Dairy Farms

Introduction

The Victorian dairy industry is an important part of our economy. It is responsible for a third of all Australian milk supply, more than 80% of Australia’s processed dairy products and 90% of dairy exports. The number of Victorian dairy farms is estimated to be around 5,000 with a total of approximately 1 million dairy cows. It is important to ensure a continuous productive future for our dairy industry.

Ensuring a viable future for the Victorian dairy industry means producing milk in a sustainable, lawful and safe way. Below is some useful information for farmers to understand potential risks to the environment, EPA’s legislative context, guidelines for effluent management, and further information.

Risks to the environment

The sources of risks to the environment from dairy farms include point source and non-point source pollution. To understand the difference between point and non-point source pollution, visit: source and non-point source pollution.

The type of pollution coming from dairy farms which has the most significant impact on ground and surface water is nutrients.  To understand the impact of excess nutrients, visit: understand the impact of excess nutrients.

Legislative Context

EPA is responsible for protecting surface and ground water quality in Victoria, which includes protection from dairy farm pollution.

The primary policy which outlines EPA’s responsibilities regarding the protection of water ways from dairy farm nutrients is the State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) Other relevant policies are available here

Information on how EPA is working to protect Victorian water ways is available here: water environment is available here.

Guidelines for the management of Dairy Effluent

Dairy effluent guidelines have been developed and endorsed by the dairy industry in conjunction with the Victorian State Government. These guidelines will ensure Victorian dairy farmers have access to information on recommended management practices and environmental responsibilities. These guidelines are an important tool for farmers, industry service providers and government agencies in understanding best practice for on-farm dairy effluent management. Effective on-farm management of dairy effluent, and the potential re-use of this valuable nutrient source, is an important undertaking for all dairy farmers across Australia.

A copy of the guidelines are available here:

Management of dairy effluent 2008 DairyGains Victorian Guidelines. (PDF 782KB)

Further information

See the links below to the other external websites for further information about effluent management and effluent system design providers.

Effluent Management Tools and Information

• DairySAT (Effluent Management)
• Dairying for Tomorrow (Effluent and Nutrients)
• Effluent and Manure Management Database for the Australian Dairy Industry
• Effluent System Design Service Provider Contact List
  

Best Practice Effluent Management

• Accounting4Nutrients
• DairySAT webpage