"Land and water decisions have always mattered, but the environment farmers are operating in today is fundamentally different," says Johnston.

"Water, environmental performance, market expectations and farm succession are all converging at once. Farmers and growers are managing compliance, but they're also making long-term business decisions in a changing world."

Johnston says while the pace of change can feel challenging, it also creates opportunities for those willing to plan ahead.

"There's a strong appetite across the sector for practical pathways forward. People want clarity, not more complexity. They want advice that helps them understand what's coming and make confident decisions now, rather than reacting later."

She says water management is increasingly central to that conversation.

"Water security underpins productive farming systems, resilient communities and future market access. If it's done well, environmental planning isn't a constraint. Rather, it can strengthen businesses and protect options for the next generation."

Irricon's rebrand marks an important milestone for the Timaru-based environmental consultancy, which has grown alongside the changing needs of rural New Zealand.

Founded in 2007 by Keri Johnston, Gary Rae and Paul Sullivan, Irricon was built on the simple principle that environmental advice should be practical, grounded and genuinely useful on farm. Haidee McCabe joined soon after, helping shape the collaborative and trusted team the business is known for today.

As freshwater reform, nutrient management, biodiversity and cultural values have become more closely connected Irricon's work expanded beyond irrigation and consenting into broader land and water strategy.

Growing Capability

Irricon managing director Haidee McCabe says the refreshed brand recognises Irricon's evolution from a specialist irrigation advisory business into a consultancy working across the wider land and water systems that support rural production.

"When Irricon started, much of the work centred on irrigation performance and consenting processes that were far less complex than they are now," says McCabe.

"Today, our clients are making decisions that connect water, land use, environmental performance, infrastructure and long-term business strategy."

With a 15-strong team living in rural communities and working across Canterbury, Otago and nationally, Irricon now operates across interconnected land, water and energy systems. The team supports farming enterprises alongside irrigation schemes, catchment initiatives, and the infrastructure and environmental planning that enable productive rural businesses.

"Land, water, regulation and market expectations to longer sit in separate boxes," McCabe says.

"Our role is helping clients see how those pieces fit together and identify practical solutions that work both now and into the future."

The refreshed visual identity draws inspiration from land, water and rural landscapes, reflecting both the company's origins and its future direction.

"Our values haven't changed," Haidee says. "We're still focused on practical advice, trusted relationships and solutions that work in the real world. What's changed is the scale of the challenges our clients are navigating and the level of support they need."

The refreshed brand has been rolled out across Irricon's website, social media, vehicles, uniforms and client materials over the last few weeks.

He says dairy and meat are key to feeding the world's rising population. The GDP is based in Chicago and Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell is its current chair.

Moore says NZ is well positioned to contribute to food solutions as it was uniquely export-driven and had achieved significant pasture-based production efficiency. He says NZ was also a leader in genetic research and in finding scientific answers to the problem of ruminant animal-derived methane emissions.

"Globally people are living longer, which is a remarkable achievement. But we need to focus on the health span not just life span, in the face of rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, sarcopenia and nutrient deficiencies," he says.,

Among the challenges facing humanity are malnutrition from food scarcity, and nutrient deficiencies - often accompanied by obesity or type 2 diabetes - from eating too much of the wrong foods.

Moore says other problems facing the food system were climate change and the need for science investment into research to find ways to futureproof food supply.

He says this is where the importance of animal-sourced food like meat and dairy in the diet became clear. He says maintaining a good diet influenced hospital rates and quality of life.

"If muscle mass declines, metabolic risk compounds. We need to preserve muscle function and maintain lean muscle mass to reduce frailty and preserve metabolic health. Older adults require proteins rich in essential amino acids and highly bioavailable micronutrients," he says.

Moore also reiterated the need for practical solutions, saying a lot of the food debate happens in countries with abundance and plenty. But by 2050, there would be greater rates of under five-year-olds that were stunted or wasted from food scarcity.

"In low- and middle-income countries the challenge is about nutrient sufficiency not sustainability; in high-income countries the challenge is healthy aging. The common denominator is that nutrient density matters."

Moore says ruminant animals were excellent at turning land that could not be used for arable crops into highly nutritious meat and dairy foods. He says adequacy is not just nutrient presence but nutrient utilisation and says small amounts of animal-sourced food can make a huge difference in population health. He adds that it plays a measurable and meaningful role.

"Food production does have a cost to the environment, but nutrition needed to come from somwehere. Optimisation, not elimination, is the key and practicality matters," he says.

Braden and Brigitte were one of three recipients of the inaugural Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award in 2025 at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Gala Dinner, together with Cameron and Margaret Bierre and Reece and Natasha Cox.

After viewing numerous properties and missing out on multiple offers over the past year, the couple say the process was both financially and emotionally demanding, highlighting the challenges facing first-time farm buyers in the current climate.

"We looked at a lot of farms - a lot - and they were just out of our reach. Dairy farms have been selling for over $65,000/ha in Canterbury. There is a lot of money around at the moment, and people with deep pockets," says Braden.

"It's been an emotional rollercoaster," adds Brigitte.

"We put in a lot of offers which were not accepted, so it was a shock when this one was. It's exciting to finally have our own piece of land. It's been a long journey to get here."

The financial backing provided through the award along with the advice and help from Fonterra and ASB has given the couple the boost to take this next step.

"The funding has definitely helped. It's given us a strong starting point and made things more achievable," says Braden.

The personal support and genuine care from Fonterra and ASB employees has also been key in getting a farm sale across the line.

"It's been really helpful having that support and another set of eyes over everything as we've worked through the process," Braden says.

"Aran Young from ASB has been awesome. He wanted to see us succeed and it's really helpful to have someone like that in your corner. Having someone backing you, but also being realistic and working through the options with you, has been really valuable."

Adam Winter from Fonterra has also been there every step of the way, calling in to visit, sending through links to farms for sale and giving advice around milk supply, Brigitte says.

The couple have bought a 200ha grazing block in Sheffield, Canterbury, with an existing consent to convert to dairy. The couple plans to convert, milk 600-650 cows, and supply Fonterra in the next 18 months.

Strategic Approach

Braden and Brigitte Barnes are currently 50/50 sharemilking 1150 cows. They have sold the herd and will move to the new farm in June. 

Rather than continuing to compete at the top end of the dairy market, the couple chose to take a more strategic approach by purchasing this property with development potential and creating a system that would work for them.

"We had to think outside the box and realised we could do this ourselves and it's a really good scale," says Brigitte.

The farm itself has great soils, with 141ha irrigated and backs onto the Kauri River.

It will be strange to not be going into a calving season this year while they run dairy grazing stock and carry out the conversion, admits Braden.

The Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award is open to people who have previously entered the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.

The award is a collaboration between ASB, Fonterra and the NZDIA Trust. The award aims to help the best in the industry successfully transition into farm ownership, ensuring good succession to ownership and the future of the dairy industry.

The three FFA winners each receives up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% per annum for three years, along with a Fonterra launch package that includes $20,000 of Farm Source account credit to drive productivity and sustainability, mentoring, and additional support to help them successfully transition into ownership.

All About Backing Farmers

NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon says it's fantastic news to see Braden and Brigitte progress to farm ownership and showcase how beneficial winning this award can be.

"We are delighted for Braden and Brigitte to be able to buy their first farm. We have watched their progression through the Dairy Industry Awards and this is such a significant moment for their dairy career.

"It really reflects the evolution of the NZDIA in supporting dairy farmers from the beginning of their careers right through to farm ownership."

ASB's general manager rural banking Aidan Gent says these awards are about backing hardworking farmers who are putting everything into building a future on the land.

"For many, farm ownership is a long held dream and through this award and its winners, we're showing what's possible with hard work, dedication and the right support behind you.

"We're proud to stand alongside NZDIA and Fonterra to help make that goal a little more achievable. It's incredibly rewarding to see Braden and Brigitte, who were the 2025 winners of the Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award, come full circle on their journey to owning a farm."

Anne Douglas, group director - Fonterra Farm Source agrees it's encouraging to see last year's winners buy their first farm.

"We're delighted to see Braden and Brigitte turn their plans into reality and look forward to supporting their next chapter as Fonterra suppliers on their very own farm.

"Backing the next generation of farmers is one of the most important ways we can help secure the future of New Zealand dairy and strengthen our rural communities. That's why we're committed to giving young farmers the tools, advice and opportunities they need - so achievements like Braden and Brigitte's become more common."

The winners of the 2026 Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award will be announced at the National Dairy Industry Awards Gala Dinner in Rotorua on May 9.

To prove this, Muir has transformed the 500-cow fifth-generation family farm at Aka Aka, south of Auckland - from degraded waterways full of willows to a mecca for bird and marine life.

Last month Muir received the inaugural Kaitiaki Award during an event at Parliament as part of the Dairy Environment Leaders Forum.

The award recognises his leadership, commitment to kaitiakitanga, and immense contribution to the Dairy Environment Leader network and wider sector.

The journey to nurse the farm back to its current state has been challenging, but Muir says he's done it with the support of neighbouring iwi, environment groups, family and friends.

Today, kereru, tui, kaka and kotuku grace the home farm; bittern and fernbird are increasing at the swamp; the waters of Mangati Stream are home to whitebait, freshwater mussels, crayfish, eels and mullet.

He says that as a youngster he heard stories about the streams when he was whitebaiting and duck shooting with his grandparents.

"They were all keen white baiters and duck shooters and hunters and fishermen and being brought up alongside Māori neighbours and community, you get a strong sense of what it was.

"But you also got a sense that things were going downhill, especially with our whitebait and various species it had come to a state where there was no current left."

The first stage of his plan was unblocking the streams - removing the willows blocking the stream.

The restoration also included retiring 40ha of swamp from farming use and restoring it to a native wetland, creating ponds with grasses, flaxes and native trees. With a grant from the Waikato River Authority - a joint iwi-Crown organisation that supports projects to clean up the river and tributaties - Muir has planted over 90,000 plants around the property.

Pest control is another key feature. Over 2000 pest stations dot the Waikato River delta islands and surrounding farms.

Muir told Dairy News that as possum and rat numbers dropped, birds and marine life returned.

"That's made a major impact in terms of the regeneration of the individual indigenous plants and native plants down there, hitherto they just never got a chance, the seeds would be eaten by rats and if something did actually germinate the possum would come along to eat it, so you really notice now on those islands down the river been doing a massive difference."

With the native trees and plants returning so to have the birds, he says.

"We never had kererū or tui here for years, it was quite a big thing if one would turn up, now they're common as, you know, they've increased the numbers nine to tenfold."

The farm is visited by schools and farmer groups. Over one kilometre of boardwalk, again build with funding support from the Waikato River Authority, makes it easier for people to experience the unique environment surrounding Mangati stream on the farm.

"I thought it was an important way of getting people down here, you know, when you can hear the harakeke rustle in the wind, the sound of all the different manu here, and seeing the fish coming up through the current... that's tangible, and when it's tangible, it sticks with people and resonated with them," says Muir.

The Muir family has a long association with nearby wshanua and the local iwi.

Muir, who speaks Māori, believes his family's close connections with Tainui and local iwi - Ngāti Tiipa and Ngāti Te Ata - have helped the journey.

"We've been very close throughout all of those generations, and really quite proud of that relationship," he says.

Think About Future Generations

Stu Muir's advice to farmers is that sustainability isn't an impossible thing to do.

He adds that farmers must "think intergenerationally".

"It's about the doing the little, marginal things giving your kids some place to go and catch eels and build huts."

Doing nothing is not an opton and don't be overwhelmed by the magnitute of what's coming to farmers, he says.

Farms have different challenges and solutions. Talking to one another is important.

"Talk to your neighbours, go and have a cup of tea with your Māori neighbours, or the people at the rugby club.

"There's a lot of knowledge here and if we work together, we can come up with some really good solutions."

Woolerton, current Feds provincial vice-president and North Waikato branch chair, takes over from Phil Sherwood, who is giving up the post after one year in the role.

Dairy News understands that Sherwood is relocating to Taranaki. He remains a Federated Farmers member.

Woolerton farms in Taupiri on 370ha including a runoff. The family-owned business runs two herds, one with 380 cows and the other with 480 cows.

He represented Waikato District Council's rural Hukanui-Waerenga Ward from 2019 until 2022, before the ward was disestablished due to council boundary changes.

The farms have a contract milker who has five staff and this gives Woolerton time for his Federated Farmers work.

Woolerton will be confirmed in the top role at the Federated Farmers Waikato provincial annual meeting next Thursday.

There are already reports of problems with transport companies having to 'hunt down' diesel as local service stations run out and the same applies to farmers themselves.

Alexander says in his lifetime he's seen similar events and says there will be financial pain, inflation will probably go the wrong way and it will put pressure on couples and families. He notes that government will talk about support, but in reality can offer little more than verbal support.

"It is not always obvious, but time is on your side and that in future you will do things better. Above all, support your partner," he says.

In a letter to clients and others, Alexander offers a range of tips that could help reduce the consumption of fuel and put a focus on what is necessary for running the business.

"Walk the farm where possible, use the motorbike or horse rather than the ute, reduce trips to town and maybe carpool with a neighbour; trips to the pub must involve a full passenger load and a designated driver and don't mass store fuel because that is unfair to your neighbour," he says.

Other suggestions to farmers include looking after their contractor by offering some diesel and also paying them promptly. He says farm work can still be done by using less fuel and notes that the ute will not depreciate as much and that you will get fitter and probably lose weight by walking.

"It's important to realise that some couples will be worse off than you, so help your neighbour. Also remember that your tax cost for the year will reduce and above all, don't lose your cool, because this is not your fault," he says.

Finally, a key message from Pita is - more phone time and less fuel time.

The final milk price for this season, which finishes at the end of next month, is set to exceed even the most optimistic forecasts offered in recent months.

ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly says last week's ceasefire is very welcome news, but it's too early to say how durable it will be.

"Even in the best-case scenario, there will still be ripple effects across markets and it will take some time before things return to normal," Dilly told Dairy News.

The ANZ Bank has lifted its milk price forecast for this season to $9.85/kgMS, 15c above Fonterra's forecast mid-point.

"This forecast is hardly bold; at this stage of the season Fonterra has already locked in most components of their pricing formula," he adds.

But he cautions that demand could emerge as a concern.

Price-sensitive Asian economies are key customers for New Zealand dairy and are among the most impacted by rising fuel costs.

