AFTER a challenging period for the industry, South East dairy farmers will join their peers across the country in banding together to create a brighter future for the sector.
Farmers, processors, service providers and stakeholders will unite tomorrow as part of national consultation on the Australian Dairy Plan.
With industry insiders claiming dairy farming is at a “cross roads” due to increased market volatility, the drought and price step downs, the workshops aim to bring together different segments to contribute to the Australia-wide industry roadmap.
Dairy Australia board director and South East dairy farmer James Mann said the plan was an opportunity for people involved in the industry to come together and start a conversation about the future.
“We’re looking to know who’s going to do what, what people are doing individually and what needs to be shared,” he said.
“There’s always room for improvement in the agriculture and dairy business – we’re constantly changing and looking for new ideas.
“We do not want to influence people or tell them what they do and do not need, it’s up to them to do that for us.”
On a home front, Mr Mann said the Limestone Coast has a vibrant dairy industry.
“We have the ingredients to allow that to continue with our natural resources,” he said.
“We’re very lucky here in the South East but it is still important to shape the national agenda as well as our own.”
The industry has been through a tumultuous period over the past five to 10 years according to Mr Mann, but advocacy and awareness has brought these issues to light.
“It is fair to say we have had a rough go of it in the industry,” he said.
“Dairy prices are just one of the struggles we have been facing during this period, but with the general public’s support we have been able to see a small but influential change.
“These are the kind of things we want to see happen in our sector – positive change – so I think if we grouped together as a 5000 or so strong population of dairy industry professionals we can make things happen.
“I think this plan will set the tone and we can go onward and upward form here.”
South Australian Dairyfarmers Association president John Hunt said everything was on the table for those attending the event.
“If you think milk has to be orange in order to sell, we want to know,” he said.
“Nothing is off limits – we want to know if we’re on the right track and if we are doing what people think is best.
“People are always saying the things they would do differently or what they would change, now is the chance to do that.”
Mr Hunt said over 1000 industry members had attended events across the country with more registering their interest every day.
“More than 100 people have already confirmed for our two South Australia events this week in Mount Gambier and Mount Barker,” he said.
“There is less than 300 farmers in South Australia so those are already pretty good numbers.
“I hope people express exactly what they want to see and we can look forward to a future of positive changes for the industry.”
