Fonterra Whareroa sets cheese record, wins top award
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
Fonterra provided nearly 20 million packs of milk free to 145,000 primary school students last year as part of its Milk for Schools scheme, now in its fifth year.
At the 2012 launch, 119 schools joined and last year 1431 schools took part.
To mark the fifth year, former All Black captain Richie McCaw will fly special helicopter milk runs to schools.
He will visit four schools selected from online entries saying why he should visit. Where possible, he will fly in to deliver milk. Local farmers will also be part of the visit.
Primary schools can be nominated until March 19 on Fonterra.com. Updates can be followed on Fonterra’s Facebook page.
Fonterra general manager, community programmes, Chris Ward says Milk for Schools is still growing.
“Two things stand out about it for us: ensuring Kiwi kids get a daily dose of quality nutrition and the generosity of Fonterra and its farmers to make it happen.”
The programme is also said to help with a sustainability initiative in which the Tetrapak milk packs are recycled in Thailand into school books, roof tiles, etc. There is no such recycling machine in NZ.
Milk for Schools has been underlined by two university health studies showing health benefits to children, particularly improved bone and dental health.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.