increase font size
Farm Source group director Anne Douglas.
Fonterra says a revamp of its Farm Source field team won’t change the total number of people working face-to-face with farmers.
Farm Source group director Anne Douglas says the co-operative knows how important that support is to farmers.
In an update to farmers today, Douglas says the changes focus on three things - improving local support, improving phone and digital tools to make things easier, and ensuring the co-op is doing everything it can to maintain, and grow, sustainable milk supply.
“We want to provide a wider range of ways that you can connect with your co-op.
“And then no matter which one you choose, depending on your preferences and needs, we aim to enhance that connection.”
The co-op is introducing three new roles to on the ground teams: regional managers, co-operative services area managers and farmer support advisors.
Once the regional manager roles have been appointed in the coming weeks, they will get in touch with farmers to introduce themselves and the members of their team, Douglas says.
The new structure is set to be in place from 1 August 2023, but Douglas notes that positions may still be filled after that date.
The revamp will lead to some Farm Source staff being left without roles: Fonterra is working with them to investigate new opportunities within Farm Source or other parts of the co-op.
“We don’t take decisions related to our team’s roles lightly and we know that change can be unsettling.
“Supporting our people through this conversation has been and will continue to be a top priority.”
Some Fonterra farmers expressed unease at loss of face-to-face contact with Farm Source field staff. Fonterra Co-operative Council and board members fielded calls from farmers on the issue.
Douglas says they have listened and gone through a genuine consultation directly with the team, including time to consider everyone’s views. “Significant adjustments have been made to our original proposal based on that feedback, and I believe we’ve got to a much better position as a result of the consultation.
“We needed to ensure our people heard about potential changes from us first and had an opportunity to contribute to the changes before anything was confirmed, which is why we haven’t been able to provide further details until now.”
Douglas also thanked farmers who contacted her directly to share their thoughts.
“I assure you that we’ve read and considered every message or email that has come through from our farmers.”
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…
OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.
