Doubling the dairy dollar

Two dairy farmers in south east NSW are defying the odds and doubling their milk price and returns.

Erica and Nic Dibden bought the ABC Cheese factory in Tilba, just north of Bega, in April last year and have started to supply the factory with milk from their own dairy.

Erica Dibden at the ABC Cheese Factory in Tilba, New South Wales

Erica says she and Nic wanted their milk price to reflect the true value of the commodity.

"We're paying ourselves 65 cents a litre. I wanted to put my money where my mouth was and say 'OK, I understand we're not being paid enough. I'm prepared to pay our farm more for the milk so it has a chance for economic viability as well.'

"We're bringing the milk up ourselves, we're doing a lot of the distribution ourselves so the market's there and I feel the market can handle it."

Source: ABC News, 11 March 2013