The flood’s impact was deeply personal for Saputo’s NSW field services team, with members like Michelle Blakeney and Ray Johnston directly affected while simultaneously trying to coordinate aid for their suppliers. Ray Johnston’s own dairy farm and home suffered complete inundation, forcing a challenging clean-up operation and a period where his cows could not be milked. This firsthand experience underscores the immense challenges faced by dairy farmers in the flood-ravaged region.

In the wake of the disaster, Saputo Dairy Australia’s field services team has been working in close collaboration with affected suppliers. Their support includes offering expert advice on maintaining crucial milk quality standards, a critical concern after such events. Furthermore, Saputo is facilitating access to various supplier finance options, providing essential economic relief to help dairy farmers manage the immediate and long-term costs of recovery.

The spirit of community and cooperation has also shone through during this crisis. Other Saputo suppliers and the broader community have extended tremendous support to those affected. Notably, some dairy farmers temporarily took in the Johnstons’ milking cows and heifers, providing much-needed relief. Others offered vital resources such as fodder and labor, demonstrating the robust resilience and strong communal ties within Australia’s dairy farming regions.