Farmers' call
OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.
Fonterra is rolling out its Farm Source farmer advisory initiative in Australia.
Launched at the Australian Dairy Conference in Melbourne yesterday, Farm Source is already offering Australian farmers access to an online platform to help manage their businesses.
Farmers can also access special rates on vehicles, electricity rates and vehicles. More special rates will become available over time, Fonterra says.
Other services like a 24/7 fully-staffed service centre, on-farm advisory package and financial consultancy will be available by mid-2018.
Fonterra Australia managing director Rene Dedoncker says Farm Source is designed to be a whole new way of working with farmers.
“While we’ve been providing a range of on-farm services over the years, with Farm Source we’re accelerating that to deliver better, faster and easier-to-use tools and services that will provide real tangible benefits to our farmers,” he says.
In NZ Farm Source operates over 70 rural stores, offers online financial management advice and a rewards programme for farmers shopping at its stores.
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
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