Fonterra Whareroa sets cheese record, wins top award
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
Fonterra Shareholders Council says the co-op's 45c drop in the 2015-16 forecast payout is a sobering blow to farmers.
Council chairman, Duncan Coull, says today's announcement of a 45 cent fall in the 2015-16 forecast Farmgate Milk Price, from $4.60/kgMS to $4.15/kgMS, is one that will further amplify the effects of the current low milk price environment on Farmers and their businesses.
"Farmers are very aware that this is a global story which is now having a significant local effect. Strong supply out of Europe coupled with flat demand is driving market sentiment as evidenced by the GDT results.
"While acknowledging that the milk price is something that is largely out of our co-op's control, farmers are always looking to the Board to communicate any significant price fluctuations that occur throughout the season in a very timely manner.
"Looking forward our Farmers will be expecting our co-operative model, which sees shareholders benefit from milk price and the value-add side of the business, to deliver for them in terms of the total available for payout.
"In the interim I encourage farmers to sit down with their rural professionals and seek guidance on how best to navigate through these tough times.
"Of equal importance is that they stay connected to their communities, and engaged with their co-op, especially in the current environment."
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.