7 November 2012

2 minute read

Worldwide average herd size is only 2-3 cows while average milk yield is 2500 kg. This covers a huge range of scales and production systems.

Given the global challenges and opportunities, nations are reviewing strategy and direction for their dairy industries.

In developing countries, strategy is about increasing dairy production to meet the dietary needs of the population. India is the largest producer of milk in the world, based on low yields and millions of animals. Milk production is growing at 4 per cent annually, relative to a population growth of 2 per cent.

The Indian Government has embarked on a 15 year National Dairy Plan, with a target to increase output from 125 to 200 billion litres, expanding the village collection system to collect 60 per cent more milk.

Emerging nations like Argentina, Brazil and China also have expansion plans, based on improving infrastructure and levels of technical performance.

Developed centres of dairying are faced with the challenge to remain competitive. In the US, the Foundation for the Future is a farmer led initiative which sets out a new direction for US dairy policy. This has led to drawing up changes to the 2012 Farm Bill. More importantly a Dairy Security Act has been drafted to help producers deal with volatility and remain players on the export market.

The dairy industry in Australia is also putting a broad based strategy together to guide its future direction. Both Australia and NZ, include both economic, environment and social dimensions, to increase sustainability.

The message for the GB industry, is that we too need to galvanise our vision of the future for dairy industry, and make it happen because the competition is getting stronger.

TheCattleSite News Desk