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OPINION: Fonterra's decision to exit the ‘value-add’ game and sell its consumer brands business seems to have been met with more cheers than jeers, although some commentators are wary of the strategy to simplify.
It seems to your old mate that most of the people with skin in the game – farmer shareholders – like the decision to strip the co-op down to a lean, mean commodity machine.
Fonterra’s track record in the consumer space hasn’t been stellar, and, if they keep their costs lean, stripping out the many fat salaries that come with a brands business, there’s nothing wrong with being one of the best dairy commodity producing businesses in the world.
Maybe they could also ditch that fancy office in Auckland! Let’s see that put to a vote!
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities Party, labelled by some as the 'LinkedIn Greens' for their corporate spin on Green-esque 'tax the rich' policies.
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in Westminster is a salient warning for us.
OPINION: Proponents of regenerative agriculture tend to be naturally aligned with a 'green mindset', so they will be nonplussed with their new mates in the US of A.
OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put their levy-funded industry organisations under the same scrutiny as fertiliser, electricity, labour and freight.
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
