Who we are

The Victorian Chicken Growers Council is a Cooperative of farmers 'owned by growers for growers' representing the interests of more than 75 percent of Victoria's contracted Broiler Farmers. The VCGC is the state body of the Australian Chicken Growers Council and is a member of the National Farmers Federation.

The Group is structured into three branches reflecting the processor to which a grower is contracted. A major role of the VCGC is to assist members in negotiations of growing fees and contract conditions with the processors to ensure a fair deal to both parties.
Chicken is currently the most popular meat in Australia. Chicken meat consumption is now up to 47kgs per head of population. It is low cost, high protein, consistent quality, free from hormones, low in fat and available in many forms. The relative cost advantages are attributable to developments in bird-type, growing efficiencies, processing and marketing.
Challenges facing the industry in Australia are similar to all intensive livestock industries throughout the developed world. This includes the increasing community awareness and interest of the health implications of food consumed, and the environmental and animal welfare issues of food production. To address these issues the Chicken Care Program was developed. The Programme sets the standard of best operating practices for the industry. VCGC growers obtain Chicken Care accreditation and RSPCA accreditation continually being audited to ensure that the highest environmental and animal welfare standards are maintained.

Other challenges the chicken industry are facing:

To ensure a fair trading relationship between the producer and the buyer in a highly concentrated and vertically integrated industry.
Encroachment of residential developments into traditional agricultural areas creating conflict between farmers and new residents with an idealistic expectation of rural living.
Maintaining Australia’s quarantine rules to prevent exotic diseases entering the country.

Caring for chicken and the environment

What is Chicken Care?

Chicken Care is a voluntary best practice initiative recognised by all sectors of the industry as the means to improve the industry's environmental and safety performance and to be aware of and address community expectations.
Its key features include a 200 point best practice model, a community advisory panel, training, grower meetings and publication of industry performance.
VCGC Chicken Meat Growers participate in an introductory workshop which outlines the principles of Environmental Management systems for individual farms.
Each grower develops an Environmental Management System (EMS) plan for their farm, and this is followed by an auditing process.
Outcomes of this project include the welfare of the birds, the adoption of profitable and sustainable farming practices, improved nature resource management and environmental outcomes and an ability to demonstrate environmental stewardship to domestic and international markets.
Processors and Growers work in unison to strive for continuous improvement.

The Victorian Chicken Growers' Council 'owned by growers for growers'

Promoting the Industry
Working in conjunction with the ACGC and ACMF and in developing industry specific growth strategies to present to government.
Red Tape and Right to Farm
The Victorian Growers Chicken Council together with Australian Chicken Growers Council and the National Farmers Federation continue to assist members to remove barriers to farming and protect chicken meat farming pursuits.
Planning Rules
We continue to lobby the government and local councils for improved conditions that encourage broiler industry growth in agricultural areas.
Dealing with Objections
The VCGC actively lobbies against farm trespass and promotes the benefits of our industry and high standards in agricultural production.
Market Power
The VCGC and ACGC are working with regulators, supermarkets and processors to address the inequities of market power.
Biosecurity
There will be a concerted effort in addressing the continued outbreaks of ILT and exotic diseases. The VCGC objective is to ensure that the government understands the impact of disease and the economic impact on Industry.