History
From humble beginnings, dairy farming in Australia has grown into the vibrant, innovative and successful national industry that we know today – one that contributes billions of dollars to Australia’s economy.
Let’s rewind.
Dairy cows first arrived in Australia in 1788, when the First Fleet landed in New South Wales. Two bulls and seven cows made the long trip from England and escaped into the nearby bushland not long after they arrived!
The nine animals survived, however and after six years they’d become a herd of 61.
Australia’s first dairy farmers adapted quickly to their new environment, making butter and cheese during spring and summer – when cows produce most milk – and preserving these products with salt for autumn and winter.
The dairy industry quickly grew. By 1800, through breeding and importing, Australia had a population of 322 bulls and 712 cows.
In 1805 Dr John Harris built Sydney’s first commercial dairy in what’s now inner-suburban Ultimo, while the Van Diemen’s Land Company established Australia’s first commercial cheese factory in Tasmania in the 1820s. Not long after, farmers from the NSW district of Illawarra began to send their cheese and butter to Sydney by sea and as more ports opened, dairying extended all the way down to Bega in southern NSW.
In 1832, with two cows and two calves, John Fawkner arrived in what would become Melbourne. Ideal dairying conditions around Port Phillip Bay helped the herd to grow and within a year there were 155 cattle in the district. By 1850 there were 347,000.
In 1891 there were almost one million dairy cows in Australia. The gold rush brought thousands of people to Australia. With its collapse, many were offered government pastoral leases on the outskirts of inland towns and dairy farming continued to spread. By 1900 there was hardly an Australian township, even in the outback, that did not have its own fresh milk.
Timeline of dairy in Australia
Looking back to see how dairy has shaped Australia. Then, now and beyond!
1788
Seven dairy cows and two bulls first arrive to Australia in 1788 with the first fleet. After six years the initial herd of 9 grows to 61 cattle.
1800
Australian farmers adapted quickly to their new surroundings, learning how to make butter and cheese during spring and summer when the cows produce the most milk. They then preserved these products with salt through autumn and winter. Through breeding and importing, there are now 322 bulls and 712 cows in Australia.
1805-1820
Australia’s first commercial dairy was built by John Harris in Ultimo and the first commercial cheese factory was built by the Van Dieman’s Land Company in Tasmania.
1832
John Fawkner moved to Victoria with 2 cows and 2 calves and set up a dairy in Port Phillip Bay. A year later, helped by ideal dairying conditions in what is now Melbourne, he had 155 cattle.
Late 1800s
Advanced refrigeration techniques meant that the dairy industry could become more commercialised. As a result, farmers could increase their efficiencies and profitability. By this time, there are almost a million dairy cows in Australia. The industry is helped along by the collapse of the Gold Rush, when many were offered pastoral leases on the outskirts of inland towns.
1900
Dairy Farmers Co-Operative Milk Co is formed with 65 stakeholders, with the purpose of assisting farmers in marketing their milk and butter directly to consumers. By the turn of the century, almost all Australian townships have access to fresh milk even in the Outback.
1920s
Industry is regulated by the Dairy Produce Export Control Act which aimed to organise the export of Dairy products. In 1925 dairy farmers replace the doorstep milk jug with glass bottles.
1940-1970s
Free milk is available in over 500 metropolitan schools and milk was supplied to war soldiers and civilians in need. In 1970s Australia’s first low-fat milk was launched with the introduction of the Dairy Farmer’s ‘Hi-lo’ brand.
2013
The average size of a dairy herd rose from 85 in 1980 to today’s average of 258. There were more than 6400 dairy farms across the country.
Today
The Australian dairy industry has become Australia’s third largest rural industry. There are over 31,300 people employed on dairy farms and by dairy companies. The industry also provides jobs in transport, distribution, farm services and research.
It’s important to know: there’s much more to dairy farming than milking cows. Farmers perform other duties including business management, monitoring paddocks, fixing machinery and breeding. Innovation is a key focus and new technologies such as robotic milking, genetics and sustainable farm practices, help farmers run a profitable business. There is now a national herd of 1.33 million cows across 3,889 dairy farms with an average herd size of 342 cows. How time flies!
The evolution of Aussie farms
From family-run to feeding the world
Many Australian farms started as small family subsistence farms that produced just enough food to support the family’s needs. These farms were typically handed down through the family.
As our population has grown, diets have changed and the demand for more food to be produced on less land has increased.
At the same time, the way Australians have farmed has also changed. Many small family farms have been replaced by commercial farms that feed entire communities in Australia and overseas. While some farms continue to be passed down through the family, business models have changed.
Farmers often hire skilled labour to assist with farm duties and in some cases choose to share-farm with other families to spread the responsibility of running the farm business. New technologies and farm systems also help farmers to manage their business more efficiently, cost-effectively and sustainably, leading to greater lifestyle benefits—most notably, better balance.