Category: Blog

Grain Storage Holds Key To Security Of Supply

With anticipation for a prosperous harvest season for the eastern Australian wheat industry on reprieve from years of drought, Manildra Group is continuing to strategically invest in grain storage facilities in the heart of the NSW wheatbelt.

With the purchase of the new grain storage sites, Manildra Group will fully own and operate four major grain storages in NSW from Stockinbingal in the south west slopes to Manildra in the central west, and north to Moree and Bellata in the state’s central north.

Leading the project, our Head Grain Buyer Peter Sloan is looking forward to the opportunities that four storage sites will provide for Manildra Group’s flour milling operations and thousands of Australian wheat farming families.

“This significant investment in grain storage assets is the backbone for bringing our finest Australian-grown wheat from the paddocks to storage and then to our flour mills, guaranteeing customers absolute confidence in our supply chain,” said Mr Sloan.

“This additional storage, on top of our current capacity at our four state-of-the-art flour mills, enables us to extend our storage up-country.

“It further cements our footprint in regional NSW and commitment to a sustainable grains industry, ensuring we can continue to deliver high-quality premium wheat from our storage sites to flour mills daily.

“The new grain sites will be managed by a team of top local blokes – experts in grain-handling and the industry, with decades of experience – who will be our go-to people on the ground, greeting and liaising with local growers on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

The strategic location of these sites throughout regional NSW also facilitates round-the-clock access to rail-sized parcels of wheat 365 days a year.

Mr Sloan noted that while eastern wheat-producing are, “in pretty good shape, the whole industry is really hoping we have a kind spring to give NSW and QLD growers in particular some much needed reprieve from the catastrophic drought conditions so persistent over recent years.”

“There are so many good growers who have had a very tough time and are in desperate need of a run of decent seasons.

“We’re always looking to make the grain buying process as streamlined as possible, and when working with growers to accommodate their delivery and payment options and all other logistical requirements, we are happy to use our resources to best suit the conditions of the transaction.

“It is our strong relationships – some lasting generations – with growers and traders that are the foundation of which our buying is based,” said Mr Sloan.

As a major flour miller producing premium flour and industrial products since 1952, the 100 per cent Australian family-owned Manildra Group has grown to become the largest user of Australia’s high-quality wheat, in the production of food and industrial products from our flour mills in Gunnedah, Nowra, Narrandera and Manildra.

Ethanol Investment
 in Fight Against Coronavirus Pandemic

Australia’s leading ethanol producer, family-owned Australian Manildra Group has announced it will make a substantial investment to expand their state-of-the-art distillery, to produce an additional 90 million litres of ethanol for pharmaceutical and beverage industries.

“We’ve been operating our world-class distillery round-the-clock to increase production of pharmaceutical-grade ethanol, the active ingredient in hand sanitisers and surface disinfectants. The use of these products has skyrocketed as a result of coronavirus.

“This includes in the frontline fight by NSW health and essential services workers – who we have been able to equip with the hand sanitiser critical to the safety of both patients, workers and communities,” said Manildra Group Managing Director John Honan.

Hand sanitiser with at least 60 per cent alcohol as the active ingredient is recommended by the World Health Organisation as part of the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

“This investment will provide more than one hundred jobs during construction as well as provide additional ongoing employment opportunities at Manildra Group’s ethanol plant. This further investment will provide a much-needed boost to the community of Nowra and the NSW economy,” said Mr Honan.

Family owned Australian business, Manildra Group’s seven-column, grain-neutral ethanol distillery – the largest in Australia – distils premium ethyl alcohol into a range of grades for food and spirits, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, industrial applications and transport fuels.

Located in Nowra, NSW, Manildra Group uses only premium GMO-free wheat as a feedstock in the fermentation process.

“We’re proud to be able to assist the nation during this crisis – working with government, front line agencies, hand sanitiser and cleaning product manufacturers to meet the demand for locally- produced ethanol.

“Manildra Group has been producing ethanol since 1992 and we’ve never experienced such an unprecedented level of demand.

“The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of local-manufacturing and we would encourage the nation to continue to support Australian manufacturing, local jobs and buy Australian made,” said Mr Honan.

