Bega Cheese chief executive Aidan Coleman said increasing demand for sustainably produced dairy products was a core reason for the funding injection.
“The money is available to both current suppliers as well as farmers who wish to join the Bega family”, Mr Coleman said.
Bega Cheese hopes farmers will invest the money into on-farm projects such as energy and irrigation efficiency upgrades, increased tree planting, dairy shed expansion or purchasing more cows for the herd.
The company has allocated AS$25m for the programmes, with three cents per litre (milk solids equivalent) available for sustainability assessments and two cents per litre (milk solids equivalent) available for growth projects.
The implementation of the programs will occur in two parts over the next three years, with a lump sum being paid to Bega and Tatura Milk suppliers.
Mr Coleman reassured farmers the investment was separate from milk pay rates.
“The funds are in addition to our normal annually announced milk pay rates, which have a proven track record of being highly competitive,” Mr Coleman said.
Source: Weekly Times
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