WIMMERA farming leader David Jochinke believes residents can support the nation’s dairy farmers despite a lack of direct connection to the milk industry.
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Milk processors Murray Goulburn and Fonterra announced price cuts three weeks ago, leaving farmers reeling.
The price revision retrospectively slashed 2015-16 southern farm-gate payments from $5.60 a kilogram to $4.75 a kilogram.
Mr Jochinke, the Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president and a Murra Warra farmer, said Wimmera people could help farmers in three ways.
“The first is through simply buying milk, because it helps anyone in the domestic milk market get better value for their produce, and it helps farmers' bottom lines,” he said.
“If people in our region do know anyone in the dairy community, it's a good time to touch base and let them know they're thinking of them.
“It’s a trying time for many, and a phone call can offer a lot of support and make a difference to keep their chin up.
“We also need to make sure people think about agriculture in the positive light it should be thought of.
“This issue has been purely created by a company reversing a decision they made earlier, in setting a milk price and not reviewing it.
“The world is awash with milk, but that doesn't mean agriculture is down and out.
“This is very cyclical. We haven't seen this magnitude before, but we'll work our way through this.”