Fonterra opens organic milk supply to South Island dairy farmers
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
It appears many dairy company competitors of Fonterra are worried that some of the proposed changes to the DIRA regulations will give the country’s largest dairy co-op an unfair advantage over them.
OCD, majority owned by the Talley family, claims that allowing Fonterra to pay a different farmgate milk price to shareholders, will enable the dairy co-op to: “pay an anti-competitive farmgate milk price in regions with the most competition, while paying lower prices to farmers in less competitive regions”.
The Hound notes that the Talleys and the NZ First party (who have been vocal in their criticism of Fonterra) have had a very close association over the years. Meantime, Parliament’s primary production select committee is scheduled to report back on the DIRA Bill next February. Keep an eye out for that one.
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
Norwood has announced the opening of a new Tasman dealership at Richmond near Nelson next month.
Buying or building a rural or semi-rural property? Make sure you know where the wastewater goes, says Environment Canterbury.
With collars on more than seven million cows worldwide, Nedap says its standalone launch into New Zealand represents world-leading, reliable and proven smart technology solutions for dairy farmers.
Entries have opened for the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards.
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.

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