The dumping of Dairy Group chairman Doug Leeder over an affair with a staff member has angered farmers.
One said these "little hiccups" happened all the time, while another claimed the board that sacked him should have "bigger fish to fry."
Mr Leeder, married with four children, said he quitafter the staff member threatened to reveal their recently ended relationship if he did not give up the chairmanship he had held for just a year.
He told his fellow directors about the liaison, and, after a meeting on Tuesday that he did not attend, they called for his resignation.
However, Mr Leeder felt the directors had already lost confidence in him and had used the affair as an excuse to dump him.
The only director prepared to speak on the matter, John Roadley, rejected Mr Leeder's account, but a wide range of shareholders backed the high-flyer.
Support was strong around Mr Leeder's Bay of Plenty home, where he was chairman of the Bay Milk company for four years before it merged with Dairy Group.
Stuart McHardy, the supplier representative chairman in Mr Leeder's ward, said most of a Wednesday-night meeting with him was spent asking him to stay as a director.
"Little hiccups come along all the time and I think, in time, it will be seen as that."
Former Dairy Board deputy chairman Doug Bull said people were "absolutely astounded" that a personal issue had been used to remove Mr Leeder, a strong proponent of the industry forming a mega co-op.
Many concluded there was more to it and were concerned about the board's backing of the mega-merger.
One farmer in the Waikato said the board should have "bigger fish to fry," while Otorohanga farmer Sue Blackler said Mr Leeder's personal life should not be a boardroom matter.
Mr Roadley was adamant that the ousting was not a smokescreen, but he sympathised with farmers who related well to Mr Leeder.
"We really like the guy as well, but the shareholders don't get to appoint the chairman, the directors do, and I would urge farmers to have confidence in the board."
