Open Country Dairy prepares to launch first commercial butter
The country's second largest milk processor hopes to produce its first commercial butter within two months.
The country's second-largest dairy processor says its supply chain is being managed tightly around the Covid-19 outbreak.
Covid-19 is forecast to strip more than $1.3 billion dollars off New Zealand’s primary exports in the coming year, including $390 million off dairy exports.
Open Country Dairy chief executive Steve Koekemoer says so far the outbreak hasn’t impacted demand for its products.
“Our products have continued to move relative freely into market. “Clearly, we share the concern within the industry regarding ongoing disruption with availability of containers and potential restrictions at ports going forward.
“With us heading into the tail end of the season, we expect the short-term impact to be minor and with that are turning our focus to next season.”
Koekemoer says dairy pricing has come under pressure over the past few weeks due to the Covid-19 impact but with the limited supply due to the dry weather, OCD is maintaining its current forecast.
OCD will hold supplier meetings later this month where farmers will be updated on the impact of coronavirus.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.