The sale of beleaguered Murray Goulburn to Saputo may prove to be prudent, however, loyal suppliers are sure to feel shocked, betrayed and downright gutted.
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There is probably no form of primary production in Australia with a relationship that exists between supplier and manufacturer as in the dairy industry. Usually the dairy factory was located close by and a sense of community existed. In recent times that has gone, as refrigeration and transport changed the landscape.
Most gutted will be those who saw Murray Goulburn grow from a base at Cobram to become the hope of dairy farmers not only in Victoria but NSW and Tasmania. There was absolute trust between the farmer suppliers and their co-operative. This was to evaporate, in part, when the company was listed on the ASX. One could argue that big ideas sank the dairy giant, compliant boards taking the wrong advice from management in particular. The failure of Bonlac should have rung bells. Down the years, I personally have believed in the Murray Goulburn ideal. As a young 20-year-old dairy farmer I supplied Murray Goulburn and shared the vision of the legendary Murray Goulburn founder Jack McGuire
