Unfair provisions in DIRA must go — Fonterra
Fonterra says some aspects of the dairy industry regulations are “tipping the playing field in favour of foreign exporters, at the expense of Kiwi farmers”.
The growth of Australia’s dairy industry is now down to the two main players Fonterra and Saputo, says dairy analyst Steve Spencer.
At issue is the commitment of the two large players and how they can restore trust in the industry for farm investors and owners, he says.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission last week approved Saputo’s takeover of beleaguered co-op Murray Goulburn; the takeover when completed will leave no big dairy co-ops in Australia.
With MG in its fold, Canadian dairy giant Saputo will edge out Fonterra to become Australia’s largest dairy player.
The ACCC decision requires Saputo to sell the MG Koroit Plant in western Victoria.
Spencer, Fresh Agenda, told Dairy News he wasn’t surprised by the ACCC’s decision. For the Australian dairy industry, it means competition will not ease, he says.
“Another player will get a larger foothold with access to Koroit and its milk supply and there will be no dairy co-op in the future.”
Spencer noted that MG has been in a weak state for years.
“So the nature of processor-farmer relations, the market shares of milk intake and the product mix of the industry will evolve further.
“We’ve got a fair way to go before change is over. I’m not sure it means the industry will grow as a consequence of the loss of MG, but that depends on the commitment of the two large players and how they can restore trust in the industry for farm investors and owners.”
A New Zealand Herald columnist, who questioned the retirement of former Fonterra chairman John Wilson in July last year, is…
Former Fonterra chairman John Wilson was farewelled in Hamilton today by family, co-op colleagues, farmers and friends.
A farmgate milk price at the upper end of Fonterra’s forecast is now on the cards.
Interest in once-a-day (OAD) milking is rising, says DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Paul Edwards.
An increased focus on exports for New Zealand tomatoes could see the sector double its 2014 value by 2020.
So, cows are a major source of methane but how do you measure how much gas a cow burps?
In Australia, animal activists are taking exception to electric shock collars for use on cattle, calling it the equivalent of…