Interested in Fonterra's Organics Programme? Learn more on what's required to get started and the current landscape.
Fonterra currently has four specialty milk programmes.
Many customers have very detailed acceptance specifications so they can provide their consumers with full traceability. Fonterra's Risk Management Programme (RMP) and comprehensive milk testing and monitoring programmes ensure that all milk is 'fit for purpose' – safe, suitable and truthfully labelled.
This RMP helps Fonterra farmers meet the required standards of excellence and Fonterra’s conditions of supply. Fonterra food safety programmes make a big difference to the quality of the milk we produce as a Co-op.
Organics
Winter Milk
Learn more about our Winter Milk programme.
Please note: we currently have sufficient supply and are not accepting new contracts.
Stolle
Stolle is a hyper-immune milk from Fonterra’s Specialty Milks stable. The Stolle programme has been operating in the Waikato since the early 1990’s.
a2 Milk™
Since September 2018, your Co-op has been manufacturing a2 Milk™ by Anchor. Our Co-op holds exclusive rights to produce and sell fresh a2 Milk™ in New Zealand.
Organic Milk Programme
Going organic opens the door to premium global markets, higher milk prices and stable, sustainable returns. Your Co-op’s Organic Programme is growing, offering more pathways for farmers to unlock new value and secure your future in dairy.
Generally, it takes up to three years for a farm converting to organic production to become fully certified to the standards required by Fonterra.
Already an organic farmer? Access to more information and your organic advance rate schedule are in the link below.
Winter Milk
Please note the demand and supply of winter milk are closely matched.
There is sufficient supply to meet market requirements and we are not able to facilitate new allocation of winter milk contracts at this time.
Fonterra collects Winter Milk between 16 May and 15 July in the North Island, and between 1 June and 31 July in the South Island.
There are two classes of Winter Milk:
- Contract Winter Milk
- Uncontracted Winter Milk (or Winter Premium Milk)
Contract and Uncontracted Winter Milk attract a payment premium over the standard milk price.
For further information on our Winter Milk Programme, please refer to the latest handbooks:
- Stepped premiums: Recognising when the milk is needed the most.
- Winter milk period: 61 days for contracted and uncontracted winter milk.
- Under and over supply volumes: We allow tolerances for under and over supply.
Fonterra has supply commitments to various customers, both local market and export. Contracted winter milk provides greater certainty to Fonterra of supply to meet these commitments. Uncontracted milk provides an option for suppliers to provide milk with no commitments and Fonterra the option of selectively manufacturing higher returning products.
As the name suggests, Contract Winter Milk suppliers have a formal contract with Fonterra which sets out minimum quality and environmental standards, a minimum daily supply volume, a price premium and a defined supply period of 61 days.
Uncontracted Winter Milk is the milk supplied during the same period as Contract Winter Milk, which is not supplied under the Winter Milk Contract or any other specialty milk contract. Uncontracted Winter Milk receives a premium price per kgMS above the standard milk price. The programme has been designed to provide an opportunity for farmers to take advantage of the higher price Fonterra can command for milk it receives over this period.
We require the highest quality milk for our winter milk customers. Because of this, Contract Winter Milk and Uncontracted Winter Milk need to meet certain quality standards to avoid penalties being incurred by the farmer.
There are specific effluent and sustainability compliance requirements.
Please refer to the Winter Milk Handbooks and the Fonterra Farmers' Terms of Supply for the specific requirements for supplying Winter Milk (including Milk Quality and Environmental Sustainability).
To find out more information on our Winter Milk Programme, please reach out to your Co-operative Services Area Manager or download one of our Winter Milk handbooks below:
Stolle Milk
Stolle is a hyper-immune milk from Fonterra’s Specialty Milks stable. The Stolle programme has been operating in the Waikato since the early 1990’s.
Initial development of the Stolle concept commenced in Ohio in 1958 by Ralph Stolle. This concept has been developed over time and today there are around 26,000 cows involved in Fonterra’s Stolle programme, all within close proximity to Morrinsville in the North Island of New Zealand. Fonterra is the only manufacturer of Stolle powder globally. Each cow in the programme is treated to stimulate the natural production of immune factors in their milk. Studies suggest products made from this hyper-immune milk can provide a number of significant health benefits for humans.
Stolle herds are carefully selected based on location, herd size, facilities and very importantly must demonstrate an exceptional milk quality history.
For more information on the Stolle Programme, please contact the Service Centre on 0800 65 65 68. Please note there are currently no vacancies in the programme
a2 Milk™
Since September 2018, our Co-op has been manufacturing a2 Milk™ by Anchor. Our Co-op holds exclusive rights to produce and sell fresh a2 Milk™ in New Zealand. This product line is largely supplied by two farms.
a2 Milk™ is completely natural cows’ milk that people with digestion challenges may find easier to consume.
All cow’s milk contains a1 and a2 beta casein protein, however we can select cows that only produce milk that contains the a2 beta casein protein.
Some people find that they can consume a2 Milk™ without challenges to their digestive system.
The New Zealand Fresh Milk License is an exclusive licensing arrangement for Fonterra to produce, distribute, sell and market a2 Milk™ fresh milk for sale in New Zealand.
It’s about consumer choice – Fonterra markets a number of different products to meet consumer desires, and a2 Milk™ products will be another way to meet those consumer demands.
Today a range of products exists to meet consumer needs and tastes – lactose-free, organic and high protein.
No. Consumers will always want choice; and consumers demands will continue to evolve - it’s up to us to evolve with them.
Most of the value generated by our a2MC Fresh Milk Licence relationship will be returned to all farmers through the dividend, but a2MC will also pay a retainer and utilisation payment to participating farms. This:
- Recognises the costs a farmer may incur to provide the premium milk supply;
- Aligns with other speciality milk programmes which offer participating farmers the ability to add value to their business.
Production is going well and our market share continues strongly.
We are processing the milk at our Palmerston North plant, so it’s most cost-efficient to source milk from as close to the site as possible.
This doesn’t mean that we will only ever make a2 Milk™ products in Palmerston North, but this is where a2 Milk™ by Anchor is made for now.
The milk is being supplied by Fonterra-owned farms so that all Co-op farmers can benefit from the value created. Milk volume is supported by two other Fonterra suppliers.
a2 Milk™ by Anchor can be found in New World, Pak N Save and Countdown stores.