Tuesday, 20 July 2021 11:30

Peak milk?

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: So, Fonterra believes New Zealand has reached peak milk.

Environmental restrictions ar impacting on how much more land the dairy industry could occupy. Dairy conversions have dried off while the amount of dairy land is also shrinking. Some farmers had converted land from dairying to forestry or horticulture, or in some cases housing or even solar farms.

So, with new milk processing plants still being built in NZ's dairy heartland, what does this mean? It means older, inefficient plans may be forced to shut down. And with Fonterra owning the most number of old plants in the country, this scenario doesn't bode well for the co-operative.

More like this

Ah Tatua, You've Done It Again!

Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.

Featured

Editorial: No Small Challenge

OPINION: There could hardly be a more appropriate theme for a conference than the one chosen by the red meat sector - Navigating Volatility.

Alliance to Pay Up to $20m to Farmer-Shareholders

Alliance Group has confirmed that eligible farmer-shareholders who supply and continue to back the business will receive up to $20 million later this year, following the strategic investment partnership with Dawn Meats.

Election 2026: What Parties Promise the Primary Sector

With a general election under five weeks away, Rural News is asking major political parties about their policies and positions on key issues facing the primary sector. We will run their responses to each question over the next four weeks. The ACT Party and the Greens didn't respond in time.

2027 NZ Dairy Industry Awards Open for Entries

Entries opened on Monday, 5 October 2026 for the 2027 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), which organisers describe as the nation's biggest celebration of excellence in the dairy sector.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter