The proxy forms, which were mailed today to MLA’s 46,500 sheep, cattle and goat producer members, should arrive in mailboxes over the next two weeks.

The cattle transaction levy will be put to the vote at this year’s AGM, and all cattle producing members have been encouraged to have their say on whether the $5 levy should be retained or revert to $3.50 per head.

All MLA members are entitled to one vote. However, those who completed and returned their levies notice form by the October 6 deadline have received their full voting entitlement.

The more members have paid in sheep, cattle, grainfed cattle and goat transaction levies during the 2008-09 fiscal year, the more votes they are entitled to.

This year has seen a high number of MLA members participating in the AGM process, with 10,095 producers (22 percent of MLA members) seeking their full voting entitlement.

Members who are not attending the AGM should return their proxy vote to MLA no later than 2pm (NT time) on November 17.

MLA members will be voting on five resolutions at the AGM: one on the cattle levy; three involving the election of MLA directors – with current MLA board director Peter Trefort seeking re-election to the MLA board and first-time nominees Iain Mars and Dr Greg Harper also standing for election.

And there's a board sponsored resolution seeking to change the constitution to allow for greater use of electronic methods to communicate with members.

MLA’s annual report 2008-09 is now available online at www.mla.com.au/annualreport/2009.

* The AGM is being held at 2pm at the Holiday Inn Esplanade, 166 The Esplanade, Darwin.