Fonterra’s Pierre Venter named next vice chancellor of Massey University
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
Fonterra has passed the peak milk production this season without any hitches at its plants.
The co-op was expecting 90 million litres of milk daily at the peak, which normally runs between mid-October and end of October; milk supply has flattened at 88m L/day.
In recent years the co-op has been forced to dump buttermilk as milk supply exceeded production capacity at its plants.
Fonterra managing director global operations Robert Spurway told Rural News it had come "very very close" to peak milk target.
"Based on current weather and volume, we have passed the peak, only just," he says.
Spurway says milk supply has become flat at top of the curve; the co-op has been collecting 55 million litres of milk in the North Island and 33m L in the South Island at the peak.
He says milk supply has been strong, thanks to very good grass growth.
"In my talk with farmers, they seem to be very happy with grass growth.
"We have seen milk supply right through the shoulders of the season and leading up to the peak 5% ahead of forecast."
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
Going one better than a frustratingly close second place finish at last year's event, the country's top axeman, Jack Jordan of Taumaranui, last weekend won the Stihl Timbersports World Championship individual event in.
Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show president Brent Chamberlain says a big development for this year is the Wool Zone, first introduced two years ago as a showplace for everything produced from wool, but now greatly enlarged with its own Wool Marquee and more than 30 trade sites.
Salmonellosis is a serious disease in cattle.
Drench resistance is already hitting farm profits; it's not just a future problem.
Applications are open for Horticulture New Zealand's (HortNZ) 2026 scholarship programme, with 20 funding opportunities available.

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