Open Country unveils major expansion plan
Confirming its "immense faith" in the dairy industry, the country's second largest milk processor is embarking on a significant investment programme.
Open Country Dairy suppliers will receive $9.37/kgMS for milk supplied between June and September this year.
Farmer suppliers will be paid in full this month.
The price is 2c above last season's average milk price of $9.35/kgMS, a record payout by Open Country.
The company, which pays suppliers in full via four instalments during the year, paid $10.06/kgMS as January settlement period and $9.84/kgMS in May.
Open Country chief executive Steve Koekemoer says a string of very strong milk prices is testament of the way the business has performed.
"The business has performed extremely well and this is shown in our milk payments to farmers."
Global dairy prices have receded in recent months and Koekemoer says demand has been weaker than anticipated.
Demand in China expected to bounce back from Covid lockdowns, prices should come back.
"We anticipate prices to rise in the medium term," he says.
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the industry-good organisation is proud to be an ongoing industry partner of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, providing judging expertise and facilitating field days.
A major floodway infrastructure upgrade has been completed in Edgecumbe, providing enhanced flood protection and resilience for the local community.
Rural retailer Ruralco says it has made a $10,000 donation to the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust (MCRST) following the Ruralco Golf Classic held last month.
According to a new farmer survey, many farmers are rejecting New Zealand’s current ruminant methane strategy.
As the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards night unfolded, it became evident that Waikato’s Thomas and Fiona Langford were the frontrunners for the biggest prize of the night – the 2025 Share Farmers of the Year award.
New Zealand’s dairy sector cannot expect India to be a market for all its dairy products.
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