IT COULD be the most important decision Griffith citrus farmers make in their life � but less then one fifth have picked up a pen and made it.

Riverina Citrus has conducted a landmark poll in a bid to begin collective bargaining on behalf of its members.

At least 50 per cent of eligible farmers must vote on the issue and out of those, at least 51 per cent must vote yes.

Only 90 out of a potential 500 farmers have sent their ballot papers to the Electoral Commission of NSW.

For devastated Riverina Citrus chairman Frank Battistel, it could be a huge opportunity lost.

"We've spent thousands of dollars and three years getting to this ballot stage, so if we can't get the numbers I'll be pretty upset," he said.

"If our farmers can't tick a box on a ballot paper and post it, well, it makes us wonder why we're even here."

A successful result in the ballot, which closes at noon today, would enable Riverina Citrus to collectively bargain with local citrus growers' agents and processors.

"This is a major change for the industry � collective bargaining gives us the power to negotiate prices on behalf of our members," Mr Battistel said. "This is the most important thing a Riverina citrus farmer can do in his lifetime."