The Toora sharefarmer was on track to break even, despite having been feeding stock since October — two months earlier than normal.
She had budgeted on $5.60 a kilogram of milk solids for this season, a figure she had been quoted by milk company Fonterra, and was trying to maintain production.
“I was not on track for a profit this year, I had spent my share of $150,000 to break even. That was until last week,” she said.
“We were tracking OK to not go backwards, by feeding, but now all that has gone out the window. It’s very disappointing.
“The bit that gets me is that they keep saying, ‘China will save us, keep producing more milk’.
“But they (Fonterra) pretty much admitted that their product mix wasn’t right. What have they been doing the last five years? They said it was to do with Stanhope (factory fire), and that has been out of action for the last 15 months, and it wasn’t going to get going until the next season.”
Ms Whelan milks 340 cows and had plans to buy into the herd in coming years. She had been rearing calves of her own and just took on a lease block, with the farm owner, for these animals. She said the milk-price cut had set her back up to three years.
Drying off cows is not an option due to bills. One cost that is a “non-negotiable” is staff, as Ms Whelan had a stroke last year.
She has yet to decide whether to take on the Fonterra loan of 60 cents a kilogram of milk solids — which must be paid back with interest — and said she is trying to remain positive about the industry.
“I’m passionate about the dairy industry, I live and breathe it and hope to continue to be involved in many years to come,” she said.
“But I’m upset I have to take on the milk company debt to survive as I was planning on taking on debt to buy cows, not pay everyday bills.”