Dilly says that dairy demand may weaken the longer the current situation lasts, especially in markets where dairy products are not traditional staples.

"The drop in last week's Global Dairy Trade (GDT could indicate that importers have rebuilt inventories to their satisfaction, and that the bearish global supply and demand situation will become more relevant in the coming months."

ANZ's price revision comes despite the GDT auction recording its first price fall this year.

Dilly says global dairy prices have had quite a turnaround in 2026 after ending 2025 on the slide. The GDT price index is up 22% since the start of the year.

"Initially, rising geopolitical risk lifted most commodity prices, including dairy," he says.

"Then in late February that risk turned to reality.

"This trend had very little to do with dairy directly, although the bearish end to 2025 led buyers to assume they could patiently wait for prices to fall further.

"The price surge through the end of March shows how quickly that mindset changed, despite prices falling 3.4% at the latest GDT auction."

"For the current 2025/26 season, this means the final milk price will exceed even the most optimistic forecasts offered in recent months."

With Fonterra's full earnings guidance for continuing operations raised from 45-65c/share to 50-65c/share, a full shared up farmer could get over $10.20/kgMS. Last season, Fonterra paid $10.16/kgMS as milk price and a 57 cent fully imputed dividend - one of its highest ever returns to its shareholders.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell also had a word of caution for farmers.

The revised forecast reflected improvement in global commodity prices and the co-op's strong underlying margins and cost control, but he noted that significant volatility remains, particularly as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

Allen will step into the CEO role on 1 May 2026, with Hurrell staying with Fonterra in an advisory role until September 2026 to assist with the leadership transition.

Peter McBride, chair of Fonterra, says Allen is an exceptional leader who will bring a strong connection with farmer shareholders and customers to the role.

“The Board is really pleased to announce Richard as Fonterra’s next CEO, who will lead the Co-op into the next phase of its strategic implementation," McBride says.

“Richard is passionate about our Co-operative,” he adds. “His most recent role is President Global Ingredients, responsible for Fonterra’s Ingredients sales, optimisation, risk management, trading and global manufacturing."

Allen joined Fonterra as a graduate in 2008 and his career with the co-operative has subsequently spanned the global supply chain.

"He led our farmer facing business Farm Source for five years, has worked in China as Vice President of our Foodservice business, was the founding CEO of MyMilk, and more recently served as President Atlantic based in Chicago, responsible for relationships with a number of our global key accounts," says McBride.

Allen says he is incredibly humbled by the appointment, adding that he feels great pride to lead the co-op.

"I’ve built my career with Fonterra and understand the important role the Co-op plays both for farmers here in New Zealand and our customers around the world," he says.

"I’m committed to maintaining the momentum in our performance, focused delivery of strategy and financial discipline that has been developed over recent years.

“Fonterra has a strong platform to build from and I’m excited by our prospects as we move forward as a New Zealand farmer owned global B2B dairy provider,” he adds.

Received with open arms was Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Forestry, who chose the Feilding event to announce the Government’s support of 18 rural, community-based initiatives through its Rural Wellbeing Fund, with $4m over the next four years.

"We established the fund mid-last year to boost wellbeing programmes that support the rural sector,” McClay says.

“These initiatives will ensure farmers and growers have the support they need to thrive.”

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says the Government is committed to delivering faster access to mental health support, including for the one in five people who live in rural communities.

“We’ve focused on supporting proposals that can have the greatest impact on the ground, as well as new initiatives targeting gaps.

“Partnering with grassroots organisations enables the Government funding to go further and make a real difference.”

Speaking to a large audience, McClay recognised a debt of gratitude to the primary sector, which generated around $80b in revenue and kept the country fed in difficult times and unplanned weather events. At the same time, he confirmed the Government’s ongoing commitments to simplifying rules and regulations, allowing farmers and growers to do what they do best, rather than being burdened by often repetitive surveys and paperwork.

Federated Farmers President, Wayne Langford, thanked the Minister for recognising the pressures faced by the rural sector, often on an individual basis, as many people worked long days, often alone.

“The Wellbeing Fund is much appreciated, but I hope this is only the first tranche.”

Kate Denholm, chair of New Zealand Young Farmers and manager of a 700-cow Holsten herd on a Manawatu farm, repeated the sentiment and went on to explain how the association’s 60 clubs throughout the country enabled better wellbeing through social connection, which encompassed sporting activities, training days and rural community actions like stacking tyres on silage clamps to supplement club funds.

Craig “Wiggy” Wiggins, chief mate of the Lean on the Gate charitable trust, explained how talking to a friend or trusted rural professional could help those at risk understand that they needed some help on their mental health and wellbeing journeys.

Wiggins said, sadly, there is still a very real issue with rural suicides.

“The likes of trusted rural advisors such as stock agents, who regularly work with farmers and are trusted to steer high value transactions, can make a huge difference.

“We have a plan to help train these individuals to recognise rural folk in distress, meaning that help can be offered inside or over the farm gate, rather than watching an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. The grants will make a huge difference.”

Headquartered in Australia, Rumin8 is developing products using a compound which reduces methane emissions in livestock. It says trials with beef cattle showed an average 82% methane reduction after consuming Rumin8’s feed additive, as well as indications of up to 5% productivity gains.

Rumin8 is aiming to develop a range of products including a feed additive, water additive, mineral supplement and slow-release capsule.

AgriZeroNZ chief executive Wayne McNee says investing in companies like Rumin8 as part of its portfolio of investments aims to give New Zealand farmers access to a range of emissions reduction tools.

“New Zealand’s a relatively small market on a global scale, so our investment is critical to push New Zealand pastoral farming systems up the priority list and support companies to bring their world-leading innovations here.

“Most of our major export customers have set ambitious emissions reduction targets which cover their entire value chain, including the New Zealand farms which produce the milk and meat they buy.

“Being able to show credible progress matters to maintain our market access and reputation as a world-leading producer.”

McNee says Rumin8’s goal of developing products for grass-fed animals and its progress to date, make the company a welcome addition to AgriZeroNZ’s diverse portfolio.

David Messina says AgriZeroNZ’s investment has brought its focus on New Zealand forward several years.

“We’re now planning animal trials in New Zealand this year to support our application for regulatory approval. These trials will test the safety of the feed additive as well as its effectiveness in local conditions.”

Messina says approval for Rumin8’s initial product will help facilitate registration of other related products which are more suited to grass-fed systems.

Global dairy giant Lactalis has taken over Fonterra’s consumer and related business in New Zealand, Australia and around the world from March 31 in a $4.2 billion deal.

Abbott, a global healthcare company, took ownership of Synlait’s North Island assets that includes a processing plant at Pokeno, south of Auckland. The $300 million deal will help Synlait reduce its debt and improve its financial performance.

For Lactalis, the acquisition of Mainland Group boosts its presence around the world - from 42 to 58 production sites in 20 countries. The Lactalis workforce grows from 14,000 to over 18,000 employees and portfolio from 30 to 54 brands.

The company says Mainland Group, which includes iconic brands like Mainland, Anchor and Wester Star butter, strengthens its position in Australia and New Zealand, and accelerates growth across South and Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, the company says.

“The two portfolios coming together are highly complementary: Mainland Dairy contributes consumer-favourite cheeses, butters, ambient dairy and nutritional powders, while Lactalis brings its local expertise in yogurt and drinking milk,” says Emmanuel Besnier, chairman of Lactalis.

" This acquisition reflects our deep belief in the future of dairy. Integrating Mainland Dairy strengthens our presence in Oceania, Asia, and the Middle East, where demand for healthy, tasty, and affordable dairy products continues to rise.

“We are pleased to welcome highly skilled teams and look forward to developing high-quality products close to the communities we serve.”

Fonterra chairman Peter McBride says the completion of the sale is a significant milestone which sets the co-op up for the future.

“With the divestment complete, Fonterra can return capital to its owners and focus on growing further

through its core business as a New Zealand farmer-owned global B2B dairy provider,” says McBride.

Fonterra shareholders and unit holders will get $3.2 billion in capital return from the sale on April 14.

For Synlait the sale of its North Island assets is an important turning point.

Synlait chief executive Richard Wyeth says it will strengthen and simplify the business while giving them the space to drive recovery forward with a focus on where Synlait was founded, in Canterbury.

The assets bought by Abbott include the Pōkeno manufacturing facility, the associated inventory, and the company’s leasehold Auckland sites - assets held at the blending and canning facility on Richard Pearse Drive and the leased warehouse facility on Jerry Green Stree).

Of the proceeds, $200 million will be used to repay Synlait’s bank facilities- reducing it down to $200m.

But while funds from the sale will reduce debt, Synlait acknowledges it has further work to do.

The company, majority-owned by China’s Bright Dairy, last week reported a half-year net loss of $80.6 million.

Synlait also has a $130 million shareholder loan from Bright Dairy on its books. The loan matures in July.

He dedicated the awards to his parents Ben and Fieke Meyer, who founded the business 50 years ago and are now retired, and also to his current team.

"They're the ones in there every day doing the work, making the calls, and really caring about the end result," Miel Meyer told Dairy News.

Meyer Cheese picked up the top prize for Mid-Sized Cheese and Dutch-Style Cheese for its Vintage Gouda, Farmhouse Cheese Trophy and Export Cheese Trophy for its Smoked Gouda.

Miel Meyer says there was also a bit of relief to get the awards.

"I still remember being a kid when mum and dad came home with the Supreme Champion back in 1994 - that set the standard incredibly high. In many ways, I feel like I'm just here to support and carry that forward."

He says the awards also show that the company is on the right track.

"At the same time, it keeps you honest - because you know you've got to turn up again the next day and do it all over again."

He says there's no real shortcut to success in cheesemaking.

"It comes down to consistency, discipline, and respecting the process. Cheesemaking is a craft - you can't rush it."

Meyer Cheese owns a dairy farm, next to its factory. Fresh milk is piped from the farm to the processing plant daily.

Miel Meyer says they are fortunate in New Zealand to have access to exceptional milk, as that's where it all starts.

"We focus heavily on milk quality and getting the fundamentals right. Just as importantly, we trust our team to take ownership of what they do.

"Over time, that creates a culture where high standards are simply the norm, not something you aim for occasionally.

"From there, it's about patience - allowing the cheese the time it needs. A lot of what we do is cellar-aged, and that's where the real character and depth comes through."

Miel Meyer says his parents - Dutch immigrants - have been "absolutely foundational".

"Everything we do today is built on their values - hard work, integrity, and a real passion for cheesemaking.

"They took a huge risk coming to New Zealand and starting from scratch, and that resilience still shapes the business. It's not just a legacy - it's something we actively try to honour and build on every day.

"Mum and Dad have been retired for quite some time now, but I'm very lucky - I still get to have lunch with them most days.

"We're constantly bouncing around ideas and talking cheese (usually while eating it). It keeps me grounded and connected to where it all began."

Speaking at the annual New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association (NZSCA) awards night in Auckland, chair Simon Berry paid tribute to local cheesemakers.

Berry, managing director of Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese, says local cheesemakers constantly punch above their weight.

"We're a small country, and when it comes to cheese, we consistently prove that even in small places, we create huge flavours," says Berry.

He points out that cheesemakers operate in one of the most open food markets in the world.

And primary manufacturing across the entire nation is under real pressure, he adds.

"We see across multiple categories: walk into any supermarket today, and you'll find cheese from every corner of the globe.

"And that's not something we should complain about. Imports are now a big part of New Zealand food culture.

"They bring diversity, inspiration, and at times, a healthy motivation to lift our own game.

"But there's one thing we must insist on, and that's New Zealand cheese should never be invisible in New Zealand."

Berry says cheeses produced in NZ stand comfortably along the rest of the world.

NZ milk is exceptional and landscapes are extraordinary, he says.

"Our cows graze freely on some of the finest pastures anywhere in the world.

"And our cheesemakers bring together craft, innovation, and a uniquely Kiwi determination to create something genuinely special."

Berry also paid tribute to the people who, he says ultimately shape whether local cheeses are seen, tasted and remembered - retailers, restauranteurs and chefs.

They decide what people see in the cabinets and what appears on the menu.

"And you decide which cheeses are introduced to a customer for the very first time and which ones they go back looking for.

"The great cheese doesn't become great in isolation. It becomes great when it's seen, recommended, plated, cared for, and proudly served."

Berry says the cheese awards are not about moaning about imports.

"It's not about the imports and about them coming on and fighting over shelf space.

"It's about partnerships - partnership on visibility, partnership on storyteling and partnership on backing what is made right here at home.

"Because when New Zealand cheese is given a place on the shelf and a place on the menu, something powerful happens.

"Customers connect with it. They talk about it. They remember it. They discover that cheese made down the road, over the next valley, or on the other side of the South Island, is not just comparable, but it's exceptional."

Berry's company won the most prestigious honour, the Hall's Group Limited - Champion Commercial Cheese for its Monte Cristo.

For the second year in a row, the sheep milk cheddar bagged this award.

In the Puhoi Valley Champion Boutique Cheese category, Craggy Range's Pecorino took the coveted top spot.

Noel Grealish was in NZ recently to meet with Irish people as they celebrated St Patrick’s Day. Every St Patrick’s Day Ireland sends one of its politicians to countries all around the world to be with Irish people and those with Irish heritage. One in six New Zealanders have Irish heritage.

But aside of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Grealish who represents the West Galway region in Ireland, visited farms in both the North and South Islands, agricultural universities and research centres and also met industry and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officials and Minister for Agriculture, Todd McClay. Travelling with Minister Grealish was Dr Karl Walsh the Head of Research, Bioeconomy and Codex in the Irelands Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

This was Grealish’s first official visit to the country and he says while NZ and Ireland have a lot in common in terms of agriculture, the size of farms here is vastly different.

“We have 133,000 farmers in Ireland and that is a lot more than what you have,” he says.

Just take dairy as an example – Ireland has 16,000 dairy herds, the average herd size is 98 cows, and Ireland produces about 8.3 billion of litres of milk annually. Conversely NZ has 10,700 dairy herds, the average herd size is 449 and produce 21.1 billion litres of milk annually.

Grealish says he visited a huge farm near Christchurch which had a mix of dairy, sheep forestry and honey and he says the scale was something that you would never see in his country. The other thing that Grealish noted was the absence of subsidies for farmers in NZ.

“The reverse is the case in Ireland where farmers there get a lot of grants. In fact, you nearly get a grant just to get out of bed,” he says.

