Open Country Dairy Expands Butter Production with New Plant
The country's second largest milk processor, Open Country Dairy, is building a butter plant at its Awarua site in Invercargill.
Milk processor Open Country Dairy (OCD) is on track to pay its suppliers a record milk price.
The country's second largest dairy player has revised its November settlement period payout to a range of $8.65 to $8.95/kgMS.
OCD pays its suppliers in full four times during the year.
For milk supplied in October and November, suppliers will be paid in full next month.
OCD chief executive Steve Koekemoer says continued strong demand prompted the payout review.
"There is no doubt that we will be setting a new payout record for the business for the current settlement period with the new forecast of $8.65 - $8.95.
"With sales completed for the period and financials being consolidated, I am one hundred percent confident that our average will at least hit the midpoint."
He says the final amount will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
"Leading into Christmas, I am sure it will be welcome news to everyone. It is a great way to end the year."
OCD has also lifted future settlement periods for milk supplied in December and January. The new payout range is also $8.65 to $8.95/kgMS. Suppliers will be fully paid in March.
With the New Zealand/India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) dominating political debate here, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting New Zealand next week.
Michelle and Tony Roberts didn't inherit the farming business they have today. They’ve built it from the ground up.
“We’re not normal.” That’s how Jack Walters, executive director of Pungent Pukeko, describes his gin brand, which has just won gold at the World Gin Awards.
Dr Tim Harwood, a seafood food safety research leader, has been awarded the 2026 Significant Contribution Award at the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology (NZIFST) Food Industry Awards.
Today marks the first day of operations for Waikato Waters, a new council-controlled organisation established by six district councils to deliver water and wastewater services for their communities.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced has opened applications for the 2026/27 funding round of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research (GHGIR) fund.

OPINION: Central Hawke's Bay farmer Mark Warren recently told the Hawke's Bay Times it's time for a conversation about allowing…
OPINION: A nation that relies as heavily as NZ does on functional global shipping lanes will have to do its…