Why is Victoria considered an important dairying state?

Victoria is considered Australia’s preeminent dairying state due to its favorable climate and strategic agricultural practices. The state’s success in this sector is largely driven by the Gippsland Plains, where plentiful winter rainfall and mild summers create ideal conditions for dairy farming, resulting in significant yields of milk and cheese.1

Beyond Gippsland, dairying is a core component of the state's agricultural industry, supported by irrigation and varied soils in regions east of the Loddon River, as well as specific areas in the western southern plains near towns such as Colac, Camperdown, and Koroit.1

While the industry has undergone significant structural changes—including deregulation in 2000 that encouraged a shift toward larger farms, agribusiness, and the consolidation of processing into major cooperative and multinational establishments—dairying remains a pillar of Victoria's economy. These dairy operations, alongside the production of cattle, calves, and wool, form the foundation of the state's agricultural sector.12