Working with NSW’s Rural and Remote Medical Services, Manildra Group has been grateful to be able to provide thousands of litres of our Stay Safe hand sanitiser for delivery to rural, remote and indigenous general practices, pharmacies, aged care homes, ambulance, police and other essential services who need it.

In a multi-million-dollar cornerstone project for the Australian food processing industry, MSM Milling has become the nation’s first low-carbon canola oil producer.

The Australian family-owned company funded and commissioned a $5.38 million, state-of-the-art biomass-fuelled boiler with the help of a $2 million grant from the Advancing Renewables Program through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The 4.88-megawatt biomass boiler is fuelled by locally sourced renewable wood waste, forestry thinnings, offcuts and sawmill byproducts, to generate steam used in the canola processing operation.

MSM Milling Director Bob Mac Smith said the biomass boiler replaced three LPG boilers to deliver the vast majority of heat and steam requirements from renewables, and a 70 per cent reduction in thermal energy costs.

“In real terms, our switch from LPG to biomass will result in net emissions reductions of more than 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents during the life of the project,” said Mr Mac Smith. “It means we’re removing the CO2 equivalent of 1500 cars from the road each year.”

Mr Mac Smith said the company’s commitment to sustainability and adoption of renewable energy was in line with consumer demand for environmentally friendly products, production and supply chains, and businesses.

“It means we’re removing the CO2 equivalent of 1500 cars from the road each year” – Bob Mac Smith, MSM Milling Director

“We’re proud MSM Milling is one of the country’s first large-scale food manufacturers to make the switch to bioenergy – increasing NSW’s renewable energy generation and reducing greenhouse emissions, fossil fuel energy use and depletion of finite resources. The investment is also delivering domestic and international consumers the low-carbon food products they’re demanding,” he said.

“Our 100 per cent Australian, expeller pressed, non-GM auzure Canola Oil is now officially a low-carbon food product.”

ARENA Chief Executive Darren Miller said the fuel switch project – which received a Bioenergy Australia Commendation for Corporate Leadership at the 2018 Bioenergy Australia Conference, ahead of the boiler’s commissioning in 2019 – helped showcase the growing benefits of bioenergy uptake in Australia’s energy mix.

“MSM Milling is one of the first examples of a large Australian agricultural industry company reducing its costs and environmental impact by using biomass for thermal energy, and we see significant potential for the project to be replicated elsewhere in the industrial sector,” said Mr Miller.

MSM Milling partnered with boiler manufacturer Justsen and Uniquip Engineering, carbon energy expert Ndevr Environmental, and local industry experts for the project – documenting the whole process from conception, approval and development at bioenergy conferences across Australia, to encourage bioenergy uptake among domestic manufacturers.

With the fuel switch project showcasing the early adoption of the technology in Australia, the boiler manufacturer has since signed with other Australian companies to facilitate further uptake of bioenergy.

See the boiler in action at msmmilling.com.au

An all-Australian partnership to tap the naturally high water content in sugarcane for bottled beverages will yield economic and environmental benefits for industry and communities in NSW.

As a major sugar producer, Australia’s east coast canefields stretch from northern NSW to Queensland’s far north.

Already regarded as a renewable source of food, fibre and fuel, the sugarcane plant is lesser known as a water source – each stalk comprises about 70 per cent water.

This water, harvested from the crops of NSW growers, will be bottled in a partnership between Sunshine Sugar and the award-winning AquaBotanical, a globally patented innovation to help farmers minimise waste by sourcing water entirely from plants.

Further enhancing the certified sustainable sugar milling process – in which leftover plant matter provides fuel to power Sunshine Sugar’s operations – new technology will be installed to capture potable water from condensed vapour.

The end result is a clear and clean-tasting water free of toxins and additives, bottled in fully recyclable, quality glass.

Sunshine Sugar Chief Executive Officer Chris Connors said compelling drivers for the project included AquaBotanical’s proven record in producing drinking water from fresh produce, coupled with growing concern over thesustainable use of groundwater reserves.

“The bottled water market in Australia is growing,” said Mr Connors.

