Fonterra Whareroa sets cheese record, wins top award
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
Fonterra will offload its Farm Source livestock business to family-owned business Carrfields Livestock on March 1.
Richard Allen, Farm Source stores director, says the decision to sell was made in the context of a larger review underway within the co-op.
“In the context of the review of the co-op’s assets and investments, we have made the decision to sell the livestock division to Carrfields Livestock. This will better serve the livestock team and the farms they service.
“While Farm Source’s livestock division has contributed positive returns since inception, we believe the investment required to maintain and grow this division can be more effectively targeted towards improving core areas of the Farm Source business,” says Allen.
Farm Source, and previously as RD1, has had a livestock division since 2005. Today, it has about 25 agents supporting farmers across the country. In 2017, Farm Source Livestock facilitated the purchase of almost 200,000 animals.
Craig Carr, Carrfields Group managing director, says this acquisition is both exciting and a strategic opportunity for Carrfields Livestock to fill gaps in their current national network.
“This acquisition will take the Carrfields Livestock team to over 150 livestock agents spread right across the country. This strategic partnership will offer Farm Source clients and Fonterra farmer owners access to a nationwide agent and sale yard network provided by a New Zealand family-owned business,” says Carr.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
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.
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.