Two milk processing plants changing hands
Two large milk processing plants in New Zealand are changing hands.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is launching a new round of grants to support projects aimed at enhancing dairy farming sustainability via the a2 Farm Sustainability Fund.
Farmers contracted to supply A1 protein free milk in New Zealand or Australia for use in a2MC’s products are eligible to apply.
The fund supports projects that demonstrate an integrated approach to a sustainable future and enable a positive and meaningful impact across the community and environment.
The a2 Milk Company has demonstrated its commitment to farm sustainability through the farmer grants programme since 2017. The programme began in Australia and expanded to New Zealand in 2022 and has awarded more than 65 projects totalling more than $2,170,000. These have included diverse riparian planting projects, alternative fertiliser use, diverse pasture implementation, wetland restoration and planting of trees to enhance biodiversity and provide shelter for animals.
Under this latest round of funding, the fund is seeking to allocate a further $630,000 in total, to applicants in New Zealand and Australia. Each successful application can receive funding of up to NZ$35,000 or AU$30,000.
Applications are evaluated by an independent Investment Committee comprised of experts in regenerative agriculture, soil health, animal health and wellbeing and farming systems. Evaluation is based on criteria aligned to The a2 Milk Company’s sustainability objectives and key priority areas, which include:
Potential applicants can visit the company website for more information and to submit their application. The closing date for applications is 28 February 2025.
Jaron McVicar, a2MC’s chief legal and sustainability officer says they are thrilled to be announcing another round of funding for the a2TM Farm Sustainability Fund to advance outcomes aligned to our sustainability goals.
“It’s clear that this type of support and collaboration can be an important stimulus to investment in projects with significant benefits to the environment and communities,” he says.
“The a2TM Farm Sustainability Fund is complementary to our other investments in sustainability, including our partnership with AgriZeroNZ.”
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
Graduates of a newly-updated Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) course are taking more value than ever from the programme, with some even walking away calling themselves the “farm CFO”.
Meet the Need, a farmer-led charity, says food insecurity in New Zealand is dire, with one in four children now living in a household experiencing food insecurity, according to Ministry of Health data.
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through a new initiative designed to make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking easier.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.