Working together to support farmers

The DILG brings together a wide range of organisations that work collaboratively behind-the-scenes with its members delivering their respective services.

The long-standing and strong relationship between DILG members ensure comprehensive support is available to dairy farmers in challenging times.

Since the DILG was formed it has supported the industry through COVID-19, fires, floods and previous extended dry periods.

The DILG members include the dairy farmer representative bodies (Dairy Farmers Victoria and United Dairyfarmers of Victoria), Agriculture Victoria, Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West, WestVic Dairy, milk processors, local government, relevant Commonwealth government agencies and local health care services.

The collective approach ensures that support efforts are well-informed and responsive to the evolving needs of the dairy community.

DILG chair and Colac dairy farmer Mark Billing said the strength of the group lay in its regular communication and shared commitment to see the region’s dairy industry thrive.

“Members provide invaluable updates on the needs of farmers and how the broader industry is travelling,” Mark said.

“With that local information, our representative bodies have been able to seek government funding for support in the region.

“While we welcomed the recent expansions to the Victorian Government’s drought package, the region continues to seek additional assistance.”

Several DILG members also sit on the South West Drought Co-Ordination group, led by Agriculture Victoria, which works across all agricultural sectors in the region to provide drought relief.

These groups receive good support from the local business community as the drought continues to impact others in the supply chain.

Dairy is a key driver of the regional economy and remains the dominant industry in the region, producing 22 per cent of the nation’s milk, worth $1.3 billion at the farm gate.

Dairy Australia regional manager Lindsay Ferguson said his team had now shifted from delivering group workshops to providing personalised support.

“Our team is now visiting farmers one-on-one, delivering a drought resource information pack and providing a listening ear,” Lindsay said.

“The pack includes practical technical information to assist with decision-making, as well as contact details for health and wellbeing support.

“Our staff are able to refer farmers to specialist advisors or simply act as a sounding board.

“It’s important that farmers liaise with their key business partners, such as banker, milk processor, nutritionist and agronomist to help plan the way through.

“Once a plan is in place, most people find their levels of stress reduce significantly.”

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For more stories on the ongoing drought situation in southern Victoria, go to: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au