Gippsland - How Now Gippy Cow
October 2010 Edition
Are you average?
Each April, Dairy Australia surveys 1,000 dairy farmers nationally, as part of the Situation and Outlook report. Following are the results from the 190 Gippsland farmers interviewed for the 2010 survey.
In 2009/10, the Gippsland dairy industry:
- produced 1.98 billion litres of milk which was 22 per cent of national milk output, with an estimated farmgate value of $658 million.
- was the biggest agricultural contributor to the Gippsland economy, and was one of the largest dairying areas in Australia.
- directly employed around 6,800 people in farming and processing.
- grew 70% of the energy needed for milk production from ryegrass pastures.
- had 30% of farms on irrigation systems, 23% of farms in low rainfall areas and 47% of farms in high rainfall areas.
- supplied 16 dairy factories with milk.
The 190 farmers surveyed provided figures to give averages of:
- A herd size of 265 cows and a milking area of 130 hectares per holding.
- Milk solids production (fat and protein) of 149,250 kg per herd.
- Milk production of 1,541,300 litres per herd and 5,673 litres per cow (weighted average), which is 1.5 per cent less than the previous year.
- Grain use of 1.4 tonnes per cow compared to 1.33 tonnes in the previous year.
Compilation of industry facts and figures is an example of Dairy Australia’s use of levy funds. For more Gippsland survey results see the fact sheet at www.gippsdairy.com.au or for national market outlooks visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au
