A major dairy processor has taken charge to support local farmers as they continue to struggle through drought and soaring fooder costs.

Norco has committed to paying dairy farmers five cents more for a litre of milk for the rest of September and all of October.

Their decision comes after a dairy industry group, the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO), starting pushing for a 10 cent drought levy to be added to the cost of a litre of milk.

Their petition now has over 70,000 signatures, but none of the major supermarkets have committed to implementing the price hike.

Dairy co-operative Norco has stepped up to the plate, and will pay farmers 5 cents more for a litre of milk for the next two months.

Norco’s CEO Greg McNamara tells Chris Smith farmers can’t afford to wait for a drought levy to go through, and they need companies to act now.

“We applaud the QDO for putting the 10 cent litre levy idea up, but the reality is we think it’s going to take so long to get there.  We felt that we needed to act immediately to support farmers.

“They can’t wait six months for a levy to be in place. They need something now.

“Our view was we need to fund it out of our current profits to do that.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview

Chris is encouraging all his listeners to buy Norco milk to support our farmers who are doing it tough.