Drought Forces Cull Of 2000 Dairy Cattle
AUSTRALIA - South Australia's 350 dairy farmers have been forced to cull their milking herds by more than 2000 because of the drought.
19 October 2007
1 minute read
The state's herd is down from 7560 last year to 5550.
The State Government's lead agricultural agency, Primary Industries and Resources, estimates that will drop to 4350 by next winter.
Dairyfarmers Association of SA chief executive Ken Lyons said milk production was down about eight per cent on this time last year. Farmers, however, were getting "the best prices they've ever had" because world stocks of milk are low and high international prices have flowed to the farm gate.
"While the drought has turned badly on us, the industry is confident it can bounce back and remain profitable," he said.
PIRSA food and wine executive director Don Plowman warned Riverland councils to brace for major irrigated industry losses.
He predicted the value of crops this year would be down almost $400 million from $551 million in 2005-06.
Source: Advertiser Adelaide
