While it had been planned to release the report in October-November, resolving contractual issues early on set the project back some six to eight weeks, chairman John McCarthy said.
In addition to analysis by national research organisation Cinta and supply chain specialists GHD, MIE engaged Lincoln University's Agricultural Economics Research Unit (AERU) to enable AERU director Caroline Saunders and senior research officer Glen Greer to peer review the work.
Analysis had also been undertaken by banker Sir John Anderson, while legal and industry background analysis from Andrew Morrison, of Wellington law firm Morrison Mallet, had also been obtained.
Any solution must entail ''a degree of dialogue'' with the processors, and industry consultation was an important part of the process, Mr McCarthy said.
Ensuring findings were ''road tested'' with relevant industry participants, as well as the peer review, meant the process was taking a little longer than originally anticipated.
MIE's principal adviser Ross Hyland was continuing to conduct meetings with processors and other players, he said.
Farmer director candidates endorsed by MIE in the upcoming Alliance Group and Silver Fern Farms elections will address a series of meetings throughout the country.
Alliance Group candidates Dr Mandy Bell, from Wanaka, and Russell Drummond, from Southland, along with Fiona Hancox, from West Otago, who is standing for the board of Silver Fern Farms, will also be available for questions and discussions.
In the South, meetings will be held on November 25 at the Kurow Hotel at 9am, the Milton Country Club at 2pm and the Heriot Community Centre at 7.30pm; the Clinton Community Centre on November 26 at 9.30am, the Tokonui Tavern at 2pm and the Longford Tavern in Gore at 7.30pm; the Waiau Hotel in Tuatapere on November 27 at 9.30am, the Top Pub in Winton at 2pm and the Mossburn Community Centre at 7.30pm.
John Monaghan, who has been re-elected to Fonterra's board of directors, will be guest speaker at Kurow and Milton, Mr Hyland will speak at Heriot and Clinton, and business journalist and commentator Rod Oram will speak at the other meetings.
