Fonterra slashes forecast milk price, again
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
A mate of the Hound recently came across a Fonterra advert for an employee communica- tions advisor – fair dinkum!
The Hound’s mate reckons it would be one of the toughest roles round, given that 1000 or so co-op employees are in for the chop as part of Fonterra’s current restruc- ture. The job ad euphemistically says, “Fonterra is going through a period of significant change and you will be responsible for imple- menting employee communi- cations strategies across the co-op...”. In other words, the job is to tell the lucky 1000 or so people nominated by the dairy giant’s big cheeses – in the nicest possible way – that they are in for the big DCM (don’t come Monday). Good luck with that!
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.

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