Australia takes pride in the high-quality produce farmers offer for everyone.

For those who can't start the day without a cuppa, Australia may have to adjust their coffee's flavours soon.

Recent devastating floods across northern New South Wales have left the dairy industry reeling.

Fences, machinery, and vital infrastructure in making milk have been destroyed.

The extent of the damage made it nearly impossible for farmers to keep their operations running.

Milk producers face struggles when it comes to production due to the recent flooding. Image Credit: Pexels/Daniel & Hannah Snipes

Throughout the floods, The Manning River rose to record levels.

Rushing waters washed away livestock and left many farmers on the Belmore River describing the situation as 'diabolic'.

Eric Danzi, the Chief Executive of EastAusmilk, did not mince words in a recent interview.

'There is going to be a real shortage of milk and products,' Mr Danzi stated.

'How that plays through to consumers, I don't know.'

However, it's not just the floods that cause headaches for farmers.

Ex-Cyclone Alfred battered northern NSW earlier this year.

On the other hand, South Australia and Victoria have been experiencing droughts.

This triple whammy means a massive reduction in milk production across the country.

Many farmers have returned to their properties only to find empty paddocks, and damage bills could easily top half a million dollars.

NSW Farmers' president, Xavier Martin, urged affected farmers not to 'fight floods alone'.

While he acknowledged that farmers did everything they could to prepare, the sheer scale of the disaster left many in dire straits.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently visited the flood-ravaged mid-north coast and warned Aussies that the damage could have an impact nationwide.

'While there are people who are directly affected here, every Australian is affected as well by the fact that we've had a loss of dairy industries that will have an impact right throughout Australia,' PM Albanese said.

The country faced the same predicament with milk shortage about two years ago.

Watch this story from October 2022:

Source: 10 News First/YouTube​

So, what does this mean for seniors' weekly shops?

Expect to see milk prices rise, with their favourite brands becoming more elusive.

The shortage could also affect other dairy products like cheese, yoghurt, and butter.

While Aussies cannot control the weather, there are ways seniors could support farmers during this tough time:

• Buy Australian: Choose locally produced milk and dairy products to support our farmers directly.
• Don't panic buy: Stocking up unnecessarily can make shortages worse for everyone.
• Stay informed: Keep an eye on updates from your local supermarket and the news so you know what to expect.
• Support relief efforts: If you're able, consider donating to organisations helping affected farmers get back on their feet.

Key Takeaways

• Aussies have been warned of an upcoming milk shortage and potential price increases due to devastating floods across northern NSW.
• Dairy farmers have suffered massive losses, with entire herds washed away and millions of dollars worth of property and equipment damaged.
• The floods, combined with ex-Cyclone Alfred and drought conditions, could cause a significant drop in milk production nationwide.
• Authorities and industry leaders urged affected farmers to seek help, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirming the impact will be felt by all Australians.

Have you seen milk prices creeping up recently, or have you spotted empty shelves where your favourite dairy products used to be? Share your thoughts about this dairy debacle in the comments section below.

 

[Andrew]

Of course people will panic buy milk in the same way they did with toilet paper. Supermarkets and other outlets should apply limits sooner rather than later.

 

[SGH]

You know what after growing up with our own cows, I feel sorry for the dairy farmers but also for the surviving livestock that are struggling by not being milked because it not only puts them in horrendous pain, but stops their milk cycle. A farmer will have to decide whether or not to allow another calving or send these poor cows to the abattoirs.

 

[Phantom36]

I am sure we all would pay more to help the dairy farmers out, if they actually got an increase in their base price. All farmers are on contracts and it is very hard to get an increase on that contract. When the milk goes up we will ask at the farm gate just how much increase they got.

 

[SGH]

I am sure we all would pay more to help the dairy farmers out, if they actually got an increase in their base price. All farmers are on contracts and it is very hard to get an increase on that contract. When the milk goes up we will ask at the farm gate just how much increase they got.

You give by supplying feed to livestock, not to the Supermarkets who say they are supporting them.

 

[novezar]

It's all down to the sheer resilience shown by the dairy farmers virtually through all hell how they survive after these horrifying floods to carry on.

It's a game they know only too well how to manage do it & carry on.

I take my hat off to them for their arduous hard work.

 

[7777]

Mother nature can be beautiful, but in this instance, mother nature showed no sympathy. Floods and cyclones have taken their toll on our most hard working farmers in our country.
This is where our prime minister Anthony Albanese can do so much to help our farmers, in every possible way, to help replace all that has been damaged and lost by the floods.
I can recall when there was a milk shortage during COVID times. The milk shelves would be empty by mid morning. To get through these times of shortage, and help my elderly parents, I purchased milk in powder form. Amazingly, not many people opted for this choice, but with the right consistency of milk powder and warm water, the flavour was just right. So, purchasing an emergency packet of powderd milk now, would come good for your morning tea or coffee, should milk shelves go dry.
May strength be with our farmers and may they receive all the help they need to recover as best as possible.