Grealish says farm payments are the biggest budget item in the European Union but he says this is likely to change in the near future with money being diverted to beefing up security and defence in the EU.

But while in NZ, Grealish was also concerned about the middle east crisis and its effect on Irish agriculture. He says they sell a lot of products in the Middle East and this is flown in on one of eight special flights every day. But he notes these flights have now stopped and one of the first jobs he’ll have when he gets back to Ireland is to deal with this issue.

“A lot of stuff has been left in warehouses in Dublin because it couldn’t get out on the flights and a lot of that is fresh produce,” he says.

Ireland like NZ says Grealish, is so dependent on exporting and everyone is concerned about the additional costs of getting product to customers as a result of this conflict.

Joint Research Pact

A big focus of Noel Grealish’s visit was to expand and enhance the collaboration on agricultural research between Ireland and New Zealand.

He says the two countries have similar issues around environmental management and it makes sense for greater collaboration in this area.

“We found that NZ scientists were doing the same work as ours and a joint research programme worth 20 million euros was established,” he says.

This collaboration took another step forward during a meeting between Minister Grealish and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay with the signing of an agreement to continue this and other research.

McClay says New Zealand and Ireland will continue to advance vital research to support the development of tools to give farmers options to tackle agricultural greenhouse gas emissions without reducing production.

Grealish says the second phase of the agreement will drive meaningful reductions in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

“Agriculture is at the heart of the Irish and New Zealand economies, and we share the common goal of lowering emissions in pasture-based farming, while supporting farmers to produce more,” he says.

MPI and Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will now identify further projects to progress.

Separately, Ministers also launched the new 2026-2030 Strategic Plan for the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) which has four priorities. These include advancing scientific research, strengthening capacity and knowledge sharing, building effective collaboration and partnerships, and leveraging financial and other resources.

After placing runner-up in the competition two years ago, the couple, both 31 years old, wanted to give it another crack and continue to benchmark themselves against the best in the industry.

This month they won a $14,900 prize package along with pocketing five merit awards. They will now compete for the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards national title in Rotorua in May.

Navdeep grew up in an agricultural family in Kurukshetra City, in the Indian state of Haryana and says, “farming was always around me”.

“As a kid I loved going to the farm, driving tractors cultivation, drilling, and helping on weekends, which naturally led me into a career in dairy farming,” he told Dairy News.

“We also believe that dairy farming in New Zealand offers real career progression – if you work hard, you can grow from an entry-level role to running your own farm one day. That pathway really motivated me.”

Being runners-up in 2024 also motivated them to do better this year.

“We took a break another year and focused on improving our systems, our team culture, and our farm performance, so winning the regional title this year feels very special.”

Navdeep started his dairying career in New Zealand in 2013 as a dairy assistant.

“Through hard work and learning from great mentors, I worked my way up to herd owning sharemilking,” he adds.

The couple are 25% sharemilking and 75% contract milking for Mark and Donna Keaney, milking 1230 cows on 391ha at Atiamuri.

Navdeep says support from their farm owners and the wider dairy industry has been incredibly important for their progress.

“Our farm owners trust us and give us opportunities to grow and improve the farm system.

“At the same time, the dairy industry provides great support through Primary ITO and DairyNZ training workshops, mentorship, and knowledge sharing,” says Navdeep, who holds a diploma in agribusiness.

“That support network really helps young farmers like us build skills and move forward in our careers.”

Farm Ownership

Farm ownership remains the goal for Navdeep Singh and Jobanpreet Kaur.

Jobanpreet says they are focused on building skills, growing equity, and running efficient farm systems “so that one day we can own our own farm and continue contributing to the dairy industry”.

She says winning such awards are a great opportunity for personal and professional development.

“It challenges us to review every part of our farming business—from financial performance to environmental practices and people management.

“The experience and industry connections will help us progress toward our goal of running multiple contract milking operations in the future and farm ownership.”

The viist to the Oxford farm of DairyNZ deputy chair, Cameron Henderson, included a ceremonial native tree planting, and a look at the EcoPond methane mitigation system in operation.

Aimed at reducing emissions and improving on-farm biodiversity, the Nestlé-Synlait partnership rewards farmers with a premium on their milksolids payout in return for their participation in one or more environmental initiatives.

Options include:

• EcoPond, an effluent pond treatment service that reduces methane emissions by over 90%, using core technology developed by Lincoln University in partnership with Ravensdown.
• Farm efficiency projects, including the use of a tool that creates a digital twin of their farm, benchmarks its sustainability, profitability and production against others, and models the impact of potential changes.
• Native tree plantings, with up to 18,500 native trees to be planted each year for the next five years, as part of Synlait's Whakapuāwai programme which has already distributed more than 327,000 native plants since 2019.
• Joining an on-farm biodiversity pilot project to demonstrate what's possible in a dairy farming environment.
• Quickly onboarding new emissions-reducing technology as it becomes available.

Synlait says nearly 40 Canterbury dairy farmers are participating in the scheme.

Chief revenue officer Hamish Yates couldn't tell Dairy News the size of the premium but said "it makes it worth their while".

Yates said the partnership's growth is a great example of how businesses can work together to make a real difference to the planet.

"Synlait has a history of pioneering sustainability. This partnership means we, and our farmers, will maintain our leadership position.

"It has been eye-opening to see the passion Nestlé, as one of the world's largest companies, has for helping New Zealand farmers reduce their emissions. It's a values-led approach that benefits everyone involved and the environment."

Yates said Nestlé was a significant customer and a large part of Synlait's ingredient business. Nestlé aimed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and dairy sourced from New Zealand was a critical part of that.

Nestlé global head of sustainability nutrition, Katja Seidenschnur, said that partnerships of this kind were instrumental for all parties to reach their emission targets.

"Dairy sits at the heart of Nestlé's business and at the heart of our climate challenge.

"Addressing emissions at scale requires partnership - across the value chain and on farm. That's why we're working closely with our dairy suppliers and farmers to turn ambition into action, through practical approaches to climate, methane and regenerative agriculture."

EcoPond Now A Mobile Service

The Synlait-Nestlé visit to Cameron Henderson's farm featured a look at the latest iteration of the Ravensdown and Lincoln University-developed EcoPond system in operation.

The system arose out of research by Professors Keith Cameron and Hong Di that showed that treating dairy shed effluent with a flocculent agent had multiple benefits including very effective suppression of methane and E.Coli, and altering phosphorus content to a more pasture-friendly form.

As development continued it was realised that there is no need for most farms to have their own infrastructure. EcoPond now takes the form of a truck-mounted plant that visits client farms and pumps effluent through the treatment machinery and back to the pond. The effects of each treatment last for at least several weeks.

Around 30 of the farms in the Synlait-Nestlé scheme have opted for EcoPond and are among the first farms to be treated in the country.

EcoPond Director Elliot Mercer said Synlait and Nestlé's support has been crucial to enabling the development and earlhy deployment of the technology.

"This backing helped move the latest version of EcoPond from a prototype into something that is now cutting methane emissions on New Zealand farms today. We are working toward EcoPond being formally recognised as an approved methane reducing tool by the government's Greenhouse Gas Inventory, which would be a significant milestone."

Mercer told Dairy News that the original EcoPond idea involved a significant and "economically challenging" capital investment on farm compared to the visiting service now being offered.

"We extract the effluent, it goes through the manifold where we treat it and it's closed, it's returned back into the pond and is mixed as it's going," he explained.

"That allows us to get suppression for over six weeks. Then basically we just come back on a periodic basis.

"So from a business model point of view, that means they're just paying for a service instead of actually having to build a lot of infrastructure and have all that complexity on farm."

CEO Richard Wyeth said the numbers were “frustratingly disappointing”.

“They are the result of a period where Synlait faced multiple headwinds and had little choice as to how to deal with them. They reflect a severe lack of optionality, not effort, and they do not define the company’s future – although recovery will take time.”

The results show and EBITDA loss of $34.7 million, with underlying EBITDA of $4.1 million, a reported net loss after tax of $80.6 million and an underlying net loss after tax of $27.3 million.

Net debt rose 88% to $472.1 million – an increase of 88%. Forecast base milk price for the 2025/26 season is $9.50/ kgMS with additional premium payments taking the total forecast average milk payment to $9.90/kgMS.

The company says manufacturing challenges at its Dunsandel plant resulted in a need to rebuild customer inventory. Changes to its manufacturing plan resulted in it having surplus milk, some of which could not be sold and therefore had to be processed into relatively low-value whole milk powder (WMP). Then, to “deliver the perfect storm”, the price of WMP decreased sharply at the end of the 2025 calendar year resulting in significant losses in Synlait’s Ingredients portfolio.

Wyeth told Dairy News that the company had “got behind” in its advanced nutrition production.

“The reality is when you’re making advanced nutrition and you don’t execute that well, you make a lot of stock food.

“So that’s ultimately the challenge of this business model. The rewards are very high when you do it well, but they’re very poor when you don’t.

“The nature of any manufacturing is you never, hand on heart, go: ‘We’re going to have 100 percent foolproof manufacturing’. But we have improved our quality out of sight.”

Wyeth said the key to recovery is operational stability and quality.

“What I’ve done is tried to bring the focus back onto those core areas of the business and uh, as if we execute well, over the next four to five months, then that’ll give us the ability to get into 2027, in more of a steady state.

“What I’d say over the last 12 to 18 months, the business has been incredibly reactionary, and we’ve had very little commercial fixability or optionality, and at the end of the day, that’s led to these results being the way they are.”

Farmers Happy To Stay

Richard Wyeth said that the result does not reflect Synlait’s future. This week it will receive $307 million from the sale of its North Island assets – its Pokeno plant and associated facilities, which it is selling to the Abbott group – which would go a long way to removing debt.

The result is a far cry from the same period last year, when Synlait had come through a challenging period when many suppliers had issued notices to quit but were then rescinding them on the back of an improved performance, partly due to increased investment from partners A2 and Bright Dairy.

However, Wyeth said there were now no current cease notices. Supplying farmers understood why the results are the way they are, and the company would be paying a very competitive milk solids price.

Prominent Canterbury dairy farmer Willy Leferink, who was one of the farmers who lodged a cease notice last year then withdrew it, is now happy to stay with Synlait.

He said there had been some serious manufacturing issues but they had been recognised and sorted out.

“It’s quite an art, to bring that quality product, the whole time.” Meanwhile, the company has released a roadmap to recovery, dubbed as ‘Stabilise, Simplify and Scale’.

It would:

• Deliver operational stability that meets customer expectations, strengthens financial resilience and builds greater optionality
• Align priorities, sharpen capability, and grow high-margin products from existing assets to lift profitability
• Expand markets, channels and customer relationships and execute future growth opportunities.

Chair George Adams said that behind the roadmap sat a real determination to ensure the coming 12 to 24 months would be seen as a period where Synlait under promised and over delivered.

Dean says Hurrell has done an excellent job in turning the co-op “from heading towards a partial sale to being a strong NZ focused co-op again”.

He says that, ultimately, it’s the board’s job to appoint a new chief executive.

“But having someone who understands the co-op and can be honest and frank about what is going on will lead to the style that farmers have enjoyed from Miles,” Dean told Dairy News.

Dean notes that Hurrell has always been a pleasure to deal with.

“Farmers have been able to frank and free conversations with him at events,” he says.

Fonterra announced that Hurrell will work out his six-month notice and leave the co-op in September.

Chair Peter McBride says that after a 25-year career with Fonterra, including eight years as CEO, Hurrell has decided that the time is right for him to leave the co-op.

Hurrell told journalists that when he took on the CEO’s job, the co-op was facing a tough time.

“And I felt almost an obligation to try and get this thing back on track.

“And, eight years on, I think the team has done a superb job.”

Hurrell says he’s been thinking about his future for a while.

“My wife and I have been chatting for a while about what’s next for me.

“And I think that there’s a sort of a natural juncture here with the sale of our consumer business, that it’s an opportunity for a new leader to come in, take the organisation forward to the next level.

“So, I think the timing’s right for a new leadership, but also right for my family.”

Hurrell says if he was to stay on, it would have been for another two or three years.

“But I think eight years is a decent stint and these roles are all encompassing.

“You know, they literally are 24-hour, seven-day-a-week roles. You’re on the whole time.

“And so, you know, it was either committing for those two or three years - it wasn’t a conversation of committing for another six or 12 months.

“It was going to go beyond that. And as I say, I think now’s the time.”

Matthew Zonderop launched Perfect Cow Breeding Systems at Fieldays last year after toying with AI to find suitable bulls to mate with his 400 crossbreed cows.

At the start of the season last year, he did a full genomic trait analysis of the herd with a system developed using AI for a perfect cow.

He then picked out cows from his herd with poor performing traits and matched them to bulls with stronger and enhancing corrective traits.

Zonderop ended up using 12 bulls across the herd. While this is normal, he says the bulls were targeted at specific animals.

A 50/50 sharemilker, Zonderop genomically tests his herd replacements every season. The initial results "were already looking positive", he says.

"Then LIC came back with their full analysis, and it showed even better results than I had expected," he told Dairy News.

"Overall, the picture is looking very good: we've increased milk solid components without significant lift in litres and gains in fertility.

"We've got a medium-sized animal which suits our grass-based system and we've gone for the basic things around body condition score, fertility, milksolid components and calving  ease - things essential in our system."

Whether the tinder-matched offsprings produce more milk remains to be seen.

He says the calves are the first ones out of the system and will come into milking the following season.

"Then we should see the productivity gains on those animals, be it calving ease, udder confirmation or even just more milksolids production and without the compromises that can happen when selecting your bull team".

Zonderop says while farmers will see short term benefits, Perfect Cow is all about developing animals for the future.

"It's a generational thing - each generation you are building towards a more robust animal with higher milksolids for less feed, cow overall confirmation, isn't that what we are all trying to achieve?"

Perfect Cow Breeding Solutions is generating interest among herd improvement companies and rural professionals.

However, uptake among farmers remains subdued, says Zonderop.

It might be a trust issue, he thinks.

"Farmers would be saying, who is this guy, suddenly telling me how to breed my cows - which is completely understandable and I accept that.

"I'm not a geneticist, just a farmer who knows that data works for my herd and which can translate to another herd."

The launch of Perfect Cow Solutions generated media interest and Zonderop remains hopeful of getting more farmer enquiries.

Zonderop says the first year of 'marriage' between AI-selected bulls and his cows has gone well.

