QUESTIONS flowed at the Murray Goulburn Co-operative milk suppliers meeting at Taree racecourse on Wednesday, May 18. Close to 100 people attended, some travelling as far as Manilla, near Tamworth.
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The meeting was held to deliver a business outlook, trading update and to brief suppliers on whether the recently announced April milk price cut will affect the northern region milk pool. The northern milk pool takes into account the 165 Murray Goulburn suppliers in the NSW-Sydney market region and about 50 suppliers in the Manning Valley.
In a statement to the Manning River Times, a Murray Goulburn spokesperson explained, "Recent farmgate milk price announcements apply to the southern region milk pool (Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania) only." Those announcements, being a severe drop in price paid for milk, made national news earlier this week.
"Milk pricing in Murray Goulburn's NSW-Sydney market remains unchanged and is confirmed until June 30, 2016. As normal, farmgate prices for the coming season in all regions will be reviewed at the board meeting in June and released in due course."
At the Taree meeting Murray Goulburn was represented by deputy chairman Ken Jones and executive general manager supplier relations Robert Poole as well as members of the local field services team.
The representatives discussed the downturn in global dairy markets and the outlook for next year. At the end of the briefing suppliers asked questions, ranging from details on pricing structures, to the need to make a clear distinction between the Victorian and NSW market as well as the influence of the media and social media on the issue.
Following the briefing Stroud farmer Rod Williams said he wanted to hear the message first hand from the co-operative rather than rely on media reports.
"It is an emotive issue, and when emotion is involved people jump on to it, no matter if it's misinformed, but it doesn't help the industry if it's not correct," Rod said.
Rod said his feelings remained the same before and after the meeting. "We will be affected, just not to the same extent. Clearly our hearts must go out to the Victorian farmers."
"Clearly our hearts must go out to the Victorian farmers."
- Rod Williams, Stroud farmer.
Manilla farmer Rob Cooper said he did feel fairly negative prior to the briefing, but his angst dissipated when listening to the information.
"It's nothing new, dairying goes in cycles. It can be up and down," he said.
Vernon and Nicole Brown, and their sons Adrian and Aaron of Wingham, were some of the many suppliers who asked further questions of the representatives following the briefing.
Vernon said prior to the briefing, he didn't fully understand the emails that were being sent from Murray Goulburn, and was relieved to now be informed.
Vernon's son Aaron, who along with Adrian are fifth generation dairy farmers, said there was a lot of "misformation" which gave them "serious doubts."
"It's a relief, it's our future and I hope to raise my kids there one day."
The Browns have farmed on The Bight in Wingham since 1855.
The suppliers' meeting was one of three meetings being carried out in New South Wales this week, with others held in Singleton and Gerroa.
