Wednesday, 19 February 2025 11:25

No buyers

Written by Milking It

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Australian dairy is bracing for the retirement of an iconic dairy brand.

Saputo Dairy Australia (SDA) announced last year the retirement of its King Island Dairy brand, after being unable to find a buyer for the 132-year-old brand and its current facility.

Over the past year, SDA has sought to maximise value for the business looking for commercial and financial alternatives for King Island Dairy, including a potential sale to a third party. The business employs 58 people and is the single biggest employer on the island which only has a population of 1,600.

Is this a good omen for Fonterra as it tries to sell off its Australian consumer business that includes some of the top dairy brands across the ditch?

More like this

Expert Says Fonterra Backing Current Strategy With New CEO Appointment

Expert Says Fonterra Backing Current Strategy With New CEO Appointment

The appointment of Richard Allen as Fonterra's new chief executive signals execution, not strategy, according to agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.

Former Fonterra Director Urges Bipartisan Support for India Free Trade Agreement

Former Fonterra Director Urges Bipartisan Support for India Free Trade Agreement

A former Fonterra director with farming interests in India says he's surprised with the political posturing over the Indian free trade agreement.

Fonterra launches farmer-led youth dairy programme in Waikato and Bay of Plenty

A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

$10m Boost for Govt Coffers From Pāmu

State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.

Fonterra Shareholders Urged to Consider Tax Implications

Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.

Popular Reads

State of Emergency Declared in Far North and Whangārei as Severe Weather Worsens

A precautionary State of Emergency was declared for the Far North District at 1.18pm today (Thursday 26 March), for an…

Halter Raises NZ$377M to Expand Virtual Fencing Globally

Halter has unveiled plans for a large-scale expansion of its virtual fencing and animal management system, following a major fundraising…

Local State of Emergency Declared in Waikato Ahead of Cyclone Vaianu

A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region…

Cyclone Vaianu Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding Across NZ

Cyclone Vaianu is continuing its track south towards the Bay of Plenty, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rain, and…

Fifth-Generation Farmer Transforms Dairy Farm into Biodiversity Hotspot

Fifth generation farmer Stu Muir believes dairy farming and conservation can go hand in glove.

Featured

NZIBF Welcomes Labour Backing of NZ–India FTA

The New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) has welcomed the Labour Party's support for the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement.

Canterbury Boosts Wallaby Control With $2M Funding Push

Wallaby control efforts in Canterbury have received a major boost, with Canterbury Regional Council releasing $2 million from its Pest Management Reserve.

Champion Farmers Drive Environmental Change in Agriculture

Finding and supporting ‘champion farmers’ – or top-quality farmers - is one of best ways of getting other farmers to take the appropriate measures to mitigate environmental issues, according to a leading Irish scientist Dr Mary Ryan.

Zespri Launches “Grown for Good” Global Brand Platform

Zespri has unveiled Grown for Good, a refreshed global brand platform, in an effort to reinforce the company's commitment to nutrition and creating value across the kiwifruit industry.

NZ Resets Science Funding Priorities After 30 Years

For the first time in more than 30 years the Government has set a new set of radical priorities for the science it funds - including agriculture.

NZ–India FTA Gains Labour Support Amid Risk Concerns

The Labour Party has announced it will support New Zealand's free trade agreement (FTA) with India.

National

Dairy Women’s Network Names 2026 Regional Leader Award Finalists

Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader…

Farmers Face Change but Opportunity as Sector Evolves

New Zealand's food and fibre sector is entering a period of significant transition and Irricon's refreshed brand reflects how both…

Meat and Dairy Vital for Health and Hunger Solutions, Experts Say

The executive director of the Global Dairy Platform (GDP) Donald Moore says research being done at Massey University's Riddet Institute…

First-Farm Buyers Braden and Brigitte Barnes Secure Ownership with Award Support

Braden and Brigitte Barnes have taken the leap into farm ownership to purchase their first farm with support from the…

Fifth-Generation Farmer Transforms Dairy Farm into Biodiversity Hotspot

Fifth generation farmer Stu Muir believes dairy farming and conservation can go hand in glove.

Machinery & Products

Nissan NZ Launches MORE Ownership Programme with Extended Warranty

Nissan has announced that the Nissan MORE Ownership Program, available to New Zealand customers, is an initiative to deliver peace of…

Massey Ferguson Introduces High-Efficiency Small Square Baler

Massey Ferguson has announced the release of the SB.1436DB small square baler to New Zealand, featuring a unique layout producing…

Dairy Wearables Gain Value Through Integration with MINDA System

Wearable collars, ear tags and boluses are becoming increasingly common on Kiwi dairy farms.

SenseHub Dairy Launches Inline Milk Sensors for Real-Time Cow Data

Two inline milk sensors are now available on monthly subscription from SenseHub Dairy, adding milk yield and quality insights to…

Te Pari Launches Modular AB Race for Safer Dairy Breeding

With the artificial breeding season creating increased activity and the need to handle cattle safely and efficiently, a dedicated AB…

» Latest Print Issues Online

dairynewscover

ruralnewscover

winegrowercover

Milking It

Too Lenient

OPINION: Reckless action by Greenpeace in 2024 forced Fonterra to shut down a drying plant for four hours, costing the co-op…

Fossil Fuel Crusade

OPINION: The global crusade against fossil fuel is gaining momentum in some regions.

» eNewsletter