The special postal ballot for the proposed acquisition by National Foods of Australian Cooperative Foods, which trades as Dairy Farmers, has now opened.
For the $910 million National Foods proposal to acquire ACF to succeed, it requires the support of 75pc or more of ACF active members who vote on the proposal.
Information about the National Foods proposal has been posted to ACF members from across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia this week.
Each active member was also sent a voting guide which includes a special postal ballot paper.
"The ballot is open and members will be receiving their packs of information on the National Foods proposal, which for active members includes a special postal ballot paper, today or early next week," ACF chairman Ian Langdon said.
"This pack of information includes what is known as a Scheme Booklet – a 220-page legal document that contains very detailed information about the National Foods proposal, including the independent expert’s report.
"After receiving their packs of information, the board strongly encourages members to read all the documentation carefully before completing their ballot papers.
"We also recommend they discuss the National Foods proposal with their investment and taxation advisers."
The proposal is subject to a number of conditions, including that new and existing members enter into revised milk supply contracts with Dairy Farmers for a minimum period to 30 June 2010 to secure minimum regional volumes of milk.