THE dairy industry will provide a million litres of milk each year to charity, thanks to a new program.

In conjunction with Foodbank, Australia's largest hunger relief organisation, dairy processors Bega Cheese, Fonterra, Lion, Murray Goulburn, Parmalat, Tatura Milk Industries and Warrnambool Cheese and Butter will collaboratively donate milk.

The donation represents a collective saving of about $2 million to Foodbank's welfare agencies and provides 10,000 serves of milk every day of the year.

Bega Cheese and TMI chairman Barry Irvin spoke on behalf of the dairy industry and said the idea was suggested at a meeting of dairy industry leaders.

The Gardiner Foundation and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs will fund additional costs such as transportation.

Young leader search

MURRAY Dairy is looking for Australia's best young representatives from the dairy sector to participate in a workshop looking at the future of the industry.

The three-day workshop will provide an opportunity for 15 people aged between 18-30 who are working in the dairy industry to develop personal, professional and leadership qualities with a focus on the carbon policy and the effects it will have on the dairy industry.

Applications close on December 9.