Are sustainable practices used on a dairy farm?
All dairy farms are unique and operate in different ways. However, the Australian dairy industry has together made a commitment to ensuring a sustainable future and has set goals and targets to drive improvement and practice change where necessary, including on the farm.
Last updated 31/01/2025
Australian dairy's sustainability commitments include ensuring best care for all our animals; reducing our environmental impact; providing nutritious and safe products; and creating a rewarding livelihood for those that work in the industry.
The Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework allows us to measure and publicly report against these commitments. This supports continuous improvement and practice change where necessary, across the whole supply chain.
Below are examples of some of the sustainability practices being used on dairy farms to deliver to these commitments:
- adding solar panels to the dairy to reduce the farm’s carbon footprint
- fencing-off waterways to improve water quality
- recycling water from dairy sheds
- having cooling facilities and shade options for cows in hot climates
- planting trees
- safeguarding a portion of land for conservation and biodiversity
- capturing effluent (liquid waste) in the dairy to use as liquid fertiliser and compost on the pastures.
Learn more about sustainable practices in the dairy industry (including case studies) and Australian dairy's sustainability goals and targets here:
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