Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
Construction of Fonterra's new $126 million UHT milk processing plant in Waitoa has taken another step forward with the site's blessing attended by Prime Minister John Key.
Fonterra's chief executive Theo Spierings says the plant, which will be running from April 2014, will enable Fonterra to increase UHT production by 100% over the next few years.
"The five new UHT lines will produce a range of products including UHT white milk and UHT cream for the foodservice sector, which is a part of our business that generates more than $1 billion in sales a year and this plant will allow us to meet the growing demand in Asia for these products," says Spierings.
"This is a big project for us and will help create an additional 50 jobs.
"The plant will also enable us to concentrate our domestic UHT production – including Fonterra Milk for Schools at our Takanini manufacturing site in Auckland."
During the Prime Minister's visit he was also taken on a tour of the wider Fonterra site to meet employees, led by Fonterra chairman John Wilson and Spierings.
Wilson says the blessing, performed by local iwi Ngati Haua, is a milestone in the plant's construction and the presence of the Prime Minister highlights the significance of the investment. "The new UHT plant is core to our growth strategy which will deliver greater returns to our New Zealand farmers."
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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