Dairy industry organizations, universities and government agencies are variously involved in embedding web-based, standardized farm business performance systems in the Australian and New Zealand industries. The spectrum of involvement prompts an exploration of demand drivers and expectations of benefits, public and private. Inclusion of South Australian dairy businesses in a web data system as part of implementing the South Australian dairy industry strategic plan is discussed as an example where public and private benefits are expected. To the extent that adoption of the web as a data management platform is an aid to dialogue in the public-private partnership of industry development more detailed research about the systems and their benefits to stakeholders is merited.