Pallet maker retains Fonterra contract
Timpack, one of New Zealand's largest wooden pallet and bin manufacturers, has been rewarded an exclusive contract to supply Fonterra.
At least 3.4 billion litres of water will be saved every year under new water targets Fonterra launched this month, the co-op says.
Six of its factories in water-constrained regions will reduce their water use by 30% by 2030 in a bid to accelerate sustainability, says chief operating officer global operations Robert Spurway.
“For some parts of New Zealand, water isn’t always in the right place at the right time,” said Spurway. “This means our water use in these regions can put stress on local water sources and the communities that rely on them.
“Reducing our water use at our manufacturing sites is the right thing to do for the environment and for the communities we operate in.”
The six sites are Maungatoroto, Lichfield, Brightwater, Darfield, Edendale and Clandeboye.
Spurway says the targets will ultimately result in better efficiency and outcomes.
“We’ve focused on the six sites where major water savings can have the greatest impact. This means we can target efforts and investment in regions most in need.”
All other Fonterra sites will take steps to keep water use to FY18 baselines.
“Some initiatives are underway and more are in the pipeline. This target will require clever ideas and creative thinking.”
The co-op also has the following plans:
• No more coal boilers or increasing capacity to burn coal
• Reducing emissions by 30% at all factories by 2030, on the way to net zero by 2050
• Improving the energy intensity of sites by 20% by 2020
• No solid waste to landfills by 2025
• 100% recyclable, reusable and compostable packaging by 2025
• A tailored farm environment plan for every Fonterra farmer by 2025
This International Women's Day, there are calls to address a reported gender disparity gap between men women New Zealand's horticulture industry leadership.
WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds, following a sentencing for a death at one of South Canterbury’s biggest agribusinesses.
Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.
Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.
Precision application of nitrogen can improve yields, but the costs of testing currently outweigh improved returns, according to new research from Plant and Food Research, MPI and Ravensdown.
OPINION: Donald Trump's focus on Canada is causing concern for the country’s dairy farmers.
OPINION: The fact that plant-based dairy is struggling to gain a market foothold isn’t deterring new entrants.