I AM a dairy farmer, wife, mother and volunteer.

My husband works a tedious 80-hour week to provide a lifestyle for me and our four children that will see our kids grow up also interested in the dairy industry.

However, we often find ourselves asking the question: "Is it really worth it?"

Milk prices each year change at the drop of a hat.

In a good year you find yourself improving machinery and the dairy plant and keeping the banks happy for as long as you can.

And in a bad year you are chasing your tail, buying feed and everything else while costs keep going up at least 5-10 per cent (including rates, labour and contractors).

But we don't seem to get a say in what we get for our product.

It's very much take it or leave it. Of course you must take it. It's the only way to survive.

I want farmers to have more say in what we get paid for our supplies.

Make it more attractive and then more younger people may get involved in the dairy industry.

I was just talking to my husband about the last time he had a milking "off" and a "sleep in". He said it was about six weeks ago, on his birthday.

Donna Sutherland, Corunnun