Victoria’s dairy farmer advocacy groups confirm membership numbers

Four months after an agri-political split, Victoria’s two dairy advocacy groups have confirmed their membership numbers. See the latest.

More than 800 primary producers remain with the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria, four months after a agri-political split.

Dairy Farmers Victoria was registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria in July, and launched a website and membership drive in September.

The Victorian Farmers Federation have confirmed 838 dairy businesses were registered as members, as of September 30.

Of that 838 business tally, the VFF-UDV has 1376 registered voting members.

More than 800 primary producers remain with the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria following the split. Picture: Zoe Phillips

VFF president Emma Germano said the UDV remained the best platform for Victoria’s dairy farmers to advocate to government and industry.

“The UDV, as part of the VFF, has the collective voice to take to government, to take to leaders across Australia and represent dairy farmers with one voice,” she said.

“There needs to be a united voice in dairy and we’d welcome (DFV members) back because multiple voices doesn’t work in lobbying.”

DFV president Mark Billing said the new group had managed to recruit more than 100 dairy farmers from across the state so far.

The DFV are holding information sessions for new members this week in Corryong and Dederang and next week in Warrnambool.

“About two-thirds of all Victorian dairy farmers aren’t members of any representative body and we want to get as many farmers as possible involved in the DFV,” he said.