Monday, 06 November 2017 08:21

Fonterra to open farm gates

Written by 
John Wilson on farm. John Wilson on farm.

Fonterra farmers will be opening their farms to the community next month.

The co-op is hosting one of New Zealand’s largest ever community open days, called Open Gate.

Fonterra chairman John Wilson made the announcement at the co-op’s annual meeting in Hawera yesterday.

Wilson says his priority is to continue building Fonterra’s reputation in New Zealand.

At 40 farms across New Zealand, Fonterra farmers will open their gates and welcome the public onto their farms to see first-hand the extraordinary farm systems, our animals, and the hard work of the passionate people behind these businesses, he says.

“It’s an opportunity for people to better understand the leadership that dairy farmers have shown on environmental sustainability, and demonstrate that we can have a vibrant, prosperous dairy industry and positive environmental outcomes.

“Our work in the community, and recent efforts to better tell the story of our cooperative to the rest of New Zealand is helping people to better understand our cooperative.”

According to research, 1.5 million more New Zealanders feel positive about the cooperative today, than last year.

New Zealanders already trust farmers to do the right thing by the country, says Wilson.

“With a deeper understanding of our business, we can expect the continued support of our government, local councils and urban neighbours.”

More like this

Featured

Rural leader grateful for latest honour

Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.

Massey University Wiltshire trial draws growing farmer interest

Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Trump's tariffs

President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter