Based in Ōpunake, Taranaki, Bryant is also a community leader and advocate for women in dairying.

Alongside her husband, Bryant is a contract milker on a 485-cow farm, giving her strong grassroots insight into the day-to-day realities, challenges and opportunities faced by women and farming families across the dairy sector.

She is also a mum to two teenage daughters, further shaping her commitment to creating inclusive pathways and positive role models for the next generation.

Bryant has been actively involved with DWN for several years, holding a range of leadership roles including volunteer Regional Leader, Taranaki Hub Leader, Chair of the 2023 DWN Conference, and founder of the DWN Taranaki Business Group, which she continues to support through annual strategic planning.

“DWN has played a significant role in my personal and leadership development, and I am deeply aligned with its values of connection, inclusivity, and seizing opportunity,” she says.

Outside of her involvement with DWN, Bryant holds a variety of positions at a local governance and community leadership level, bringing extensive experience to this role. She is driven by a strong belief in giving back, building inclusive communities, and ensuring rural voices are represented at governance tables.

The Associate Trustee role supports emerging governance leaders to gain experience at a national board level, strengthening DWN’s future governance capability while maintaining strong connections to its regional membership.

“I applied for the DWN Associate Trustee role as the next step in my governance journey — moving from local and school-level governance into a national not-for-profit board environment," Bryant says. 

"I see DWN as a safe and supportive space to grow my governance capability, learn from experienced trustees, and gain a deeper understanding of board-level strategy and decision-making. This role will help cement governance as part of my future leadership pathway.”

The DWN Trust Board HR Committee says they are pleased to welcome Bryant into the role, recognising her commitment to the organisation and the wider rural sector.

“Nicola is a long-standing DWN member who has contributed extensively across the Taranaki region and through her involvement in DWN conferences. She brings a strong connection to our regional network, alongside wide-ranging community governance experience that spans local hall committees, Playcentre and school boards, and leadership roles within Taranaki Catchment Communities organisation”.

“Deeply committed to the rural sector, Nicola is known for her passion, ability to connect people, and clear, effective communication. She has clear aspirations to progress her governance journey, and the Board looks forward to supporting Nicola as she takes this next step with DWN.”

The New Zealand-owned animal health company, dedicated to supporting the veterinary profession and farming community, joins DWN to help empower farmers through education and connection.

Through the partnership, AgriHealth will deliver a series of workshops and webinars for DWN members, focusing on animal health topics, including mastitis, on-farm diagnostics, reproduction to herd health for cows & calves and productivity through on-farm efficiencies, supported by access to practical resources. 

DWN chief executive Jules Benton says the partnership will strengthen the organisation's ability to support members with reliable animal health information, at a time when making good decisions on farm has never been more important.

“Animal health is a critical part of successful and sustainable dairy farming, and AgriHealth’s veterinary expertise will add real value to our members that can be applied immediately on farm," Benton says.

Meanwhile, Lyndsay Lawrence, head of marketing and technical at AgriHealth, says the two organisations' shared values of collaboration, growing knowledge, and enhancing farming businesses made partnering with DWN an easy decision.

“We’re excited to connect with DWN’s motivated and engaged members and to support them with practical animal health knowledge," Lawrence says.

“We love sharing knowledge and working alongside like-minded people,” she says. “Being part of the DWN community allows us to collaborate closely with farmers and industry groups to support better outcomes for herd health and productivity.”

The workshops and webinars will begin in the coming months. With events scheduled across key dairy regions to ensure as many farmers as possible can attend in person, with online options to complement the regional workshops.

It has opened applications for its sought-after associate director role on DairyNZ's board.

The one-year position offers levy-paying farmers with a passion for dairy the chance to contribute to one of their industry-good bodies and participate in discussion and debate.

DairyNZ Tracy Brown says 15 dairy farmers have taken up the role since it was first introduced in 2013 and it has been a key stage in their governance development.

"The associate director role isn't just a seat at the table - it's a stepping stone to shaping the future of New Zealand's dairy industry.

"Supported by our eight DairyNZ board members, this role offers emerging leaders a rare chance to experience governance firsthand and contribute to sectorwide decisions," she says.

Farmer leaders who have taken on the role in the past have gone on to make valuable contributions to the sector in governance roles, she says.

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Current deputy chair, Cameron Handerson, was an associate director in 2020/21 and farmer-elected board member Richard McIntyre was an associate director in 2019. Others have gone on to governance roles in the sector.

The incumbent associate director, Greg Collins, says the role is an excellent way to get governance experience in an industry-good setting.

"It has been a really positive learning experience for me," says Collins.

"From a governance training perspective, it is very comprehensive. While it's a non-voting role, the associate director is very involved in a lot of the decision-making process, and your voice is heard. The mentoring I have received and support from other board members has been invaluable and has vastly increased my governance knowledge and ability," he says.

"I underestimated how extensive DairyNZ's strategy is and the complexities of its workstreams. There's an awful lot of behind the scenes work that farmers don't really see, particularly in the political space well beyond the farm gate.

"I'd encourage all farmers who are eager to have more involvement in shaping the sector from a leadership position to apply for the role," says Collins.

Non-Voting Role

There is one associate director position open to current levy-paying dairy farmers who are demonstrating leadership within their community and/or the dairy sector.

It is a non-voting role and is appointed for a one-year timeframe beginning 1 June 2026. A commitment of approximately 30 days per annum and the ability to travel are required.

To apply, email your CV and cover letter to corporate.secretary@dairynz.co.nz.

Applications close at 12 noon on Friday 20 February 2025, with interviews to follow in March.

More details are available at DairyNZ's website.

For the six months ending November 30, 2025, LIC's revenue topped $195 million, compared to $185m for the same period in 2024.

Underlying earnings reached $36.8m, up 9.3%. However, net profit after tax (NPAT) was down 13.5% to $33.8m.

Chief executive David Chin says increasing demand for sexed semen, animal health services and GeneMark Genomics reflects the increasing focus of farmers on genetic gain and their continued confidence in LIC's products and services.

"We're seeing encouraging growth in areas that matter most to our farmers," he says.

"As a generational co-operative we remain focused on delivering long-term productivity gains for farmers and supporting sustainable genetic progress for the New Zealand dairy herd."

He pointed out that NPAT was lower than the prior year, primarily due to the absence of last year's bull team revaluation gain and the costs incurred within the period for the multi-year investment to replace older technology and customer-facing systems.

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LIC chair Corrigan Sowman says while system investment has impacted short-term profitability, it positions LIC well for the future by improving resilience, capability and farmer experience.

"The co-operative's balance sheet remains strong, allowing us to invest into technology and infrastructure to support delivery of our future business strategy, to help farmer breed better cows faster."

LIC NZ operates four key business segments"

• Market genetics: provides bovine genetic breeding material and related services, predominantly to dairy farmers
• Testing: herd testing, on-farm support and DNA and animal health testing services
• Farm software: data recording, tags and farm management information services
• International: provides bovine genetic breeding material and related services to offshore markets

NZ market genetics business generated $116m in revenue, herd testing $36m, farm software $28m and international business $7m.

When excluding the costs associated with the consumer business divestment, Fonterra’s normalised earnings per share are 18 cents, up slightly on last year, according to its first quarter results released last week.

Chief executive Miles Hurrell says continuing operations delivered a profit after tax of $158 million, equivalent to 9 cents per share, slightly down on the same period last year reflecting differences in sales phasing.

“We maintain our full year earnings range for continuing operations of 45-65 cents per share,” says Hurrell.

The co-op continues to make good progress on implementing its strategy, to grow value as a global business-to-business (B2B) dairy provider.

In October, farmer shareholders voted to approve the divestment of Mainland Group to Lactalis for $4.22 billion.

“This is a significant milestone and we’ve received a strong mandate from farmer shareholders on our strategy,” says Hurrell.

