State farmer forecasts record results
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
Fonterra says a focus on effectiveness, efficiency and innovation during factory winter maintenance is saving money.
Director of NZ manufacturing Mark Leslie says the winter shutdown is a key time of preparation for the season ahead.
"Each year we process 18 billion L of milk, mostly in spring. The work we're doing now readies us for that peak period."
More effectiveness and efficiency at maintaining sites is their focus, Leslie says. "We've always been efficient in our maintenance projects, so the challenge this year was to... do things better, faster and smarter."
Hundreds of factory staff are working on about 500 projects nationwide, ranging from major capital works to minor overhauls.
Winter shutdown manager at Te Rapa, Blair Bond, refers to an "owner's mindset" among the manufacturing staff.
"We treat the assets as if we were their owners – putting ourselves in our farmers' shoes and thinking about how we can do things more effectively and [save money]."
Some work will lead to change in the way the plant processes milk during the milking season. Bond gives the example of the D4 evaporator: the staff suggested splitting the process into stages, which will allow the evaporator to run 6% longer – more milk processed each day.
"It's year-round for us. Year-long we talk to other sites about what worked for them and leverage our collective strength."
Te Rapa now has a year-round asset care approach to maintaining and servicing plant.
New Zealand's red meat sector says the United States' decision to increase tariffs on New Zealand exports is disappointing.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
From nitrogen limits to ecosystem restoration –farmers and catchment groups are leading a new wave of environmental care, says DairyNZ.
OPINION: The Government's decision to stop local authorities going ahead with reviews of district and regional plans makes sense for several reasons.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
OPINION: Will synthetic milk derail NZ's economy?
OPINION: According to media reports, the eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister Nicola Willis to ask for a…