But it needs government buy-in to work, says eastAUSmilk.
The organisation’s government relations manager, Denise Spinks, said eastAUSmilk had worked tirelessly with the department, processors and active farmers to finalise a plan for the Queensland dairy industry.
Ms Spinks said the plan sets out key priorities for the future to help farmers access new technologies and pastures, improve infrastructure for climate resilience and other strategies to increase productivity and farm gate output.
“eastAUSmilk has asked the Queensland Government for support in the next budget, or earlier,” she said.
“Farmers all read the news that the next budget will be tight, but compared with big ticket items like infrastructure, housing, education and health, our asks are very low cost with high impact.
“The asks relate to extending the popular and effective technology uptake and Farm Business Resilience Programs and resources to support implementing the plan and work on new pasture development.”
Ms Spinks said in total, the ask is only $3 million over four years, plus extending and improving access to the Farm Business Resilience Program.
“All would agree — a small handout for a big hand-up for dairy.”
She said eastAUSmilk and its farmer members would continue to work with the new Queensland Government to deliver this support.
“We commend the government’s ambitious commitment to increase total Queensland agricultural industry total farm gate output to $30 billion by 2030 — and dairy farmers are ready to go to deliver our share.
“Importantly for Queensland, a more productive and sustainable dairy industry delivers in spades for local, regional economies while ensuring Queenslanders can drink more home-grown milk.”
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