Fonterra farmers recognised in 2024 Milk Quality Awards
Dairy farmers across the country have been recognised in Dairy Australia’s 2024 Milk Quality Awards, with 22 gold and silver awards claimed by Fonterra’s farmer suppliers across Victoria and Tasmania in this year’s awards.
The awards celebrate farmers who have produced the country’s best milk based on Bulk Milk Cell Count (BMCC) data provided by processors each financial year.
Dairy Australia releases a list recognising the top 100 dairy farmers with the highest quality milk in the country.
An ideal cell count is less than 250,000 cells/ml – with a high cell count indicating a bacterial infection in the udder, also known as mastitis.
The lower the cell count, the higher the quality of milk, and the 100 farmers with the lowest annual BMCCs are presented with a gold diamond plaque for their farm gate. Other farms within the lowest five per cent of BMCCs receive a silver diamond.
This year, Fonterra’s farmer suppliers claimed a total of 22 nods by Dairy Australia in recognition of their milk; 13 gold awards and nine silver.
Gippsland dairy farmers and Fonterra suppliers Mick and Julie Fusinato, alongside Nathan Ryrie who share farms with them, were named in the top 100, receiving the Gold Milk Quality Award.
“It’s reward for a lot of hard work over a lot of years,” Julie said.
Nathan said he wasn’t expecting the award but was proud to be recognised.
“It’s something to work towards. Always keeping on top of cell count. It’s about keeping the cows happy and producing good quality milk,” he said.
It’s been great to see Mick, Julie and Nathan maintain the BMCC levels they have, and their milk goes into great dairy products we know and love here in Australia. It’s a win-win for all.
Fonterra’s Farm Source Area Manager – Responsible Dairy in Gippsland, Craig Fallon, works directly with farmers across the areas of animal health and welfare, biosecurity and sustainability.
Part of his role is to help farmers improve herd health, prevent mastitis and support them to achieve high milk quality.
“Mick, Julie and Nathan run a fantastic business with best-practice milking techniques and systems,” Craig said.
“Over the last few years, they’ve fine-tuned the operations in their dairy, reducing the risk of mastitis and cross-contamination between animals. They’ve always had a sharp focus on the overall health of their herd, and it’s great to see their commitment recognised with a Gold Milk Quality Award,” he said.
Craig recognised that achieving the desired low BMCC cell count can take many years of hard work.
“It doesn’t happen overnight. It can be two, three, even five-year plans that are needed to achieve results like the Fusinato’s.
“If you’re dealing with a mastitis infection, it’s not a simple fix. Farmers are often dealing with splitting their herd, excluding cows from the dairy and managing groups with various levels of BMCC results to target individual cows for treatment.
“It’s been great to see Mick, Julie and Nathan maintain the BMCC levels they have, and their milk goes into great dairy products we know and love here in Australia. It’s a win-win for all,” Craig finished.
2024 Fonterra Milk Quality Award Winners
Gippsland
MJ & JL Fusinato - Mick and Julie Fusinato and share farmer, Nathan Ryrie - Gold
RW & SI Summerfield - Ross and Sue Summerfield - Silver
Northern Victoria
AK & PM Lawry - Keith, Pamela, Anthony and Jake Lawry - Gold
Max Jones Partnership - Mandy Bell and Peter Jones - Gold
M, S, KJ & FI Fitzsimmons - Kevin, Faye, Jason and Sam Fitzsimmons - Gold
Tasmania
NG & SK Crole - Nathan and Samantha Crole and share farmers, Paul and Susan Wallis - Gold
F & E Edwards and L Burlace - Frank Edwards and Lizzy Burlace - Silver
MD & JM Goss - Matthew and Jacqueline Goss - Silver
ADP – Blythe Vale - Wayne and Caroline Saward (share farmers) - Silver
Prime Dairy – Banksia Park - Erik Geertsma (Farm Manager) - Silver
Western Victoria
TMJA Family Trust - James, Andrew, Tim and Mary Parish - Gold
JT & AL Burleigh - Jason and Abby Burleigh - Gold
JN Sloane - James and Felicity Sloane - Gold
AJ, JD & JW Kenna - Jane and John Kenna and James and Linda Kenna - Gold
PJ O'Bryan and FK O'Bryan - Peter O’Bryan and Frank O’Bryan - Gold
BL & GL Justin - Gerard, Glenice and Brian Justin - Gold
P Richardson - Pauline Richardson - Gold
RK & LJ Hawtin - Ross and Linda Hawtin - Gold
Fleming Farming Trust - Greg, Anthony and Mary Flemming - Silver
IC & BF Crabbe - Ian, Bernadette and Brendan Crabbe - Silver
JM Kenny & JR Kenny & PG Kenny - Jack Kenny and Peter Kenny - Silver
A Kavanagh - Ray, Kathryn, Anthony and Jacqueline Moloney, with share farmer Anthony Kavanagh - Silver