About a dozen people involved in farming within the Federal Monash electorate discussed problems their industries encounter but claim are not getting an airing with governments.
Their get-together recently at Leongatha, organised by candidate for the seat at the election to be held within months Deb Leonard, presented a general view that the "conventional farming industry had lost its voice to government".
Ms Leonard said the attendees believed fragmentation of representative groups, in the dairy sector especially, meant farming needs were not being properly heard.
She listed some of the main issues raised as being increased competition for capital because of urban development, run down infrastructure, insufficient education of the public about where food comes from and the need for better promotion of apprenticeship pathways and tertiary certificated farm technicians.
The creation of larger farms meant there was also a need for better people management skills within the industries and housing shortages were a drawback to recruiting agricultural workers.
Ms Leonard said an overall view of the group was that evidence and science based policy had given way to policy based on populism and opinions, with bureaucratic solutions imposed instead of learning from the knowledge and experience of those in various industries.
She said the comments she heard would help inform her approach to policies she would take to the election.