Wednesday, 02 October 2024 12:25

Sour grapes

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: As a country we should be celebrating Fonterra’s solid annual results announced last week.

More money for Fonterra means more moolah trickling into rural towns and communities.

Sadly, not everyone is elated with the co-op.

‘Serial Fonterra hater’, Greenpeace issued a release last week calling out Fonterra for ‘profiting from rainforest destruction’. But only two million tonnes of palm kernel expeller are imported, and they make a small portion of the feed going into cows.

Greenpeace would love to see fewer cows in NZ. Fortunately, that view isn’t widely shared by New Zealanders.

More like this

Michelle Pye elected to Fonterra board

Michelle Pye elected to Fonterra board

Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.

Solid start to Fonterra's financial year

Solid start to Fonterra's financial year

Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.

Lactose to join fat and protein in Fonterra milk price model

For over 20 years, Whakatane farmer Gerard Van Beek has been attending Fonterra annual general meetings with the same message - it's time to include lactose in the co-op's farmgate milk price model.

Andy Macfarlane: Fonterra has “reset the ship” but more work lies ahead

Retiring Fonterra director Andy Macfarlane believes the co-operative has made good progress over the past decade but adds that there's still a way to go.

Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price

Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.

Popular Reads

MPI launches industry-wide project to manage feral deer

An industry-wide project led by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is underway to deal with the rising number of feral…

Hawke’s Bay farmers donate livestock to support rescue helicopter

A Hawke's Bay farming family of self-confessed 'frequent flyers' has donated the proceeds from their spring lambs.

Waituna Lagoon consent puts farms at risk, Federated Farmers Say

According to Federated Farmers, Environment Southland has mishandled the consent process for Waituna Lagoon, leaving the community with numerous bad…

US removes reciprocal tariff on NZ beef

Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of…

Beefing up: could this be a blueprint for the sector?

OPINION: Nearly half of New Zealand's four million dairy calves are processed early, representing not just a missed $1.2 billion…

Featured

Michelle Pye elected to Fonterra board

Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.

‘Red letter day’ for ag sector

Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.

Govt to extend farming resource consents for 24 months

The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.

Fieldays’ sustainability credentials getting greener

The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.

Solid start to Fonterra's financial year

Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.

Government plan to scrap regional councils faces criticism

Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.

National

Fonterra directors set for pay rise pending AGM approval

Fonterra directors and councillors are in for a pay rise next month.

Rabobank 2026 Outlook: Geopolitics shapes global agriculture

The global agricultural landscape has entered a new phase where geopolitics – not only traditional market forces – will dictate…

McDonald’s NZ spends $235m on local farmers in 2024

Feeding more than 1.5 million people a week takes more than quick service, it takes the ongoing work of New Zealand…

Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price

Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward…

BNZ: $10 milk price now unlikely for 2025/26 season

The chance of a $10-plus milk price for this season appears to be depleting.

Machinery & Products

Claas Jaguar 1000 Series sets new forage harvesting world record

The recently released Claas Jaguar 1000 Series has seen its flagship 1200 set a new official Guiness World Record in…

CB Norwood appoints John Skurr as new general manager

CB Norwood Distributors Limited has announced the appointment of John Skurr to the position of general manager.

Polaris unveils mid-size utility side-by-side

Polaris Off Road has unveiled the 2026 Ranger 500, an all-new mid-size utility side-by-side aimed at bringing the quality and…

Carrfields expands South Island footprint with Agricentre South Kubota dealership acquisition

Two of the South Island’s agricultural machinery dealers are undertaking strategic changes designed to deliver even greater specialist support to…

Samasz Z4-1550 Four-Rotor Rake & KDX Mowers Debut at Agritechnica

In an already crowded market, Polish machinery manufacturer Samasz is set to unveil a prototype of its Z4-1550 four-rotor rake at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

Early Christmas gifts?

OPINION: The rural sector is set to receive some good news from the Government this week.

Charm offensive

OPINION: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been on a charm offensive with farmers.

» eNewsletter