Impacts of changing water price and availability on irrigated dairy farms in northern Victoria

Abstract

In northern Victoria, the dairy industry is a major user of water and is under increasing scrutiny from the perspective of the ecological sustainability of farm and catchment systems. Changes in irrigation water price, availability and policy will impact on the profitability of dairy farms and lead to changes in farming systems. A 'water reliant' case study farm was used to examine the impacts of changes in water price and availability on farm operating profit.