Australian dairy industry ‘must adapt’ to face climate challenge

THE €9 billion Australian dairy industry, which exports products to more than 130 countries, is bracing itself for a future in which climate and drought will be the greatest challenges, the World Dairy Summit was told in Dublin yesterday.

Droughts in Australia have limited the country’s milk product exports and are among the reasons for the buoyancy in world markets with resultant surges in the prices being paid to farmers in Ireland and elsewhere for their milk supplies.

Australian Dairy Farmers vice-president Wes Judd said increased climate variability is likely in his country, where droughts have been widespread and severe.