In Australia however, relatively stable
production margins and favourable
weather conditions have allowed
farmers in many regions to consolidate,
and even grow, their businesses. With
milk processors publicly forecasting
similar farmgate prices for the upcoming
2015/16 season, farmer condence in
the future of the industry remains high.
The results of Dairy Australia’s 2015
National Dairy Farmer Survey (NDFS)
indicate that 74% of dairy farmers are
feeling positive about the industry’s
future – in line with 2014 sentiment.
Moreover, 79% of farmers anticipate a
prot in the current season, whilst 41%
have increased herd sizes and 52%
increased milk production, implying yield
gains have also played a part. Positive
sentiment is translating to investment on
farm: 52% of respondents indicated
intentions to invest in their enterprises
over the next 12 months. More broadly,
64% of those surveyed identied long
term benets to the industry as a whole
from the recently concluded Free Trade
Agreements (FTA’s) with Korea, Japan
and China.
Signicant regi