Local Macalister Irrigation District farmers recently attended an information session at the Macalister Demonstration Farm in Maffra to discussed a range of options to help them cope with the downturn in the industry.

More than 30 farmers attended the forum eager to get a greater understanding of the issues facing their industry.

The meeting was organised by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in partnership with the Macalister Research Farm, Macalister and East Gippsland committee of the Dairy Extension Centre, Maffra Vet Centre and GippsDairy.

The information session aimed to provide farmers with up-to-date information about the current circumstances as well as access to results of the latest research.

Meeting organisers hope the information provided will help local farmers as they make tough business decisions about how they are going to cope in a climate of declining milk prices and the ongoing drought.

They are concerned the impact of the downturn in dairying will be felt by all businesses across the region as reduced income will inevitably lead to reduced spending.

Gippsland MHR Darren Chester was also at the meeting and said he hoped the State and Federal Governments would provide some assistance to dairy farmers.

''It's in the interest of all Gippslanders for State and Federal Governments to work with the dairy industry to ensure there is a return to the profitability as soon as possible,'' he said.

''There is no question that the low opening prices will make it difficult for all dairy farmers in Gippsland and I have previously expressed my view that the State and Federal Agricultural Ministers should be taking a more active role.

''The dairy industry is just as important to Gippsland as the car industry is to Geelong and we have already seen a taxpayer funded bailout of the car industry.

''The State and Federal Governments should be sitting down with industry leaders and the banking sector to develop a range of measures to assist farming families in the months ahead.''