Fonterra investing $70m in new electrode boilers
While opening the first electrode boiler at its Edendale site, Fonterra has announced a $70 million investment in two further new electrode boilers.
Southland dairy farmer Hugh Jackson was crowned the Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year over the weekend.
The Thornbury Young Farmers member says he was over the moon to win with a 60-point lead.
The regional final marked his fourth attempt to secure a spot in the Grand Final.
“I’ve had a few goes and quickly realised that taking out the win isn’t a given,” Jackson says. “You have to put in the work, so I’m stoked that my prep this year really paid off.”
He says he is excited about the Grand Final and will be enjoying the journey in the lead up to one of the primary sector’s biggest events.
“It will be a full on few months preparing for the Grand Final. I’m really looking forward to the challenge, I’ll be learning as much as I can between now and July.”
More than 150 looked on as contestants were put through their paces. The head-to-head contests were a major highlight – working side-by-side, contestants had just 30 minutes to build a stand for a tank, plumb a pipe to a trough, and bridge the pipe over the creek.
“The head-to-heads were great and a lot of fun, they had the right amount of challenge versus being achievable within a short timeframe. The organising committee did an awesome job putting together these challenges,” Jackson says.
It was a winning trifecta for Thornbury Young Farmers, with members James Fox placing second, and Cameron Smith securing the final spot on the podium.
Jackson will compete against six other regional winners throughout New Zealand, three of whom are yet to be decided.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.