Misguided campaign
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is polluting the environment.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride hopes the Government reaches a decision on its new capital structure before the end of the year.
As 100 Fonterra farmers gathered for its annual meeting in Rotorua last week, the primary production select committee released its report on the legislative changes to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA).
McBride says it's another key milestone in the legislative process.
"We remain hopeful that the Government will reach a decision before the end of the year, after which we will move to the Flexible Shareholding structure as fast as possible."
In the past few years, the co-op has moved its strategy away from a global-volume play to a focus on deriving value from sustainable New Zealand milk.
McBride says that strategy is starting to deliver - as demonstrated by this year's milk price and earnings performance.
"Our customers are at the heart of our strategy.
"We will achieve our performance targets by continuing to deliver products to market in a way that meets their changing expectations."
McBride told the meeting that 73% of global consumers find sustainability pledges important when buying dairy products.
He says it's great news for a co-op that's strategy is focused on New Zealand milk and being a leader in sustainability.
"New Zealand dairy farmers already have the world's lowest carbon footprint.
"If we can maintain that advantage, we have an excellent opportunity to build mutually beneficial relationships with our premium customers.
"Maintaining a sustainable supply of that New Zealand milk, in an environment where we expect the country's total milk volumes to decline, has been a key priority for board and management over the past few years."
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is…
OPINION: Once upon a time the Fieldays were for real farmers, salt of the earth people who thrived on hard…