Fonterra, Sharesies join to make share trading easier
Fonterra is teaming up with wealth app provider Sharesies to make it easier for its farmer shareholders to trade co-op shares among themselves.
Fonterra is urging its farmers to streamline the use of palm kernel expeller (PKE) on farm.
The co-op is recommending PKE guidelines to its farmers of a maximum of 3kg/per cow/per day and says this will future-proof its position as a supplier of high-quality pasture-based milk products.
PKE is a by-product of the palm oil industry in South East Asia; it is derived from the nut of the palm fruit after the oil is mechanically extracted.
PKE is a dry, gritty meal with a soapy smell and has low palatability until cows get a taste for it. However, PKE has reasonable levels of energy (ME) and protein, and is relatively easy to introduce to cows over a range of farm systems.
Fonterra group director cooperative affairs Miles Hurrell says that consumers globally are driving a trend towards dairy products that are sourced from pasture-based milk.
"More than ever consumers want to know what is in their food and where it comes from.
"We are in a unique position to make the most of this trend to enhance returns to our farmers who are already renowned for producing the best milk in the world. This recognition is a direct result of our farmers' pasture-based farming model.
"This gives us a key competitive advantage globally. Our milk products have an excellent reputation and we want to maintain that, and stay ahead of increasing consumer expectations. Already on GDT a premium is often paid for products made from New Zealand milk compared to products made from milk sourced in other countries."
This commitment has seen Fonterra advsing its farmers that it is establishing guidelines for the use of PKE) as a supplementary feed for dairy cows. Hurrell says going forward the cooperative is recommending PKE guidelines to its farmers of a maximum of 3kg/per cow/per day.
"After pasture, PKE is one of the cheapest supplementary feed options for farmers, and our data shows that use of PKE is increasing. We recommend our farmers follow these guidelines in order to future-proof the cooperative's position, while upholding our high standards of animal welfare.
"The recommended maximum of 3kg/per day/per cow is a voluntary guideline and we will be working with our farmers to help them maximise on-farm profitability while ensuring the health of their herd," says Hurrell.
The Commerce Commission says connectivity options for rural New Zealanders are front-of-mind as it begins a formal investigation into the future of the copper network.
Grand Finalists have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is underway.
Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.
Regional councils are welcoming the certainty for councils in today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) announcement by the Government.
ASB says the decision to sign on to the AgriZeroNZ joint venture came out of a wish to be a part of the solution.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
OPINION: This old mutt understands that NZ Post will soon no longer be delivering to rural addresses on Saturdays.
OPINION: Your old mate notes that research on the make-up of the new parliament shows it is now far more…