FARMERS from the Shoalhaven are considering an offer from Australia’s largest dairy company after attending a meeting at the Bomaderry Bowling Club on Thursday.
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Devondale/Murray Goulburn Co-operative (MG) discussed plans for its new milk processing facility and future milk supply with local dairy service providers and farmers.
Dairy Connect Consultant CEO Mick Logan said the approach interested dairy farmers.
“They want to know if this is an opportunity or a threat,” said Mr Logan.
Media were not permitted to join the meeting but after it farmers were happy to share their thoughts on the information given by Devondale /Murray Goulburn.
Col Walsh, a dairy farmer from Jaspers Brush, said he was very interested and would be looking into what MG had to offer if the price was right.
“They said that they would give us the market value…I’m hoping they can offer more.
“They are offering a 10-year contract with Coles, so it could be good for famers to sign a 10-year contract,” said Mr Walsh.
Mr Walsh had concerns about supermarkets and the milk price war and said he felt it had taken money out of the industry.
“Farmers are now sceptical about partnerships with big companies like Coles and Woolworths,” Mr Walsh said.
Robert Cochrane, a farmer from Kangaroo Valley, said the meeting was proactive.
“Farmers are a sensible and practical group of people who are looking for a much better price [for milk] because of the damage done by supermarkets.
“There is such tension now from farmers and the general public, who are annoyed by the supermarkets and what they have done to our local farmers and the agricultural industry in general,” said Mr Cochrane.
The Devondale/MG processing plants will be built in Sydney and Melbourne following the finalisation of a 10 year contract with Coles and are scheduled to start operation on July 1, 2014.