“In Australia, bottled water already generates more than $700 million annually – driven largely by consumer preference for convenience and health-consciousness.”

“This partnership between the all-Australian Sunshine Sugar and AquaBotanical will deliver not just financial returns, but also environmental and social benefits for the NSW sugar industry and communities in the Northern Rivers region.”Sustainable Sugarcane A Source Of Bottled Water

Manildra Group has unveiled pizza flour brand Mulino Perfetto, an authentic and traditional Italian double zero (00-grade) flour, available at wholesalers throughout Australia.

Ideal for Italian pizza, Mulino Perfetto (translating to Perfect Mill) is milled from the highest quality GMO-free wheat, leaving the flour triple-sifted and unbleached.

“The beauty of great Italian pizza is all in the dough, and using the right pizza flour is integral,” said Manildra Group Head of Sales Murray Newman.

“Ideal for baking classic Italian pizza in wood-fired, gas or electric ovens, Mulino Perfetto produces a very flavourful crust.

“Withstanding long fermentation and kneading, the feedback from Italian pizza chefs has been that Mulino Perfetto delivers the perfect balance of traditional flavour and texture.”

As the most refined flour, double zero (also known as doppio zero) is part of a traditional Italian grading system (from 2 to 00) for how finely ground the flour is, and how much bran and germ have been removed. Available in 12.5kg bags, Mulino Perfetto is produced in the heart of the Central West NSW wheatbelt, at Manildra Group’s flagship state-of-the-art mill in Manildra.

“Withstanding long fermentation and kneading, the feedback from Italian pizza chefs has been that Mulino Perfetto delivers the perfect balance of traditional flavour and texture.”

Contact Manildra Group’s Customer Service team on 1800 227 862 or customerservice@manildra.com.au

For a naturally more wholesome sweetener with full flavour, the low-GI Sunshine Sugar used in Bakers Delight’s snacking range has also cut sugar levels in dough.

Retaining all its naturally occurring and beneficial antioxidants, the raw cane sugar with a lower Glycemic Index (GI) delivers all the flavour expected in a Bakers Delight product with increased wholesomeness.

A household name, Australia’s most successful bakery franchise boasts stores in more than 700 locations across Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand.

Since 1980, the focus of the family-owned business to make food an enjoyable experience for all – from the counter to consumption – has been backed by a firm commitment to quality of product and standard of service.

From the creation of the quintessentially Aussie Cheesymite Scroll, to the launch of the low-FODMAP bread for people with food intolerances, Bakers Delight continues to deliver on its promise to surprise and delight.

The authenticity of the Bakers Delight business extends beyond the customer to supporting provenance throughout the supply chain.

Sharing these commitments, the fellow Australian family-owned Manildra Group is proud to be the preferred supplier of locally grown and made ingredients – from flour and bakery mixes to canola oil and sugar – for Bakers Delight.

“As more consumers become conscious and educated about what they consume, Bakers Delight has been thrilled to be a market leader in the adoption of low-GI sugar,” said Bakers Delight Product Development Manager Luke Farrell.

“Sunshine Sugar’s low-GI Sugar is made using the nucane™ process, which was developed right in here in Australia.”

“One hundred per cent natural, low-GI sugar is more slowly digested, absorbed and metabolised – resulting in a lower and slower rise in blood glucose.”

Bakers Delight now uses Sunshine Sugar’s low-GI sugar in all snack products across Australia and New Zealand, so customers can enjoy even more of their favourite sweet treats such as finger buns, brioche, scrolls, fruit loaves, swirls, logs and teatimes.

In sweet news for ice-cream lovers and more than 200 dairy farmers, Norco Co-operative Limited – a 100 per cent Australian farmerowned dairy co-operative – is set to significantly increase its ice-cream production.

A boost to the sustainability of family dairy farms from northern NSW to south-east Queensland, a $30 million upgrade of Norco’s ice-cream facilities in the regional NSW city of Lismore is set to commence within months.

With the region’s lush green pastures and rolling hills long home to dairy farmers, it was anenterprising group in 1895 who established the North Coast Fresh Food and Cold Storage Company – later the North Coast Co-operative Company and shortened to Norco Co-operative Ltd, which today counts more than 200 member farms.

