Coutts appointed chair-elect of Mainland Group
Fonterra has named Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts the chair of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of the co-operative’s consumer business.
Fonterra's new Lichfield, South Waikato, dryer is the largest in the world, co-equal with the Darfield D2 dryer in the South Island, says the co-op’s chief operations officer, Robert Spurway.
It will allow the processing of an additional 4.4 million litres of milk each day, taking total daily processing capacity to 7.6m L.
Processing such large volumes is a resource-intensive business that needs careful handling, he says. “We focus on making sure impacts are minimised wherever possible.
“A new biological wastewater treatment plant ensures we can treat any waste [entering] potable water before it is irrigated to land near the site – the most environmentally sustainable solution.
“We’re making good use of rail to move product to port, eliminating up to 40 truck movements from the site every day, which free up local roads and reduce our carbon emissions.
“A by-product from the treatment plant is a high quality fertiliser used by local farmers.”
Larger scale dryers such as Lichfield are part of balancing Fonterra’s assets to give the best value for farmers.
“As we’ve seen in recent GDT auctions, premium milk powder is a valuable product for Fonterra in its own right. But people often underestimate the strategic importance of powder production to Fonterra’s overall asset mix.”
The new plant will help the co-op balance its processing, allowing it to switch between products quickly to meet demand changes in global markets, increase production when milk volumes dictate, and achieve the best product mix for returns.
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
After tasting 240 New Zealand made cheeses, judges have bestowed medals upon 199 of the entries.
Bay of Plenty’s top share farmers Andre and Natalie Meier are no strangers to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winning circle.
OPINION: Is it the beginning of the end for Greenpeace?
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.