Gippsland-based dairy specialist Burra Foods is again pushing ahead of other milk processors, announcing another step up today (Friday).The latest step up of 7c/kg butterfat and 17c/kg protein over the 2007/08 milk price will be paid retrospectively on July 15 on premium and base quality milk supplied from July 1, 2007.
Burra Chief Executive Grant Crothers said the latest step up means Burra suppliers have received market-leading cumulative step ups of 83c/kg butterfat and 207c/kg protein, more than 10 cents per litre, for the year to date.
“And today’s step up is unlikely to be the last,” he said. “It’s where you finish the season that matters, and while other processors might be chest-beating on next year’s price, we’re not finished with 07/08 yet!”
The step up is timed to continue to deliver improved cash flow following the early season initiative of pre-paying two full-year step ups, providing an advantage for any supplier buying-in grain and hay for the summer, he said. “We encourage all our suppliers – who stretch from Lang Lang to Yarram, from the coast to Warragul – to invest this step up in ways to boost their milk outputs, so to capitalise on the extraordinary good prices we are offering,” MrCrothers said.“We are confident of another good year in 08/09 so we urge everyone to maximise the opportunity the season ahead offers.
Like everyone, we welcome improved seasonal conditions – including the rain – but remain aware that with high input costs there are plenty of challenges ahead at the farm gate.“We continue to encourage discussions with suppliers, and potential suppliers, on their individual farm gate price needs and expectations,” he added.
ENDS
Gippsland-based Burra Foods is an award-winning, family-owned company using premium milk to make innovative dairy products that are exported worldwide. More than 50 farming families annually supply more-than 100m litre-equivalents that Burra’s 50 to 70 staff use for quality ingredients sought by global food companies. Owners Grant and William Crothers restored the disused Korumburra Butter Factory in Korumburra, South Gippsland and built an enterprise that now boasts a Japanese branch office and a metropolitan chain of gelato franchise outlets under the TRAMPOLINE ™ brand. Burra Foods strives to live by its values and core purpose which includes adding value to the world’s best raw materials, innovative technology and respect for the individual, the community and the environment.