The key to getting ahead in dairying, says Tangaroa Walker, is to seize every opportunity and find ways to stand out.

In recent months we’ve seen speculation from some commentators on the uncertain future of co-operative dairying in New Zealand – in which private companies and foreign investment trumps generations of local market expertise and value add is lost in the margins. 

Most people’s bucket list has things like skydiving, walking the Great Wall of China or owning a special car. But atop Levin dairy farmer and contractor Graham Bagrie’s list was something quite different. 

Fonterra is planning a tenfold expansion in production capacity at its Studholme factory in South Canterbury.