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.
All hands are on deck today at Fonterra Brands New Zealand's (FBNZ) Takanini site as the first Fonterra Milk for Schools packs make their way down the production line and into the coolstore to wait for their ride to school.
FBNZ Business Manager Beverages, Craig Irwin, says the production run has been much anticipated by the team who are eager to get the programme up and running.
"We often have new products on the line, but they never create as much excitement as the Anchor packs' debut has today. Fonterra Milk for Schools is an incredible initiative and we're all honoured to be involved."
So far 81 Northland primary schools have signed up and are awaiting the first delivery of Anchor milk, due next month.
"The first production run is a milestone we've all been looking forward to and the programme launch is definitely the next. With the success of today's run we're set to have milk in schools on March 19 so Northland students can plan for an extra serving of nutrition from that day forward.
"Milk is a fundamental building block of good health and I'm thrilled that we're doing what we can to make it a part of our kids' diets," says Irwin.
Fonterra will be monitoring the Northland pilot over the first three terms to establish how to best introduce Fonterra Milk for Schools to primary schools nationwide and iron out practical details such as getting the milk to schools, serving it cool and recycling the packaging.
To find out more or register a school please visit www.fonterramilkforschools.com.
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.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.