Fonterra launches farmer-led youth dairy programme in Waikato and Bay of Plenty
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
It appears many dairy company competitors of Fonterra are worried that some of the proposed changes to the DIRA regulations will give the country’s largest dairy co-op an unfair advantage over them.
OCD, majority owned by the Talley family, claims that allowing Fonterra to pay a different farmgate milk price to shareholders, will enable the dairy co-op to: “pay an anti-competitive farmgate milk price in regions with the most competition, while paying lower prices to farmers in less competitive regions”.
The Hound notes that the Talleys and the NZ First party (who have been vocal in their criticism of Fonterra) have had a very close association over the years. Meantime, Parliament’s primary production select committee is scheduled to report back on the DIRA Bill next February. Keep an eye out for that one.
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.

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