Gippsland Jersey made its voice heard on the national stage last week, with co-founder Sallie Jones the only small-scale processor invited to join a powerhouse panel alongside multi-national leaders and Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins.
Hosted by the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) in Melbourne, the leaders' lunch brought together processors, farmers and policy makers to discuss the government's Feeding Australia: National Food Security Strategy. The framework aims to strengthen food security and position Australian dairy as a global benchmark for quality and safety.
While chief executive officers from Lactalis, Saputo and Bega shared their insights, Ms Jones represented Gippsland's boutique dairy sector.
"It was an honour to highlight how small, values-driven processors like ours keep regional economies vibrant," she said.
"We prove that premium, local milk can compete on quality and community impact - even against the biggest players."
Ms Jones emphasised the unique pressures facing small operators including volatile energy prices, supermarket private-label dominance, and the need for fairer enforcement of the Dairy Code of Conduct.
She called for grants, low-cost finance, and targeted tax incentives to help regional processors decarbonise and stay competitive.
The minister reinforced that "Australia produces some of the highest-quality, safest dairy and food products in the world," highlighting commitments through the Future Made in Australia plan and a $20 million Buy Australia campaign.
She acknowledged the challenges of extreme weather and low milk supply, and outlined priorities for simplifying trade and supporting "viable" farms through droughts and floods.
Among the key takeaway messages for Gippsland's dairy sector were:
Milk supply is in decline - national production is forecast to drop another two per cent this financial year;
Rising costs - soaring energy and feed prices are squeezing margins for both farmers and processors; and,
Local brands matter - panelists agreed that consumer education and stronger "Buy Australian" promotion were vital to keep Australian dairy competitive.
Ms Jones used the platform to spotlight Gippsland Jersey's commitment to farmer mental health, fair pricing and premium Jersey milk - something she said the big players couldn't compete with or replicate.
"Every litre we sell supports local jobs and resilient family farms. Policy decisions made in Canberra must work for the grassroots, not just the giants.
"As the dairy sector grapples with global competition and climate uncertainty, Gippsland Jersey's presence on this national panel shows that small can be mighty - and that the voices of regional producers are essential to Australia's food security future," she said.