Data sharing initiative wins national award for saving farmers time
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
Eighteen months after announcing plans to radically scale back organic milk contracts, Federated Farmers is cautiously optimistic about Fonterra's announcement it is renewing supply contracts for organic dairy farmers in the lower and central North Island.
"For those organic dairy farmers whose contracts were about to expire, this is a lifeline," says Gray Beagley, Feds Dairy organic spokesperson.
"Those farmers whose expiring contacts have been extended to 2015 will be cautiously optimistic, but a distinct lack of trust with this latest U-turn will remain.
"Fonterra's 'we want you; now we don't; now we do' attitude to organics is very confusing for farmers. Who can plan and de-risk a business under those circumstances?
"Federated Farmers urges Fonterra to see what they can do to build demand so the cooperative does not feel the need to again threaten our contracts when they come up for renewal in 2015.
"For the sake of our industry, we cannot afford to go through these boom-bust cycles. In 36 months Fonterra has been through a 360 degree change in position.
"Fonterra is reporting an impressive 28% increase in demand over 2012 and 2013 and a 30% increase in prices received for organic product. It is gratifying to see 83% of our organic milk going into organic dairy products, compared to just 45% back in 2011.
"Organics farmers want to see more sustainable growth in demand and much more certainty. Unless these happen, Fonterra Organics will continue to lose suppliers.
"Those being offered the new contracts have three weeks to decide, but Federated Farmers also hopes this time period is extended to give drought-hit farmers a bit more breathing space.
"I hope Fonterra truly comprehends the value and future potential organics can offer. The recent Organic Market Report 2012 showed significant growth in the export value to Asia, which aligns with our view.
"Federated Farmers knows the United States' Free Trade Agreement with South Korea will potentially have a huge impact on cheese exports into this important market. Overall, it is unlikely New Zealand will be able to compete with US products, as they will not face the huge 36% tariffs placed on New Zealand cheeses.
"While we hold out hope South Korea may look to enter Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations, we believe organics is a strong natural fit with infant nutrition and for paediatrics. We believe infant nutrition may prove less vulnerable to consumer preference while building off New Zealand's strong brand and food safety credentials," Beagley concludes.
For further information contact: Gray Beagley, Federated Farmers Dairy organic spokesperson; 06 376 4356, 027 444 8525
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its…
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content…