Allegations the egg industry tried to set up a cartel to boost prices have been aired for the first time in the Federal Court in Adelaide.

A directions hearing has set the course for a four-day trial.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleges the Egg Corporation encouraged its members to kill hens and destroy eggs to avoid an oversupply.

The legal action targets Egg Corporation directors James Kellaway, Jeffrey Ironside and Zelko Lendich and two companies they directed, Twelve Oaks Poultry and Farm Pride.

The corporation, based at North Sydney, collects levies from its members for marketing and research.

At the time it had up to 150 producer members.

The ACCC alleges that from November 2010 the Egg Corporation, through its publications, encouraged members to reduce egg production to avoid an oversupply, which could push down egg prices.

It is alleged members were told to cull hens and dispose of eggs.

The Corporation held a crisis meeting in Sydney in February 2012 where it is alleged a coordinated approach was sought.

ACCC should disclose full case, lawyer says

A lawyer for Mr Lendich and Farm Pride, Dan Star, said the ACCC's investigation had been ongoing since at least early last year.

He called on the ACCC to fully disclose its case soon.

"We want to know what the case is and we don't want to be railroaded unfairly into a trial," he told the hearing.

"It's an important case for the respondents with draconian consequences if they're liable."

ACCC lawyer Natalie Charlesworth said documents would be supplied to back up its claims.

"There are six respondents and there are volumes of material on which we rely," she said.

"That is why it takes some time."

The Federal Court heard the Egg Corporation could face a fine of up to $10 million and the directors up to $500,000 each.

It has been told an application might be made to move the proceedings to Sydney.

There is to be another directions hearing in August.