Victorian floods 2022: Dairy farmers forced to dump milk

Floodwaters present a persistent problem for milk tankers, forcing some farmers to pour milk down the drain daily.

Milk is being poured down drains across northern Victoria and the Riverina as floodwaters frustrate motorists.

Tankers are unable to collect milk from a number of regions still grappling with the floods, as the Bureau of Meteorology warned today that more rain was on the way.

NSW Farmers dairy committee chairman Colin Thompson said he was one of a number of farmers forced to pour milk down the drain.

“I’m having to dump milk because my place is completely cut off, and I’m not the only one,” Mr Thompson said.

“It’s already been a terrible time for farmers, and this extra drenching is just exacerbating the problem with power outages, cuts to phone service and roads closed or seriously damaged.

“This is a continuation of challenging times for the NSW fresh milk supply – just as our coastal farmers start to recover the inland farmers are now feeling the pain.”

Although the heavy rain has cleared, the Bureau of Meteorology warned, and comparatively dry, settled conditions are expected until at least Friday, flood impacts were ongoing.

Major flood warnings are in place for the Barwon and Darling Rivers, Macquarie River, Lachlan River, Murrumbidgee River, Murray River, Bogan River, Macintyre River, Namoi River, Narran River, Belubula River, Castlereagh River.

United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Mark Billing said flooding represented a case-by-case problem for individual primary producers.

“Some farmers are operating okay, have road access, while others are completely cut off,” he said.

“A number have been forced to pour milk down the drain, with access being restricted for milk tankers. It’s the only thing you can do in that situation.”