Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
Fonterra has taken another step towards environmental sustainability, launching its switch to new Z biodiesel – as a foundation customer for the ZBioD fuel.
Fonterra and Z were joined by Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges, Whakatane Mayor Tony Bonne and other dignitaries on Friday in celebrating the partnership at the cooperative's Edgecumbe site.
Fonterra chief operating officer global operations, Robert Spurway says the shift to biodiesel is part of a move towards greater efficiency and sustainability across all operations, and helping Z make cleaner burning biofuel available in New Zealand.
"With more than 550 tankers, our fleet can travel hundreds of thousands kilometres every day on New Zealand's roads. Our commitment as foundation partners for Z Energy's biodiesel project means the product will not only be available for our fleet, it also means Z can bring this innovative fuel to the pump for New Zealanders."
Spurway says the move to biodiesel has the potential to reduce emissions for the tankers using it by up to 4% each year, and the partnership is an important milestone for Fonterra.
"Our sustainability strategy addresses key efficiency and sustainability improvements, and sourcing clean energy alternatives is a big part of that. We also want to show our support for this kind of innovation so other New Zealanders can make good energy choices.
"Fuel burned for transport contributes up to 20% of New Zealand's total greenhouse gas emissions, so given our scale, it's important we play our part to help the environment. Moving to biofuel is one of the many projects we're engaged in, like our planting, water quality projects, and energy efficiency programmes - which all focus on environmental sustainability."
Fonterra will be the first company in New Zealand to adopt the new fuel, with Edgecumbe being the first of five Fonterra sites making the switch to the lower emission fuel in its tanker fleet.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.
OPINION: Are the heydays of soaring global demand for butter over?