Wednesday, 19 February 2025 11:25

No buyers

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Australian dairy is bracing for the retirement of an iconic dairy brand.

Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) announced last year the retirement of its King Island Dairy brand, after being unable to find a buyer for the 132-year-old brand and its current facility.

Over the past year, SDA has sought to maximise value for the business looking for commercial and financial alternatives for King Island Dairy, including a potential sale to a third party. The business employs 58 people and is the single biggest employer on the island which only has a population of 1,600.

Is this a good omen for Fonterra as it tries to sell off its Australian consumer business that includes some of the top dairy brands across the ditch?

More like this

Fonterra Lifts Farmgate Milk Price

Fonterra Lifts Farmgate Milk Price

Good news for Fonterra farmers. The co-op has raised this season’s farmgate milk price mid-point by 25c to $9.75/kgMS.

Fonterra Board Pay Rise: Chair Fee Up to $528,500

Fonterra Board Pay Rise: Chair Fee Up to $528,500

Fonterra board members are in line for a pay rise of around 3%.

Fonterra Elections 2026: Voting Opens Tuesday 20 October

Fonterra shareholders can begin voting on Tuesday 20 October in the 2026 Board of Directors’ election, a Co-operative Council election in one Ward, and seven Annual Meeting resolutions.

Fonterra CFO Andrew Murray Resigns

Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.

Four Candidates Confirmed for Fonterra Board Election

Four candidates have been confirmed for two director positions on Fonterra’s board.

Popular Reads

Ex-All Black Sam Whitelock Swaps Rugby for Dairy Farming

Returning to the family dairy farm after playing 20 years of professional rugby around the world is no easy task.

Agricultural Vehicle Rule Changes Welcomed by Rural Contractors NZ

Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government…

Fonterra CFO Andrew Murray Resigns

Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.

Election 2026: What Parties Promise the Primary Sector

With a general election under five weeks away, Rural News is asking major political parties about their policies and positions…

DGC Posts Record Goat Milk Payout of $14.56/kgGMS

Things are looking up in the dairy goat sector.

Featured

Editorial: Red, Green or Orange?

OPINION: As election day looms, rural NZ seems to have pressed the pause button – held somewhat in limbo on an orange light.

Can Drones Destroy Hornet Nests?

Will drones be the answer to tackling the problem of wasp and hornet nests high up in trees and other inaccessible places?

New Synlait CEO Leon Fung Commits to Christchurch Move

Canterbury milk processor Synlait has come through tough times and is now ready to scale up from a stable base, says its newly confirmed CEO Leon Fung.

Order Early, Check the Label: NZPork’s Christmas Ham Advice

NZPork says a ham made in New Zealand is not necessarily made from New Zealand pork.

Tractor Weight Rules NZ: Contractors Welcome Reform

Rural Contractors NZ says proposed changes to land transport rules for agricultural vehicles are a welcome response by the Government to out-of-date regulations which have seen members hit with huge fines.

NZ Methane Rules: Can Biozest Cut Emissions Without Culls?

With New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions in the spotlight, Auckland scientist Nathan Balasingham says there’s a better way to tackle the problem than shrinking cow numbers or fertiliser usage.

National

DCANZ Urges Next Government to Back Dairy Export Growth

Dairy processors are ready to further boost New Zealand’s export earnings but want the incoming government to match their ambition…

Massey VC Says University Best Placed to Support Dairy

Massey University is best placed to solve the “problems” facing the dairy industry, says vice chancellor, Pierre Venter.

Synlait’s Longest-Serving Employee Joins Executive Team

Synlait's longest serving employee – a man who joined the Canterbury-based milk processor even before it began processing milk –…

LIC Chief Says BVD Eradication in NZ Is Within Reach

A dairy industry leader believes eradicating the common and costly disease, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) is within reach.

$10/kgMS Milk Price Looks Possible as Powder Prices Climb

A farmgate milk price of $10/kgMS this season is firming up as milk powder prices soar and the New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

New Michelin Tyres for Slurry Tankers and Trailers

Global tyre manufacturer Michelin has extended its agricultural trailer tyre range, with the introduction of its new WorkxBib series, designed…

JCB Lifts Investment After Hydrogen Engine Milestone

Following the record-breaking success of its hydrogen-powered Hydromax, JCB is ramping up its investment in the business, key to the…

Stationary Mixing Tank Gets Job Done Quickly, Efficiently

During calf rearing, logistics can play an important role in getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

High-Volume Effluent Irrigation Made Simple

Having been on the market for over 10 years, the King Cobra K2 travelling raingun continues to be a popular…

Pichon Adds SV10R and SV14 to SV Slurry Tanker Range

French manufacturer Pichon has expanded its SV slurry tanker range with the launch of two new models.

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

Not Out of the Woods Yet

OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.

Peters Targets Fonterra

OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.

» eNewsletter