The Federated Farmers West Coast dairy chair says the drop in payout forecast for the Westland dairy co-operative did not come as a surprise.
New Zealand First's primary industries spokesperson Richard Prosser has criticised Westland Milk products for not being upfront with suppliers and said the company was over-promising and under-delivering.
The company's payout forecast dropped 40 cents this week to a range of $5 to $5.40 per kilo of milk solids.
But West Coast dairy chair Renee Rooney said the drop was expected, in line with national trends, and farmers did not believe that Westland Milk Products was being unreasonable.
"I guess it's just one of those things you know, and we do have to say that keep those communication lines open.
"It is going to be a tough 12 months ahead of us ... farmers need to be talking with their bank managers, their accountants, their family, their neighbours and of course, there's rural support available."
