increase font size
Fonterra welcomes the decision of the Commerce Commission to approve the acquisition of the assets of the New Zealand Dairies Ltd group in South Canterbury.
The Studholme site becomes the co-op's 27th processing factory and the 11th in the South Island accepting about 800,000 litres of milk a day from former NZDL suppliers and Fonterra shareholders.
Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings said the Commerce Commission's decision provided certainty for NZDL's suppliers and would be a welcome addition to the co-op's processing capacity.
"This investment in the Studholme plant underpins our commitment to the dairy industry in Canterbury, one of the fastest growing dairy regions in New Zealand. We're pleased we have been able to offer certainty to the former suppliers of NZDL and staff at the factory," he says.
"The Studholme site also complements our new Darfield plant operating for the first time this season.
"We've been operating the Studholme plant for the receivers over the past couple of months to ensure supplying farmers could sell their milk from the start of this season," he said.
"We started collecting milk from NZDL suppliers at the beginning of August and processed it at other sites and fired up the Studholme plant on August 14. We're now processing more than 800,000 litres per day of milk into whole milk powder for export."
From September 15, 2012, NZDL suppliers will become Fonterra contract suppliers with the ability to become Fonterra fully share backed after the 2012/13 season.
Spierings says the acquisition also strongly aligned with Fonterra's Strategy Refresh, which identified the importance of growing milk volumes and optimising New Zealand manufacturing operations.
The Russian-owned dairy factory was placed into receivership on May 17, 2012. Receivers BDO Chartered Accountants called for bids to buy the business and assets of NZDL shortly after.
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.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