“We are firmly focused on delivering the commitments we’ve made, not least our target to lift earnings back to FY25 levels by FY28, offsetting the impact of the divestment of Mainland Group.

“To support this goal, we are progressing with plans to invest up to $1 billion over the next three to four years in projects to generate further value and drive operational efficiencies,” he says.

In September, Fonterra announced a $75 million expansion of butter production at its Clandeboye site to help meet growing global demand and improve product mix. Construction is nearing completion on the $75 million investment in the Studholme protein hub, with the first products expected in early 2026 and construction continues on the $150 million investment in a new UHT cream plant at Edendale, which is expected to be complete in the second half of 2026.

“We look forward to sharing further progress updates during the year,” says Hurrell.

It's a proud moment for the site that the co-op says recognises years of dedication, collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence.

The co-op says the award is a great example of how it "creates value through excellence in food quality and trusted partnerships".

Mars and Fonterra says they have developed a good partnership over the years. Together, both parties say they are focused on delivering outstanding standards of quality and food safety.

The Mars Dairy Supplier Quality Award is based on a holistic approach to assessing suppliers within their global dairy supplier base. The assessment goes beyond traditional audit effectiveness by considering site quality culture, audit performance, global food safety standards and oversall plant conditions. Edendale's top performance across these areas is said to be a testament to the site team's relentless pursuit of quality.

Fonterra's director global food safety, quality and regulatory, Justine Pearce, says the award reflects the team's passion and commitment.

"This award highlights the incredible effort and passion of everyone at Edendale. It shows what's possible when we work together with a shared commitment to creating trust in every drop of our farmers' milk."

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Heather Rankin, supplier quality assurance technologist at Mars, says the award is well deserved.

"Quality Culture is a big driver behind this award. Fonterra's Edendale team has a great quality culture - you can see and feel the pride from everyone on site and the drive to improve. This award not only celebrates what the Edendale team has achieved - it also sets the tone for what's next. Their commitment to quality and collaboration continues to strengthen Fonterra's reputation as a trusted supplier of world-class dairy.

"Mars values and appreciates the focus on quality that the Edendale team provides and is excited to present this award to them."

Edendale site manager, Andrew Johns, says the recognition is acknowledgement of the team's long-standing commitment.

"We're ecstatic to win the award - it's great acknowledgement of all the hard work that has been done over decades from the site. We're continuously improving and that's the pleasing thing."

The company says this recognition reinforces its ongoing commitment to quality, sustainability, and animal welfare, and marks a significant achievement for the team, supply farmers, and customers.

State-owned AsureQuality works alongside New Zealand's primary producers and manufacturers, providing a broad range of independent services, including food safety, testing, auditing and certification. Maui Milk has elected AsureQuality as partner to provide independent auditing and certification services against the AsureQuality Grass-Fed Scheme.

"Through a rigorous and robust audit process, Maui Milk has demonstrated compliance with the AsureQuality Grass-Fed Standard, verification that our milk supply meets the requirements of the New Zealand Dairy Grass-Fed Administrative Standard, developed by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)," the company says.

The standard defines what it means to be grass-fed in New Zealand, outlining clear criteria for: 

• The minimum percentage of grass-based feed in the animals' diet and,
• The amount of time animals must have access to pasture.

AsureQuality's certification provides independent verification that Maui Milk's entire milk pool meets these requirements, offering assurance of integrity and authenticity to both customers and partners.

Maui Milk says that being certified grass-fed means that its trademarked Southern Cross dairy sheep are raised primarily on a diet of grass and forage, rather than grain-based feed.

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Under the New Zealand Dairy Grass-Fed Administrative Standard:

• Grass-fed feed types make up at least 90% of the diet of the sheep supplying to Maui Milk across all supplying farms
• The sheep graze outside for an average of more than 340 days per year, for at least 8 hours per day.
• Maui says its Southern Cross breed is ideally suited to this pasture-based, free-range system, thriving yearround in New Zealand's natural environment, an approach that supports their wellbeing and allows natural behaviours to flourish.

