CONSTITUTION changes will have to wait for another day for Murray Goulburn suppliers.

The issues will be put on hold for further supplier consultation after a passionate debate at the co-operative's annual general meeting in Melbourne last week.

The proposed amendments included changes to the eligibility for appointment as a director and the criteria for payment of a dividend.

Shareholders passed a resolution to increase the non-executive director pay from $630,000 to $780,000 a year, in line with the co-operative moving from zone to regional representation.

Outgoing managing director Stephen O'Rourke received a standing ovation after his address and former chairman Ian MacAulay moved a motion to pay tribute to Mr O'Rourke and his wife, Michelle, in appreciation of their service to Murray Goulburn.

Mr O'Rourke defended his wife's remuneration, who had been employed at Murray Goulburn since he became managing director 13 years ago, but was only disclosed last month.

"Michelle's support has been critical in terms of my ability to be continuously and actively engaged with our farmers and others while running the business and navigating a number of challenging issues that the business has faced," Mr O'Rourke said. "It seems it probably should have been disclosed for the last few years.

"All I want to do today is to reinforce to everybody that Michelle's employment was above board - it was not a secret - the company's non-disclosure in the accounts was a genuine oversight."

Mr O'Rourke said Murray Goulburn had maintained its 10 per cent stake in Western District rival Warrnambool Cheese and Butter and envisaged a future where the two processors worked together to the benefit of farmers.

"One day we will hopefully get the chance to prove that to both the Murray Goulburn and Warrnambool farmers, after which the farmers may want to merge," he said.