"There are no marital issues as yet and we're certainly not filing for divorce."

However, chief executive Miles Hurrell says the co-operative is comfortable with its latest forecast farmgate milk price, which has a new mid-point of $9.70/kgMS.

Hurrell says the forecast range reflects their well-contracted sales book and the firming of global dairy prices during February and March.

The co-op has also lifted its forecast earnings guidance from containment operations - from 45c to 65c/share to 50c to 65c/share.

"This reflects higher sales volumes forecast in the second half and also takes into account uncertainty related to the Middle East conflict," he says.

"We're well-versed at trading through supply chain disruptions, however the situation in the Middle East remains highly unpredictable and we continue to monitor the situation closely."

If the conflict persists and Middle East markets are completely closed off, then Fonterra's full year results would be impacted.

"We are well-contracted for the year but if you see the markets completely closed off throughout the Middle East, we are getting product into that part of the world, albeit with some disruption.

"But if you saw that completely close down, for argument's sake, and we couldn't get product at all there, and cost started to increase, you could start to see that impact."

But Hurrell says he's confident that the current farmgate price range will hold.

He points out that the Gulf states need product for their people.

"In the GDT event, the largest buyers were from that part of the world, which suggests that they're still looking for product to supply to their people."

Shipping remains a major worry for exporters around the world. But Hurrell says their Kotahi joint venture with meat company Silver Fern Farms and relationship with global shipping giant Maersk is helping them move product.

"We saw that pay its way through Covid disruption and we've seen it again now.

"So those long-term partnerships that you have in place really come to the fore in times like that."

RaboResearch senior market strategist Benjamin Picton says the critical Strait of Hormuz remains mostly closed to shipping.

"This is a huge problem for the global economy, as a large proportion of the global supply of certain goods typically pass through the Strait on their way to global markets.

"The most obvious of these is oil, where up to 20% of the global supply is now facing disruption.

"In addition to oil, refined fuels are also affected (15-25% of global supply), urea (30%), sulphur (45%), helium (30%), methanol (46%), and liquified natural gas (20%)."

He notes that New Zealand's liquid fuel supply is now 100% imported since the 2022 closure of the Marsden Point refinery, which had previously provided up to 70% of the country's refined fuel needs.

"Most of our fuel now comes from refineries in Asia, who in turn rely on the Middle East for 60-70% of their crude oil feedstocks. Consequently, the upstream of New Zealand's liquid fuels supply chain is facing sever strain as Asian refineries reduce production runs and, in some cases, exports of fuel are capped or banned altogether."

Waikato Federated Farmers dairy chair Matthew Zonderop says the fuel crisis is a bit concerning for farmers.

"But there's nothing we can do about it," he told Dairy News.

"We just have to continue on the same as what we're doing."

The awards also saw Lauren McConnachie named Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year while the Canterbury/North Island Dairy Trainee of the Year went to Sam O'Neil.

Marc and Megan Lalich, are 50/50 sharemilking 680 cows on Peter and Susan Lalich’s 173ha farm in Christchurch.

It’s the first year the couple have entered the Dairy Industry Awards and they won a prize package of $8,190 on the evening, along with four merit awards.

Marc, 31, and Megan, 28, were both born into farming, Marc on dairy farms in the Waikato, and Megan a sheep and beef farm at Farlie.

Marc originally got a building apprenticeship and then met Megan while she was studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) at Lincoln University and the couple later went farming together.

“Our passion for dairy and the cows gets us up in the morning. We love this lifestyle and wouldn’t want to raise our children in any other environment.”

They were contract milking for four seasons before moving into sharemilking for the last three years.

Their goal is breeding better cows to help them expand and grow over the next few years and be able to build equity and get to farm ownership.

They believe their strengths are their financial skills, being able to run and control their business, along with passion for their cows.

“Our motto is ‘if we look after the cows, the cows will look after us’.”

The judges agreed, saying “Marc and Megan demonstrated exceptional business awareness and financial discipline”.

The 2026 Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Manager of the Year is Lauren McConnachie.

The 35-year-old is Rob and Jenine Screen’s farm manager for Theland Farm Group at Purata, milking 2170 cows on 563ha.

Lauren ventured from the tourism industry into dairy farming during the Covid pandemic, which was “only supposed to be a one-year deal”.

“As I have learnt and developed in the dairy industry, I began to see why many people choose this career. The main thing I love about farming is working with people both in the team and the wider farming community, and working with the cows to provide them with a happy, healthy life.”

Lauren has advanced quickly through the industry ranks and one of her proudest achievements has been maintaining an empty rate under 10%.

Lauren won a $6,950 prize package on the night, along with two merit awards.

The judges said Lauren “absolutely blew it out of the park” in the finance section. “She demonstrated exceptional clarity and foresight in her planning.”

The winner of the 2026 Canterbury/North Otago Dairy Trainee of the Year is Sam O’Neill.

Sam, 23, is herd manager for Trevor Manson, milking 850 cows on 231ha.

Sam grew up on a lifestyle block but always had an interest in the dairy industry and went to Lincoln University to study a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, which he achieved First Class Honours.

The judges said “Sam presented himself well and made a strong first impression. It was evident that he possess a broad and well-rounded knowledge across all aspects of farming”.

Sam’s future goals involve owning multiple large-scale dairy farms and he aims to get there either via contract milking and sharemilking or building equity off-farm.

“I love the constant challenge of farming and the variety of work. I’m proud to have quickly progressed to a herd manager and hopefully a manager for next season. I am also proud of the network I have built, the skills I have learnt and the knowledge I have gained over the last year.”

He won $6,325 and two merit awards on Thursday evening.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ, and The Country.

James Langton was sentenced at New Plymouth District Court in January after pleading guilty to two charges under section 338(1)(a) of the Resource Management Act for discharging untreated dairy effluent onto land which could have contaminated groundwater and the Hihiwera Stream near Opunake.  

Judge JA Smith noted the threats and intimidation of Council officers when police were present at the inspection on 12 October last year. 

Officers were investigating the discharge of untreated dairy effluent onto land and groundwater at the 40ha farm on Ihaia Road. That followed seven earlier non-compliance notices from 2009 to 2022, five of which were related to effluent on the site.  

The judge said it was a ‘miracle’ the effluent in the 2025 incident had not made it to water after the inspection found effluent was being discharged directly from pipes rather than an irrigator and a broken outlet pipe was also discharging directly onto land.  

An inspection on 9 October could not be completed when Langton became aggressive to staff and, on 12 October, he charged at a Council officer and police had to intervene.  

“This Court will not tolerate threats or intimidation of Council officers who are doing their job,” wrote Judge Smith.  

Langton, who no longer operates the farm, was denied a 5 per cent discount for personal remorse or otherwise good conduct due to the ‘regrettable’ charging of the Council officer. 

Council Compliance Manager Jared Glasgow said the decision to discard the discount and the substantial fine shows the severity of the incident. 

“We were appalled by the actions of the farmer. There is no place for intimidation or threats to our staff who are out in the community working to safeguard our environment,” says Mr Glasgow. 

“While we work really well with the vast majority of farmers, we hope the outcome of this case will act as a reminder that our staff are people and should be treated accordingly. Our staff are doing fantastic work and deserve to be treated with respect.  

“This case is also a reminder of the importance of following resource consents and ensuring dairy effluent is disposed of correctly with zero chance of it entering waterways or groundwater.” 

DEL is a multi-generational network of dairy farmers accelerating practical environmental progress across the sector.

“Across the country, dairy farmers are proving that sustainability and profitability go hand-in-hand. Our goal is to leave the land better than we found it for future generations. It’s a long game, but it’s also good business,” says Amber Carpenter, chair of DEL and a dairy farmer from Hunua.

“Smart environmental decisions improve efficiency, reduce waste and risk, and help protect our licence to operate in a market that increasingly rewards low-impact food production. All the small changes each day and each season add up to a bigger overall impact. Together we can make a huge difference.” 

Supported by DairyNZ, the DEL Forum brings together some of New Zealand’s most innovative farming leaders to share on-farm learnings, explore the latest research, and advance restoration and environmental stewardship.

Over the years DEL has mobilised thousands of farmers to take action on their farms and in their communities to improve environmental outcomes for all New Zealanders.

DairyNZ Chair (and former DEL chair) Tracy Brown says the industry is building for the future, and capacity, resilience and environmental improvements must be part of that growth.

“It’s a good time to be in dairy right now. We’re discussing how we can grow, while improving our environmental footprint. We face an important test: meeting our climate, water quality and biodiversity expectations while continuing to supply the world with high-quality food. However, future capability and capacity remain concerns, with the average age of our workforce at 58,” says Tracy.

“DEL provides a pathway. Its members demonstrate leadership across multiple generations and show the strength of collective action. The network spans farmers in their 20s through to their 80s, all working to improve the land and motivate others to deliver on environmental goals. Environmental action is no longer the work of a few outliers, it’s becoming business-as-usual on farm.”

The DEL forum is taking place at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington from Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 March.  

Alongside interactive seminars covering technology, community engagement, government relations, pan-sector strategy and trade, participants will hear from: award-winning South Taranaki dairy farmer Brendan Attrill (on balancing environmental stewardship with profitability); DairyNZ strategic consultant Bruce Thorrold (on 30 years of agricultural evolution); Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Divisional Manager (Trade Policy Engagement & Implementation) Barney Riley; former Special Agricultural Trade Envoy Hamish Marr; and Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton.

The co-operative announced an interim dividend of 24 cents per share and confirmed a special dividend of 16 cents per share following the sale of Mainland Group to Lactalis.

The co-operative has also lifted its forecast Farmgate Milk Price midpoint for the season from $9.50/kgMS to $9.70/kgMS, with the range changing from $9.20 - $9.80/kgMS to $9.40 - $10.00/kgMS.

The full year earnings guidance for continuing operations from 45-65 cents per share to 50-65 cents per share.

Miles Hurrell, chief executive of Fonterra, says these changes to the forecast Farmgate Milk Price and earnings reflect improvement in global commodity prices and the Co-op’s strong underlying margins and cost control, but notes that significant volatility remains, particularly as the conflict in the Middle East continues.  

“The underlying performance of Fonterra’s continuing business is stable, allowing the Co-op to return all earnings associated with the Mainland Group business and lift our forecasts for the remainder of the year ahead," says Hurrell. "Demand for our products is strong, and we’re focused on our plan to maximise both the Farmgate Milk Price and earnings."

The record date for the two dividend payments will be 30 March, and the payment date will be 14 April. This is also the date Fonterra is targeting for payment of the $2.00 per share capital return from the Mainland Group divestment, based on the transaction completing at the end of March.

Read More:

• Fonterra Begins CEO Search Following Miles Hurrell Resignation  
• Fonterra Signals Major Farmer Payout After Mainland Sale 
• Fonterra Suppliers Confident in Mainland Dairy Future

Total Group reported operating profit increased to $1,231 million from $1,107 million the year prior.   

Reported profit after tax is $750 million, equivalent to earnings per share of 45 cents and up on 44 cents last year. When excluding the costs associated with the Consumer divestment, Fonterra’s normalised earnings per share is 51 cents.  

The Co-op delivered a Return on Capital of 11.2%, up on this time last year and in line with the target range of 10-12%.  

“The first half of the year has been shaped by strong milk flows, with the Co-op collecting record milk volumes in the South Island so far this season. When combined with several adverse weather events, these conditions have put pressure on the operations of all New Zealand milk processors.   

"We have been able to navigate through these challenges due to the resilience of our network," says Hurrell. 

 "Our performance shows that we are growing the high-value parts of our business through optimal allocation of milk solids across our product mix, which is driving a strong return on capital for shareholders and unit holders."   

Fonterra’s market performance has been strong, with the Ingredients business delivering a return on capital of 11% and Foodservice a return on capital of 12.6%.   

These results have been driven by our protein portfolio in the Ingredients channel and improved pricing in Foodservice to successfully recover the lift in butter and cream input costs seen last year.   

Mainland Group performance improved during the first half of this year, primarily due to a favourable commodity price cycle.  

Over the course of FY26, Fonterra has made significant progress on the divestment of its global consumer and associated businesses, Mainland Group, to Lactalis for $4.22 billion. The transaction is unconditional and expected to complete at the end of March 2026.   

“Our focus now is firmly on our strategy to grow value for farmers as a global B2B dairy nutrition provider, working closely with customers through our high-performing Ingredients and Foodservice channels.   

“The foundation of our Co-op is our New Zealand milk supply. Fonterra has made it easier for new farmer suppliers to join the Co-op and share up over time through changes to our shareholding requirements, with greater flexibility in the level of investment required.   

“We are focused on maximising value from farmers’ milk and are building new manufacturing capacity across several New Zealand sites to help meet growing demand for our high-value proteins, butters and creams,” says Hurrell.

Projects underway include:  

• Studholme - construction of the new advanced protein hub is now complete, with first trial products off the line in February 2026.   

• Clandeboye - commenced build of our butter plant expansion in January 2026, with product expected off the line in April 2027.   

• Edendale – construction underway of new UHT cream plant and remains on track for first products to come off the line in late 2026.  
• Edgecumbe – today announcing a $35 million investment in expanding our pastry butter sheet line, to support continued demand through Foodservice for butter products. Site works began in March 2026, with product off the line expected in April 2027.  

Following an intensive day of judging where an expert panel meticulously evaluated a record-breaking 267 entries, the evening culminated in the presentation of the coveted top awards, recognising the finest cheeses and cheesemakers across New Zealand’s vibrant industry.

"Tonight was a truly inspiring showcase of the unparalleled quality and innovation within New Zealand's cheesemaking community," said Simon Berry, Chair of the NZSCA. "The commitment to excellence, from our smallest independent producers to our larger operations, continues to elevate New Zealand's reputation on the global stage. Each winner represents hours of dedication, skill, and an unwavering passion for creating truly exceptional cheese."

The evening's most prestigious honour, the Hall’s Group Limited - Champion Commercial cheese, was proudly awarded to Monte Cristo from Whitestone Cheese. Judges lauded this outstanding cheese, remarking: ‘Whitestone have done it again with a younger version of their classic Monte Cristo - a delicate, smooth bodied, clean example that left them salivating’. This grand achievement was complemented by Whitestone Cheese also securing the trophy for New Zealand Original cheese.

