Two new awards open to help young farmers progress to farm ownership
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.
At last, some positive news from Fonterra.
The co-op today confirmed that it has achieved record sales and revenues from its two August GlobalDairyTrade (GDT) auctions.
Fonterra achieved its highest-ever monthly revenue through GDT in August, selling 109,664 metric tonnes, worth $685 million.
Chief executive, Theo Spierings,says the past two GDT events show continued confidence in its products and strong demand from many of the key markets.
"Our August GDT sales volume was up 27% on the same time last year, and revenue more than doubled, up 107%."
The co-op is facing a government inquiry over its handling of the recent botulism scare involving whey protein concentrate (WPC80). It is also facing trade bans in several key markets around the world, including China.
Commenting on Fonterra's current forecast for a 15% decline in its product volumes on GDT over the next 12 months, Spierings says that this reflects Fonterra's strategy of moving from being commodities-driven to a more value-added, higher-margin products business.
One of New Zealand’s longest-running pasture growth monitoring projects will continue, even as its long-time champion steps away after more than five decades of involvement.
The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsmen Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is advising consumers to prepare for delays as insurers respond to a high volume of claims following this week's severe weather.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.

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