Bulk, boutique go together
Fonterra Australia commercial director Abhy Maharaj recently addressed the Australian Dairy Conference in Victoria. Here are excerpts from his speech.
The growing Covid-19 outbreak in Australia has forced the postponement of Australian Dairy Conference scheduled for Hobart in February 2022.
Lingering lockdowns and travel restrictions between states led the ADC board to make the difficult move this week, says president and Tasmanian farmer Ben Geard.
He says the decision was a hard one but the board deemed the outcome to be the most responsible course of action given the current climate.
"I think we have all been quietly hoping for some miraculous fix but the reality is we are currently facing a very similar scenario as we did 12 months ago, in regard to the impacts of Covid, and the position of ADC has always been only to proceed if we have absolute confidence we can do so.
"We would love nothing more than to bring ADC delegates to Hobart in February, however the risk and financial implications for us as a not-for-profit organisation are significant and would have a considerable impact on the viability of our organisation and our ability to deliver our premier event into the future," he said.
"This week in particular has demonstrated the immediacy and volatility surrounding Covid and the impacts on communities, and one that can happen almost instantaneously.
"The board looks forward to delivering an event when it is safe and appropriate. We know many ADC regulars will be disappointed, but it means we will all be even more eager to get together when we have the best opportunity to do so."
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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