According to Gloucester dairy farmer and Dairy Connect Farmers group president Graham Forbes, the dairy industry wants to know that the support provided over the past few months will continue.

"While the NSW dairy industry is okay at this stage, we want to make sure it remains viable as this crisis continues," Graham said.

During the height of the drought, supermarkets increased the price of milk for the consumer by 10 cents per litre, which was passed onto the producers - and still does today - while the government provided drought relief support. But Dairy Connect wants to ensure the industry isn't sidelined during the government's hand-out to small businesses.

As dairy is considered an essential service and with the panic buying that has occurred across the country, the product is still in high demand.

"There has been a drop in non-supermarket supply (café and restaurants) but the supermarket trade has been good," Graham explained.

But this current crisis has come in the wake of the worse drought in recorded history and an unprecedented bushfire season.

"Dairy farms are small businesses too and they're still suffering from years of drought and recent summer bushfires along with ongoing elevated levels in the costs of fodder and energy," Graham explained.

The dairy industry has been in negotiations with the Federal Government in regard to a Mandatory Dairy Code which, according to Graham, will help ensure the future of the industry in some respects, but the price per litre at the farm gate is still quite low.

Dairy Connect chief executive officer Shaughn Morgan said that while milk is still being collected, in many cases, the farmers are receiving prices below the cost of production.

"Dairy farming enterprises should be able to seek government assistance through the stimulus packages that have been announced during the current COVID-19 crisis. It would be useful if government support could be directly allocated to food and agriculture generally and to the dairy industry specifically," Shaughn said.

When it comes to other aspects of the agricultural industry, NSW Farmers has recently presented a stimulus package to the NSW Government in an effort to maintain its viability.

The proposed package includes funding for weed and pests control, fencing improvements, enhancement of on-farm energy infrastructure, improved accommodation options for casual labour and a job-rich investment in conservation and land management.

NSW Farmers president James Jackson said the NSW Government has committed to working with business in charting a path through these uncertain times.

"Government has stepped up with support packages provided to date but we think there are some real opportunities right now to provide specific stimulus measures to support agriculture, local food and fibre production and regional economic activity," James said.

One of the suggestions is to establish small scale processing plants close to growers to extend product freshness and shelf-life and support market expansion.

"For example, oyster farmers have seen a large drop in sales with COVID-19 restrictions impacting heavily on tourism and hospitality. That industry is now looking at freezing and bottling options to extend shelf life," James explained.

Already announced as part of the Federal Government support packages is an increase in the Farm Household Allowance which will be boosted by a Coronavirus Supplement of $550 a fortnight from April 27.

For more information about the government's business support visit business.gov.au/ or call 13 28 46.