Here you’ll find an overview of each Specialty Milk Programme - what’s involved, key requirements, and how to learn more - so you can choose what suits your farm and goals.
Summary:
To meet customer demand and deliver value across different markets, Fonterra offers four specialty milk programmes: Organic, Winter Milk, Stolle, and A2.
Specialty Milk Programmes
Specialty milks help you access high-value markets and support innovative dairy products.
Organic Milk
- Fonterra’s expanding Organic Programme provides more opportunities for farmers.
- Organic opens access to premium global markets.
- Historically, organic milk has returned an average $2.05/kgMS premium above the Farmgate Milk Price.*
* Future returns may vary
What’s Involved
- Converting to organic takes time – usually up to three years to meet Fonterra’s certification standards, and we can support you on this journey.
Already Organic? Check your organic advance rate schedule.
Find out more
Our Customer Service Team is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Winter Milk
Important: Winter Milk supply is matched to customer demand in the traditional dry season.
Winter milk contracts are currently limited with supply and demand in balance. Premiums are associated to the milk supplied during this period.
What’s involved
- Winter period
- North Island: 16 May – 15 July
- South Island: 1 June – 31 July
- Two options
- Contract Winter Milk – Formal agreement with set standards, minimum daily supply, and stepped premiums.
- Uncontracted Winter Milk – No contract, but still earns a premium per kgMS.
- Quality standards - High milk quality is essential to avoid penalties.
- Environmental requirements - Effluent and sustainability compliance apply.
Read the handbook below for more information.
Find out more
Our Customer Service Team is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Stolle Milk
- Fonterra is the sole global producer of Stolle powder, making it a premium, specialised programme.
- Its “hyper‑immune” milk contains natural immune factors used in human health products.
- The programme has been running in Waikato since the early 1990s. Around 26,000 cows are part of the programme, all near Morrinsville in the North Island.
What’s involved
Each cow is treated to naturally boost immune factors in its milk. Herds must meet strict criteria:
- Be in the right location.
- Have suitable facilities.
- Demonstrate an exceptional milk quality history.
Note: There are currently no new spaces in the programme.
Find out more
Our Customer Service Team is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
a1 protein free milk
- a1 protein free (a1PF) lets farmers supply a growing consumer segment seeking easier‑to‑digest milk.
- It’s produced by cows that naturally produce only the a2 beta‑casein protein.
What’s involved
- Participating farms receive:
- A retainer and utilisation payment to recognise costs and add value.
Speak to your Co-operative Services Area Manager for details.
Find out more
Our Customer Service Team is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Need help right now with specialty milks? Talk to us
Customer Service Team
Our Farmer Support Team is available 24/7 for urgent help and immediate guidance.
Local support
The My Co‑op app has contact details for your local Farm Source team for more complex issues.
Chat in person
Your Farm Source store is there for local face‑to‑face support with our team. They’re always happy to help.