Dairy cattle production

Get advice to keep dairy cattle healthy and productive in these pages from Local Land Services NSW.

decorative

The NSW dairy industry is the second largest in Australia. It’s a major contributor to the state’s agricultural economy and has adapted over time to challenges like climate variability, changing milk prices, and technological advances. 

Local Land Services and NSW Agriculture and Biosecurity can help you access practical advice and connect with programs that support healthy herds and profitable dairy businesses.

Managing dairy cattle production

Running a dairy cattle enterprise in NSW means balancing productivity, animal welfare, and sustainability. Key things to remember include monitoring herd health, managing nutrition and pastures, planning for climate impacts, and staying on top of biosecurity and disease prevention.

Dairy unit NSW

Central hub for dairy industry sustainability, performance, and emergency recovery.

NSW dairy industry overview

NSW produces over 1 billion litres of milk annually.

Dairy business analysis and tools

Dairy specific tools that have been developed by the dairy industry for farmers.

Livestock health and diseases

Selling and moving livestock

Biosecurity

Case studies

Image

An aerial view of dairy cattle in two yards alongside a shed with solar panels

Jellat dairy pasture trial

Innovative nutrient management trial to identify fertilisers that may improve nutrient use efficiency on dairy pastures. 

Image

Black and white cows stand in a cattle race while floodwaters rise up to their knees.

Supporting dairy farmers through flood recovery

Local Land Services provided support to the most impacted dairy farmers in the North Coast and Hunter regions.

Image

Two dairy farmers stand in a paddock full of black and white dairy cows.

North Coast dairy farmers' support program

The Early Needs Recovery Program funded personalised one-on-one consulting services for North Coast dairy farmers.

Image

Milking machines are hooked up to the teats of dairy cow udders as they stand for milking.

Managing mastitis and lameness - Bega Valley

Funding from Local Land Services' Early Needs Recovery Program helped to identify cows with highly contagious mastitis.

How we can help

Two individuals wearing wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts, standing outdoors on a dirt path with trees in the background.

Local Land Services work in partnership with dairy farmers and farming groups to provide support, advice and best-practice examples to increase productivity and profitability.

We can assist you with:

For more information on dairy cattle in NSW, visit Dairy Australia.

Latest Local Land Services updates

Media release

Producers: plan ahead for a stress-free festive season

With the countdown on to Christmas, Local Land Services is reminding landholders that a bit of pre-Christmas planning could take a number of stresses away this festive season.
Media release

Plan to protect livestock during bushfire season

Local Land Services is urging farmers and animal owners to include livestock and pets in their bushfire planning.
Media release

Producers urged to inspect lucerne for cowpea aphids

The NSW Government's Local Land Services is urging producers across the Monaro region to inspect their lucerne for cowpea aphid infestations, following increasing reports of the pest impacting pastures and livestock health. 
Media release

Producers urged to get ahead of the carbon curve

Hunter region red meat producers are being encouraged to take a proactive step into the carbon space, with Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Carbon EDGE workshop coming to Singleton on 19-20 November 2025.
Media release

North Coast cattle producers urged to monitor for liver fluke

North Coast Local Land Services District Veterinarians are reminding cattle producers to be on alert for liver fluke, following recent testing that has revealed significant cases of the parasite causing ill thrift in local herds. Liver fluke is a costly parasite that reduces productivity and animal health, and timely treatment is critical to break the cycle and reduce pasture contamination.

Contact Local Land Services NSW

Our team welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments.  Contact our team

Find your nearest LLS office

Our website is in the final stages of migrating to nsw.gov.au.  
Use the search function to find the information or resources you need.

Phone:1300 795 299
Top of page