Prices no surprise say farmers

Dairy farmer Markus Lang said the prices being offered by processors were expected after last year's record offers. Photo: Andy Wilson

Brothers Markus and Phil Lang are second generation owners of Lang Dairies at Tatura, in northern Victoria.

Like all dairy farmers, they spent most of June talking about the prices processors were offering for the 2023-24 season.

The brothers supply Bega and said the price was a drop they were expecting.

“We have just come off a record price from last year, so we are not surprised things have backed off a bit,” Markus said.

“But of course, every bit that’s added is cream on top for us.

“We also have come off a record year financially, plus consider there were the floods.”

Markus said the return of fertiliser prices from record highs was also helpful.

“Fertiliser has come back down. We were paying up to $1500 per tonne last year, but now it’s down to about $700.

“The prices of things are always going up but we’re getting more efficient every year.

“That’s my job as a business owner.”

Invergordon dairy farmer Ian Canobie said he and his wife were satisfied with the prices being offered by Bega.

“Having said that, we are planning to retire at the end of this season, so it won’t really affect us as much as other people,” Mr Canobie said.

“But I think everyone without a lot of debt will do well, particularly as there was so much water last year.”

Second generation dairy farmers Markus and Phil Lang operate 2100 head of cows on their property at Tatura and are repeat suppliers to Bega.