Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) today met with NSW Farmers Dairy Council as part of its ongoing efforts to meet with dairy farmers and industry representative bodies across the country.

ADF CEO, Natalie Collard and Senior Policy Manager, David Losberg, travelled to Sydney to meet with NSW Farmers Dairy Council and brief them on ADF’s continued advocacy on behalf of the industry.

This follows a meeting last week between ADF President, Noel Campbell, and the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO) in Brisbane.

Ms Collard said the meeting provided an invaluable opportunity to discuss issues of importance to local dairy farmers.

“ADF is committed to getting out and about to meet with dairy farmers and their representative bodies across Australia,” Ms Collard said.

“We appreciate the opportunity to meet and speak with the NSW Farmers Association Dairy Council today as well as update them on ADF’s ongoing efforts to advocate on their behalf on important issues like the drought, the price of milk, retail competition and trade opportunities among numerous others.

“These matters are important, not just in NSW, but across all of Australia’s dairying regions and ADF remains committed to ensuring our advocacy at a national level reflects this.

“We will be holding many more of these meetings around Australia in 2014, as we seek to grow the industry and build a profitable future for dairy farmers.”

Ms Collard thanked NSW Farmers Association Dairy Council President, Rob McIntosh and Council members for hosting the meeting and for their advocacy on behalf of NSW dairy farmers.

Media Contact:

Karl Liebich, Media Officer

T: (03) 8621 4200

E: media@australiandairyfarmers.com.au

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) notes today’s decision by Australian farmer-owned co- operative, Murray Goulburn (MG), to withdraw its offer for Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB), and instead accept the offer of Canadian dairy company, Saputo, for its WCB shareholding.

ADF President, Noel Campbell, said Bega’s recent decision to sell its stake to Saputo was a turning point for all involved with the takeover of WCB.

“ADF notes MG’s decision today to withdraw its offer for WCB, and instead accept Saputo’s offer for its WCB shareholding,” Mr Campbell said.

“While this decision was doubtless a difficult one, proceeds from the sale of MG’s shareholding will position them well for the future.

“We congratulate Saputo upon acquiring WCB, after what could fairly be described as a highly competitive takeover process.

“Throughout, Saputo has been consistent in saying that they are committed to putting WCB suppliers first, and we trust they will be true to their word.

“Local dairy farmers have helped make WCB what it is today, and ADF will watch closely to ensure their interests are upheld in future.”

Mr Campbell said intense competition for WCB was a positive sign for the industry, and reflects international confidence in the future of Australian dairy.

“The interest in WCB was unprecedented and ultimately, represents a substantial vote of confidence in the future of the dairy industry,” he said.

“In addition to improved farm-gate prices in some parts of Australia, and major trade opportunities in Asia, we have cause to be optimistic about dairy’s future.”

Media Contact:

Karl Liebich, Media Officer

T: (03) 8621 4200

E: media@australiandairyfarmers.com.au

All roads lead to Melbourne on Thursday 13 March, as dairy farmers from across Australia attend the inaugural ADF National Dairy Farmers’ Summit, proudly brought to you with the support of Coles.

The Summit, to be hosted by ADF in conjunction with the Australian Dairy Industry Council (ADIC) and Dairy Australia (DA), will be held at the Grand Hotel Rendezvous in Melbourne, Victoria.

The Summit is free to attend, with registration now open online via the ADF website at

http://www.australiandairyfarmers.com.au/adf-national-dairy-farmers-summit

ADF President, Noel Campbell, said the Summit would bring together in excess of 100 farmers, dairy processors and manufacturers, state dairy farming bodies, farming organisations and state and federal government representatives.

“The inaugural ADF National Dairy Farmers’ Summit marks a significant day for the Australian dairy industry,” Mr Campbell said.

“Shaped by the thoughts and ideas of dairy farmers from across Australia, the Summit will provide a future-focussed forum to challenge the industry to think ahead in posing its preferred future state and the industry priorities required to get there.

“Many of the challenges facing the industry have been well publicised, however, what is needed now is a positive plan that identifies where we, as an industry, would like to be in the medium to longer term and the opportunities that will define our future.

“This will be critical if we are to grow as an industry sustainably and profitably, thus ensuring we attract and retain the next generation of dairy farmers.”

Mr Campbell said the involvement and contribution of farmers from across all of Australia’s dairying regions will be integral to the Summit.

“As the title makes clear, this will be a Summit that is informed every step of the way by the thoughts and ideas of dairy farmers Australia-wide. Registration for the summit is now open, and I encourage my fellow farmers to get involved and help shape a positive future vision for our industry,” he said.

For interested interstate farmers unable to attend, Mr Campbell encouraged them to register their views with their local State Dairy Farming Organisation (SDFO) or State Farming Organisation (SFO) to ensure their voice can still be heard.

