DPIRD's role in dairy
To keep our industry resilient, The NSW Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development (DPIRD) Dairy Unit is responsible for programs, information and administration that relates to the state’s dairy industry.
We also provide support and resources for industry to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and natural disasters.
Working alongside dairy producers, processing facilities, and service providers, we deliver research, development and adoption programs that support a profitable, resilient, and sustainable NSW dairy industry.
The Dairy Unit’s primary focus is on farm business management, innovation, technology and industry sustainability. The team also supports policy development, risk management and emergency response. This is guided by our dairy unit strategy, which provides clear ambition and direction for a successful and profitable sector.
Dairy Unit Strategy
The NSW DPIRD Dairy Unit’s purpose is to deliver research, development and adoption programs that support a profitable, resilient and sustainable NSW dairy industry.
Dairy Industry Action Plan
The NSW Government is committed to supporting the dairy industry in NSW, and this Action Plan outlines how industry and government will play a role in implementation.
DPIRD Strategic Plan
The NSW DPIRD plays a key role creating stronger primary industries in NSW and this Strategy outlines the six Strategic Outcomes that are a focus to achieve this.
To support and reinforce this, we deliver a range of programs and provide information on a host of issues facing dairy industry stakeholders. This work can be split into three categories:
Supporting dairy businesses
To fulfil our role in maintaining a strong, profitable dairy industry in NSW, the Dairy Unit delivers a range of programs that are designed to foster a business management culture across our sector.
- Business management resources
Access training and tools to help you manage a successful, best-practice dairy business. - Performance and benchmarking
Through programs such as the Dairy Farm Monitor Project (DFMP), annual farm and industry performance data and results are available to compare to your own, helping you better understand the performance of your business. - Events and training
Providing opportunities for people across the sector to connect through webinars and training events. - The Business of Dairy Podcast
A series of short interviews and conversations with dairy farm owners, business operators, and service providers about managing a successful dairy business.
Adapt and develop
If you are establishing a new dairy farm, or enhancing an existing facility, we provide guidelines, information, training, webinars, and resources to help you.
Whether it’s applying for new buildings, considering a change to your farm system, adapting to changes in the climate, or obtaining a carbon plan to understand your farm emissions – the Dairy Unit is ready to assist.
Emergencies and risk management
Business in agriculture can be unpredictable; through preparation and prevention we can build resilience.
Over past decades the NSW dairy industry has experienced flooding, drought, bushfires, a global pandemic, and also experienced biosecurity risks - the Dairy Unit’s role is to help businesses prepare for these events, minimise risk and reduce the impact.
One of the ways the team does this is providing access to an extensive set of resources, support tools and checklists to help you prepare and protect your business.