Farmers should tell their stories
Dairy farmers are being urged to tell their stories of last year’s milk crisis at a series of forums this month by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
A forum for Gippsland farmers will be held on February 14 in Traralgon.
The United Dairyfarmers of Victoria welcomed the competition watchdog for reaching out to farmers as part of an inquiry into pricing and competitiveness across the dairy supply chain after a dramatic step-down in milk prices last April.
“This inquiry is an important step on the path to reforming the dairy industry so that we can make sure we don’t ever see a repeat of last year’s milk crisis,” UDV president Adam Jenkins said.
“It’s important to understand that these forums are separate to the inquiry being held into the conduct of milk processors and while it’s disappointing we haven’t had an outcome from that investigation, this is still a good opportunity for farmers to speak their minds about the milk crisis.”
The Commission previously said its investigation into the dairy sector would include: competition between milk processors; contracting practices; the availability of price and other market information; the effect of private label products, including pricing, on the industry; options for supply into global markets; and the key factors influencing the profitability of dairy farms.
Mr Jenkins said the UDV would contribute to the inquiry and urged others in the dairy industry to work together to solve issues currently affecting the sector.
“It’s vital that we uncover all the inefficiencies and inequities our dairy farmers face, and we agree an in-depth and independent inquiry will achieve a thorough and fair result,” he said
The forums are being run to help the ACCC with its report into the dairy sector, which is due to be handed down in November, while a separate Senate inquiry is also being waged into contractual fairness across the dairy supply chain.
Market report for 1st and 2nd February 2017 Wednesday Fat Sale 604 head. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 72 bulls, 546 cows
This week was back to the usual format, with both the Wednesday fat sale and the Thursday bull and cow sale back in full swing. On Wednesday there were 604 head yarded. Bullock numbers were better, which gave buyers more options and sold to strong competition. Heifer quality was improved and with extra numbers saw the per head price jump $300 on the last full sale. Steer numbers were steady, and although the drier conditions are more noticeable, demand was firm to stronger. Vealer numbers lifted by 140 head and demand was firm with only a few secondary head pulling the average back slightly. This week the yard average was steady on the last sale of two weeks ago. 23 bullocks made to 312 and averaged 288.3. 34 heifers made to 328, up 35 and averaged 297.7, up 37. 52 steers made to 324.2, back 4 and averaged 253.8, up 11. 489 veal made to 377.6, up 7 and averaged 328.9, back 6. As there was no bull and cow sale last week, numbers lifted to 624 head this week. 71 bulls were penned and this comprised of a larger percentage of dairy bulls, some on the light weight side. The top bull price was back 9 cents to 269.2. The bull average was back 12 cents to 226.7. Cow numbers also increased with 546 head on offer. A full contingent of buyers were present to compete. Pressure in the better pens was full on. Some secondary pens saw buyers with stock on hand ease back but overall the sale was steady. Cows made to 280 cents to average 202.3, and the yard average was back 16 cents to 206.
1 AngX 2 LimX 5 LimX 2 LimX 1 Char 1 LimX
1 Lim
1 LimX 4 Hfd 1 Lim
W Griggs, Yarragon 360 368.2 J&P Oleary, Ferndale 375 365.0 C&M Tumino, Mt Eccles 379 364.0 K&G Olsen, Mt View 393 360.0 C&J Fitzpatrick, Catani 445 360.0 P&H Hatswell, Neerim Est 445 358.2
D&G Cummins, N/brook
605 300.0
R&L Stephens, Drouin Sth 460 324.2 J&M Savige, Narracan 503 318.0 D&G Cummins, N/brook 535 310.0
7 CharX Duncan & Partners, N/J 7 Char B Webb, Trafalgar 1 Lim D&G Cummins, N/brook Export Cows and Heifers 3 Hfd Chapman Farms, Trafalgar 1 Ang K&H Nicklen, Erica 1 Hfd W&S Somerville, Moe 1 B/B D&P Briggs, Moondarra 2 Bld Dikkenberg & Beddome,
Fumina 1 Lim J&M Bravington, Newry 1 Ang T Buckley, Ripplebrook 1 Ang H Middleton, Trafalgar Dairy Cows 3 Frn I&L Cocksedge, Trafalgar 770 235.0 1 Frn H&H Spargo, Bona Vista 640 235.0 1 Frn M&M Briggs, Drouin 715 225.0 1 Frn C Hobson, Cora Lynn 690 222.0 1 Frn J&N Webb, G/borough 785 216.6 1 Frn JHC Farm 23, Jindivick 745 216.6 1 Frn K&L Webb, G/borough 680 216.6 1 Frn R&S Summerfield, B/Vista 610 216.6 Bulls 1 Char B&H Saxton, Yarragon 2 Hfd W Armstrong, Warragul 1 Ang Locklier & Smith, D/Wst 1 Hfd G Dykes, Boolarra 2 Frn JHC Farm 23, Jindivick 1 Jsy Kina Dairies, Poowong 1 R/Ang P&N Phillips, Heath Hill
448 328.0 489 318.0 568 310.0
566 280.0 485 271.6 520 270.2 620 262.6
605 253.2 700 248.2 645 245.0 670 243.6
865 269.2 2328 1040 266.0 2766 810 264.6 2143 700 246.6 1726 923 245.6 2265 710 234.2 1662 635 230.0 2095 1. Elders, 2.
Scotts, 3. Landmark, 4. SEJ, 5. Gibbon.
1325 1368 1379 1414 1602 1593
1815
1491 1597 1658
1469 1553 1751
1586 1317 1405 1628
1531 1737 1580 1632
1809 1504 1608 1531 1700 1613 1472 1321