The company, called Beta A2 Australia and branding its powder Farmers Beta A2, is aiming to capture a share of the domestic market for infant powder with three formulas.
Behavioural science graduate Gill Burke, environmental scientist Mandy Agnew and exporter and fitness developer Anthony Scarcella launched the company in July, with three formulations of milk powder and a lactoferrin powder.
The privately owned and operated business based in Melbourne has been under development for two years, and got its Farmers Beta A2 onto the shelves in July in pharmacies and independent supermarkets.
The powder is free from A1 beta casein, which some nutritionists say makes the milk more digestible.
Ms Burke said they new company wanted to provide quality nutritional products, support Australian farmers with a fair price, and support Rural Aid to build resilience in rural communities.
She was upset by the 2016 dairy price crash and concerned with the sporadic supply of infant milk powder in Australian supermarkets.
“If you find a product that your baby is happy with, you don’t want to find out you can’t get it at the shop,” she said.
“Milk powders were running out because the daigou (informal supply system) channels were taking it up.”
Ms Burke said the company would give priority to domestic supply.
At the same time, she discovered a large share of the Australian consumption was coming from imported powders.
“We think Australian farmers should be able to share in that market.
“Being raised in the Goulburn Valley, I respect and appreciate the often harsh life of farmers, being at the mercy of weather and global markets.
“I believe the best assistance we can give to them is to support their business, which then flows through to their mental health, families and the rural communities.”
Ms Burke said the company would source its milk from the Goulburn Valley where she grew up, and has contracted one herd so far. They intend to expand their supply base as the business grows.
She acknowledged they were starting a business in one of the most highly regulated food sectors in Australia.
“So it should be. We are dealing with babies’ health. Nothing is more precious.
“It’s also good to know that because it is so highly regulated, buying an Australian product you know you are getting the best that science can produce for a baby.”
Ms Burke agreed breast milk was best for infants, but she said there had to be a healthy alternative for mothers who couldn’t breast feed for a variety of reasons.
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