Further celebrating the diverse landscape of New Zealand cheesemaking, the Woolworths Champion - Mid-Sized cheese was awarded to Meyer Cheese, for their Vintage Gouda. Described by judges as ‘an immaculately presented cheese - beautifully balanced with toffee caramel notes and an appealing bite’. Meyer also claimed trophies across four other categories’.

In the Puhoi Valley - Champion Boutique cheese category, Craggy Range’s Pecorino took the coveted top spot. The judging panel praised this young Pecorino for its ‘delicate sheep milk flavours, being exceptionally well balanced, its stunning good looks and a cheese you’d definitely want on your cheeseboard when entertaining to impress’.

Among the other outstanding winners celebrated tonight were:

• Milktest - Champion Cheesemaker Trophy: Rinded Cheddar from Barrys Bay Traditional Cheese
• Whitestone Cheese - New Cheese Trophy:Craggy Range Dairy Halloumi from Craggy Range Sheep Dairy
• Fonterra - Original Cheese Trophy: Monte Cristo from Whitestone Cheese
• ECOLAB - Blue Cheese Trophy: Puhoi Matakana Waxed Blue from Puhoi Valley Cheese
• Novonesis - Soft White Rind Cheese Trophy: Flat White from Belle Chevre Creamery
• Cheeselinks - Greek-Style or Danish-Style Cheese Trophy:Feta Sheep from Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth
• NZSCA - Fresh Italian-Style Cheese Trophy:Appetizer Burrata from Massimo's
• NZSCA - Fresh Unripened Cheese Trophy:Zany Zeus Cream Cheese from Zany Zeus NZ Limited
• Mercer Cheese, Meyer Cheese, and Mahoe Cheese - Dutch-Style Cheese Trophy: Vintage Gouda from Meyer Cheese
• IXOM - European-Style Cheese Trophy: Craggy Range Pecorino from Craggy Range Sheep Dairy
• NZSCA - Farmhouse Cheese Trophy: Smoked Gouda from Meyer Cheese
• Massimo’s - Washed Rind Cheese Trophy: Little River Wildfire from Thorvald Ltd
• FOSS - Aged Flavoured Added Cheese Trophy:Smoked Rinded Cheddar from Barry’s Bay Traditional Cheese
• Big Chill - Fresh Flavoured Added Cheese Trophy:Feta Sheep Smoked from Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth
• Tetra Pak - Retail Cheddar Cheese Trophy:AFP Mild Cheddar from Fonterra Anchor Food Professionals
• Sealed Air - Bulk Cheddar Cheese Trophy: NZMP Epicure from Fonterra-NZMP Ingredients
• OJI Fibre - Best-in-Class Goat Milk Cheese: Flat White from Belle Chevre Creamery
• Maui Sheep Milk - Best-in-Class Sheep Milk Cheese:Feta Sheep Smoked from Fellows Field Ltd T/a Origin Earth
• Hill Labs - Best-in-Class Buffalo Milk Cheese: Volcano from Over the Moon
• Dominion Salt - Export Cheese Trophy:Smoked Gouda from Meyer Cheese
• Innovative Packaging - Chef’s Choice Trophy:Puhoi Matakana Waxed Blue from Puhoi Valley Cheese
• Curds & Whey - Amateur Cheesemaker Trophy: SPC Sheepishly Blue from St Peter's College

Master Judge, Jason Tarrant, who guided thirty judges and twenty stewards through the rigorous evaluation of 267 New Zealand-made cheeses, commented, " This year’s awards have brought near record entries and the quality of the category winners didn't disappoint. A combination of small, medium and large producers took a spread of the trophies which shows that no matter the scale of the cheesemaker, the passion to craft the best cheese in New Zealand has never been more alive.”

Cheese lovers can find these award-winning cheeses at their local supermarkets, specialty retailers and farmer’s markets around the country. Look for the distinctive New Zealand Cheese Awards trophy, gold, silver, and bronze medals – a guarantee of quality and a delicious way to support local producers. Many of these cheeses also star on menus of our most celebrated restaurants.

The New Zealand Cheese Awards, owned and managed by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association, are in their 23rd year, continuing their mission to recognise and promote New Zealand's finest cheeses.

Berry extended sincere thanks to the Awards sponsors and the invaluable contributions of the volunteer judges and stewards. "Without their expertise and unwavering support, the New Zealand Cheese Awards simply wouldn't be possible. Their dedication ensures these awards remain the benchmark for excellence in our industry."

A comprehensive list of all gold, silver, and bronze medal winners will be available on the cheeseloversnz.co.nz website from March 20, 2026.

About the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association (NZSCA): The NZSCA is dedicated to promoting and supporting the production of high-quality, New Zealand cheese. Through education, advocacy, and events like the New Zealand Cheese Awards, the Association works to elevate the profile of New Zealand cheesemaking, fostering a vibrant and sustainable industry for specialist cheesemakers across the country.

In a comprehensive submission on the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, IrrigationNZ emphasises that how the goals are framed will determine how the entire regime is interpreted - from national direction through to regional plans and consent decisions.

"The goals are the lens through which everything else will be read," says chief executive Karen Williams.

"If water use is framed primarily as something to be constrained, that signal will flow through the whole system. The legislation must clearly reflect that while water must be protected, it must also be responsibly used within environmental limits."

Williams says IrrigationNZ wants to see water storage and distribution infrastructure explicitly recognised alongside other essential infrastructure.

"Transport and energy networks are clearly recognised as essential, long-lived infrastructure. Water infrastructure deserves equal recognition. These are multi-decade investments that underpin food production, regional economies and community resilience. If we want water in the right place at the right time, that enabling infrastructure must be written into law."

Without storage and distribution systems, water cannot be captured when abundant and made available when scarce - limiting New Zealand's ability to manage flood risk, support environmental flows during dry periods, and maintain consistent food and fibre production.

While IrrigationNZ supports reform that delivers clarity, simplification and stronger environmental outcomes, the organisation says the legislation must actively manage economic and community benefits within environmental limits - not treat them as secondary considerations.

The 'How' Is Missing

The IrrigationNZ submission also raises concern that signficant operational detail has been deferred to secondary legislation and future national direction, alongside broad regulation-making powers.

"Too much of the 'how' is missing," says chief executive Karen Williams.

"Without clearer guardrails in primary legislation, future changes could materially shift how water is managed without full scrutiny. That undermines confidence for longlived infrastructure and intergenerational investment.”

IrrigationNZ represents nearly 5,000 members nationally, including irrigation schemes, irrigated food and fibre producers, and infrastructure operators responsible for billions of dollars in assets.

“For our sector, certainty is not a nice-to-have - it directly affects food security, regional resilience and investment decisions that span decades,” says Williams.

“We support reform. But the goals must embed balance at the top of the system. If they don’t, the reform will not operate as intended.”

Williams says New Zealand has a strategic advantage in water, but only if it is managed with foresight.

“Water is one of New Zealand’s shared strengths. Protecting it and using it responsibly are not competing ideas. They must sit together in legislation. If we get this right, the reform can deliver the balanced outcomes New Zealanders expect.”

George Dodson, manager of a dairy farm in Hororata, Canterbury, is already sharing his ideas on social media.

"Farm safety isn't about rules, it's about looking after your team, your family and your business.

"I'm enjoying showing what works on my farm, hearing from other farmers and helping normalise a culture where failing safely is part of everyday farming."

Dodson, 2024 Young Farmer of the Year, joins Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer Roger Barton, and winner of the 2022 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Award for sheep and beef Chloe Butcher-Herriesin sharing their own safety experiences, practical tips and lessons learned with other farmers.

They will also be attending local events and speaking to community groups.

Lindy Nelson, Farm Without Harm ambassador and Safer Farms director, says the appointment of the Regional Champions marks a major milestone for the programme.

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"Farmers trust farmers. We were looking for relatable people with strong rural community connections, who are curious and keen to share their own journeys. Roger, Chloe and George really ticked all the boxes.

"Being a Regional Champion is about sharing stories, showing practical solutions and connecting with rural communities. Roger, Chloe and George will be playing a critical role in helping influence change from the ground up."

The Regional Champions role isn't about having all the answers, says Nelson.

"It's about reframing safety and the conversations we want to be having about practical solutions.

"Safer farms are happier, healthier and more productive farms. Our champions will be sharing what they do and what they learn from other farmers, so we can all be better."

The Farm Without Harm strategy takes a practical, real-world approach to health and safety, she says.

"It's not about rules and tick-boxes. It's about solutions that actually work on the ground - learning, trying new things, sharing what works and even acknowledging when it doesn't."

The integrations bring liveweight and animal records into Trev alongside feed, production and operational data, creating a single source of truth for farm performance and enabling clearer decision-making year-round. Trev is an operational farm management software platform that centralises farm information.

The integration with LIC's MINDA herd improvement software further strengthens performance tracking by bringing core animal and herd records into Trev.

"The MINDA integration has been the number one request from our farmers," says Scott Townshend, Trev chief executive.

"So, we're delighted to deliver it, reducing the friction of double handling data and helping farmers get more performance value from information they already collect."

Blair Smith, LIC's head of farm software, says the integration is designed to better support on-farm decisions.

"MINDA is a unique herd improvement platform, built to help farmers measure, compare and improve herd performance over time," says Smith. "By integrating with Trev, that high quality animal data can be rolled up with wider farm information, giving farmers a clearer view of what's driving results across their business."

These integrations extend Trev's ecosystem, including Fonterra's Farm Dairy Records, Figured, and Trev's own API for secure, farmer-approved data sharing. Together, Trev’s integrations support a more complete view of farm performance by linking animal, production and financial data to inform better decisions across the season.

On farm, this connected approach is said to support clear performance targets and earlier intervention. Farms tracking young stock performance can automatically monitor whether calves and heifers are meeting defined liveweight targets at key seasonal milestones, including weaning, grazing transitions and entry to calving.

Mobs falling behind can be identified earlier, before impacts are felt at mating or calving, with growth performance linked back to feed inputs and management decisions.

Attendees at a recent Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) event, near Patea in Taranaki, heard how the Werders have created a plan where everyone in the family benefits.

They also found out how Thomas and Courtney Werder's farming system evolved to meet their goal of low impact farming, with family front and centre.

"It's not about pushing numbers. If we're a 280-cow farm, it's not about pushing to 300 and squeezing about having good cows that produce well," said Thomas.

"The way to describe it is low impact. Low impact on the cows, low impact on staff, low impact on the land. We don't yse massive amounts of nitrogen, we don't run huge stocking rates, and we don't run bare-bones labour set-ups. It's about balance. I like happy cows. I get joy from seeing them content. The kids see cows that aren't run down and stressed.

"I still think there's a lifestyle aspect to dairy farming that's been lost a bit in the industry. That's why low impact is important to me. I enjoy it. I want my staff to enjoy it. I want my kids to see it's enjoyable so they might want to do it one day. Low impact isn't about avoiding stress; it's about having a platform that works. Pushing hard can be profitable - but relaxed and profitable works too.

"When I first came back to the farm, I had big ideas. But the more I farmed, the more I came back to that low impact style," he said.

Open communication is central to the Werders working successfully together as a family. Initially, after their father passed away, they took some time to develop a structure that worked for them.

"In 2008, Dad passed away," said Thomas. "My brother came home and did a year on the farm while I finished university. Then Courtney and I came back. We were workers, then lower-order milkers, 50/50 sharemilkers, leased the farm, and eventually bought it in 2017.

"We also had off-farm income within the dairy industry. Leasing was probably our biggest money spinner. We also moved through equity partnerships with my siblings.

"Mum was still here to start with, but I had a fair bit of freedom in how I farmed. That was exciting - probably frustrating for Mum at times - but she was incredibly open. Her attitude was, 'Go and try it. If it fails, you'll learn from it.' That's something I'll take forward with my own kids. Don't always be the safety net. Let them try. There are things I've done that Mum and Dad might not have thought were great ideas at the time, but they work for our system now.

"Succession planning didn't really exist growing up. After Dad passed, my brother - who had worked at the bank and seen family breakdowns - suggested we start sibling meetings.

"There are six of us. We decided meeting would be siblings only - partners weren't in the room, Mum wasn't either. Nothing was secret; partners could know everything. But the room itself was a safe space.

"In our first meeting we shared out one-year, five-year, and ten-year goals. Over time, things evolved. We'd pool ideas and opportunities. We formed equity partnerships. Shares shifted over time as people moved on. We've all risen together. 

"Family support helped us to buy the farm. I've got no shame in saying we couldn't have done it as quickly without them."

Communication and openness are key to the Werders' success as a family, with everyone being heard and supported.

"One of my sayings is: to accept, you've got to understand. Fair isn't always equal. If people understand it, they can accept it.

"The biggest thing was prioritising Mum. All of our family loans are interest-bearing and that interest goes to her. We worked out what she needed to live comfortably - travel to Switzerland, see friends, be with her 18 grandchildren. She doesn't worry about the payout or drought.

"And succession itself wasn't smooth. I brought plans to siblings. They didn't like them. I adjusted. Took them to Mum. She didn't like them. Adjusted again.

"It wasn't clear sailing. There were obstacles. But with communication, patience, and understanding, we worked through it."

Louise Hanlon is an executive member of SMASH.

That's the message from the two major fertiliser co-operatives, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Ravensdown.

Significant volumes of nutrient commodities are shipped through the Strait of Hormuz by Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran.

With Iran imposing a blockade on shipping through the vital sea passage, disruptions to Middle East shipping routes can affect shipping time and freight costs.

Ballance general manager customer Jason Minkhorst says fertiliser prices had seen significant price increases leading into this conflict.

"Given this latest escalation and the market's reaction, we anticipate more," he told Dairy News.

"Upcoming shipments are mostly subject to pricing at time of shipment. As a commodity, fertiliser pricing experiences movements similar to the imported oil market."

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Minkhorst is encouraging customers to work with their nutrient specialists to plan ahead.

"Thinking ahead and creating a plan early will help us make sure we have what they need, when they need it."

Ravensdown chief sales and marketing officer Daniel Pranic says the co-operative has product on hand to meet expected fertiliser demand for autumn.

"Supply is assured, with product already in New Zealand or on the water.

"We operate seasonally and, as you know, the next period of demand for fertiliser in New Zealand is some months away in spring.

"As we plan for the spring season, we will be leveraging our longstanding global supplier relationships to help secure supply of product to New Zealand."

Looking ahead to product sourcing requirements for spring, he says the price they pay for that product is yet to be determined and will depend on multiple factors, including timing and length of the Middle East conflict, and energy costs.

