Strong milk flows curbing payout
New Zealand dairy farmers are producing more milk, causing downward pressure on global dairy prices.
The country’s second-largest dairy processor says milk supply has been strong across all regions.
Open Country Dairy says its four factories are now running flat out to process milk.
OCD chief executive Steve Koekemoer told suppliers that the new Horotiu factory is already processing near capacity and the Wanganui factory is breaking its production records this season with new farmers that have come aboard.
“Awarua and Waharoa (plants) are nearing peak and fortunately we have had very minimal downtime due to our stringent winter maintenance programmes, he said in OCD’s October newsletter Talk Milk.
“It is that busy time of the year where everyone at Open Country Dairy has their head down and is working as hard as they can to ensure we process every drop of your milk efficiently.”
Koekemoer says OCD’s organic programme is also nearing its first processing date in November after two years of transition on farm and a big upgrade of the factory to process the milk.
“It is an exciting venture for our organics team that is focused on making this a success for the business and our organic farmers in Southland. “We expect our first branded product to be on shelves in early 2019 and are enthusiastic to see this sector grow as we prepare for our launch.”
A New Zealand Herald columnist, who questioned the retirement of former Fonterra chairman John Wilson in July last year, is…
Former Fonterra chairman John Wilson was farewelled in Hamilton today by family, co-op colleagues, farmers and friends.
Interest in once-a-day (OAD) milking is rising, says DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Paul Edwards.
An increased focus on exports for New Zealand tomatoes could see the sector double its 2014 value by 2020.
Former Fonterra chairman John Wilson passed away this morning after a hard-fought battle with illness, the co-op announced.
So, cows are a major source of methane but how do you measure how much gas a cow burps?
In Australia, animal activists are taking exception to electric shock collars for use on cattle, calling it the equivalent of…