Wednesday, 10 May 2023 11:55

Wrong again!

Written by  The Hound

OPINION: Remember when the once-crumbling Westland Milk Products company was bought out by Chinese company Yili in 2019 and the howls of outrage and derision from current Minister of Agriculture and West Coast MP Damien O'Connor describing it as a 'sad day' for the West Coast?

However, some four years down the track, Westland Milk - under Yili's ownership - has gone from strength to strength. 

Not only is the company paying its farmers a 10c premium above Fonterra's payout, but last year it also surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue for the first time - making a profit of $39 million, with West Coast farmers receiving a record $9.40/kgMS for their milk in 2022.

Now the company is going to invest $70 million to expand its manufacturing of dairy protein lactoferrin.

The Hound reckons it looks like O'Connor has added to his long list of wrong calls when it comes to the NZ ag sector!

More like this

Objection!

OPINION: In 2021 a group of prominent academics got ’cancelled’ for daring to oppose changes to the school curriculum that put all mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), which can incorporate spiritual elements, on par with empirical science.

Under pressure

OPINION: On top of the rural banking inquiry, several as-yet-unnamed banks are facing a complaint to the Financial Markets Authority over their role in a government bond sale.

Time for change

OPINION: Fed up with the appalling decision making over successive governents that has left us with third-world infrastructure? You're not alone.

'Science' spend

OPINION: The Marsden Fund used to be reserved for top-tier research funding but now stands accused of burning public funds on PC identity politics crap.

Fieldays focused

OPINION: Your old mate had a wee crack at Fieldays recently for the perception it was more focused on quantity through the turnstiles than quality - a bugbear of some exhibitors over recent years.

Featured

Keep warm, boost weight

The missing link in getting maximum weight gain in your calves may be as simple as keeping them warm, says the Christchurch manufacturer of a range of woollen covers for young livestock.

Colostrum expert turns 40

Auckland-based supplement and nutritional company New Image International is celebrating 40 years of business in their home country.

National

Draft emissions plan a mixed bag

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says documents released as part of the Government’s second emissions reduction plan consultation contain…

Feral cattle wreak havoc

According to John Roche, MPI, the saviour for Chatham Island farmers this season has been the weather.

Machinery & Products

More efficient jumbo wagons

In a move that will be welcomed by many, Austrian manufacturer Pottinger appears to be following a trend of bringing…

Fieldays' top young innovator

Growing up on a South Waikato sheep and beef farm, Penny Ranger has firsthand experience on the day-to-day challenges.

Claas completes 500,000th machine

Claas is celebrating half a million combine harvesters built since 1936, marking the occasion by building anniversary machines from the…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Objection!

OPINION: In 2021 a group of prominent academics got ’cancelled’ for daring to oppose changes to the school curriculum that…

Under pressure

OPINION: On top of the rural banking inquiry, several as-yet-unnamed banks are facing a complaint to the Financial Markets Authority…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter