The typical Atherton Tableland dairy farm milks 220 cows each year, on a pasture area of 174 ha. On farms with irrigation, 20 ha are reseeded each year to annual ryegrass pastures during late autumn. Milk production averages 5200 L/cow, at 3.2% protein and 3.8 % fat (364 kg Total Solids per cow). Depending on the farming system, yields of 490 kg Total Solids per cow are possible. Typically cows calve throughout the year or in 2 or 3 batches, and heifers and dry cows are kept on the farm.
On average 2 family members and 0.5 of a paid employee, work the farm.
Main supplements are molasses and maize, both produced locally. A small number of farms use maize silage, often purchased off farm, but the area is unsuited to hay storage.
Typical economic benchmarks are 35 c/L milk price, 15.0 c/L feed costs, 20.5 c/L total variable costs, and equity of 75%.
Information for new milk producers
More detailed information on dairy farming, technology and financial performance is given at
The Queensland government website, with links to Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Department of Business Development, Safe Food Queensland and other departments is
On farms with irrigation, 20 ha are reseeded each year to annual ryegrass pastures during late autumn. Milk production averages 5200 L/cow, at 3.2% protein and 3.8 % fat (364 kg Total Solids per cow). Depending on the farming system, yields of 490 kg Total Solids per cow are possible. Typically cows calve throughout the year or in 2 or 3 batches, and heifers and dry cows are kept on the farm. 