The company informed staff of the decision this week, with those departing receiving full entitlements and access to counselling and career transitioning services.

The hardest hit factory was at Leongatha with 23 positions followed by the 13 at Tangambalanga.

Eleven jobs will go at Maffra, four at Cobram and three at Rochester.

The company issued a statement on its website which said its primary goal was to increase the farmgate milk price it offers to suppliers and improve efficiencies.

“The removal of roles is never a decision taken lightly,” it said.

“Where possible the company has sought to minimise the impact on our people by looking first to contract and casual positions and then voluntary redundancies for permanent roles.

“We continually review our operations to improve efficiency, productivity and cost competitiveness, including investing in new technologies, redesigning workflow and work patterns, improving line efficiencies and cross-skilling.

“We continue to employ more than 2000 people at Murray Goulburn, mainly in rural and regional Australia, and contribute an estimated $6 billion to the Australian economy.

“These difficult changes are necessary.

“It is in the best interest of all our suppliers and shareholders, staff, communities, customers and consumers that we are a strong, viable business, able to deliver higher farmgate prices.”

In August last year Murray Goulburn shed eight jobs at the Tangambalanga factory.