UPDATE: VICTORIA'S first meeting on the Dairy Australia levy attracted about 35 people.

Up to 25 dairy farmers were in the audience at the Leongatha RSL, where industry leaders such as Dairy Australia chairman Max Roberts, managing director Ian Halliday and GippsDairy chairman John Versteden encouraged farmers to vote for a 10 per cent levy rise.

All the presenters stressed that Dairy Australia's work in areas such as animal welfare, environmental issues as well as occupational health and saftey legislation were important  to maintaining the dairy industry's future.

Mr Roberts told the crowd that Dairy Australia "handles issues that company's can't" for example obesity and the China melamine contamination scandal.

"None of the company's wanted their brand associated with melamine, that would have done enormous damage," he said.

"(Dairy Australia) handles things that individual companies or farmers can't."

Referencing obesity, Mr Roberts said individual dairy companies do not have the credibility to come out and speak on that issue, where as Dairy Australia's nutrition experts can counteract those claims against dairy products.

Mr Roberts also reminded farmers that a no levy vote would mean Dairy Australia would be wound-up in 12-18 months.

He said a zero vote would send a message to government that dairy didn't want its contribution of about $18 million a year.

Dairy Australia managing director Ian Halliday informed farmers about work done on ryegrass improvements and genetic gain through the Dairy Futures CRC and also Dairy Australia's role in automatic milking and precision farming research.

Mr Halliday said the meeting size was "comparable" to a meeting at Bomaderry in NSW, but other sessions throughout Tasmania, NSW and Queensland attracted less attendees.

Questions from local farmers about the lack of voting options and why there was no status quo choice on the ballot paper dominated the final 30 mintues of the meeting.