This natural, pasture-based farming system:

• Promotes the health and welfare of ewes.
• Enhances the nutritional quality and purity of milk.
• Reflects Maui philosophy of working in harmony with New Zealand's environment.

Maui Milk received its grass-fed certification at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai this month from Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. A delegation led by McClay and including Dr Jonathan Austin, NZ Ambassador to China, Ardi Barnard, Consul-General in Shanghai, and Jenny Cameron, incoming MPI Deputy Director-General China Relations visited the Maui Milk booth.

Why It Matters

Maui Milk says its products are naturally nourishing, ethically produced, and backed by independent verification.

For consumers, grass-fed certification provides trusted and transparent assurance about how their dairy is producted.

For our milk processors and supply farmers, this certification ensures:

• Integrity and transparency of grass-fed credentials
• A strong provenance story that supports premium positioning in local and global markets
• Recognition of the hard work and dedication of our farmers, who follow Maui Milk's strict pasture-based standards with pride and care.

Paton, a long-time Ruralco shareholder, saw off a challenge from two other candidates - Mid Canterbury farmers, Richard Fitzgerald and Cole Groves. Sitting director Rhea Booker was re-elected for another term.

Paton is appreciative of those who voted for him and thanked the other candidates for standing and helping to create “a real buzz” around the election process.

“I’m looking forward to helping build on the positive result announced today and growing the business in the coming years.”

He says the board is made of up of talented directors and he is looking forward to working with them.

This year’s director election saw a 50% increase on voter returns compared to previous elections in 2021 and 2022.

Ruralco chair Sir David Carter says he’s thrilled that shareholders took such an active part in the vote.

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“It was very pleasing to see such a high calibre of candidates wanting to join the Ruralco board, which is a vote of confidence in what we are doing, and another indicator of the increased support we are seeing from our shareholders,” says Carter.

Booker, a Mid Canterbury chartered accountant, is also in equity partnership of a small dry stock farm and calf rearing operation with her husband James. She has been on the board since 2022 and is the current chair of the audit and risk committee.

Last week’s Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction index fell 2.4% for the sixth consecutive time. Flagship whole milk powder (WMP) prices dropped 2.7% to US$3,503/metric tonne. In August WMP price was selling at US$4,036/MT.

NZX head of dairy insights Cristina Alvarado says the results came broadly in line with market expectations, confirming the ongoing bearish sentiment across global dairy markets.

“The result reflects a market weighed down by abundant milk supplies from New Zealand, Europe, the US and Argentina, while demand has softened following heavy buying earlier in the season.

“With product deliveries now well aligned to the Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year and Ramadan periods, buyers appear content with existing coverage, leading to reduced participation and lower clearing prices,” she says.

WMP’s price drop marks the fifth consecutive fall in GDT Events. WMP exports have been robust, with New Zealand volumes up 12% year on year in September, suggesting that much of the product has already been contracted.

Alvarado says buyers continue to purchase on a hand-to-mouth basis rather than building inventories – a trend consistent with subdued demand from Southeast Asia and Oceania.

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North Asia once again dominated the auction, accounting for 53% of total demand (down from 55% at the previous event), while participation from other regions remained limited.

Skim milk powder (SMP) held steady at US$2,559/MT, supported by signs of stabilisation following several months of correction.

Nevertheless, competitive European pricing continues to weigh on sentiment, with SMP from the EU still trading at a discount to New Zealand product, says Alvarado.

The global butter market remains oversupplied, particularly as Europe and the US continue to report strong production and aggressive export activity – US butter exports in July were up a striking 208% year on year.

Overall, the auction outcome underscores the current supply-heavy environment, with ample product in the global pipeline and restrained purchasing from key importers, says Alvarado.

“Futures markets had largely priced in this result, and with milk flows peaking across major exporters, the near-term outlook remains soft.

