increase font size
NZ's temperature for raw milk is less stringent than some countries
It's not something dairy farmers needed right now but the message is clear: change or risk losing your competitive edge in the global market.
Changes to milk cooling regulations proposed by MPI may be relatively minor. However, it will require farmers spending $5000-$100,000 to become compliant.
To MPI’s credit, farmers have been given ample time: August 1, 2016 deadline for new farms and those upgrading cooling systems. Enforcement on all other farms starts January 1, 2018.
New Zealand milk is high regarded in the world for its quality and food safety credentials. This is despite our temperature rules for raw milk being less stringent than our major trading partners.
In New Zealand the milk temperature must drop to 7˚C within three hours of milking and remain at 7˚C until collection, similar to the US. In China it must get to 4˚C within two hours of milking, and the same in Russia. In Australia milk temperature must be 5˚C within 3.5 hours of commencing milking. In the EU, 8˚C after milking and 6˚C degrees if not collected daily.
The world is today a sophisticated marketplace; consumers demand quality and safe dairy products and sustainability throughout the food chain.
Food companies are fixated on the sources of food. The world’s largest dairy company, Nestle, audited 50 dairy farms in the South Island this year, in its watch on food safety and quality. Chinese auditors regularly visit our factories and farms.
During these audits overseas regulators ask why our milk cooling is out of line with the rest of the world. We’ve got away with by arguing that our milk quality is above everyone else’s. But producing the best quality milk is not enough for the rest of the world; they want stringent regulations.
The focus on sustainability comes at a cost to farmers. Not all New Zealand farmers will need to spend $100,000 on their farms. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; some small farms will find old ice banks to cool their milk. Some will face a problem of power supply; adding a milk cooler will require upgrading the supply and paying more for electricity.
With the payout under severe pressure, farmers could do without this extra regulatory burden. But they have little choice. As the world’s largest exporter of dairy products we must lead in food quality and safety.
As spring calving farmers around the country enter in the final stage of lactation, the incentive to keep the milk flowing is certainly there. A strong milk price and kind first half of the season has left cows in good nick and milking well.
As a strong dairy cooperative, Fonterra understands the importance of providing comprehensive assistance to farmers, including a range of services at no extra cost.
Fonterra farmers can now lease next generation milk chilling technology and enjoy the many benefits that come with it.
John and Donna McCarty no longer use intermammary antibiotics for mastitis or dry cow treatment, which has saved them money and improved herd health.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
