Dairy choice
“We are a ray of sunshine and positivity at a time when the industry is in a dark place.”
Market volatility and future sustainability of the dairy industry are questions that most West Gippsland dairy farmers have embraced since April’s milk price crash. But two locals passionate about the industry have taken on a challenge they hope will give farmers the power to make a difference. Gippsland’s first locally produced milk “Gippsland Jersey” will be launched next month and already its founders have been overcome by consumer and farmer support. Jindivick dairy farmer Steve Ronalds is a fifth generation dairy farmer but knows only too well the industry’s volatility and emotional and physical struggles. With a dairy farm upbringing, Sallie Jones of Warragul 10 years ago helped her Lakes Entrance dairy farmer father launch his raw milk brand Aphrodite Dairy. Steve and Sallie have now put their heads together to provide an alternative to Gippsland Jersey farmers who want to move away from the big name producers. “We are a ray of sunshine and positivity at a time when the industry is in a dark place. “We want to inspire other farmers to think outside the square… farmers have the power, they can control the price in an ideal world,” Sallie said. In November last year, Steve suffered an horrific motorbike accident that forced him out of the dairy, leaving the hands-on farm work to a sharefarmer and other staff. At Easter, Steve, his wife Bec and their children were holidaying in New South Wales when they discovered Jersey milk in cafes and shops. Steve’s mind began ticking over. Only weeks later he was talking to Sallie about putting their heads together to develop a Gippsland milk brand. Hesitant at first, the Murray Goulburn price crash at the end of April inspired them both to take the leap. “There was no Gippsland farmer owned milk. People were asking me at the Warragul Farmers Market how do we buy and support Gippsland farmers.
Sallie was grieving the death of her father and says Gippsland Jersey became an “honour project” for her.
“As part of my grief process, I told Steve I was ready to take on this project because I knew dad would be supporting the farmers and having a crack.
Steve, a Burra Foods supplier, was not impacted like other Murray Goulburn and Fonterra dairy farmers but was keen to put Gippsland on the map.
“There was so much volatility in the industry and no farmer owned brand in Gippsland.
“There are other farmer owned brands that are doing well but Gippsland is one of the premier dairying areas in the country and had nothing.
Steve’s 450 cow herd will now be the primary source of milk when Gippsland Jersey milk is released next month.
The goal is to bring other farmers on board and there has already been plenty of interest.
Steve and Sallie are finalising negotiations with a company to produce the milk.
“We wanted a 100 per cent family owned company that suits our brand,” she said.
The milk, available in full cream and light varieties, will be fully pasteurised and homogenised. While it will be slightly more expensive than other companies, Sallie assured it would be family affordable.
And part of the appeal of Gippsland Jersey will be not only supporting farmers who supply the milk, but a portion of the profits will go back to the Gippsland farming community.
She said they wanted to support the mental and emotional wellbeing of dairy farmers who may be struggling.
“It won’t be massive, just small differences in people’s lives. It might be paying for a hotel room and relief milker for a couple to get away for a weekend.
“We want to be able to look after people and make a difference in the industry. We are relying on people power,” Sallie said.