increase font size
Fonterra's Pahiatua and Longburn based tanker operators have proven the benefits of pulling together - quite literally - by hauling their trucks by hand for charity.
The tanker pull was one of three team events dreamed up by shift team manager Michael Woodfield who wanted to raise the stakes for their Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser.
Teams of four had to complete the three challenges, including pulling a truck for 50 metres, eating dry Weet-Bix and reversing a truck and trailer around a 90-degree angle corner. The tasks were timed and judged and were carried out at the depots at around 6am before the drivers went out for their dairy milk runs.
Raising money for Relay for Life every second year, Michael wanted to up the ante, and it worked, more than doubling their usual fundraising total, this year pulling in almost $3,000 between the depots and the local Fonterra manufacturing sites.
Michael explains that he was compelled to really give their Cancer Society fundraiser a boost this year because "the last 10 funerals I've been to have been because of cancer. It's an awful disease and it affects everyone in some way."
It was a tight competition, but Longburn depot's Blue Shift took out the number one title and Red Shift from rival depot Pahiatua came in at a close second. A trophy's been donated by Longburn manufacturing site. It's hoped with an official prize to fight for, the challenge will become a more regular feature, proving a little inter-depot rivalry can also do great things for a great cause.
OPINION: There is zero chance that someone who joined Fonterra as a lobbyist, then served as a general manager of Fonterra's nutrient management programme, and sat on the board of Export NZ, a division of lobbyist group Business New Zealand, doesn't understand that local butter (and milk and cheese) prices are set by the international commodity price.
Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.
An A$2 billion bid for Fonterra's Oceania business would be great news, according to Forsyth Barr senior analyst, equities, Matt Montgomerie.
The world's largest dairy company may be in pole position to acquire Fonterra's Australian assets.
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait's recovery seems to have hit another snag.