The American butter has been bought in bulk by Synlait's subsidiary Dairyworks and packaged in Christchurch under the "Burtfields & Co" brand. It is retailed through Foodstuffs' Pak'n'Save supermarkets, initially in the North Island and now in the South.

500g blocks were initially selling at $6.99, with the next cheapest butter reportedly being Pams at $7.19.

DCANZ executive director Kimberly Crewther said that DCANZ supports free trade, so consumers globally should have the choice of New Zealand dairy products, and New Zealanders should also have the choice of products produced elsewhere.

It reflected New Zealand's low import tariffs, and supply and demand dynamics globally.

Crewther said New Zealand was recognised as a producer of very high-quality dairy products, and our butter was valued globally for its premium qualities.

"New Zealand butter sells at a premium to US butter in global markets," she told Dairy News.

"Given this is the case, and that there has been a desire voiced for cheaper butter options in the New Zealand retail market, the importation of US butter into New Zealand appears to be a case of markets working as they should.

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"New Zealand farmers will continue to earn a market return that reflects the quality and premium value of their products, and New Zealand consumers will benefit from choice."

As Synlait's consumer brands subsidiary, Dairyworks markets its own New Zealand-made butter, cheese and milk, under the Dairyworks, Alpine and Rolling Meadow brands.

Dairyworks general manager sales, Mark Simpson, said they had an opportunity to bring butter in from the US at a lower price, at a time when butter consumption was under pressure with people buying less butter, just based on the shelf price.

"So, we looked at what our options were to help in that space."

Simpson did not reveal details of the American source, nor how much they had brought in, but it would be "a couple of months' worth" depending on consumer uptake.

Dairyworks markets its own New Zealand-made butter, cheese and milk, under the Dairyworks, Alpine and Rolling Meadow brands.

Final retail pricing was up to Foodstuffs rather than Dairyworks, said Simpson.

Speaking when the butter had been available in the North Island for about a week and had yet to go on the shelf in the South, he said it was selling well but competing with several other brands.

"So, it really depends on how consumers respond over a more sustained period of time."

Simpson said it was "very much" just a trial.

"If there is good consumer uptake, if consumers go 'Actually, butter that's slightly lower cost on shelf is something I'm wanting to come back and buy more of', then we'll look at it again, but it needs to make commercial sense.

"Getting butter from the US to New Zealand it works at certain times given the way global markets work, but it won't work all the time."

Simpson acknowledged social media criticism of the American product, chiefly that it is too pale, due to American cows being primarily grain fed, in contrast to New Zealand butter's yellow colour from the beta-carotene content of a grass diet.

But Simpson said they were getting feedback "all across the spectrum" and the taste was very similar to New Zealand butter.

Darby says younger people love new technology and are better adopters than most farmers.

"So, the more technology we have on farm, the more young people we can bring into the industry where they not only enjoy themselves but can farm with it," he told Dairy News.

Darby and his partner Liz Lawrence operate a 380ha business - made up of three farms. There's Kauri Moor, a 230ha eff autumn calving dairy farm, Kingbury, a 50ha eff sheep milking unit and a 100ha eff support block to rear replacement calves and lambs. Darby has six staff. DairyNZ recently hosted a 'Technology for future-fit farming' field day on the farm.

Efficiency is the number one priority for Darby. He also believes it is using good data to make good decisions.

On Kauri Moor, Darby's love for technology is on full display. The firm has Pasture.io for pasture monitoring and Allflex collars on cows for mating plans and heat detection. The collars are also used for animal health observation and group rumination plans.

An Allflex drafting gate, which runs off vacuum rather than a compressor, integrates with LIC's MINDA.

The farm also has solar power, consisting of 96 panels and 48kw inverter. It cost $72,000 and saves about $1000/month in power bills.

Milk, water and effluent are monitored on the farm by Halo sensors.

Darby says having a string of technologies helps him and the team utilise information to make better decisions on farm.

"So, we are essentially trying to collate all that data together, so we aren't just guessing, but using real-time data to make decisions," he says.

Darby says the technology has enabled him to hire young people who are now using real-time data to make decisions," he says.

"So, I'm not making all the decisions. I've been able to encourage people into our business rather than me just trying to make things up.

"It's not essentially me doing all the work and not sort of offering any support for the younger generation coming through."

He says Pasture.io is a great guide for young people.

"It's about looking at information and utilising that data to make decisions rather than picking a paddock or using your eye and that stuff.

"It's just got good information there that people get to utilise and us."

Darby isn't planning on introducing any new technology in the coming months, although from last month, he's started trialling Halter collars on some heifers.

"It's probably just crunching down and getting the best information out of the software we have," he says.

Looking After Good People

Good people need to be looked after, says Rhys Darby.

He believes in keeping interested and making the role work for them.

"Good staffing numbers allow for flexibility and reduce pressure on me," he says.

"I believe in being on the right track with staff management; flexibility with time off and a good roster are key."

Darby is pedantic about costs, which he reviews every two months.

A recent DairyNZ field day on his farm heard that Kauri Moor is on track to produce 362,000 kgMS this season from 630 cows.

The farm performs well above the DairyBase average: 1600kgMS/ha last season compared to 1325 kgMS/ha for DairyBase, 584 kgMS/cow compared to 424 kgMS as the DairyBase average.

Last season's operating profit was $8,136/ha, compared to the DairyBase average of $2,984.

The co-operative has signalled April 14 as the date for paying a $2/share capital return to shareholders and unit holders.

Fonterra is returning $3.2 billion to shareholders and unit holders with farmer shareholders receiving an average of $400,000 each.

The windfall comes on the back of a $9.50/kgMS forecast milk price for the season. Fonterra has also signalled a special Mainland dividend to be in the range of 14-18 cents per share.

This dividend reflects earnings of the Mainland Group before its sale to Lactalis for $4.22 billion. The sale is now unconditional.

Fonterra Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson told Dairy News that with a solid forecast milk price, projected strong earnings and a capital return it is a goot time to be a Fonterra farmer.

He says councillors are seeing this positive sentiment reflected in their discussions with farmers.

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"That said, most farmers have been around long enough to be wary of the negative impact that international volatility and commodity cycles can have," he says.

The council backed the sale of the Mainland Group to Lactalis, which includes iconic brands like Anchor, Mainland and Kapiti in New Zealand.

Fonterra is also pulling out of Australia where it will offload brands like Western Star Butter and Perfect Italiano to Lactalis.

Stevenson says the council is comfortable that the sale process offered many opportunities for Fonterra farmers to meet with Fonterra to discuss and question the divestment proposal.

"There was strong engagement from farmers in this process, and council was pleased with the quality of the information provided to farmers for consideration - including the council commissioned report from Northington Partners.

"Given the magnitude of the decision, council believed it was important to see a strong mandate from Fonterra farmers for the sale, and the quality of the process delivered that."

Early Days

John Stevenson says Fonterra farmers have been pleased to see the recent turnaround in Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction results.

But he adds that it is over six months until their final milk price announced in September so there is still room for volatility.

Looking forward, he says the council's focus is on ensuring that Fonterra delivers on what it has promised farmers in the divestment process.

"This includes monitoring Fonterra's performance in the B2B environment post divestment of the Consumer and associated businesses.

Fonterra is also pulling out of Australia where it will offload brands like Western Star Butter and Perfect Italiano to Lactalis.

"Council and farmers will be keen to see Fonterra maintain the consistent strong performance that we have been seeing in the last couple of years."

Many Options

The $3.2 billion capital return provides farmer shareholders with options, says Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson.

"From our discussions councillors have heard that there is a broad range of plans around how it will be used," he told Dairy News.

"Farms can be generational assets, so reinvestment into on-farm improvements is high on the list for some.

"Other examples are further debt repayment, expansion into additional farms, investment outside of the farm gate, and personal discretionary spending.

"Council has also heard that the capital return will be used to enable some farm succession plans."

The cash injection will also benefit the rural community, he adds.

"Benefits from the capital return will be enjoyed not only by shareholders but the broader rural communities we live and work in."

This follows the announcement by one of the advocates for the resumption of the trade, ACT MP and Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard, that he couldn't get Cabinet to agree to lifting the ban imposed by the previous Labour government. He had earlier said the ban would be lifted in 2025.

Chief executive of Livestock Exports, Glen Neal, says they hadn't heard from the Government on the issue for about nine months and suspected that something was amiss.

"We worked week in and week out with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for two years to get those standards drafted up and they were looking good. We trialled aspects of them before the ban was phased in right through until April 2023, and the reports we received were positive about animal welfare.

"We took heart from the coalition promise and we were looking forward to getting back underway, so this is a bit of a blow," he told Dairy News.

Neal says the comments by Agriculture Minister Todd McClay that Cabinet had concerns about the technical aspects of the new standards was a complete surprise to his organisation. He says they had no indication from MPI expressing any concerns or disagreements around any points about the revised standards that they drafted up.

"We wonder about the viability of that commentary," he says.

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He says they are disappointed that the decision to not reinstate live exports appears to be made on ideological rather than scientific grounds.

"If the Government wants to get re-elected, it should stick to what it campaigned on," he says.

Federated Farmers dairy head Karl Dean described the decision to keep the ban in place as disappointing, but a bit understandable. He says this is particularly the case when opposition parties are saying they would reinstate the ban if elected - something he says that might happen in six years or six months' time.

'A Smart Decision'

Labour's Damien O'Connor, who placed the ban when he was in office, says keeping it is one of the few smart decisions the coalition have made but that it doesn't make up for all the stupid ones they've made.

He says, internationally, there's been less investment in ships to carry live animals and more countries have been legislating to reduce or ban the trade. O'Connor says the challenges for a distant nation like NZ are too great around animal welfare, business viability and customer demand to get involved in live animal exports by sea.

He says while some farmers may complain about losing an option, the reality shouldn't affect a good business.

Damien O'Connor

"The sustainability and viability of a business should not hinge on just one option. There are many options that are removed from businesses overnight and this one has been well flagged. I gave the industry two years, and anyone who was looking around the world could see that this is a dying trade," he says.

Meanwhile, Green Party agriculture spokesperson Steve Abel says the clear reality of the situation has caught up with the Government. He says live exports are fundamentally cruel, despite industry spin.

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says the result shows farmers support the work DairyNZ delivers on behalf of New Zealand dairy farmers.

“Over the last year farmers gave clear feedback on the areas they want DairyNZ to focus on," Brown says. "They’ve shown support for our strategy of applying DairyNZ’s strong engine of dairy science to deliver tools and resources that drive productivity, strengthen farm systems, and support farmers to compete on sustainability."

“I would like to sincerely thank every farmer who took the time to participate in the vote. Farmers have given us a clear mandate to get on with the job.”

“With the levy vote confirmed, DairyNZ will be putting all its energy into delivery of its work programme, including advancing genetic gain, harnessing data and insights to strengthen farm systems, and contributing to improved water quality across New Zealand,” says Brown.

The Milksolids levy results show that 66 percent of levy payers who participated in the vote supported the levy, which represents 72 percent of Milksolids produced by all voters.

DairyNZ will now lodge the formal levy application to gain ministerial approval. It anticipates this process to be completed prior to the General Election on 7 November this year.

The couple have been recognised for their low-input, pasture-based farming system that enhances biodiversity while maintaining strong productivity.

Situated against the dramatic backdrop of Mount Taranaki, the Hoopers’ 144ha (90ha effective) property has undergone significant transformation since they purchased the family farm in 2003. What was once a traditional sheep and beef unit has evolved into a precision dairy grazing operation underpinned by infrastructure investment, pasture improvement and environmental stewardship.

Judges described the Hoopers as “a great farming couple working and living on the land, while enhancing and protecting the natural resources that surround them.”

They also noted the operation as “a well-managed farming operation working with the high-altitude environment to enhance biodiversity… a great example of a low input farm operation which takes account of the fragile nature of the area, while still maintaining a productive pasture-based system.”

The couple’s tenure has focused heavily on land development and infrastructure. When they began, the property had just four troughs and no races. Today every paddock now has reticulated water. Significant re-grassing and a shift toward organic liquid fertilisers have improved soil health and pasture diversity.

Environmental protection has been central to their approach. The Hoopers have fenced and retired 32ha of wetland forest remnants, creating an important ecological connection to Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki National Park. They are continuing intergenerational guardianship of Gratiola concinna, a nationally endangered wetland herb, working alongside the Department of Conservation on translocation projects and habitat protection.

Extensive riparian planting, stock exclusion and water monitoring have resulted in excellent water quality outcomes, with regional council testing confirming strong macroinvertebrate index results.

Philip’s innovative, DIY approach has also seen the installation of solar-powered pumps and mobile-monitored flow meters that detect leaks instantly. Diversification into glamping and active involvement in local catchment groups further strengthens the resilience of their business.

“We live in a place of natural beauty on the side of our stunning maunga. Enhancing and protecting that environment while building a profitable business is something we’re very proud of,” Lyneyre said.

The awards dinner held at Awakeri Events Centre near Edgecumbe also saw Reno Moses awarded the Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year title while the Dairy Trainee of the Year title went to Breiton Tuwairua.

Stefan and Rachel Grobecker are 50/50 sharemilkers for Wendy Wilson and Sue Hughes on Mary Allen Farm at Waimana, milking 255 cows on 119ha.

Stefan studied civil engineering at university but moved into a career into dairy farming, moving up from farm assistant through the ranks to contract milker then sharemilking with partner Rachel.

“It was a challenge to understand a totally new industry. Moving from engineering to farming, construction management is about solving a few really big problems to achieve success in a project – farming is about getting the little things right every day.”

Like many farming businesses, the couple have had both highs and some tough learning moments in recent years. Those experiences have strengthened their focus on good systems, daily discipline, and continuous improvement. They’re committed to refining their processes and becoming the best farmers they can be.  

Stefan and Rachel took home an impressive $11,350 prize package.

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The 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year Reno Moses won $9,525 and four merit awards on Tuesday evening.

The 28-year-old is farm manager for Scott and Rebecca O’Brien on Rory and Susan Gordon’s 260ha farm at Galatea, milking 700 cows.

Reno entered the Dairy Industry Awards again this year because it pushed him outside of his comfort zone to keep improving and gain more knowledge.

Reno manages the farm without the boss living on farm so he has had to learn to manage staff and problem solve when things go wrong.

Judges said Reno “showed exceptional leadership who drives team performance and farm success”.

