This August, the Dairy Industry Association of Australia (DIAA) and the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RAHS) highlighted quality, innovation, and excellence in dairy at the 2025 Dairy Awards. This year’s competition attracted 299 entries showcasing the best of the local dairy industry.
At this year’s awards, creativity and resilience were on full display, with all types of products from all over the country competing to be named the very best.
Gina Dal Santo, the Chief Judge, DIAA RAHS Dairy Awards shared, “White mould and flavoured cheeses showed strong quality and creativity, while washed rind and blue cheeses remained stable despite production challenges. Fresh dairy classes like milk, cream, and yoghurt continued to impress with their quality and purity.”
She added that consumer tastes are now leaning towards premium, local, and clean-label products, and this really is something the awards are celebrating.
“As consumer demand shifts towards premium, local, and clean-label products, awards like these help producers stand out, giving buyers and consumers confidence and opening new market opportunities,” she said.
Local company Lilyarra Artisan Cheeses impressed with their Goat Curd with Fresh Dill, winning the Real Dairy Australia Trophy, Champion Cheese from a Small-Scale Dairy Producer, and the Say Cheese Trophy for Champion SA Manufactured Cheese. The same product was also named Most Outstanding Non-Bovine Exhibit.
Tweedvale Milk was awarded the Real Dairy Australia trophy, Champion Fresh Product and the Chief Judge’s Choice Trophy for its Pure Double Cream milk. The Yoghurt Shop joined them with Champion Yoghurt for their Passion Fruit.
Sticking with sweets, 48 Flavours won Champion Frozen Dairy and Most Outstanding Bovine Exhibit for their Salted Pistachio ice cream.
Rounding out the SA winners was beloved local cheesemaker Kris Lloyd AM, from Woodside Cheese Wrights. She was celebrated for her exceptional service to the dairy industry with the DIAA Trophy.
The 2025 Dairy Awards really celebrated the craftsmanship and innovation of Australia’s finest dairy producers, while also highlighting South Australia’s role in the industry. With standout wins across cheese, milk, yoghurt, and frozen treats, alongside recognition for long-standing contributions to the field, the awards confirmed the state’s reputation as a leader in quality and creativity.
Major Winners
THE REAL DAIRY AUSTRALIA TROPHY
Champion Cheddar Cheese of the Show
Fonterra Brands Australia | Westacre Tasty Slice 500g
THE REAL DAIRY AUSTRALIA TROPHY
Champion Hard or Semi-Hard Variety other than Cheese
King Island Dairy Pty Ltd | Heidi Farm Tilsit
THE CHEESELINKS TROPHY
Champion Soft Cheese Variety
Floridia Cheese Pty Ltd | Burrata
THE REAL DAIRY AUSTRALIA TROPHY
Champion Cheese from Small-Scale Dairy Producer
Little Yarra Cheese Company Pty Ltd | Lilyarra Goat Curd with Fresh Dill
THE SAY CHEESE TROPHY CHAMPION SA
Manufactured Cheese
Little Yarra Cheese Company Pty Ltd | Lilyarra Goat Curd with Fresh Dill
CHAMPION YOGHURT
Presented by La Casa Del Fromaggio
The Yoghurt Shop | Passion Fruit
THE REAL DAIRY AUSTRALIA TROPHY
Champion Fresh Product
Tweedvale Milk | Pure Double Cream
CHAMPION FROZEN DAIRY
Presented by Iannace Refrigerated Transport
48 Flavours | Salted Pistachio
THE CHIEF JUDGE TROPHY
Judges Choice
Tweedvale Milk | Pure Double Cream
MOST OUTSTANDING BOVINE EXHIBIT
Presented by Booth Transport
48 Flavours | Salted Pistachio
MOST OUTSTANDING NON-BOVINE EXHIBIT
Presented by Golden North Ice Cream
Little Yarra Cheese Company Pty Ltd | Lilyarra Goat Curd with Fresh Dill
THE DIAA TROPHY THE BRENTON HIGGINS
Memorial Trophy / Exceptional Service to the Dairy Industry
Kris Lloyd
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