fbpx
Print this page
Monday, 19 September 2016 08:54

Update on Incident at Fonterra Edendale Site

Written by 
Robert Spurway, COO of Global Operations. Robert Spurway, COO of Global Operations.

Fonterra has confirmed all staff members at its Edendale milk processing plant are safe following the collapse of a raw milk silo on Friday afternoon.

“Our teams were able to quickly confirm that all of our people were accounted for, which is always our first priority in any unexpected event,” says Robert Spurway, COO of Global Operations.

The silo is one of about 100 silos on site, representing less than 10% of Edendale’s total capacity for raw milk storage. While the cause of the incident is not yet known, Spurway confirmed there was no explosion.

He says the silo appeared to have failed and the subsequent collapse damaged a nearby pipebridge, creating the loud noise heard by those in the vicinity.

“Whilst some of the damage may take several weeks to repair, the situation is under control and we are now working to get the plant back up and running as normal,” says Spurway.

Fonterra says there could be some temporary impact on milk collection in the Southland region, and will keep impacted farmers informed.

More like this

"Our" business?

OPINION: One particular bone the Hound has been gnawing on for years now is how the chattering classes want it both ways when it comes to the success of NZ's dairy industry.

Farmers' call

OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.

Wasted energy

OPINION: Finance Minister Nicola Willis could have saved her staff and MBIE time and effort over ‘buttergate’ recently by not playing politics with butter prices in the first place.

Featured

Rural contractors call for overhaul of ag vehicle rules

Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.

NZ seeks certainty on US tariff, says McClay

Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.

Trial shows benefits of spring nitrogen use

A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.

Eric Roy: Championing the pork industry

It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.

National

Machinery & Products

JDLink Boost for NZ farms

Connectivity is widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, but it is now being overcome through the…

New generation Defender HD11

The all-new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 looks likely to raise the bar in the highly competitive side-by-side category.