David Janke, Davindy, Westbrook, said it was disappointing the supermarkets were withholding the increased 10c/litre for their own profit while consumers were led to believe it had been passed on to to dairy farmers.
“There are just so many people who don’t realise this is just not flowing through to the farmers,” Mr Janke said.
“At the end of the day it was never enough increase as our current costs are extreme, but every little bit helps.
“We were pleased to see milk rise by 10c/litre and thought it was a start of things to come.”
LNP agriculture spokesman Tony Perrett said enough was enough, after supermarkets failed to pass on to processors and farmers a percentage of the increase being collected at the checkout.
“Clearly, supermarket giants are milking the system in asking more for milk at the checkout but continuing to and squeeze our dairy farmers by refusing to pass on extra revenue,” Mr Perrett said.
“It’s time for these supermarket big wigs to come out from behind their glossy spin doctors and start paying our farmers properly for their milk.
“I recently visited and talked with dairy farmers on the Darling Downs who were doing it extremely tough due to drought.
“The increased cost of feed due to drought, had pushed milk production prices well beyond what they’re getting paid.
“According to Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation, a dairy farmer is leaving the industry approximately every five to seven days due to the behavior of the supermarkets.”
Mr Perrett said the time for action was now.
“If we want to save our Queensland dairy industry, I’m calling on the supermarkets to come clean and pass on the extra money,” he said.
“Time for supermarkets to start paying farmers for what for what milk is worth.”
Mr Janke said this was the first spring in 20 or so years, that he would not be planting corn silage to feed his cows.
“There is no irrigation water left and we will need soaking rain before the ground is moist enough to plant.”