Dairy appeals for more drought help

“Farmers are not being heard,” ADF president Ben Bennett said.

“ADF first took its concerns to all governments over 12 months ago about the drought impacts if nothing changed.

“Dairy farmers can’t simply stop milking their cows because it’s too dry.

“We’ve consistently engaged with all levels of government in good faith and been patient, but patience has limits.

“There comes a point in time where governments must move from preparedness and resilience into protecting food security, and as the most impacted industry by this drought, dairy can’t wait any longer.”

Mr Bennett said previous drought strategies were scrapped because of lines on a map, and models didn’t match the on-ground reality.

“But here we are, yet again seeing a line on a map — this time being the state border — deciding who gets necessary targeted support and who gets symbolic gestures and photo opportunities.

“Victoria’s late and light-on-expertise response has already forced many dairy farmers to liquidate good cows to survive — a long-term hit to production.”

Mr Bennett said the government drought response has implications beyond dairy, with contractors, truck drivers, processors and regional businesses all feeling the hit.

“The immediate issue is financial liquidity — keeping viable dairy farms trading through a cashflow crunch.

“The response in Victoria does not match the scale or speed of the problem, it does not deliver on the damage done.

“Meanwhile, across the border in South Australia, the government’s drought response shows what capability and good coordination looks like; other states like Victoria should match it.”

ADF calls for immediate action on: