No backing down
OPINION: Fonterra isn't backing down in its fight with Greenpeace over the labelling of its iconic Anchor Butter.
Sustainability is not a fad and won't go away, says retiring Fonterra Co-operative Council member Mike Montgomerie.
He says sustainability will be an enduring feature of farming.
He says Fonterra is moving in the right direction when it comes to improving its environmental footprint right across its business.
Montgomerie believes farmers are also doing their fair share but admits that methane emissions are a hard nut to crack.
He hopes that some technological solutions will come to farmers' aid so that they can have a commercially viable, cost-effective way of reducing emissions.
"It will be brilliant for dairy farming. I understand there's no silver bullet but once our emissions start heading in the right direction, it will provide a lot of comfort for NZ farming families, Fonterra and the banks."
He believes sustainability is crucial to maintain Fonterra's international markets.
"The sustainability piece is most important because of the rise in alternative proteins. If you don't crack the methane emissions issues and you are up against alternatives who don't have the same problems, it is going to be trouble for us."
OPINION: Federated Farmers' latest farmer confidence survey results won’t surprise too many people.
The cost of producing milk in New Zealand continues to compare favourably with other exporting regions despite a lift in production costs over the past five years.
DairyNZ says potential benefits from gene technology must be carefully weighed against the risks of such technology.
Pleased, but cautious. That’s how PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin says he’s feeling about the rural retailer’s latest financial result.
Commodity prices and interest rates play a huge role in shaping farmer confidence, but these factors are beyond their control, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre.
DairyNZ is supporting a proposed new learning model for apprenticeships and traineeships that would see training, education, and pastoral care delivered together to provide the best chance of success.
OPINION: Donald Trump's focus on Canada is causing concern for the country’s dairy farmers.
OPINION: The fact that plant-based dairy is struggling to gain a market foothold isn’t deterring new entrants.