Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
When it comes to making the best butter in Australia, it seems there's no one better than Fonterra Brands.
The co-op's Duck River Premium Butter - made at its Spreyton site in northern Tasmania - was crowned Champion Butter at this month's Australian Grand Dairy Butter.
The recognition follows another win last month at the 2023 Sydney Royal Cheese & Dairy Produce Show, where Duck River also claimed the Champion Butter title.
For years, Fonterra's Western Star salted butter has been the best butter brand across the Tasman.
Made at the co-op's Cobden site in western Victoria, Western Star took out the Champion Butter title for the 10th time at the Australian Grand Dairy Awards.
Fonterra says Duck River butter is a true reflection of the quality milk it sources from farmers in Tasmania, as well as the hardworking team at Spreyton.
Fonterra Spreyton site manager Douglas Overdijk says the team at Spreyton is proud of the recognition.
"We are incredibly proud that our Duck River has been recognised by industry experts and named Champion Butter at this year's Australian Grand Dairy Awards," he told Dairy News.
"This recognition is a testament to the exceptional quality of milk sourced from our hardworking farmers in Tasmania, and the expert craftsmanship of our skilled butter makers who transform this milk into great-tasting butter."
The Australian Grand Dairy Awards are widely recognised as the ultimate dairy competition in Australia, showcasing and rewarding the finest quality dairy produce from across the country.
The pathway to be eligible for these awards requires winning at a Royal Show or at the Dairy Industry Association Australia Awards.
This year, more than 300 of Australia's top dairy products were put through a rigorous judging process, assessed by a panel of judges on flavour, aroma, texture, body, and appearance.
Fonterra says it is honoured that Duck River was selected as the top choice in the butter category.
The Grand Champion Cheese prize at this year's awards went to Woombye Cheese Company in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland for its Woombye Blackall Gold cheese.
The company's website describes the winning cheese as "surprisingly mild while young but develops a more robust flavour as it ripens".
"It's perfect for something different on your cheeseboard with its orange appearance and is as good as any European cheese."
Woombye says creating beautiful cheese is its passion.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…
OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…