increase font size
FONTERRA FARMERS can now mix and order supplementary feed blends online through the co-op subsidiary RD1.
The retailer's online ordering platform, launched last June, was revolutionary in the supplementary feed world, allowing farmers more transparency and control when placing orders. The ability to now order custom blends means farmers have even more control and flexibility.
It's quick and easy to use, says RD1 nutrition operations manager Mike Borrie.
"Farmers input into the system will come straight through to RD1 Nutrition for processing. We've had good feedback on our existing online ordering tool. They've found it simple and straightforward. And they enjoy the flexibility of being able to place an order any time, day or night.
"Now being able to make custom blends online we are sure will be a welcome initiative."
The custom blends tool features an online blend calculator for reckoning the tonnage rate for whichever feed and ratios are selected. The range includes PKE, tapioca pellet, wheat bran pellet, biscuit/cereal meal and cottonseed meal.
Online ordering through RD1 is only available to Fonterra farmers, as is the ability to see supplementary feed pricing. "They can see our pricing daily and place orders online."
Currently the blending service is only available in the North Island – Tauranga and New Plymouth.
When buying supplementary feeds, farmers need to consider the entire package on offer – service, freight and all the components in a feed mix – not just focus on the price of the cheapest component – palm kernel meal, according to J. Swap Stockfoods sales manager Joe Hardman.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
OPINION: Few things are more stressful for dairy farmers than running out of feed when cows need it most.
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.
Waikato dairy farmers are well-placed heading into the peak of summer, thanks to favourable growing conditions late last year that resulted in abundant onfarm feed reserves.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is…
OPINION: Once upon a time the Fieldays were for real farmers, salt of the earth people who thrived on hard…