Media Contact:

Karl Liebich, Media Officer

T: (03) 8621 4200

E: media@australiandairyfarmers.com.au

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has described the unprecedented demand for dairy products in China as a tremendous opportunity for Australia.

ADF President, Noel Campbell, said recent indications by New Zealand dairy exporter, Fonterra, that it cannot increase production fast enough to meet Chinese demand, highlighted the scale of the potential opportunity.

“This presents a tremendous potential trade opportunity for Australia, on top of the nearly $3 billion worth of products the dairy industry exports annually,” Mr Campbell said.

“The scale of China’s thirst for dairy, in particular milk powders, is absolutely unprecedented and the fact that a global dairy giant like Fonterra has said that it cannot currently meet that demand, tells us a great deal.

“We also know that Australian farmer-owned co-operative, Murray Goulburn (MG), has said that global demand for dairy, whole milk powder in particular, has been at near record levels for an unprecedented period of time.

“In meeting this demand, we need a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China that removes roadblocks to export growth and delivers meaningful commercial outcomes for the local industry, sooner rather than later.”

Mr Campbell said China is the Australian dairy industry’s largest international market with 72,516 tonnes of produce exported in the 2012-13 financial year, while New Zealand, which has an FTA with China, supplied 716,400 tonnes.

“This disparity serves to illustrate the as yet unrealised potential for Australia to significantly increase the volume of dairy exports to China,” he said.

“We must act immediately in demonstrating our willingness and capability to meet this demand before our competitors do.”

Mr Campbell said ADF would continue to work constructively with the Federal Government in advancing the case for FTAs with China and Japan.

“We understand an FTA with China will not be easy, however the potential benefits to Australian dairy and therefore the economy as a whole, are only too clear to see,” he said.

“Opportunity knocks, and we must be ready to embrace it.”

Media Contact:

Karl Liebich, Media Officer

T: (03) 8621 4200

E: media@australiandairyfarmers.com.au

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has toasted the New Year and the contribution of dairy farming families across Australia, as part of the United Nations (UN) declared International Year of the Family Farmer in 2014.

ADF President, Noel Campbell, said farming families are the bedrock upon which the dairy industry is founded and integral to its success and resilience.

“As we celebrate the International Year of the Family Farmer in 2014, I encourage all Australians to take a moment to reflect on the enormous and often unheralded contribution that farming families make to this country,” Mr Campbell said.

“In dairy’s case, farming families underpin an industry that directly employs 43,000 Australians, generates almost $3 billion in exports every year and puts a range of quality dairy products in nine out of ten of Aussie homes.

“We should never lose sight of this or the substantial social and economic benefits that dairy farming families contribute to communities across rural and regional Australia.

“So, the next time we buy a bottle of milk, block of cheese or tub of yoghurt let’s all take a moment to think about and celebrate Australia’s dairy farming families.”

Mr Campbell said family-owned enterprises make up over 90 per cent of dairy farm ownership in Australia and remain a source of strength and stability for the industry.

“The family-owned and operated farm is an iconic part of the Australian dairy farming landscape, and long may this remain so in future,” he said.

Media Contact:

Karl Liebich, Media Officer

T: (03) 8621 4200

E: media@australiandairyfarmers.com.au

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has welcomed comments by State Agriculture Minister, Peter Walsh, in the wake of the Victorian Government’s recent trade mission to China.

ADF President, Noel Campbell, said the Minister’s recent remarks that ‘there was a lot of interest around dairy, particularly around formula” (Weekly Times 30/10/2013 p.12) highlighted the potential for growth in dairy exports to China.

“From a dairy industry perspective, we were very pleased to see Minister Walsh’s remarks following the State Government’s recent trade mission to China,” Mr Campbell said.

“We know that China’s rapidly growing and increasingly affluent middle-class is generating substantial demand for dairy products, including infant formula.

“The Minister’s comments are yet more evidence, if any was needed, of the enormous potential for growth in dairy exports to the world’s largest market-place.

“The challenge for government as well as the industry is to translate this positivity into concrete action and secure a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that delivers value to suppliers as soon as possible.

“Every added delay hands a further competitive advantage to trade rivals like New Zealand, who after securing an FTA with China in 2008, have seen a six-fold increase in the total volume (tonnes) of their dairy exports.

“If New Zealand can secure an outcome that delivers a massive exports-driven boost to their bottom line, then there’s no reason why we can’t do the same.”

Mr Campbell said ADF would continue to strongly press the Federal Government to fast-track negotiations for FTAs with China, Japan and Korea.

“We will continue to be a firm but constructive advocate to government on this issue critical to the future of our industry.”

Media Contact:

Karl Liebich, Media and Communications Officer

T: (03) 8621 4200

E: adfcommunications@australiandairyfarmers.com.au

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) today congratulated CEO, Ms Natalie Collard, on winning the Community and Government Award category of the 2013 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards, held last night.

The awards, presented at a Gala Dinner at Crown Palladium, recognise women that are agenda-setters, leaders in their fields and an inspiration to other women, celebrating the valuable contribution women make to Australia business.

Ms Collard said she was honoured as well as humbled to receive the award.
“It’s an honour and very humbling to be recognised by your peers in this way,” Ms Collard said.

“To receive this award in the company of so many other wonderfully talented and successful women is an experience that will live with me for a long time.

“This award celebrates the most humble and silent achievers I’ve ever met – Australia’s dairy farmers.

They are dedicated family men and women, active in their communities who, in the course of being dairy farmers, are also employers, environmentalists and veterinarians.

“They also create an amazing product which is in 90% of Aussie homes and helps support a range of Aussie jobs. They are world class by any measure.

“Finally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to my parents, family, friends and colleagues for their love, support, wise counsel and friendship over the course of my career so far.”

President of ADF, Noel Campbell, said he was delighted Ms Collard had been recognised for her work in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

“On behalf of everyone at ADF, I am thrilled to learn of Natalie’s success in winning this award,” Mr Campbell said.

“She has been an outstanding CEO and I know she will continue to advocate on behalf of the dairy industry with skill, passion and perseverance.

“As President of ADF, it has been a pleasure for me to work closely with Natalie in advocating for the industry, and I look forward to this relationship continuing in future.

“To Natalie, on behalf of the Board, we say a heartfelt thank-you and congratulations for all that you have, and will continue to achieve.”

The ADF team said they were thrilled by Natalie’s success in winning the Community and Government Award.

“We couldn’t be happier for Natalie, she is an inspirational leader as well as a good friend and deserves this prestigious award,” the ADF team said.

State/territory winners are eligible to win their national category title. The state/territory winners of the Telstra Business Woman of the Year are also eligible to be named 2014 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.

Media Contact:

ADF Communications

T: (03) 8621 4200

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has welcomed the Federal Government’s confirmation that it will cap Murray Darling Basin buybacks at 1500 gigalitres (GL).

The cap, which is a Coalition pre-election commitment, was confirmed by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment, Senator Simon Birmingham, in an interview with The Australian newspaper.

President of ADF, Noel Campbell, welcomed the news and said it would be reassuring for farmers and farming communities across the Murray Darling Basin.

“ADF welcomes the government’s confirmation that it will implement its pre-election commitment to cap buybacks at 1500GL,” Mr Campbell said.

“We have said consistently that buybacks are only a small part of the solution, and that there needed to be a greater focus on upgrading inefficient irrigation infrastructure.

“By focusing on upgrading infrastructure, we can return more water to the Murray Darling system without burdening irrigators at the same time.

“A report commissioned by Dairy Australia (DA) “Cost Benefit Analysis of Farm Irrigation Modernisation”, which was released earlier this year, found that farm upgrades cost the Government around $3,700 a megalitre (ML) of water savings for the environment, while delivering gross productivity gains to farmers worth an average $9,800/ML of water savings.

“Building on this, increased farm production generated additional regional economic activity worth $6,200/ML.”

Mr Campbell said ADF was pleased the Federal Government had committed to phasing in the buybacks over six years, rather than the original plan of four, and that spending under the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDBP) will be focused on infrastructure projects that deliver improvements in water efficiency.

“These are common sense steps by the government that will reassure farmers and stakeholders that the MDBP will be implemented in a manner that is both mindful of, and sensitive to, the needs of agricultural industry,” he said.

“We look forward to continuing to work constructively with the government and relevant stakeholders in achieving the best possible outcome for the Basin.”

Media Contact:

ADF Communications

T: (03) 8621 4200

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) has welcomed the Abbott Government’s new Cabinet line-up.

The new Ministry, to be sworn in today, includes the Deputy Leader of the National Party, Barnaby Joyce MP, as Agriculture Minister and the Honourable Andrew Robb AO MP as the Minister for Trade and Investment.

“The ADF welcomes the announcement of the Abbott Government’s new Cabinet line-up, in particular the appointment of Barnaby Joyce and Andrew Robb to the Agriculture and Trade and Investment portfolios respectively,” said Noel Campbell, President of Australian Dairy Farmers.

“Barnaby Joyce is well known for his advocacy of farmers and agricultural communities in general, and the ADF looks forward to working with him in his new role.

“There are opportunities as well as challenges facing the dairy industry, and we look forward to sitting down at the earliest available opportunity to discuss these with new Ministers.

