stock, page-423

I wonder if today's movement had anything to do with this?

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/fed...p/news-story/1df4c1ef62d2c44c315832475be46a98

Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has unveiled a $578.8 million support package for dairy farmers affected by the slashing of prices by processors Murray-Goulburn and Fonterra.
The plan’s key features include $555m in concessional loans, up to June 30, and $20m to accelerate an upgrade of irrigation infrastructure in Nationals-held seat of Gippsland.
An additional $2m was dedicated to establish a commodity milk price index to improve market transparency, and an additional $1.8m to provide business advice and financial counselling.
An extra $500m will be set aside for loans over the next two years, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce announced today.
Another $900,000 will fund additional rural financial counselling services and $900,000 to Dairy Australia will provide business advice through the Tactics for Tight Times program. The government will also allocate an extra 18 staff to speed up processing of farm household allowance claims.

“I was pleased to meet dairy farmers in Victoria last week and the Coalition wants to send a clear message that the Coalition stands shoulder to shoulder with them,” Mr Joyce, the Agriculture Minister, said in a statement.
“The Coalition values the contribution our dairy farmers make to their regional communities and the nation as a whole and we are proud to support them throughout good times and bad.”
Dairy farmers have been doing it tough since milk processors unexpectedly slashed prices in response to weaker demand and a higher Australian dollar.
“This will keep the bulls from the door and the dignity in their house,” Mr Joyce told ABC radio.

The package includes a $20m commitment to upgrade the Macalister irrigation system in Gippsland which Mr Joyce says will deliver water back to the region’s agriculture.
The government will also establish a commodity milk price index to enable farmers to follow price trends.
Opposition agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon says Labor will consider the relief plan.
He “sort of” welcomes the package but needs to study it in more detail.
“While concessional loans are useful and I am considering them too, and I’ll support them of course ... I fear the cash flow boost to farmers is going to be very modest indeed,” Mr Fitzgibbon told ABC radio.