Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
Fonterra is in damage control as its export markets react to potentially contaminated whey protein concentrate ending up in infant formula and other dairy products.
The co-op's chief executive Theo Spierings has flown to China to meet with customers and regulatory authorities. Spierings will hold a media briefing in Beijing on Monday morning to quell a backlash among Chinese consumers.
Chinese authorities have reportedly banned New Zealand dairy products. The Russian Government has issued a statement halting all trade in dairy products from NZ.
Fonterra managing director NZ Milk Products Gary Romano told a media briefing in Auckland this evening that there were "unconfirmed reports" of bans in China and Russia.
Romano says the co-op will be in touch with authorities in both countries to seek clarity.
The New Zealand Government has also stepped in. Fonterra chairman John Wilson and Romano met Trade Minister Tim Groser and Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce in Auckland last night.
But the co-op has refused to say what was discussed. Fonterra's group communications director Kerry Underhill says the meeting was ''frank and constructive''. But he declined to say whether the ministers questioned him on how long it took for the issue to emerge.
Fonterra announced on Saturday that a dirty pipe at its Hautapu plant in the Waikato might have contaminated three batches of a whey protein called WPC80 with bacteria that can cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness.
Several Fonterra customers have recalled their products. About 38 tonnes of contaminated WPC80 was sold by Fonterra.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…