As Australia’s dairy sector braces for a tough season marked by drought and heightened bushfire risk, a new insurance initiative has been rolled out to help farmers navigate financial uncertainty.
Dairy Protect by Breakwater Insurance Brokers is targeting the specific needs of dairy farms in western Victoria and regional South Australia. The launch coincides with the release of the Winter 2025 Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, which warns of increased fire danger across key dairy-producing regions.
“Dairy farmers are facing immense financial stress and uncertainty, and insurance can often feel like another pressure and drain on resources. We want to give dairy farmers more control over their insurance, and make sure that their cover is working for them – not just ticking a box,” Dairy Protect managing director Gabrielle Tosca said.
Unlike generalised insurance offerings, Dairy Protect focuses exclusively on the dairy sector, offering tailored advice on policies ranging from farm pack and machinery breakdown to business interruption and drought-related risks. The brokerage operates with a hand-picked panel of insurers and provides farmers with strategic guidance rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
The brokerage is also offering no-obligation policy reviews and consultations aimed at helping farmers reassess their risk management strategies amid worsening climate conditions.
Toscan said this support was particularly important as farms consider reducing costs in response to external pressures: “It can be tempting during tough times to view insurance as an expense to trim – but this approach can leave farms dangerously exposed when they can least afford a setback.”
In addition to broking services, Dairy Protect also assists with claims and provides advocacy to ensure farmers are supported when incidents occur.
Drawing on Breakwater’s decades of experience in rural insurance, Dairy Protect is positioning itself as a specialist partner for modern dairy operations.
“Our team has extensive knowledge of the unique risks and needs of modern dairy operations. Especially in a drought, we want our farmers to know they have options, and that they have brokers who will stand with them,” Toscan said, describing Dairy Protect as “a fresh, farmer-focused approach to insurance broking.”
