Recently elected supplier directors are urging dairy farmers to stick with Murray Goulburn.
Supplier meetings held across the south-west this week highlighted a “profound disillusionment” still present among dairy farmers following the milk price cuts and clawbacks.
Hawkesdale farmer Lisa Dwyer said the feeling was understandable.
“The big challenge now is to find the things we need to be doing to be more future focused,” she said.
Ms Dwyer said the Camperdown, Koroit and Heywood meetings were well attended with suppliers encouraged to have their say.
“Murray Goulburn are making a genuine effort to listen to the concerns of farmers and provide more timely information,” she said.
“They have acknowledged the imperative to have good and open supplier communication.”
The meetings followed an announcement made by chairman Philip Tracy on Monday, September 5, notifying its suppliers of an intent to review the milk supply support package (clawback).
Ms Dwyer said it was a positive step forward.
"It’s evident to the company there are weaknesses within the support package arrangement,” she said. “They assured suppliers they were addressing the weaknesses as a priority issue.”
Koroit dairy farmer Harper Kilpatrick stressed that anyone thinking of leaving should “think twice”.
“It’s important to remember the opening price isn’t the closing price,” he said.
“My interpretation is the company is reviewing what they can do to get the milk price up as quickly as possible – reviewing the (support package) and paying a step-up when they are confident the market can deliver on it.”
Mr Kilpatrick said there were mixed feelings at the meetings with many suppliers still “concerned” but wanting to stay with the company.
“The majority of suppliers recognise the need and benefit of a co-op,” he said. “The industry needs a strong Murray Goulburn.”
Bullaharre supplier Craig Dwyer said while dairy farmers were looking to move forward they wanted to see a very quick improvement.
“The milk price isn’t sustainable for most suppliers,” he said. “There is a need to rebuild confidence, get the milk price back up and to retain as much supply as possible.”
United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Adam Jenkins welcomed the announcement made by Murray Goulburn on Monday.
”The (supply package) caused inequity and angst,” he said. “This is one step forward… they’re listening to their suppliers.”