Reno is passionate about striking a good balance between work and being home with his wife and two young children.

“Spending quality time with my family and finding time for hunting and fishing and rugby is very important – I’ve seen what stress can do to people and I don’t want it to have the same effect on me.”

Bay of Plenty Dairy Manager of the Year Reno Moses.

His goal is building enough equity to go contract milking in the next three years.

Winner of the 2026 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee Breiton Tuwairua won $7,100 in prizes and one merit ward.

Breiton is 2IC for Sam and Kate Moore on Tuhōe Te Uru Taumatua farm, milking 470 cows on 140ha.

“What I love about farming is being outside everyday and beating everyone to the good sunrises.”

Judges said “Breiton has the X-factor and the depth of his Wairua (his spirit) shone through in his responses”.

The 21-year-old is passionate about farming a sustainable operation that works with the land not just on it.

“The Tauranga River that is next to our farm is what hydrated and supplied my ancestors with water to sustain their crops. This river is part of who I am. I’m excited to see my progress as the years go by and hope to achieve my personal farm goals of working towards a more sustainable dairy system.”

Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year Breiton Tuwairua.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ, and The Country.

A Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours graduate she started her career in the sheep and beef sector and switched to dairying when her husband Wynn converted their Waikato farm ‘Tiroroa’ 30 years ago. Her sector leadership journey started in 2010 after 10 years in community leadership.

After raising four children she returned to the workforce when the couple won the Farm Environment Awards for Waikato, and she was asked to be regional coordinator.

Her first experience with governance was when she chaired the Matamata Kids Toy Library before joining the board of Matamata Intermediate School for six years, including three years as chair, followed by the Dairy Women’s Network Board.

She was elected to the DairyNZ Board in 2019, becoming the first female Chair in 2024.

“Female representation has come a long way,” she says.

“The sector has evolved and reflects the diversity of the modern world.

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 “It’s great to see young women come into the industry and be really clear on their ‘why’ and passionate about making a difference.

Tracy Brown

Upper South Island Regional Manager Anna Fodie said she wanted to show her daughters that women can lead and thrive in dairy.

Stacey Hendriks

“As a younger female scientist, I've had to learn to trust my abilities and expertise in rooms where leadership isn't always attributed to someone of my age and gender,” she says.

In December 2025, the Government released two new bills – the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill – to replace the Resource Management Act.

DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown said reform was needed, but it needed to be done right.

“We fully support the need for change, but it needs to be practical for farmers and beneficial for the environment,” she says.

“The current act is more than 30 years old, so any new legislation needs to reflect the realities of farming now and set both the sector and wider New Zealand economy up for success into the future.

“Reducing complexity, fewer consents, more consistency, and better recognition of the non-regulatory work farmers are already doing, are things we strongly support.”

However, after reviewing the legislation and talking to farmers there are some significant concerns that need to be looked at.

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The proposed changes to permitted activities make things more onerous for farmers, says Brown.

“We need clear and practical permitted activity rules for low‑impact farming activities like grazing, track maintenance, and stand-off pads.

"We also have concerns about how environmental limits will be set. We want to ensure they are based on environmental outcomes such as ecosystem health which are achievable and effective in a real working catchment.

“The legislation proposes market‑based approaches to allocation and resource‑use levies. These need to be deferred until there is clear evidence they are a suitable and effective approach.”

DairyNZ says there need to be clear and practical permitted activity rules.

Brown says it’s encouraging to see the Government taking on the views of the sector and already ruling out any sort of water tax.

“The proposed changes also mean Freshwater Farm Plans would duplicate consent requirements farmers already face. These plans should be the main tool for managing waterway risks on-farm to avoid duplication and be better tailored to farms individual needs.

“We will continue working with the Government and our sector partners to ensure any reform is effective, workable and enduring.”

National needs the support of Labour because NZ First's Winston Peters has made it clear he'll oppose the deal, claiming it is not a good one for NZ. He has expressed concern about immigration provisions in the FTA as it stands.

McClay says he's had a number of constructive conversations and meetings with Labour's trade spokesperson Damien O'Connor, who incidentally had a hand in the initial discussions with India when he was trade minister.

McClay says government officials have been made available to Labour to help them work through the fine print of the deal.

"It's not unreasonable for Labour to want to have a better understanding of the detail of the FTA and we are working though that," he told Dairy News.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins wrote to Christopher Luxon on the 13th of February saying his party had not received a formal request to support the FTA and requested access to the full unredacted text of the proposed agreement.

Hipkins told Luxon that Labour was prepared to act in the best interests of NZ to avoid damaging our business interests with India and was prepared to support the agreement, subject to clarification on certain matters, mainly about immigration.

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He says they want protections against migrant exploitation and modern slavery strengthened, more compliance officers and action to decouple work visas from individual employers to reduce vulnerability to abuse. Hipkins says they are also concerned about provisions allowing for increased flows of international students.

Having said that, Labour has made it clear they recognise the contribution that migrant workers make to NZ and has no objection to the 1,667 temporary employment visas proposed. It says it accepts migrants' rights to bring partners and dependent children into NZ. Hipkins says this is in line with current immigration settings.

Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins

What's Next?

Todd McClay says no time limit has been placed on Labour to come up with a response and says the quicker this comes, the better for NZ.

"But we must get it right and are working through that process," he says.

There is however a reason for ratifying the deal as soon as possible. Under the agreement, if another country or jurisdiction gets a better deal on an NZ product then we have the opportunity to get the same deal. At the end of January, the EU concluded an FTA with India and that agreement is now going through the political process towards ratification.

Wine is one area NZ could benefit from the EU/Indian FTA because if the EU gets a better deal, then NZ will be entitled to the same provision as the EU.

Meantime, it is a case of wait and see, with McClay once again extolling the benefits to NZ of this latest FTA, saying it will be transformational to our economy in the same way the one with Xhina is. He points out that the deal gives us access to 1.4 billion consumers.

In terms of the dairy industry, McClay says that sector would have liked to see more access and that it's probably a missed opportunity for Indian consumers. But he points out that the newly minted US and EU deals didn't get any better access than NZ. He says the door is still open and that we are still getting some product in there - namely, infant formula.

Trump has imposed a worldwide 10% tariff and the word is he wants to up this to 15%. 

What is unclear is whether this is on top of the 15% rate imposed on NZ exports to the US, although that scenario seems highly unlikely.

As Dairy News went to press, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff in Washington were desperately seeking clarification about the broad statement issued by Trump on social media.

Dairy News understands the situation is very tricky and that towards the end of last week, MFAT staff were unable to get any great clarity on how Trump's latest move will affect our exporters to the US. For NZ, the devil will be in the detail.

Only days before the US president made his latest announcement, Trade Minister Todd McClay was waxing lyrical about the US Supreme Court declaring the 'liberation day tariffs' illegal and hoped that this may now open up new opportunities for NZ.

But just days later Trump found another way to apply tariffs, and so now NZ and the rest of the world is left wondering and waiting.

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Earlier when the US lifted the 15% tariffs on beef, offal, kiwifruit, avocados and fresh fruit and berries there was hope that the situation might settle down. However, the unexpected is now the norm and volatility and uncertainty reign again.

It may take some time for the final outcome to unravel and until then our exporters will be on tenterhooks, wondering what might happen next. For them it's an unnecessary and unfair roller coaster ride.

One commentator suggested to Dairy News that the ongoing US tariff war highlights the value olf the NZ/India FTA which will hopefully be ratified soon by the NZ Parliament and bring some more stability to our primary export driven economy.

Focusing directly on the dairy sector, with an emphasis of ever-evolving technology, dairy genetics and nutrition, about 180 exhibitors were welcoming the chance to talk with a targeted audience in an open and relaxed manner.

Co-ordinator Amanda Hodgson told Dairy News that the Expo is certainly gaining in popularity.

"This year we saw an increase of about 45 extra exhibitors over 2025, meaning we've doubled the number of exhibitors over the three years of the event."

Indeed, that increasing popularity, has resulted in several non-dairy related businesses being politely declined any site space when enquiring, with Hodgson commenting, "sorry but this isn't the place for spa pools or flavoured, bottled waters".

As part of the KISS philosophy, exhibitors are charged very low site fees, with good access for set-up and take down, with no entry charges for visitors.

Hodgson explains, "we keep our own costs under control, with a tight team of three key people - myself included - that are on site pre-event marking out sites and overseeing logistics, ending up with a small surplus after all costs are taken into consideration."

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Over the two days, dairy farmers and their staff were circulating the sites in good numbers, with around 1200 already registered before the event. This would confirm that with the industry sector moving at such pace, particularly in wearables, that the chance to catch up for one-on-ones with product specialists was a chance not to be missed.

Exhibitors appeared to be pleased with the format, with one manufacturer of rubber matting for cow comfort saying both days had been busy, with good enquiry and general positivity, that unlike the National Fieldays in June, was free of "tyre-kickers", and had a more focused audience.

Lloyd Salt, regional sales manager for machinery specialists Brandt commented, "it's a great event, easy to set up and take down and a great place to catch up with existing or potential customers".

Looking overseas, where many countries are now organising industry-specific shows and events, such as the Grassland, Cereals and Effluent Events in the UK, Agritechnica in Germany and the Salon de L'herbe in France, it appears that the NZ Dairy Expo makes a great deal of sense. Perhaps it's time for the broad-based, more costly Fieldays format has run its course, with organisers needing to have a rethink about content and target audience?

The 125ha (effective) farm at Pirongia, owned by Autaki Trust, had just embraced Afimilk technology - the first farm in the country to do so.

The farm owner Mark Brown was looking for a system that could identify individual cows and provide daily information for management decisions.

Vandenberg, from the Eastern Cape, did his practical course at university on Afimilk and started working on a dairy farm which was the first to embrace Afimilk technology in South Africa.

He recalls being tapped to come to Pirongia and help with calibrations and train Brown and his staff.

"I was here for about a month-and-half but had no idea that I would end up working here one day," he told Dairy News.

After returning home, Vandenberg maintained contact with farm owner Mark Brown.

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Then a drought impacted his province and suddenly, Vandenberg found himself out of work. A job offer from Brown enticed him to move to NZ eight years ago.

He loves working in the NZ dairy industry.

"It's almost like the same as home: the temperature, the climate are the same.

"The only difference is staff numbers; NZ farms employ lot of less staff.

"In South Africa, you've got four or five times more staff. On this farm we have only three full-time staff including me.

"A similar-sized farm in South Africa would have 25 to 30 workers: everyone had jobs."

The Autaki Trust Farm started with Afimilk milk meters which gave the farm detailed data about each cow's milk production to support better decision-making on the farm.

Over time, the farm added Afimilk pedometers, a sensor on the back leg of a cow. This identified the cows on the milking platform and provided weight and feed data. In 2023, the farm moved to AfiCollar, a neck collar providing real time date on accurate heat detection, accurate rumination and eating time, individual cows health alerts, group digestion alerts and 24/7 wireless detection and management.

Vandenberg says Afimilk collars have been a game changer.

"With the collars we can catch cows earlier when they got sick, because stopped ruminating and there are more health alerts especially around calving."

The farm also has AfiFarm, which provides easy farm management and mobile app access and Afi2Go Prime, which syncs with AfiFarm for real-time date.

Vandenberg describes the Afimilk system as "a user-friendly program" where everything's integrated.

Vandenberg says Afimilk collars have been a game changer.

"So, there's 10 different thing that the collars do, you can set up one sound cloud and involves just one software player.

"And, you don't have to scratch around to find data. You can create your own reports and own data. You don't have to wait for somebody to do it."

The Afimilk system adds crucial senor points on the farm, Vandenberg says.

"You've got the collar, which is one sensor point, you've got the milk meter, which is another volume of milks."

Cost Savings

There are also health benefits and cost savings.

"You just see a cow with the eye, and you think does she look okay? It's guesswork, right?" says Louis Vandenberg.

"And normally you would have to get the vet out before she's dead and then it's like, it's too late now.

"Now you catch it when she's starting to go on her dip, before she gets sick. The system identifies the cow and you act straight away and don't need to get a vet out for the extra costs."

Mastitis Detection

Mastitis is also picked up early.

The farm's somatic cell count (SCC) averages around 80,000 to 100,000 consistently throughout the season.

"Because we're getting the mastitis earlier, we're able to treat them quicker, get them back into the milking shed without any long-term effects on the cow," says Vandenberg.

The Afimilk system also means less use of labour - not having to go to the paddock to find the cows on heat and not having to use tail paint.

"Now that we've got a system that finds the cows for us, we can mate all season using artificial," he says.

And this is underpinning solid demand across PGW's dairy-related service and supply categories, Guerin told Dairy News.

"Dairy pricing has remained supportive, providing confidence and cashflow stability for dairy farmers," he says.

"While there has been a degree of volatility within global dairy markets, milk price expectations through the period supported continued on-farm investment in feed, fertiliser, animal health, and productivity-enhancing inputs."

The boost in dairy spending helped PGW record a 11% rise in earnings ($45.7 million) before operating interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) for six months ending December 31, 2025.

Operating revenue topped $619.4 million, up $49m or 9%. Net profit after tax is $17.3 million - up $1.3 million or 8%. PGW declared an interim dividend of 4.5 cents per share.

Guerin says dairy farm upgrades led to good demand for its water business.

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"Farmers are upgrading water tanks and investing in technology to determine how much water they use and when and at what location," he says.

He notes that water circulation infrastructure need replacing every 15 years and some dairy farms were using the extra cash to do that.

New dairy farms coming up in the Canterbury Plains boosted demand for pivots, dairy herds and dairy replacements boosting PGW's livestock business.

Guerin says PGW had also seen growing numbers of enquiries from farmers on calf supplement products as they prepare for the coming calving season.

He says PGW is proud of the result and thanked his staff for their efforts.

Guerin says the first half was characterised by favourable commodity pricing across a number of key segments for PBW's customers.

Commenting on the outlook, Guerin expects the operating environment to continue to be predominantly positive and present both opportunities and challenges for PGW and the wider sector.

Operating revenue topped $619.4 million, up $49m or 9%.

"Overall conditions across agriculture remain favourable, with most parts of the sector performing well, supported by firm global demand and strong commodity pricing.

"Confidence in the rural real estate market is expected to continue, supported by stabilising dairy profitability and lower interest rates.

"Broader economic indicators are encouraging. A softer New Zealand dollar is benefitting exporters, although this is partially offset by higher imported input costs.

