Dairy store sign of strength

Norco’s new rural supplies outlet indicates confidence in industry

THE opening of the country’s last “fair-dinkum” dairy co-operative’s expanded store in Toowoomba is a strong sign in the confidence returning to the industry, according to John McVeigh.

The Groom MP and former state agriculture minister was on hand to mark the opening of the Norco Rural Supplies store on Anzac Ave this week.

Mr McVeigh said the rural merchandise and supplies outlet was state-of-the-art in terms of its product handling, stacking and warehouse storage, and reflected Norco’s commitment to Darling Downs’ remaining dairy farmers.

“It very much signals Norco’s commitment to the Darling Downs as a very important dairy area,” he said.

“It’s a pretty fair commitment from Norco, over and above the store they had in place.

“Norco is the last fair-dinkum dairy co-op in the country so they are wholly and solely owned by their members.”

The Darling Downs has about 150 dairy farmers remaining in the industry after more than a decade of struggles including $1 a litre milk prices and a drop in domestic market demand.

But initial signs of confidence have emerged in line with major projects planned for the Toowoomba region including a $35 million project designed to export milk and milk products to Asia.

Statewide, about 420 producers remain in the market and collectively produce about 470 million litres a year which supplies about 70 per cent of all milk consumed in the state, according to the Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation.

Norco, as a dairy farmer-owned organisation, puts the focus on farmgate returns for producers and since the high-profile $1 a litre milk wars ramped up in recent years, had increased its market presence.

Mr McVeigh said Norco was expecting some of its strongest returns this year and that was reflected in its commitment to the Darling Downs.

“Their commitment to this store, which supports their dairy farmer members and others across the region, is further evidence of the confidence in the dairy industry in the Darling Downs,” he said.