Fonterra slashes forecast milk price, again
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
One of the architects of Fonterra says he’s very disappointed with the co-op’s performance over the years.
Tirau farmer, Tony Wilding says farmers expected better when they formed the co-op in 2001.
“It’s not the performance we had in mind when we formed Fonterra,” he told Rural News.
Wilding received a New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s honours list for his contribution to the dairy sector and community.
Read: Dairy leader’s award richly deserved.
He was part of the negotiation team that merged Kiwi Cooperative Dairies and New Zealand Dairy Group, with the New Zealand Dairy Board to form Fonterra.
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Tony Wilding. |
With the negotiations tying up then NZDG chairman Henry van der Heyden and his deputy John Roadley for months, Wilding stepped up to serve as NZDG’s acting deputy chair. Despite his criticism Wilding fully supports Fonterra, pointing out he’s happy with the shift in strategy.
Wilding is also happy that “the days of hiring high-flying overseas CEO” are over.
He fully supports the appointment of New Zealander Miles Hurrell as chief executive last year.
“There is nothing wrong with us, Kiwis”.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.

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