Keeping the family legacy alive are many second, third, fourth and fifth-generation Norco dairy farmers, including Chairman Greg McNamara – a director of 20 years who, with his wife Sue and son Todd run a 350-head dairy herd, at Goolmangar near Lismore.

Mr McNamara said after 120 years as one of Australia’s most-loved and trusted dairy ranges, Norco’s growth in organic milk was also set to double this year, as consumers shifted to healthier foods produced sustainably.

“Consumers really want to understand where their food comes from and know that the animals have been treated well and our farmers are looking after their land in a sustainable way,” said Mr McNamara.

“With quality a pillar of the Norco business since inception, our customers in Australia and overseas often comment on the superior quality of our products. In fact, our diligence on quality was an important factor in Norco gaining fresh milk entry into the Chinese market.

“Our preference is to use Australian-sourced ingredients when manufacturing dairy products, as we know the broader benefit to regional communities when we buy Australian products. Buying local ensures quality and further supports businesses that employ local people.”

In addition to the Lismore ice-cream factory, Norco operates regional milk bottling factories in the NSW town of Raleigh, near Coffs Harbour, and in Labrador on Queensland’s Gold Coast, along with a rural retailing and feed milling business with more than 800 employees across all NSW and Queensland sites.

Alongside the best-selling, two-litre bottle of wholesome white milk and the rich ice-cream supplied to three major Australian retailers, Norco’s range of dairy products includes flavoured milk, cheese, butter, and cream.

“Australian retailers have increased the presence of their own brands on supermarket shelves, so we have to be innovative in selling and manufacturing quality dairy products,” said Mr McNamara.

“While we cannot influence the price of milk on retail shelves, we certainly can – and do – talk to retailers and customers in general about how a sustainable and profitable group of farmers supplying our business will encourage the next generation of farmers to succeed their parents.”

Retaining a 100 per cent Australian-owned status was “extremely important” to Norco, said Mr McNamara. Dairy farmers also found value in being part of an Australian-owned co-operative with an active interest in their growth and development, he said.

As the preferred supplier of other locally produced ingredients (such as glucose and dry and liquid sugars) used to make Norco ice-creams and flavoured fresh milks, Australian-owned Manildra Group shares Norco’s commitment to productive primary industries and communities.

“Buying local ensures quality and further supports businesses that employ local people” – Greg McNamara, Norco Chairman

Manildra Group Managing Director John Honan said like Norco, Manildra Harwood Sugars partnered with the grower-owned NSW Sugar Milling Co-operative as Australia’s only remaining 100 per cent Australian sugar cane co-operative.

“Made and owned by Australian farmers – when you buy Norco products, you’re supporting our local dairy farmers and communities,” said Mr Honan of the relationship between the familyowned agribusiness and farmer-owned dairy co-operative, to produce “local dairy products  with real flavour”.

Mr McNamara said Manildra Harwood Sugars, with the northern NSW-southern Queensland sugar cane industry, had a long association with the region’s dairying industry, as “industries and companies that have been pivotal in shaping our region into what it is today”.

“Norco values longstanding relationships and as our business grows and accesses new markets, we look forward to expanding our relationship with Manildra in a mutually beneficial way,” the Norco Chairman told The Cultivator.

Mr McNamara said critical to diversifying Norco’s customer base was the development of the overall export business.

“Having pioneered the entry of fresh milk into China, Norco continued to grow its relatively small market share in fresh milk distribution,” he said. “Ice-cream is very competitive, but we are also seeing growth.”

Norco’s $30 million investment at Lismore will increase annual production capacity to 75 million litres of ice-cream, which is also exported to Japan, China, the United States and New Zealand.

“Increasing our production will substantially improve profitability of the ice-cream business unit, which will lead to increased farm gate prices to our dairy farmers,” said Mr McNamara.

As a co-operative, Norco also offered a unique selling proposition in the Australian dairy market, added annually by Norco, he said.

“Our uniqueness resonates with consumers and continues to see the Norco brand grow, and the benefits in the form of profits can be passed back to members in milk prices,” he said.