In its most successful year yet their company, Country Valley, won seven gold medals and one silver medal for its entire range of full-cream, organic, lite and skim milk, natural and sweetened yoghurt and cream. Mr Fairley said he was very excited and couldn't believe the company had won so many awards.

``To win seven gold medals and one silver was very exciting,'' he said. ``It was unbelievable.''

The win tops off a much-welcomed month of rain which allowed Mr Fairley to sow the feed for his cattle earlier than usual.

He said he was busy sowing the feed, which would feed the cows, which would make the milk, which makes the champion yoghurt.

``Because of all the great rain I can get a heap of crops in early this year,'' he said. ``The rain has been perfect and it means I can cut back on the bought feed.

``A month ago everything the cows were eating was off the back of a truck but now I can cut my food expenses in half and will get more milk out of the cows too, which is just wonderful.''

The Fairley family has been farming in the same valley in Picton since 1855.

For more information on its history or products go to www.countryvalley.com.au.