The three were dropped by processor Brownes in May and given until October 1 to find a new home for their milk and potentially, their cows.
However over the weekend a statement released by lobby group, WA Farmers, announced a short-term solution had been found.
Under the deal, milk will be picked up by rival processor Harvey Fresh and according to sources, transformed into long-life UHT milk.
A spokesperson from Harvey Fresh said the company could not confirm anything other than: «The dairy processor is providing short-term assistance to a third party so the three farmers’ milk could be could be collected while the third party sought to work out if a sustainable, longer term solution can be found.»
WA Farmers dairy section president Michael Partridge said the delicate nature of the agreement meant he «was not at liberty» to discuss what the farmers would be paid per litre of if there was any potential for it to be extended.
Mr Partridge also said the mystery third party had approached the farmers directly.
«They’re very confidential commercial details between other parties,» Mr Partridge said.
«It’s very early days and as it was, on Friday it was the last day there milk was to be picked up and it would have been going down the drain. It’s very important that the milk is being utilised and there are conversations are still happening.
«The bottom line is these guys should never have been put in this position.»
Milk glut contributing to crisis in WA
Harvey Fresh notified five contracted dairy farmers it would not be picking up their milk after January while last week, processor Lion Dairy announced it would begin trucking milk to South Australia to cope with its oversupply.
A total of 29 dairy farms supply milk to Lion in Western Australia, and a company spokesperson said it was «not in a position to procure any more».
Source: ABC
Link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-03/dairy-extenstion-for-wa-dairy-farmers/7898490
