Canadian dairy producer Saputo posts higher profit

Feb 6 (Reuters) - Canada's largest dairy producer Saputo Inc

SAP.TO , which recently gained control of Australian dairy Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory Company , reported higher earnings on Thursday.

For its third quarter, 2014, or the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2013, net income rose to C$144.1 million ($129.8 million), or 73 Canadian cents a share, from C$130 million, or 65 Canadian cents, a year earlier.

($1=$1.11 Canadian)

(Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

((rod.nickel@thomsonreuters.com)(1 204 947 3548)(Reuters Messaging: rod.nickel.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net. Twitter: @ReutersWinnipeg))

Keywords: SAPUTO RESULTS/