SA Dairy Awards

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:29): I rise to speak about the 2017 South Australian dairy industry awards gala held on Friday 4 August 2017, where I had the pleasure of representing the Premier and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. This event clashed with the Midwinter Ball, which most politicians and journalists were at, and I was happy to represent them all at this very important industry event. The SA chapter of the Dairy Industry Association of Australia organised the event. I thank the association's president, Mr Kym Masters, and his committee for a memorable night.

The dairy industry is vital to South Australia's regional economy. In 2015-16, it generated $937 million in revenue. Around $39 million of this revenue was from exporting finished food products to Japan, New Zealand and Korea. A considerable amount of South Australian milk also goes to interstate processors to be used in both export and domestic products. Honourable members may also be interested to know that the industry comprises 244 farms, producing roughly 550 million litres of milk a year from more than 80,000 cows.

South Australians should be proud that our average annual milk production per cow is the highest in Australia. It is roughly 33 per cent higher than the national average. Not all of the milk produced in South Australia remains as fresh milk. Around 60 per cent is made into cheese, milk powder, yoghurt, butter and other products. The SA dairy industry awards recognise the best of these products as well as the best fresh milk. There are awards for various types of cheese, including blue cheese through to Camembert, fresh products, ice-cream and chocolate, among other categories.

There is also a best innovation category. Interestingly, this category covers not only consumer products but also includes ingredients and other products benefitting the industry that have been marketed within the last 12 months. The awards gala was a wonderful culmination to the competition, which is run by the association and the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia. The judging took place on 6 and 7 July. Gala guests had the opportunity to try a number of products. All of the cheese and other products I tried were delicious, and I dare not pick a favourite.

While the awards night recognised the achievements of many small to medium enterprise businesses in the industry over the past 12 months, we must not forget that the industry was facing hardship 12 to 18 months ago when the nation's two biggest processors lowered their prices and other factors almost drove the industry to the wall. I am told the prices have improved this year and, as a result, farmers have been able to increase production and reinvest in their businesses.

I would like to congratulate all the nominees and award recipients, especially: Beston Pure Foods; La Vera Fine Cheese Producers; Lion Dairy & Drinks The Heritage; King Island Dairy; Woodside Cheese Wrights; Snowbrand Australia; B.-d. Farm Paris Creek; Montefiore Cheese Australia; Section28 Artisan Cheeses; Hindmarsh Valley Dairy; Parmalat Australia; The Yoghurt Shop; Fonterra-Cobden; Tweedvale Milk; Jersey Fresh; TasFoods; 48 Flavours; Beans & Cream; Gelista; Minlaton Chocolaterie; and Bracegirdles House of Fine Chocolates.

Congratulations to them all for taking out awards on the night. I thank the industry, farmers and business operators for their dedication and hard work in making this industry strong and, in turn, helping the SA economy. I encourage all honourable members to look at the catalogue of results and try some of South Australia's best dairy products. South Australians will also get the opportunity to try some of these fantastic products at the Royal Adelaide Show.