Fonterra results inspire confidence among farmers
Fonterra farmers are pleased with their co-operative's interim results, says Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson.
Fonterra has announced $15 million in investments in electrification projects across the North Island over the next 18 months.
The investment will see electric boilers installed at the co-operative’s Whareroa, Edgecumbe, and Waitoa sites, along with further fleet decarbonisation.
The co-operative says this will contribute towards its goal of a 50.4% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from a 2018 baseline.
Fonterra chief operating officer, Anna Palairet, says the investments mark a significant step for the co-operative’s future operations.
“Last year, we turned off the last coal boiler in the North Island, meaning manufacturing operations in the North Island are now coal-free,” Palairet says.
She says these investments are the next step in creating enduring assets that are fit for the future as Fonterra looks to reduce its reliance on gas.
“Choosing the right energy solutions is about striking a balance between affordability, security of energy supply and reducing our environmental footprint, and the new electric boilers are crucial to navigating this challenge,” Palairet adds.
She says the electrification projects play a significant role in ensuring efficient operations with a reliable energy supply for Fonterra’s manufacturing sites and to support the long-term sustainability of the business.
“It also represents a commitment to our farmer owners that we are building a resilient, future-ready co-operative,” she concludes.
Farmer-owned co-operative Ravensdown is winding down the operations of its agritech subsidiary C-Dax following a long decline in sales.
The recent East Coast Farming Expo, held over two days at Wairoa, offered an insight into the current state of agriculture on the east of the North Island, at a time when the locals are remembering the second anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle.
A Research programme supported by Beef+Lamb NZ is investigating the potential of ‘accelerometer’ sensors for early detection of conditions such as facial eczema (FE) in sheep.
In the past year, the Farmer Time for Schools programme which seeks to connect New Zealand school students with farmers, has experienced further growth.
Fresh Carriers Co. Ltd (FCC) and Zespri have completed the first ever kiwifruit charter powered by a low-emissions fuel.
New Zealand lingerie brand Rose & Thorne is expanding its virtual bra fitting service in an effort to provide rural women in with better access to specialised advice.
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