Dairy leader calls time

The State's dairy farmers will be seeking a new representative after Dardanup's Phil Depiazzi announced he was standing down as WA Farmers dairy section president.

Mr Depiazzi made the announcement at last week's WA Farmers dairy industry dinner and said it "felt like the right time" to leave the position.

The Dardanup farmer has spent the past four years leading the advocacy group and will remain there until July.

A replacement has not been officially confirmed, although Mr Depiazzi believes there will be a natural succession from within the ranks.

Mr Depiazzi said he will "still well and truly be able to help" the new leader and hopes to leave a legacy of serving the industry.

"I hope people would see I was there representing all WA dairy farmers," he said.

"I also hope they see the value of advocacy and want to become involved with WA Farmers so we have a stronger voice."

Mr Depiazzi emphasised the importance of young people in the industry, with last Thursday's dinner and dairy innovation day based around attracting younger dairy farmers.

He praised all six finalists in the two Young Dairy Farmer of the Year categories and said they were all "quality people" who could "certainly have an impact" in the future.

Mr Depiazzi highlighted milk prices and finding markets with long-term sustainability as issues going forward but believed the industry was well-placed.

"The industry is in a good position at the moment," he said.

"Out of all the places in Australia to be milking cows, Western Australia is the place you want to be."

He said the State was attracting a good milk price but hoped the world price would turn around to improve the industry's overall health.

He also thanked those he had worked with during his time as president and believed most people had been "very supportive".