Fifth generation Tamworth dairy farmer Todd Wilson’s passion for quality milk and local farmers has led him from the paddock into the office, although only until he figures out the finer details of his new operation so he can get back out amongst his prized Shirlinn Jerseys.
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Mr Wilson recently bought the Peel Valley Milk factory and brand, and the family are hoping that in time demand can grow to the point where they will not only be processing all of their own milk, but also be looking to partner with other local dairy farmers as well.
On any given day four generations of the Wilson family can be found on the Wallamore rd farms, with grandfather Lindsay, father Brian, and Todd all chipping in to produce 3500 litres of milk a day, while the next generation, Ella, Marlie and Koby aren’t far behind once the school bell rings in the afternoon.
The milk can be walking around the paddock in the morning and you can be drinking it by lunch
- Todd Wilson
That milk used to all be sold to Dairy Farmers, shipped to Sydney, mixed with other milk and bottled before being sent back out to the stores, although on October 1 that all changed when they bought the renowned Peel Valley Milk off Malcolm Rose.
“We got sick of milk factories telling us that a few cents a litre here and there doesn’t matter so we went out to Peel Valley to speak with Malcolm and an option came up to buy it. Now we can process and bottle here,” Todd said.
“The milk can be walking around the paddock in the morning and you can be drinking it by lunch.”
“I am very passionate about producing a quality product – which is lucky because there is not much financial gain.”
“We want to support local farmers and farming families, and are going to try and sell as much local milk as possible and put it back into the local market,” he said.
While the Wilson’s have bought the brand and the Woolomin factory, Mr Rose will stay on his property, and until he can sell off his Jersey herd he will continue to supply to the Peel Valley Milk factory.
The Wilson’s also have a major interest in stud breeding, and showing, having produced Australia’s most successful ever dairy cow in Shirlinn Icy Eve, the most successful dairy cow in the history of the Royal Easter Show as well as four time Supreme Champion All Breeds, and the 2016 Australian Champion Cow.
“I was very confident that Malcolm was producing very similar milk because he has bought a lot of our cows and bulls over the years, so they essentially have the same bloodlines,” Todd said.
“We are also keeping all the same staff on at the factory, which is great.”
Peel Valley products include full cream milk, reduced fat milk, Gold Top milk, pure cream, as well as flavoured milks.
