Norco Co-operative has announced its annual Christmas Day Bonus for its farmer members, who will receive an extra 15¢ per litre for milk that is supplied on Christmas Day.
On Christmas morning, Norco dairy farmers are expected to deliver around 660,000 litres of milk.
The Christmas Bonus initiative recognises the fact that dairying doesn’t stop just because it’s Christmas Day, with Norco’s hardworking farmers operating 365 days of the year to deliver Australia’s best tasting dairy to consumers.
This news follows Norco’s farmgate milk price increase of an additional 1.1¢ per litre earlier this year, taking the average price to 88¢ per litre.
With these increases and bonuses combined, Norco is expected to pay its farmers an additional $25.6 million more than last year. $5.6 million of this is driven via high milk price, with $20 million attributed to volume.
Norco CEO Michael Hampson says that as Australia’s last operating dairy co-operative, Norco is deeply committed to supporting its farmer members.
“We’re proud to lead the industry on milk price, but this initiative is about more than that; it’s about showing our farmers how much we value what they do, especially during the Christmas period,” he says.
Farmer wellbeing
In March, Norco – in partnership with the National Farmers’ Federation – launched the National Farmer Wellbeing Report which shone a devastating spotlight on the mental health of hardworking Aussie farmers.
It also revealed that more than three quarters (76%) of surveyed farmers across the country don’t feel the Australian public values what they do anymore, something that has likely contributed to their mental health struggles.
“Our farmers really are the backbone of this country, and Norco’s efforts are about ensuring they feel valued by getting get a fair days pay for a fair days work, particularly on Christmas Day,” says Mr Hampson.
“And the best way consumers can show their support for our hard-working farmers is by buying Aussie-owned products this Christmas if they can.”