Latest news with #ElizaRedfern
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Experts warn that crucial farming sector could face tough year ahead: 'Nearly 70% of farmers affected'
Australian dairy farmers and consumers may be in for a rough rest of the year, as extreme weather conditions pose risks to livestock and production, while operating costs could cut into profits. Dairy Australia's Mid-Year Situation and Outlook report could spell bad news for dairy producers and the customers they serve. Extreme weather conditions projected over the remainder of 2025 are reportedly set to impact animals and reduce dairy yields. Meanwhile, increased operating costs and potential tariffs could have a significant impact on profits and trade. According to the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, the country "exports approximately 30 per cent of its milk production." This could be a case where climate-related issues end up intersecting with political matters to jeopardize industry functions, consumer access, and market dynamics. Even with trade uncertainty and expensive overhead, experts like Dairy Australia's analysis and insights manager, Eliza Redfern, insist that rising temperatures and their intensifying effects are a prime worry. As Redfern explained to Dairy News Australia, "climate remains the greatest concern, with nearly 70% of farmers affected by extreme weather." Farmers around the world are struggling to adapt to the rapid heating of the planet and the extreme weather events that result. Droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires can leave animals, plants, and soil systems parched. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall, flash floods, and cold snaps can rot roots and delay fruiting. If global temperatures continue to rise, we can expect significant threats to the food supply. Some crops — like wheat, rice, and corn — may be too difficult to grow at all. Coffee, olive oil, and champagne are already seeing related production challenges. And crop loss isn't just bad for business — it can be deadly. More than a billion people, many of them children, are currently facing food insecurity, suffering from malnutrition, or at risk of starvation. With less food, more people will go hungry. Farmers and researchers are studying sustainable farming strategies to shore up crop resilience, many of them drawing on Indigenous knowledge. Improving water management and irrigation while boosting crop resistance to drought, pests, and frost could strengthen global food systems. In the long term, it will take a large-scale reduction of heat-trapping pollution to avoid reaching the point of no return. But with an assortment of zero-emission power sources, we already have more than one lever to pull to make a mass transition to clean energy. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
WA dairy farmers remain reluctant to expand their business despite positive conditions in the upcoming season
WA dairy farmers remain reluctant to expand their business despite favourable weather conditions and forecasted higher farmgate prices and business profits for the upcoming season. Dairy Australia's 2025 national dairy farmer survey suggested improved seasonal conditions are contributing towards greater positivity about the future of the industry yet WA farmers remain cautious in the short-term. Similarly, Tasmania and Gippsland farmers remain positive but mindful, while in South Australia and Murray confidence in the industry's future and their own businesses have dropped significantly since 2024. New South Wales farmers are most optimistic about profitability, with many planning to make on-farm capital investments over the next two years and are more likely to make major investment decisions compared to other regions. Dairy Australia analysis and insights manager Eliza Redfern said extreme weather was the largest industry concern currently with 69 per cent of farmers affected by it. 'While the worst impacts have been in western Victoria and SA, at least half of all businesses in every dairy region have experienced some effects of extreme weather conditions,' she said. Industry is also facing higher operational costs and global headwinds that continue to impact profitability and decrease producer sentiment. With most WA milk going to the domestic market, the state is least likely to be impacted by trade and economic uncertainty. However, Rabobank's 2025/26 Australian dairy market outlook — released on May 28 — has noted an uncertain global backdrop could lead to a dampening of dairy demand locally and in Australia's export markets. Senior dairy analyst Michael Harvey said recent tariff measures introduced by the US administration have unsettled many international markets. 'While this is likely to see minimal direct disruption for Australia's dairy sector – given the local industry's product mix and market exposure – from a broader perspective, several key dairy trade flows remain under scrutiny,' he said. In terms of the domestic retail market, Dairy Australia's situation and outlook report — also released on May 28 — indicates dairy continues to perform well, supported by behaviour linked to inflation and emerging consumer trends. Ms Redfern said year-on-year milk was up 0.7 per cent, dairy spreads were up 3.3 per cent, cheese was up 4.2 per cent and yoghurt was up 8.4 per cent. 'Australia is on track to maintain a national milk pool of 8.3 billion litres this season,' she said. However, Ms Redfern said lingering climate impacts, margin pressures and a lower appetite for farm business growth may result in easing milk production for the 2025/26 season. 'Dairy Australia currently forecasts a 0-2% reduction in national milk production for next season, likely dropping to around 8.24 billion litres, however, it is a rapidly developing situation,' she said. In terms of WA, Ms Redfern said milk production has also been tracking down this season, despite favourable weather conditions. 'Both the dry conditions and cull cow backlogs from the 2023/24 season have been resolved, however the latter has left the state with a significantly smaller herd,' she said. 'There have been approximately eight farm exits this season, with all reportedly maintaining the same ownership but converting to beef as a hobby as part of their retirement plans. 'While the above has weighed on WA production this season, the state will likely maintain a milk pool between 300-350 million litres and will possibly do so again in the 2025-26 season, if weather remains favourable and farm exits slow.'
