Concern over 'viability' of dairy farms and milk supplies as Australian bushfires spread

Warning fresh milk supply could be curbed as East Gippsland in Victoria and NSW south coast brace for fires

Dairy farmers were racing to shore up supplies of fodder and fuel on Friday as they prepared for a hot weekend that could see the return of fires that have already ravaged much of Australia's east coast.

Two key dairy areas, East Gippsland in Victoria and the New South Wales south coast, were heavily burned during fires over the new year, adding to the woes of an industry already suffering from a crippling drought and persistently low milk prices.