Divestment means Fonterra can focus on its strengths
OPINION: Fonterra's board has certainly presented us, as shareholders, with a major issue to consider.
Fonterra's Edgecumbe factory remained closed last week and milk was redirected to nearby processing plants.
The co-op and its North Island farmer suppliers were also bracing for flooding; two weeks ago, flooding caused by Cyclone Debbie had left many farms under water in the Bay of Plenty.
Fonterra’s head of Farm Source Bay of Plenty, Lisa Payne, says access to some farms was still affected by the flooding.
“The co-op is supporting those farmers as much as possible. We’d like to thank the huge number of farmers who called in with offers of help and support.
“Milk collected from farms in the local area is still being redirected to our manufacturing sites in Waikato.”
While damage to Fonterra’s Edgecumbe site has been minimal, most workers live in the nearby town which was cordoned off after the floodbank breached and homes were flooded.
Payne says some Fonterra staff have returned to the site and made good progress with cleaning and recovery. However, last week’s flooding was expected to put them back.
“It will be some days before we consider returning the site to full operations,” Payne says. “Our local Farm Source store will remain closed due to the flooding.”
Federated Farmers says for many farmers the loss of electricity will be a concern. Given many farmers made provision for generators, it is not known how much demand there will be; other farmers are being urged to lend generators to affected colleagues.
Feds is urging farmers with damaged milking gear to contact their processors and immediate neighbours. Farmers with irrigation damage are advised to contact Irrigation NZ for advice.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
As New Zealand marks International Day of Rural Women today, women from across the horticulture sector are calling attention to the crucial role they play in building a more sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient industry.
Listed rural trader PGG Wrightson chair Garry Moore and his deputy Sarah Brown have been voted out by shareholders.
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
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