Duck River clinches coveted Champion Butter title
Tasmanian-produced Duck River Premium Butter, crafted at Fonterra Australia’s Spreyton site, clinched the coveted title of Champion Butter at this year's Australian Grand Dairy Awards.
This achievement marks the second consecutive win for Duck River, surpassing strong contenders, including another Fonterra Australia finalist, Western Star Butter, to secure first place at the forefront of dairy excellence.
Prior to this recognition, Duck River achieved acclaim at the 2023 Dairy Industry Association of Australia (DIAA) Australian Dairy Product Awards, with the Spreyton site securing four gold and two silver medals for butter and milk powder products, and the trophy for the best Consumer Pack Butter in Tasmania.
The Australian Grand Dairy Awards – now in its 25th year – honours the highest quality dairy products throughout Australia and are the premier dairy competition in the nation, celebrating agriculture and food.
Fonterra Australia Senior Brand Manager, Marketing Spreads, Linsey Macintosh and Fonterra Australia Cheese Grading and Maturation Technologist, Mark Gardner
Duck River's eligibility for national recognition starts with state-based recognition and gold medal victories to ensure only the highest-quality products are up for judging.
Having achieved both state and now national acclaim, Duck River stands as a testament to the outstanding quality of milk produced by Tasmanian dairy farmers and the unwavering dedication of our expert butter makers at Spreyton. This winning combination ensures consumers are buying Australia’s finest crafted butter – only available in Tasmania.
In this year's competition, an expert panel of 17 judges meticulously evaluated close to 400 of Australia's top dairy products based on flavour, aroma, texture, body, and appearance, affirming Duck River's excellence in each category. Judges described Duck River Butter as “smooth, creamy and perfectly salted.”
Fonterra Australia Director of Supply Chain and Operations Rob Howell, shared excitement in Duck River's back-to-back recognition.
“We’re exceptionally proud to have taken home the Champion Butter award for the second year running. It would not be possible without our hardworking Tasmanian farmers and the skilful craft of our team at Spreyton who have been making Duck River Butter for many years,” he said.
“Duck River dates back 120 years to 1904, and it’s clear our butter makers are honouring the origins and history of this well-loved butter with back-to-back Champion Butters wins,” Rob added.
It would not be possible without our hardworking Tasmanian farmers and the skilful craft of our team at Spreyton who have been making Duck River Butter for more many years
Fonterra Australia Senior Brand Manager, Marketing Spreads, Linsey Macintosh said Duck River Butter is found in more than half of Tasmanian households, making it the state’s number one butter and spreads brand.
“Duck River Butter is a brand that Tasmanians know and love, and consistently choose to purchase. It doesn’t just hold the number one spot in the butter and spreads category, but it also claims the number one position for repeat rate of purchase,” Linsey said.
“It’s impressive, 90 per cent of customers come back again to repurchase,” she added.
Congratulations to everyone contributing to the creation of this iconic butter.