increase font size
Pahiatua Operations Manager Bill Boakes and Managing Director Global Operations Robert Spurway.
Fonterra's $231 million upgrade of its processing plant at Pahiatua has used new technology to reduce the amount of water consumed, while trebling production.
Work on adding a new drier to produce whole milk powder (WMP) started in December 2013 and a few weeks ago the first milk was processed there.
Fonterra’s managing director of global operations, Robert Spurway, says the co-op’s strong sustainability policy applies to all farmers to meet these standards, but even higher standards are imposed at its processing plants.
Visitors and staff working at plants such as Pahiatua are subject to strict and rigorous hygiene and health and safety rules.
Spurway describes the Pahiatua plant as close to a replica of the co-op’s new plant at Darfield, Canterbury. He says they have learned from building that plant, as a result building Pahiatua slightly faster and slightly under budget.
“It has slightly different design aspects at the foundation level, having isolators because of earthquake risk in this region relative to Canterbury. When it gets above the ground the design and technology is almost identical to Darfield,” he told Rural News.
“In commissioning and running [the plants]… we are getting better at it each time. So far this plant start-up has exceeded all our expectations.”
Spurway says the reason for the earthquake strengthening at Pahiatua surprises many people: 18 months ago an earthquake struck, damaging nearby Ekatahuna.
The Pahiatua plant is now processing 3.8 million L of milk per day – up from 1.4m a few months ago. It operates 24/7 and every hour produces 15.5 tonnes of WMP for sale to such markets as Cuba, Sri Lanka and Venezuela.
New technology that recycles water from the drying process is making a difference, says Bill Boakes, the Pahiatua operations manager.
“The water we are taking out of the milk here is cleaned and [used]… as potable water in the process. That’s the first time it’s has been done in a dairy plant in NZ, but it’s done in other parts of the world.”
A waste water treatment plant treats any water that cannot be recycled. This is sprayed onto three nearby Fonterra farms, where nitrogen and other loadings are monitored.
Pahiatua employs 180 staff, 45 of them extra as a direct result of the upgraded plant.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
