Domestic Market Updates
Track Australian dairy market updates for some of the latest developments in production, trade and retail sales.
Vic Rain Outlook Neutral, June Drier
The is a neutral outlook for June to August rainfall according to Agriculture Victoria, with warmer temperatures in the next three months. Several climate indicators are neutral, including ocean surface and subsurface temperatures which are warmer as a result of four...
April Milk Up 0.4% In April
Milk production rose 0.4% YOY in April while milk solids were –0.4%, according to Dairy Australia. Despite challenging conditions, season-to-date output was still just 0.1% behind the prior season comparative at the end of April. In Victoria, milk production lifted...
Fonterra Opens at $8.60
Fonterra has announced an opening price of $8.60kgMS for the 2025/26 season. The opening price assumes standard production and quality incentives and is made up of minimum monthly rates. According to Fonterra Oceania managing director David Breckenridge current market...
NSW Dairies Hit By Flooding
Dairy farmers across northern NSW are cleaning up after days of rain and flooding that wiped out livestock and farm infrastructure and devastated pastures. The floods have claimed entire herds, fences, machinery and other infrastructure, while flood waters have cut...
Dry Conditions Impact Water Outlook
The Resource Manager for northern Victorian water systems has updated the outlook for 2025/26 seasonal determinations, highlighting continued dry conditions and their impact on water availability. In recent months, low rainfall has resulted in below-average inflows...
Vic Cows Exit As Dry Bites
As feed supplies dwindle, increasing numbers of Victorian dairy cows are being sent to slaughter. Abattoirs across the state are reportedly struggling to keep up with demand, leading to backlogs of up to three weeks. Around 24,000 cattle were recently sold at markets...
Jervois Plant, Land Up For Sale :
The former Beston dairy factory at Jervois in South Australia is up for sales along with five grazing blocks near the site. The sell-off is due to Beston’s collapse earlier this year with administrators KPMG trying to recoup some losses. When Beston was placed in...
May Consumer Mood Boost
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index rose 2.2% in May to 92.1. While the index is 12% higher YOY, a reading below 100 indicates pessimists still outnumber optimists. All but one of the five subindices improved from April to May, but still sit...
Mixed Conditions For Crops
Seeding is underway but confidence is mixed according to Bendigo Bank’s Cropping Update. Queensland, northern NSW and southern WA are tracking well with good soil moisture and strong sowing progress. In contrast, SA is critically dry and confidence is slipping on the...
Dry Drives Sharp Drop in Cattle Prices
Young cattle prices are dropping as producers in drought-hit areas offload cattle rather than feed through winter. Most cattle market categories have reported sharp declines in prices. Agents anticipate the flood of supplies in the south will continue for at least...