Three directors have resigned from Victoria's peak farming body, citing leadership concerns, proposed constitutional changes and poor communication with members.
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) accepted the resignations of Meg Parkinson, Peter Star and Craig Henderson during the group's annual conference on Tuesday.
The resignations came a little over a week after the federation refused an extraordinary general meeting requested by 150 members to potentially spill the group's leadership.
Ms Parkinson, the organisation's egg council president, said she was worried about subsequent constitutional changes being rushed through without input from the board.
"I've actually been on the board twice before, and I've never found so little communication with directors," she told ABC's Country Hour.
"I've put a lot of my life into the VFF ... and I'm terribly, terribly disappointed by all this."
VFF livestock council president Mr Star said he had also made the decision with a heavy heart.
"It's almost as if we're being railroaded into making decisions on behalf of members," he said.
In accepting the resignations, the VFF said the outgoing directors had recognised the complexity of their governance responsibilities under the existing federation constitution.
"After being recently appointed, these members have responded appropriately to their conflict of duty between their director’s corporate and fiduciary responsibilities, and the perceived expectations of representing some sectional interests," VFF president Emma Germano said in a statement.
She said the VFF board could continue to act in accordance with the Corporations Act, but the resigning directors say the board no longer has a quorum.
"Further, the transformational journey continues as requested by the overwhelming majority of members, that seek modern policy and advocacy that matter to all farmers," Ms Germano said.
The VFF also elected Bernie Free as vice-president of its United Dairyfarmers of Victoria group on Tuesday.
