Milk production
The 2020/21 season will be remembered by many as one of the best in recent memory. After several challenging years, favourable weather delivered a turnaround in operating conditions on farm. Above average rain and warm temperatures during spring and summer resulted in a close to record large winter crop harvest and plentiful pasture growth. This significantly improved feed availability and lowered input costs for most farmers across the country.
Combined with a historically strong farmgate milk price, a vast majority of farmers reported making an operating profit during 2020/21. Favourable conditions for most of the year encouraged many farmers to retain stock and begin to focus on rebuilding the herd. As a result, Australia’s national milk pool increased for the first time in three years, ending the season up 0.7%, at 8,858 million litres.