Mr Taylor worked for the Australian Dairy Industry Council from the late 1980s and served as its chief executive officer from 1990 to 1992.
He steered the industry through both the Kerin Plan and the subsequent Crean Plan, which were early steps towards deregulation.
He returned to the industry as chair of the Gardiner Foundation from 2010 to 2015.
ADIC chair Rick Gladigau said Mr Taylor brought invaluable experience to the dairy industry from his time working as a senior public servant.
Mr Taylor held senior roles in the Victorian Department of Agriculture and Department of Natural Resources and Environment. He also served as secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
“Mike was a long-time stalwart and friend of the Australian dairy industry, and his knowledge and guidance will be missed by all,” Mr Gladigau said.
“Mike’s experience and ability to transcend the public and private sectors was highly valued by those who worked with him at ADIC.”
Mr Taylor was Murray-Darling Basin Authority chair at the beginning of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, resigning from the position in December 2010, just two months after the authority released the plan.
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