A $7 million dairy research centre focusing on subtropical dairy production has opened at The University of Queensland’s Gatton campus. [ + ]

A Primary Industries Education Foundation (PIEF) survey has revealed an alarming decline in students’ and teachers’ knowledge of food and fibre production. 75% of year 6 students surveyed thought of cotton socks as an animal product, while 27% of year 6 students thought of yoghurt as a plant product. [ + ]

A Rabobank dairy analyst has reassured the Australian dairy industry that European dairy quotas being lifted are unlikely to negatively impact the Australian dairy sector. [ + ]

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) has warned the ACCC that Amcor’s proposed takeover of its rival, Australian packaging company Aperio, could cost hundreds of jobs. [ + ]

A study by researchers at RTI International and George Washington university has shown that food shopping experience, rather than cost of produce, may impact how many serves of fruit and vegetables people eat. [ + ]

A $250,000 Commercialisation Australia grant is helping researchers from the University of Queensland (UQ) commercialise a food processing technique that will enable juice, milk and other dairy products to be fortified with probiotics and omega-3. [ + ]

New research from Mintel has revealed that cider popularity is rivalling that of lager, with 47% of British drinkers calling themselves cider drinkers, compared with 46% who are lager drinkers. [ + ]

Tetra Pak has announced the start-up of its second production line in its Chinese packaging material plant. [ + ]

Pending shareholder approval at its annual meeting in May, global ingredient provider Corn Products International will be changing its name to Ingredion. [ + ]

Researchers in New Zealand are working with the kiwifruit industry to combat the PSA disease that has threatened the $1 billion industry. [ + ]

Nestlé is set to build a new €220 million Nescafé Dolce Gusto factory in Germany. [ + ]

Australian food and beverage company Lion was recognised by the Governor-General for its contributions to the charity Foodbank. [ + ]

AusIndustry is hosting a series of information sessions to help manufacturers and business operators learn how to apply for assistance under the government’s Clean Technology Investment Programs. [ + ]

As part of his recent visit to Australia, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark inspected Jasol’s ‘smarter way’ system for cleaning Don KRC’s Castlemaine plant. [ + ]

3 Pillars Network will convene the 2nd National Sustainable Food Summit in Sydney on 3-4 April 2012. The summit is a direct response to calls from across the food industry for urgent and serious conversation about the sustainability of Australia’s food system. [ + ]