FARMERS have accused dairy processors on not engaging with them during a dispute over pricing.
Producers are upset that an improving global price for milk is not being passed on to them.
And the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) said processors are not co-operating with them after "18 months of struggling with prices below the cost of production".
It said neither Dairy UK (Northern Ireland) or Dale Farm were not engaging with them on the issue.
Dairy farmers were due to gather in Cookstown last night for a crisis meeting during which a vote on whether to take strike action was to take place.
Ivor Ferguson, the UFU's deputy president said the stance from dairy processors proved to him they "did not understand how angry farmers feel".
“Farmers are right to demand that processors dig deeper to give them the full benefit of the fall in the value of sterling and improving global markets," he said.
"If they cannot do so, they need to explain to their members why this is the case and also when they can expect to see price increases.
"For the organisation that represents processors to respond to criticism by refusing to engage with the body that represents their farmer suppliers is, quite frankly, childish posturing."
On Dale Farm, Mr Ferguson added: "That is their choice (not to engage), but as a farmer owned co-operative, I hope they are aware that many of their members are also members of the UFU.
"These producers have been pushing for us to take a tougher line – and I would urge them to make clear to Dale Farm that blocking engagement with the organisation that represents farmers is the wrong stance for any cooperative."
The UFU did not attend last night's meeting in Cookstown but said the fact that it is happening and also that many producers are considering sending their milk to processors operating in Britain was "further evidence of the hurt and anger felt by dairy farmers across Northern Ireland".
“Farmers see dairy commodity prices rising, in some cases to record levels, while milk production is falling, yet our dairy farmers are still receiving a base price below the cost of production,” added Mr Ferguson.
