Misguided campaign
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is polluting the environment.
Fonterra has announced a record opening forecast milk price for organic milk this season.
The co-operative says this reflects a strong sales book and an encouraging supply and demand picture.
For the new season, which started June 1, the co-op announced a range of $9.25 - $10.75/kgMS, with a midpoint of $10/kgMS.
The co-op paid a record final organic price of $10.80/kgMS for 2022-23 season.
The co-op is looking for new organic milk suppliers. A team will be at the Fonterra tent at Fieldays this week to chat with farmers and answer questions.
Farm Source milk supply director Lisa Payne told Dairy News that the co-op's organics programme has been running since 2002 and it currently includes more than 100 farms.
"Demand for organic products continues to grow and to keep up with this we are looking to further expand the programme.
"We've been encouraging farmers to get in touch with us if they want more information about the process and support available to convert their farm to organic."
Fonterra also announced its advance rate for organic milk supply this season. For the first seven months, farmers will get an advance rate of $7.50/kgMS.
It lifts by 15c for milk supplied in January next year.
Meanwhile Fonterra's Organic Farmer Conference was held in Taranaki last week. The co-op says the conference was a great opportunity for farmers to learn mor about the market and the key factors driving the milk price, as well as connect with fellow farmers and the Farm Source team.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.