Another Windfall for Fonterra Farmers, Unit Holders
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Fonterra provided nearly 20 million packs of milk free to 145,000 primary school students last year as part of its Milk for Schools scheme, now in its fifth year.
At the 2012 launch, 119 schools joined and last year 1431 schools took part.
To mark the fifth year, former All Black captain Richie McCaw will fly special helicopter milk runs to schools.
He will visit four schools selected from online entries saying why he should visit. Where possible, he will fly in to deliver milk. Local farmers will also be part of the visit.
Primary schools can be nominated until March 19 on Fonterra.com. Updates can be followed on Fonterra’s Facebook page.
Fonterra general manager, community programmes, Chris Ward says Milk for Schools is still growing.
“Two things stand out about it for us: ensuring Kiwi kids get a daily dose of quality nutrition and the generosity of Fonterra and its farmers to make it happen.”
The programme is also said to help with a sustainability initiative in which the Tetrapak milk packs are recycled in Thailand into school books, roof tiles, etc. There is no such recycling machine in NZ.
Milk for Schools has been underlined by two university health studies showing health benefits to children, particularly improved bone and dental health.
Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.