Winston's crusade
OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.
OPINION: Australia hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Fonterra in recent years thanks to increasing competition among processors and supermarkets pushing their weight around.
Add that to a drop in milk production due to extreme weather this year and the co-op is facing a dilemma of overcapacity. Processing 20% of Australia’s total milk, the co-op suddenly finds itself with more stainless steel than it needs.
Rumours are rife that Fonterra will close one or more of its processing plants there.
Fonterra will announce its annual result on September 12. Watch this space.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.