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.
Fonterra says there is a genuine understanding among farmer shareholders about the global demand for sustainably produced dairy.
The co-operative’s group director Farm Source, Richard Allen, says Fonterra’s competitors in the US and Europe are bolstering their environmental credentials.
He was commenting on the launch of details of how the co-op will pay farmers for producing sustainable, high quality milk as part of the ‘co-operative difference’ framework.
From June 1, 2021, up to 10 cents of each farm’s milk payment will be determined by the farm’s sustainability credentials and milk quality.
The 10c/kgMS ‘co-operative difference’ payment is made up of two parts: 7c/kgMS for achievements under environment, co-op & prosperity, animals, and people & community focus areas.
Once these targets are achieved, another 3c/kgMS will be awarded to farmers who meet the ‘excellence’ standard under the milk quality framework.
Allen says the payment is another way Fonterra can recognise farmers.
“We want to reward the on-farm efforts that demonstrate our co-op’s care for the environment, animals, people and communities. It’s these actions which help ensure we’re the dairy company of choice for customers around the world and for New Zealand dairy farmers, for generations to come,” says Allen.
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.
ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.
When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…