mmg.com.au

UDV’s West Goulburn branch urges members to come to the conference in Melbourne in March.

West Goulburn branch president and Nanneella dairy farmer David Glass said members would be able to have their say on how the UDV should be run and the main issues the organisation should tackle.

‘‘I’d expect some heated debate,’’ Mr Glass said.

He said topics covered would include milk pricing issues, the power of the supermarkets and animal health issues.

Mr Glass said there would be some industry representatives, but the main emphasis was on hearing from dairy farmers.

On the first afternoon, a session will discuss milk pricing structure and effectiveness and will look at the Murray Goulburn milk price review, the challenge for milk processors and the impact of the price mechanism on farm profitability.

That day will also look at domestic and international consumers, regulators, community, international customers’ requirements and quality assurance, Australian supermarkets, the dairy industry in 2020 and the role of farmer advocacy in milk pricing.

On the second day, the agenda will include conference resolutions and business, this year’s UDV office bearer announcements and a report from Australian dairy farmers.

The UDV conference will be at the Jim Stynes Room of the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 5 and 6.