well as the Australian Governmentsupport importation of the live virus. Internal policies have been amended to ensure safety and security. This approach is being echoed across other parts of the industry.

    A taskforce has been set up by Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. The group, led by Dr Chris Parker – former chief executive of the Australian Pests and Veterinary Medicines Authority – will coordinate the federal government’s newly-announced $61 million commitment to boosting northern frontline biosecurity.

    Vaccine development within Australia is crucial to preventing major outbreaks and eventually eradicating the disease, if possible. Most vaccines currently available from overseas have shown capacity to cross with wild strains of the virus, producing virulent variants that transmit more rapidly.

    With such a significant exotic disease on Australia’s doorstep, we must remain vigilant, and farmers are always urged to contact their local veterinarian if they see any signs in their herd, In the case of LSD, after an initial period of high fever (41°C) and swollen lymph glands, the animal may develop large, firm nodules that are up to 5 cm in diameter in the skin..

    An important element of the industry’s response has seen ADF partnering with the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) to form a high-level cross-industry taskforce to ensure coordination and collaboration across all affected industry sectors. The taskforce is comprised of senior representatives of RMAC, ADF, the National Farmers’ Federation, and the relevant industry service providers.

     

    The taskforce’s membership ensures we can seek the requisite skills to undertake appropriate action and establish technical committees as determined by the taskforce to ensure the broader agriculture sector can monitor, manage and work with government to reduce the likelihood and potential impact of any incursion.

    Farming operations

    Collaboration puts dairy levy to work

    March 15, 2022

    by RICK GLADIGAU, ADF PRESIDENT

    As the voice of dairy farmers in your regions, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) actively provides input on key focus areas for development in Dairy Australia’s Annual Operating Plan (AOP).

    This year, for the 2022/23 operating plan, our consultation with Dairy Australia started earlier, went deeper into discussing the priorities and has lasted longer than the consultations for previous plans.

    Dairy Australia is the national services body for the Australian dairy industry, and is funded by a combination of industry, government and research organisations to advance the interests of dairy farmers. This includes levies paid by dairy farmers and matching payments from the Commonwealth Government for eligible research and development (R&D) activities.

    Together with Dairy Australia, ADF took the opportunity to engage earlier in the consultation to provide meaningful input to the annual R&D activities supported by the plan.

    Strengthening research, productivity

    The consultation process started with a review of recent changes in the operating environment and how these might affect work under each of the seven strategic priorities in the DA strategic plan 2020-2025.

    Several key areas of focus emerged at the workshop, with feed base/pasture identified as the most important area of focus for the next DA annual operating plan. Additional focus areas centred on continued research and monitoring of productivity and dairy’s competitive position with other sectors, as well as increased policy development and support, leaning into more state and regional based issues.

    One of the key directions to emerge from this consultation was a call for the R&D to focus on productivity, growth and reducing farmers’ cost base. Suggestions included building resilience in the dairy industry through scenario planning to ensure farmers can maintain low-cost production and exploring alternative innovative farming methods such as how to use feed to reduce carbon emissions/methane in the value chain as well as build adaptation of feed base and pasture feed to changing environments.

    Strengthening collaboration, best practice

    Critical success factors identified for DA operations and the dairy industry included greater collaboration between ADF and DA, more celebration of the dairy industry’s best practice along with greater engagement of the workforce, industry and emerging leaders, especially the Young Dairy Network.

    To update our members on the progress with development of the next operating plan, ADF will host a briefing session in May. At this session we will report on how our input has been incorporated into the plan.

    Keeping abreast of what is happening in domestic and international markets was important to all members as this helps us identify and explore the future opportunities in agriculture, and better understand our competitive position compared with other sectors.

    Defining dairy’s role in agriculture

    By strengthening the collaboration of dairy farmers with government, industry and research organisations, we increase transparency and build trust, as we ultimately want to continue to play a key role in Australian agriculture.

    Now that we have clear guidance from Dairy Poll 2022 as to the income for research and innovation programs in the future, ADF will keep working with Dairy Australia to ensure the dairy levy is invested in work that delivers.

    Economics & Trade

    Open market a win-win for dairy

    March 15, 2022

    By RICK GLADIGAU, PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIAN DAIRY FARMERS

    Australian dairy farmers have reason to celebrate. The future of milk trading is looking brighter.

    Last week, a key first step has been taken which delivers monthly milk price transparency and competition, as the Australian Milk Price Initiative (AMPI) ran its first regional milk spot markets.

    Trading was done on the Mercari platform, owned and operated by the Financial and Energy Exchange. These regional spot markets deliver the monthly price transparency necessary to enable a forward financial hedging market like those seen in New Zealand, the US and Europe. Such financial markets already enable dairy farmers and processors to lock in prices up to three years forward for some of their milk.

    As the national representative body for dairy farmers, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has advocated for and sponsored the AMPI and encourages dairy farmers to take advantage of the trading platform.

    Not only will the AMPI empower dairy farmers when they sell milk, it will also increase transparency and build trust. As said at the launch, ‘there is no more transparent price signal than an open market price!’.

    The benefits to the dairy industry do not end there. The AMPI will improve risk management across the supply chain with back-to-back pricing from customer to processor to farmer, providing the ability to lock in margins across the chain. Better margin and risk management enables better planning, which, in turn, drives investment and growth across the supply chain. More investment means a strong dairy industry.

    Among the concerns to emerge from industry consultations during the development of the Australian Dairy Plan was a call for ‘New measures to increase transparency and help manage market risk, including the establishment of a functioning milk price market and new risk measures backed by government legislation’.

    This is something the ADF has been helping to achieve.

    At the ADF we have been working closely with government and industry to develop the AMPI. Similar trading platforms are already operating for other agricultural sectors, including wool and grains.

    Through consultation with industry bodies and the dairy community, and with a grant from the Federal Government, the new trading platform will allow Australian dairy farmers to leverage their competitive advantage.

    In 2019, a pledge of $560,000 towards the development of a milk trading platform was one of the most significant election promises the dairy industry received from the Morrison Government.

    While the launch of the AMPI is an important step in the right direction, the work is not over yet.

    Seed funding is required for the AMPI’s governance and operating model, as well as education for participants. It is our view that these funds can come from the Improving Market Transparency in Perishable Agricultural Goods Industries Grant Program. This program will run over three years from 2022–23 to 2024–25.  A total of $5 million of grant funding is available.

    Ongoing investment and innovation are key to the future of the dairy industry. With an open market where farmers can choose who they sell their milk to, at what cost, and on what terms the future is looking brighter.

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