Open Country opens butter plant
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
The Dairy Women's Network has teamed up with Fonterra to offer New Zealand's first, annual Dairy Woman of the Year award.
The winner will be awarded a position on the prestigious Women in Leadership 12-month course run by Global Women. The $25,000 scholarship is sponsored by Fonterra Milk Supply.
The Women in Leadership course begins in September 2012 and will give the recipient 12 months of exposure to globally focused women in leadership roles across the business sector. The course features world-class presenters such as Jenny Shipley.
Dairy Women's Network chief executive Sarah Speight says the purpose is to profile and celebrate women who are making a real difference in the dairy industry, in their dairying businesses and in their communities.
Nominations are now open and close on February 24. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at the Dairy Women's Network annual conference on March 21 in Rotorua.
"This award will recognise a woman who is demonstrating exceptional leadership in the dairy industry. But, it's not just about recognising one woman out of the thousands who are doing great things.
"Rather, it is our hope that the award encourages many more to get involved and make a difference in our industry, while also making a positive impact on-farm and in the lives of people in their rural communities," she says..
Fonterra general manager milk supply Steve Murphy says it is exciting to be a partner to this prestigious award.
"Fonterra is committed to supporting education in the dairy industry to drive the industry forward and protect our dairy future. Women play a huge role in our industry and we fully endorse the great work the Dairy Women's Network is doing through the Women in Leadership course."
A panel consisting of the Dairy Women's Network chair, a representative of DairyNZ, a representative of Fonterra and a representative from Global Women will review nominations during the last week of February. Finalists will be contacted in early March for interviews.
Horticulture New Zealand says proposed changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 will drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity.
More than 1200 exhibitors will showcase their products and services at next month’s National Fieldays, with sites nearly sold out.
Despite difficult trading conditions for European machinery manufacturers brought about conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, alongside the United States imposing punitive tariffs, Italian manufacturer Maschio Gaspardo, has seen turnover increase 12% in 2025 to €390 million (NZ$775m) with a net profit of €11.2 million (NZ$22.3).
New Zealand innovation company Techion, best known for its animal diagnostics platform, FECPAK has signed an exclusive strategic partnership with Farmlands to bring independent animal health disease intelligence to its customers.
Zespri says it welcomes the recently signed Western Bay of Plenty Regional Deal, describing it as an important step towards supporting growth in the region and for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
Troubled milk processor Synlait has lost its third chief executive in five years.

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