Milk production declined year-on-year in February, down 4.8%, and – 1.4% YOY in leap year-adjusted terms. 

Production was down across most states. In Victoria, output declined 5.9% YOY for the month, with Gippsland intake down 7.2% YOY, Western Vic was -9.4% YOY and Northern Vic -0.3% YOY for the month. Season-to-date production is tracking 0.3% ahead of the prior year for the state as hot and dry conditions spread beyond the west. Tasmania’s February output was down 4.5% YOY with season so far tracking -3.7% behind the prior year comparable. Bucking the trend, production rose 1.1% YOY in NSW, with season-to-date output 3.3% ahead of the prior year comparable.