Dairy farmers milk pricing crisis

[Chris_B]

Hi everyone,

beyondblue chairman Jeff Kennett has written in his weekly Herald Sun column this week about the milk pricing crisis currently affecting dairy farmers, and that our primary concern has to be for the welfare of farmers, their families and communities.

beyondblue is working with the Victorian Government on this issue and welcomes its $1.5 million assistance package for dairy farmers’ support services. We are encouraging other state governments to also consider ways of supporting their primary producers.

For those on our forums affected by this crisis, please look out for neighbours and friends who are doing it tough. Encourage open discussion with trusted family members, friends and community leaders, and please feel free also to use our forums here for peer support.

Also available, as ever, is our 24 hour support service on 1300 22 46 36, who can provide information about mental health professionals and GPs if you are concerned for yourself, or anyone in your family or local community.

[Gruffudd]

Thankyou Chris and Jeff,

It has been a hard road in the Goulbourn Valley and other communities too, we have seen the collapse of much of the stone fruit industry and other crops and many had diversified into dairy. The younger ones taking on the debt that starting up entails.

We can all help by doing that bit of research and making sure we shop the brands that give back to the producer, because as crazy as it might sound some pays less then the cost of production.

So my message from in town to my dairy farming cousins (some of my cousins really are) is that we haven't forgotten you. And to Beyond Blue and Jeff, thankyou.

Rob.

[Guest_5218]

Yes the lives of our farmers has always been a tough one, and it continues to be.

There is a big dairy industry here where I live and there are many families doing it very hard.

My current boss where I work is also a diary farmer, so I have a pretty good idea what they are going through.

And coming from a farming family myself (fine wool sheep) I know the difficulties experienced by people on the land.

It is great that both their considerable contribution to society, and the difficulties they all face, is being recognised.

Sherie xx

[blondguy]

Hi ChrisB & JeffK

Neil Mitchell on Fairfax 3AW was taking calls from Dairy Farmers on during the week. This is a serious crisis that does need as much support as we can give..not only from Beyond Blue but from the community as a whole.

I responded to an owner of a Dairy business from regional Victoria this morning and I could 'feel' his pain through his written words.

I will be keeping an eye out for a response and spreading the word as much as I can

Thankyou Chris

Paul

[Lost_Girl]

Hi,

Terrific to hear of this support.

I am a part of a local "Mum's" facebook group with 10,000 plus members. They are all rallying to support our Aussie Farmer's produce both in terms of products in supermarkets and also supporting farm door sales. It is heartening to see all the photos being posted of milk fridges in supermarkets that show that consumers are starting to "buy smart" for our farmers.

Social media is powerful. I urge everyone to try and make a difference personally where they can on any social media platforms they have access to and by their own buying power.

Carol