"Together, these trends contribute positively to farm incomes and support an optimistic outlook for the rural servicing sector."

Guerin says PGW is well placed to support its farmer and grower customers and to capture opportunities arising from the forecast export demand. He says PGW remains on track to deliver its forecast 2026 full year operating EBITDA guidance of around $64 million.

Lactalis' $4.2 billion buyout of Fonterra's consumer businesses in Oceania and around the world is "just a change on the shirts" for them says Fonterra Australia Suppliers Council chair Stuart Griffin.

In Australia, the renamed Fonterra business, Mainland Dairy, will continue to collect milk from Fonterra farmers and process at eight manufacturing sites across Victoria and Tasmania.

Mainland Dairy will become new owners of well-known Australian brands like Perfect Italiano, Mainland, Western Star, and Bega.

Griffin says, for farmers, the leadership team, field staff and service offerings will remain the same.

He told Dairy News that a change in milk processor "isn't all that unique".

"It's a change in branding but from the farmer's point of view, and what was important to the farmers, is that we see that same service offering from the Farm Source model.

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"We will see the same company-owned tankers driving up our driveways.

"We'll still be dealing with the same people and the same management structure. So, I would think, for a lot of people, there have been bigger changes before."

Griffin, who milks 500 cows in West Gippsland, Victoria, says his council sees the investment from Lactalis as an opportunity for growth.

"Like, where I am in Gippsland, we've got a high-spec powder plant that maybe hasn't been doing what it could do.

"Just because it was part of an ecosystem that had factories in New Zealand and Australia, and it was doing what it needed to do in that network.

"But we're hopeful that it can do a whole lot more and can bring investment to our region and a different market for our milk to go into.

"So, they're all things that we see as opportunities with a change of ownership."

Griffin accepts that Fonterra's decision to put its Oceania business on the market created a bit of uncertainty early on.

"We've got a lot clearer line of sight on that now, that it will be business as usual. Fonterra becomes Mainland, Lactalis Australia will remain as Lactalis Australia.

Mainland Dairy will become new owners of well-known Australian brands like Perfect Italiano, Mainland, Western Star, and Bega.

"That might change down the track, but in the short to medium term, it's business as usual."

Griffin also confirmed that the milk price agreement with Fonterra rolls over to Mainland Dairy.

The council will continue to advocate on milk price on behalf of the 460 farmers.

Griffin points out that it's Mainland's business to run and set the milk price that works for both the business and farmers.

Business As Usual

Fonterra's $4.2 billion sale of the Mainland Group to Lactalis is expected to clear final regulatory hurdles this month.

This will see 4200 employees involved in the integrated foodservice and ingredients businesses in Oceania and Sri Lanka; and the Middle East and Africa foodservice business, move over to Mainland Dairy. In Australia and New Zealand, the move will involve 2500 employees.

Fonterra Oceania director David Breckenridge, who will head Mainland Dairy's Oceania operations after the sale, says the leadership team, field staff and service offerings will remain the same.

"The transition for our Australian business, if you take all the corporate ownership changes out, there really isn't a lot of change other than changing the logos on shirts," he told Dairy News.

Fonterra Oceania managing director David Breckenridge will head Mainland Dairy's Oceania operations after the sale..

"We're not breaking it up in any way: we're simply changing the brand on the shirts from Fonterra to Mainland Dairy.

"So, everything from our factories, our brands, our team, other than the merchandise with Fonterra logo on it, remains the same."

Fonterra's presence in Australia will be limited. The co-op will retain access to a small number of customers.

Mainland Dairy will act as a distributor for Fonterra products into Australia.

Tony Hudson and Rachel Jones were named the region’s Share Farmer of the Year, with Sam Cooper winning the Dairy Manager of the Year title, and Conor Attrill being named Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Share Farmers of the Year Tony Hudson and Rachel Jones won an impressive seven merit awards, along with a total prize package of $8,100.

The couple, both 41, are 50/50 sharemilking 200 cows for Michelle and Duncan Brown on 80ha at Woodville.

“We love working with our animals and seeing the great results that can be achieved through our efforts. We are driven by accomplishing our goals, and we take great pride in what we do.”

Parents of four children, the couple are driven to excel in their farm business and they take great pride in their cows.

They also enjoy encouraging the next generation into farming and work closely with the local school to give other children the opportunity to take calves from their herd to Calf Club.

Judges commented that it is evident Tony and Rachel have a strong commitment to their community, farm owners and relief staff.

“The mahi they are doing to reduce the urban-rural divide and encourage young people to get involved with rearing calves, showing them both locally and in district competitions is encouraging to see.”

Entering the Dairy Industry Awards has opened up opportunities and given them a lens to look at their business in a new light and make improvements.

The couple’s next goal is to buy land to rear extra calves or look for an equity partnership opportunity.

Runner-up in the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Share Farmer of the Year category, Anna and Damian Hopkins, won $4,210 in prizes along with two merit awards.

The couple are sharemilking 152 cows on 61ha for Fraser Donald in Featherston.

Damian, 42, and Anna, 36, have worked their way up through the industry and are proud to now own their own herd.

They have four children, aged 21, 15, 12 and 6, and work hard to balance farm life with spending quality time with their family.

Their goal is to secure a larger sharemilking position and purchase their own farm within the next 10 years.

“Dairy farming has a clear progression, and we have always wanted to own our own farm. The animals and our family drive us to be the best we can be.”

Judges commended Anna and Damian on the pride they take in their farm and their relationships.

“They work together as a team, supporting each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and their relationship with their farm owner reflects what the New Zealand dairy industry is all about.”

The winner of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Manager of the Year title, Sam Cooper, enjoys the multiple skills and variety that a farming career brings.

“I enjoy the vast array of skills I need to run a farm and help run a business. Some days I’m a fencer, some days I’m a stockman, some days a plumber, some days a digger driver, and some days I even spend time in the office trying to figure out Excel.”

Dairy Manager of the Year Sam Cooper

The 32-year-old grew up on a dairy farm and is now farm manager for his parents, Eliot and Mary Cooper, on a 196ha, 530-cow farm at Pahiatua.

“We are a tight-knit family, milking 1200 cows over three cowsheds in the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay, with my sister and father running the other farm and my mother being a weapon in administration. We make a great team and work well together.”

Sam travelled and worked in Australia and milked cows in Scotland and the South Island before returning to the Hawke’s Bay when the family had an opportunity to purchase a second property.

Working out on the farm is definitely Sam’s happy place.

“I just really enjoy being out there and doing it. The cows get me out of bed every morning. I know they rely on me to milk them, so I show up for them every day and they show up for me.”

Sam won $6,200 in prizes and five merit awards.

Runner-up in the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Manager category, Micah Wratt has climbed the ladder quickly to manage a 500-cow herd for Paul and Andrew Harvey in Greytown.

The 21-year-old moved from the city, gave relief milking a crack and never looked back.

“I love working with cows. It’s like having 500 pets I get to look after. I enjoy the variety of the job, being outside every day, and that no two seasons are ever the same.

“I feel like being offered my role as farm manager in my third season of farming was a key success for me. I have a boss who really believes in me and challenges me every day in my role.”

Micah entered the Dairy Industry Awards for the first time this year because she saw it as an opportunity to put herself out there and learn more about the farm in the process.

She won a merit award and took home $3,050 in prizes.

Conor Attrill is the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year, taking home a prize package of $5,900 plus three merit awards.

Being stuck at home on the family farm during COVID lockdown, away from boarding school, cemented Conor’s passion for dairying.

Dairy Trainee of the Year Conor Attrill.

“I realised how deeply connected I was to farming and how special the farming lifestyle truly is.”

After school, he studied for a Bachelor of Agribusiness, majoring in farm management at Massey University, and then worked for two years in Canterbury as part of the Grassroots Graduate Dairy Farming Programme.

Conor moved to Hawke’s Bay and is working as 2IC for Greg and Gail Mitchell at Patoka, milking 845 cows on 341ha.

The 23-year-old entered the Dairy Industry Awards to further develop his skills and knowledge and expand his network.

Runner-up in the Dairy Trainee category is Johanna Wessels, who won a prize package of $1,250.

The 18-year-old is a farm assistant for Hank and Tash Van Den Bosch on 173ha in Carterton, milking 450 cows.

Having a great team around you makes the hard mahi easier, she says.

“We have a good team on our farm, which makes a huge difference. We support each other, can always have a laugh, and get through the long, hard days together.”

Third place in the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee category went to Lucas Wilson Taopua, who won $1250 and one merit award.

Lucas, 29, switched a trade job for farming after Cyclone Gabrielle hit and he was stranded from his family for days. He decided to move closer to home and secured a job on a dairy farm.

“I love the lifestyle of farming, working for my keep, bringing home food for the family, and raising my kids in an environment that feels simple and grounded.”

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Honda, LIC, Power Farming and Trelleborg, along with industry partners Fonterra, DairyNZ and The Country.

Results of the 2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Industry Awards:

2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Share Farmer of the Year

Winner - Tony Hudson & Rachel Jones

Runner Up - Anna & Damian Hopkins

2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Manager of the Year

Winner - Sam Cooper

Runner Up - Micah Wratt

2026 Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year

Winner - Conor Attrill

Runner Up - Johanna Wessels

Third - Lucas Wilson Taopua

In the levy body's newly released State of the Dairy Nation report, Parker says the dairy industry has stood out as the economic backbone both for regional New Zealand and the country as a whole.

He says the sector has been "setting records for production and overseas earnings, while sustaining tens of thousands of meaningful and increasingly well remunerated jobs".

The report states that 21 billion litres of milk were produced during the season containing 1.94 billion kilograms of milksolids.

Milk volume was up 2.3% and milksolids were up 2.9% to 55 million kilograms despite cow numbers being down 0.5% to 4.68 million.

"New Zealand dairy farmers are achieving more," the report states. "Despite having fewer cows, they have achieved record milk production per cow and continued making genetic progress in their herds.

"This is the result of decades of genetic improvement, targeted use of feed supplements, farmers' sustained foxu on rearing high-producing cows, improving milk quality at both the individual farm business level, and through industry-good initiatives by DairyNZ and others."

Looking ahead, the report states that strong milk production in New Zealand, supported by supplementary feed, is still expected to increase export volumes.

"December milksolids (MS) collected rose 3.1% year-on-year to 235,413,000 kgMS, surpassing the midpoint expectation of a 1.7% increase," the report states.

"This record contribution is no accident," Parker says. "It reflects the long-term efforts of farmers, supported by industry good organisations and constructive government policies to drive productivity, resilience and sustainability in the sector."

"It also points to strong fundamentals and a great future for New Zealand's dairy sector even amid changing market conditions and global volatility."

The co-operative has announced that it intends to pay out 100% of underlying earnings generated by Mainland Group during the 2026 financial year while still under Fonterra ownership.

The special Mainland dividend is likely to be in the range of 14-18c/share.

This comes on top of the $2/share capital return to shareholders and unit holders planned for early April from the sale of Mainland Group to Lactalis.

The sale is expected to clear regulatory hurdles by the end of next month. Lactalis is paying $4.22 billion for Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses in Oceania and around the world. The renamed Mainland Group includes iconic brands like Anchor, Mainland, Kapiti, Perfect Italiano and Western Star.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the special Mainland earnings dividend payment will follow the completion of the sale to Lactalis.

 “We are currently finalising our interim accounts and can indicate that we expect the special Mainland dividend to be in the range of 14-18 cents per share, which reflects the operating performance of the Mainland business during the first half of this year driven by ongoing cost management and favourable input commodity prices,” Hurrell says.

Read More:

• Green Light for Fonterra's $3.2b Capital Return Scheme
• Dedoncker Departs Fonterra After Mainland Group Sale
• Fonterra’s exit from Australia ‘a major event’

“This remains subject to the settlement date of the transaction and the finalisation of our financial statements and audit process.”

Fonterra’s FY26 forecast earnings guidance from continuing operations remains unchanged at 45-65c/share.

It is intended that Fonterra’s dividend policy will be applied to these continuing earnings. 

 “Our interim dividend from continuing operations will be confirmed when we release our FY26 interim results and an update on the special Mainland dividend will be given at this time,” says Hurrell.

And if global dairy prices keep tracking up, the co-operative is signalling the forecast milk price could go higher.

The co-operative revealed a new forecast milk price range - $9.20 to $9.80/kgMS. Its earlier forecast range was $8.50 to $ 9.50/kgMS.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the co-op has been able to make these changes based on recent improvements in global commodity prices combined with Fonterra’s well contracted sales book.

  “As we have seen, global dairy prices have been volatile across the season. Following the declines at the end of 2025, prices have lifted in the last four Global Dairy Trade events.

 “Global milk production remains above seasonal norms, meaning the risk of further volatility in pricing remains. As such, we continue to take a balanced approach with our Farmgate Milk Price forecast.

 “Our team is focused on enhancing returns for farmer shareholders through the Farmgate Milk Price and earnings, by delivering on our strategy,” says Hurrell.

Read More:

• Green Light for Fonterra's $3.2b Capital Return Scheme
• Editorial: Morale booster
• Global Dairy Trade Recovery Puts $9.50 Milk Price Within Reach

GDT price index has risen over 18% in the first four auctions of this year.

Whole milk powder price topped a five-month high of US&3706/metric tonne. However, WMP price was over US$4000/MT a year ago.

High dairy prices over the past year have fuelled milk production around the world.

While global milk production remains strong, GDT prices have started with four straight rises this year.

At a special online general meeting today, 98.85% of the total shareholder votes cast were in support of the capital return proposal.

The result means Fonterra can now seek final court approval to undertake the capital return of $2/share, or about $3.2 billion, to shareholders and unit holders, subject to the divestment of Mainland Group to Lactalis being completed.

Lactalis is paying Fonterra $4.22 billion for the business. Fonterra expects the transaction to be complete in the first quarter of the 2026 calendar year, subject to separation of the businesses from Fonterra and provided the remaining regulatory approvals are received within the expected timeframes.

 Once these steps have been completed, the co-operative will confirm the record date for the capital return, which will be within the five business days prior to the capital return payment being made to shareholders and unit holders.

Fonterra shareholders and unit holders are expected to receive the payment in early April.

 Read More:

• Dedoncker Departs Fonterra After Mainland Group Sale
• Fonterra’s exit from Australia ‘a major event’
• Out with Fonterra, in with Mainland Dairy