Better days coming - Open Country Dairy
Open Country Dairy suppliers have received a final payout of $7.37/ kgMS for milk sent to the factories in October and November last year.
The country’s second-largest dairy processor says milk supply has been strong across all regions.
Open Country Dairy says its four factories are now running flat out to process milk.
OCD chief executive Steve Koekemoer told suppliers that the new Horotiu factory is already processing near capacity and the Wanganui factory is breaking its production records this season with new farmers that have come aboard.
“Awarua and Waharoa (plants) are nearing peak and fortunately we have had very minimal downtime due to our stringent winter maintenance programmes, he said in OCD’s October newsletter Talk Milk.
“It is that busy time of the year where everyone at Open Country Dairy has their head down and is working as hard as they can to ensure we process every drop of your milk efficiently.”
Koekemoer says OCD’s organic programme is also nearing its first processing date in November after two years of transition on farm and a big upgrade of the factory to process the milk.
“It is an exciting venture for our organics team that is focused on making this a success for the business and our organic farmers in Southland. “We expect our first branded product to be on shelves in early 2019 and are enthusiastic to see this sector grow as we prepare for our launch.”
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.