Northern Victoria could be set to become the camel milk capital of Australia with a third camel farm proposed for Girgarre East.
The application would see dairy company Ausnutria build a 296 ha camel milk farm and processing plant with up to 900 camels on the property as part of a three-stage plan.
Kyabram business Camel Milk Co Australia was established in the region six years ago, and recently won two major contracts for the supply of milk and milk powder within Australia.
The company plans to milk between 100 and 120 camels by December and expand further in the future.
Owners Megan and Chris Williams are expecting their busiest season ever.
Meanwhile at Rochester, Camilk is preparing to milk up to 150 in its herd this season.
Farm manager Simon Coussa said there were about 380 camels on the 84 ha property in Moreton Rd, Rochester.
The international company employs about five people at the Rochester farm, where they milk twice a day and process liquid milk for human consumption.
Asked about another farm opening in the region, Mr Coussa said he was not bothered by the news as there was a worldwide shortage of camel milk and another farm or two would not make much of a dent in that.
“Perhaps there could be some interest in getting a co-operative going or something like that,” Mr Coussa said.
Camilk has farms in the United Arab Emirates and is developing farms in North Carolina in the United States, and Morocco.