Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor and Cawdor farmer Tony Biffin have welcomed the supermarkets’ announcements of a 10c per litre milk levy, to help drought stricken dairy farmers.

Woolworths and Coles will raise the price of their three litre house brand milk from $3.00 to $3.30 at all stores nationwide.

Mr Taylor urged shoppers to buy-up to support dairy farmers, many of whom were in Hume.

“I’ve caught up with farmers and processors around the Wollondilly area recently. This direct support from the big retailers is not only going to get them through the drought, it’s going to generate great awareness and support from the public,” Mr Taylor said. 

“When your milk goes into the shopping trolley every week, you usually don’t give a thought to where it’s come from and how tough the producers are doing it. This is a great move by the supermarkets.”

Cawdor dairy farmer Tony Biffin, who supplies milk to Coles, said the levy would be the difference between breaking even and losing money.

“I want the public to know the milk they buy from Coles and Woollies is all supplied by local farmers. Buying these brands is helping us directly.”

Mr Biffin said the decisions he was making today about hand feeding versus de-stocking would impact his calving program for years to come.

“We are hanging in there. And every little bit helps. It’s an expensive time and labour intensive, so it’s time consuming. There is little else going on for us at the moment.”

Caption: Angus Taylor and Tony Biffin at a recent hay drop for Wollondilly dairy farmers.