“These include ‘fast-tracking’ Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with China, Japan and South Korea, balancing the excessive market power of the major supermarkets, and reducing the red tape burden on farmers.

Mr Campbell said the ADF also welcomed the Government’s decision to split the Trade and Foreign Affairs portfolios.

“This has been an important issue for the ADF and its members, and it’s pleasing to see the Abbott Government listen and act upon the feedback it has received,” Mr Campbell said.

“Splitting Trade and Investment from Foreign Affairs will help ‘fast-track’ the development of FTAs with China, Japan and South Korean and the ADF welcomes this common sense step.

“With the demand for dairy products across Asia continuing to rise, the pursuit of FTAs with these countries is simply too important an opportunity to be missed.

“We look forward to working closely with Minister Robb in achieving real progress towards this outcome.”

Media Contact:

ADF Communications

T: (03) 8621 4200

The 2013 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards has announced Australian Dairy Farmers CEO, Ms Natalie Collard, as a finalist in its Community and Government Award category.

The awards recognise women that are agenda-setters, leaders in their fields and an inspiration to other women, celebrating the valuable contribution women make to Australia business.

“I am humbled to be nominated for this prestigious award,” Ms Collard said.

“It’s an honour and a compliment to the culture and working environment of an organisation like Australian Dairy Farmers that I have been recognised in this way.”

President of Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), Noel Campbell, said the nomination was deserved recognition of Ms Collard’s work in the public and not-for-profit sectors.

As President of the ADF, I am delighted to learn of Natalie’s nomination for this year’s Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards,” Mr Campbell said.

“Natalie is no stranger to roles of high impact and national importance.

“As an official with the Defence Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, she managed an emergency post-September 11 arms control meeting in Paris.

“She has also addressed the United Nations (UN) in Geneva on the topic of Biological Weapons.

“Moved by the plight of drought affected farmers, in 2000 Natalie became the Manager of Rural Affairs for the National Farmers Federation (NFF).

“Formerly a Director of Agsafe and now CEO of ADF, Natalie has demonstrated an abiding commitment to farming communities across Australia.

“In particular, she continues to apply her considerable skills to help secure a sustainable future for dairy farmers.

“Natalie is a worthy nominee for the Community and Government Award, and on behalf of the ADF I wish her every success in this endeavour.”

The 2013 Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner at Crown Palladium on Tuesday 15 October 2013.

Media Contact:

ADF Communications

T: (03) 8621 4200

Australian Dairy Farmers congratulates the Federal Coalition on its election to Government.

Australian dairy farmers are calling on all political parties to see agriculture as the new economic powerhouse for the nation.

The dairy industry is highly valuable to Australia, contributing over $13 billion to Australia’s economy and employing over 140,000 people on farms, processing plants, and wider industry support services. And dairy is just one of the many agricultural sectors that have been key contributors to the Australian economy for many years.

Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) President Noel Campbell is calling on all parties to place dairy firmly on the national agenda.

“The Australian dairy industry is constantly investing, adapting and innovating for a sustainable future. We are proud of our industry and confident in its future.”

“Given that all sides of politics seem to be looking for the next big thing that will lead to economic certainty and boost prosperity it seems only logical that dairy takes-up this baton.”

“Australian dairy is one of the few agricultural sectors that fully integrate from the farmgate to manufacturing to produce to a wide range of high quality, value-added products which we sell in the Australian market and throughout the world,” said Mr Campbell.

“This Federal election, we call upon all parties to announce, and then deliver, policies that will help our industry to grow and prosper and achieve our goal of helping Australia become a world leader in innovation, sustainability and food production,” said Mr Campbell.

Key policy priorities for the next federal government should be:

• Markets and trade: Establish a mandatory Supermarket Code of Conduct and appoint an Ombudsman with teeth to ensure compliance; modify the ACCC Collective Bargaining to provide balance in market power to dairy farmers; sign Free Trade Agreements with key markets China, Japan and South Korea.
• People and workforce: Help farmers staff their properties and extend the duration of 417 and 462 visas from six to 12 months as well include dairy on the list of eligible industries for the Seasonal Worker Scheme and on Schedule 1 of the Skilled Occupation List. Encourage people into careers in agriculture by including related courses under the National Priority Band for compulsory HECS-HELP repayments.
• Sustainability: Commit funding for grants to assist dairy farmers in undertaking energy efficiency assessments, and to transition to renewable energy technology and energy efficient equipment on farms under an Energy Efficiency Package; level the international playing field and accord dairy processors Emissions-Intensive, Trade-Exposed (EITE) status until all major dairy competitors are subject to similar emissions schemes.

Media Contact:

ADF Communications

T: (03) 8621 4200