Fonterra opens organic milk supply to South Island dairy farmers
South Island dairy farmers will soon be able to supply organic milk to Fonterra.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell (left) cuts the 10th birthday cake with Farm Source head Anne Douglas (middle) and managing director co-op affairs Mike Cronin.
Hundreds of Fonterra farmers visited their local Farm Source store on November 29 to help celebrate the rural service trader's tenth anniversary.
To mark the occasion, 'Pie Day Fridays' at Farm Source stores was turned into 'Cake Day Friday' with local store teams putting on spreads.
Farm Source group director Anne Douglas says it was a special way to recognise the milestone.
"It was fantastic to see so many of our farmer owners and other valued customers join us in store. Our store teams really embraced the spirit of the occasion and there were some very creative cakes: I was at our store in Waiuku and I know the farmers I met there were delighted to be part of the celebration."
Farm Source is Fonterra's farmer facing team and was rebranded from RD1 in 2014.
The co-op says it has taken relationships with farmer shareholders to a whole new level by providing on-farm support and advice, lowering on-farm costs and giving back to rural communities - building closer connections with farmers and delivering the strongest farmer offering.
"Farm Source exists to service the co-op's farmers, offering the tools and support they want and where they need them," says Douglas.
"It's their co-op and Farm Source is here to help them continue to sustainably produce some of the world's finest milk."
Coming in at a year-end total at 3088 units, a rise of around 10% over the 2806 total for 2024, the signs are that the New Zealand farm machinery industry is turning the corner after a difficult couple of years.
New Zealand's animal health industry has a new tool addressing a long-standing sustainability issue.
The Government has announced that ACC will be a sponsor of this year's FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
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.