By Gabrielle Hall
As you pour Farmers’ Own milk into your morning cereal or coffee each day, you’re supporting a group of innovative dairy farmers in South Australia.
Among them is Nick and Bernie Masterman of Maneela dairy farm at Undalya, 100 kilometres north of Adelaide.
They are one of the six dairies from the Barossa and Mid North supplying milk direct to Woolworths for its Farmers’ Own milk brand.
“The milk you get in those cartons is literally our milk,” says Nick.
“It goes through a separate line so you can be guaranteed the milk is from the six Barossa and Mid North dairy farms.”
The Masterman’s milk up to 500 Friesian and Jersey cows twice a day, and employ staff to help as well as feed calves and cows.
The milk is collected directly from the Mid North farm and taken to the old Dairy Vale (Parmalat) factory in Adelaide for processing.
“We have very high quality standards – both for the milk as well as animal health and hygiene – that we need to meet as part of this contract,” Nick says.
“Our minimum butterfat and protein percentage requirements are very high – it is the butterfat that gives milk its taste, and you really can taste the difference as it has a superior flavour.”
The contract is very important to the Mastermans, who say it’s given them sustainability following the uncertainty of deregulation of the milk industry in 2000.
“Prior to deregulation we had a government regulated price and in South Australia we were paid a small ‘domestic’ premium, but post deregulation we received a reduced ‘manufacturing/export’ milk price and became exposed to global prices and volatility,” Nick says.
“For those of us in the Barossa-Mid North Farmer’s Own group, striking a deal with Woolworths where we’re getting paid a small premium for milk again is hugely important.
“I don’t know how much longer we would have continued if it wasn’t for this. It’s given us some optimism and security, especially in a world market where we’re currently seeing a glut of milk.”
Farmers’ Own Barossa-Mid North milk is available in Woolworths throughout South Australia and the Northern Territory, with the range including reduced fat, full cream and unhomogenised.
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