Fonterra FY26 Results: $9.69 Milk Price, $3.4bn Profit
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
Donna Cram, a fourth-generation dairy farmer from Taranaki, has been named the 2023 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Cram, a councillor on the Taranaki Regional Council, is heavily involved in her community as the Taranaki Catchment Communities Inc Chair and Founder, and as part of the DairyNZ Dairy Environment Leaders.
Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) trustee Donna Smit says the judges had an “unenviable job”, choosing between Cram and other nominees Rebecca Miller, Kimberly Crewther, and Sheena Penwarden.
However, she says Cram was a standout for the judges because of her way of inspiring her community, especially young people.
“Her ability to see the big picture and then mobilise those around her was something the judges’ thought was really special. They were looking for commitment, drive and passion for the dairy sector, someone who is a positive role model for women in dairying,” Smit says.
“They were looking for a strong performer who demonstrates leadership within her community, and with a wider circle of influence, and who epitomises the ‘bigger, brighter, bolder’ mantra shared through the DWN Conference this week”.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says Cram’s leadership, community engagement and commitment to sustainability “represent some of the best attributes of Kiwi dairy farmers”.
“We want more young people coming into the dairy sector and she’s helping to do exactly that. Fonterra is proud to sponsor this award and we acknowledge all the finalists for the significant contribution they have made, and continue to make, to our industry,” he says.
Cram will receive a scholarship of up to $20,000 for an approved and personally chosen development programme, or professional/business coaching and/or learning experience.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.

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