There’s been cautious backing from dairy farmers to State government plans to increase its industry support package.
Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford said the government would boost its original $4.5million package to $6.7m, in line with community feedback.
Ms Pulford said the focus was firmly on improving support for young families, whilst offering retraining to those who wanted to leave the sector.
United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Adam Jenkins said the package was welcome, and his organisation had been working very closely with the government in directing where the support was most needed.
“This is only a small part of a big burden that’s been borne by the industry, through the price drop and the clawback,” Mr Jenkins said.
“At the same time we welcome any support in these areas.”
He said the industry needed to keep applying pressure to ensure the mid-season milk price cut and claw back didn’t happen again.
The government first announced a support package in May, after price cuts by processors.
“You can’t have this happening again, in another short period of time – confidence and trust needs to be restored,” Mr Jenkins said.
He said as cost inputs came back, the future was looking better for the industry, but the coming spring would be critical.
Mead dairy farmer Diane Bowles said she was out looking for cows, to improve her herd.
“I welcome any support and hope it will be easy to obtain,” Ms Bowles said.
“I am very pleased they seem to have a focus on younger families and hope all age brackets of dairy farmers are catered for.”
She said there were opportunities for farmers, if they were in a position to take them.
The season was looking more positive and water and grain prices were likely to drop.
“I’ll be doing my numbers on tough figures and see where we land.”
Gippsland farmer Bec Casey said while she welcomed the support, her concern was who would be eligible for support.
“That’s what I am finding is hardest – if you do run a good business, you are not getting anything,” Ms Casey said.
She called for more information, about eligibility, to be released.
“The financial counselling is good, if you can get onto it – but it all comes down to who is eligible.”
Fleyas Holstein’s Jessa Fleming, Portland, said she was looking forward to more support, in the future, from the government.
"Any package, any attention from the government is a fantastic starting point to this huge issue,” Ms Fleming said.
Ms Pulford said the increased package would include $1.8 million in Dairy Development Grants, as well as a further $340,000 for Rural Financial Counselling Services.
Education, TAFE subsidies and rural kindergarten grants were also key features.
The total package was now worth $13.5m, which includes mental health and wellbeing support, and on-farm business assistance.
The dairy industry has also contributed $5.2 million.