“Attention will now turn to early 2026 demand signals and potential restocking in the new year to determine when market sentiment might begin to turn.”

Events like Tauranga's STEM Festival (STEMFest), New Zealand's largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, are not just about showcasing gadgets or scientific breakthroughs. They are about planting seeds of curiosity in young minds and nurturing the problem-solvers who will shape the future of many sectors, including farming.

At this year's STEMFest, more than 6000 children, parents, educators, and industry professionals gathered to explore the wonders of STEM. The festival's mission is clear: spark curiosity and show children the diverse possibilities that STEM offers. From immersive virtual reality to machine learning farm simulations, the event demonstrated how rapidly technology is evolving and how adaptable today's youth is to these changes.

What makes STEMFest truly special is its ability to break down silos. The future of agriculture will require expertise in engineering, biotechnology, software development, and environmental sciences. Some of the careers that will drive farming forward haven't even been imagined yet. By showcasing a wide array of STEM-based activities, science experiments, problem-solving challenges, and technical games, the festival fosters an environment where exploration is encouraged, creativity is celebrated, and critical thinking is developed.

This matters because the challenges facing farming are complex and ever-changing. Climate change, resource management, and the desire for sustainable practices demand innovative solutions.

Like those before, the next generation of farmers will need to be resilient, adaptable, and equiped with the skills to think outside the box - in a world that's evolving faster than ever before. STEMFest provides a space for children to experiment, ask questions, and learn that failure is just another step toward discovery. These are essential skills for tackling the big issues, whether it's developing drought-resistant crops, designing precision agriculture tools, or creating new ways to monitor soil health.

One of the most inspiring aspects of STEMFest is the enthusiasm and curiosity shown by attendees of all ages. Children and parents alike engaged with hands-on activities, asked thoughtful questions, and imagined what a future in STEM might look like. This kind of engagement is crucial for showcasing our amazing primary sector to urban and rural kids and building a resilient farming sector.

By empowering young people early in their lives, we encourage them to become the innovators and problem-solvers who will drive agriculture forward. Ballance's partnerships with organisations such as House of Science, and its focus on the science of soil, highlight how foundational STEM knowledge is to supporting plant and animal life and, by extension, the entire food system.

Looking ahead, the future of farming will be shaped by those who are curious enough to challenge the status quo and bold enough to dream up new solutions. Events like STEMFest are more than just celebrations, they are investments in the minds that will one day help solve the world's most pressing agricultural challenges. By fostering imagination, creativity, and a love of learning, STEMFest is helping to ensure that the next generation is ready to build a resilient, innovative, and sustainable future for farming.

In the end, the true legacy of STEMFest will not be measured by the number of attendees or the technologies showcased, but by the curiosity it inspires and the doors it opens for young people. The future of farming depends on it.

This sponsorship is part of Ballance Innovation’s youth engagement commitment under the Future Ready Farms programme, in partnership with MPI through the Primary Sector Growth fund (previously the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund), which provided a great opportunity to showcase how science and innovation drive sustainable farming.

Rebecca Drake is Innovation Project Lead, Ballance Agri-Nutrients and STEMFest ambassador.

She says structural assessments confirmed that the hub/services building is beyond practical repair.

While the board has committed significant funding to support this, the planning is already underway to secure additional funding for replacement, she says.

"For some, this may feel like the end of an era and [we've] reassured them that any parts of the building with particular significance can be salvaged and repurposed elsewhere on the property as appropriate," she says.

The new building is part of a new plan to set up Mystery Creek for future growth and resilience.

"This new 'master plan' will reflect our commitment to progress and sustainability," says Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos.

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Alyssa Brazendale will start in early 2026 as the newest consultant at the Rotorua-based firm of agribusiness advisors.

Brazendale will soom complete her Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, building on the valuable knowledge and passion that she gathered growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Halcombe, in Manawatu.

"Those early experiences on the farm really sparked an affinity with the rural community and sustainable farming practices that I'm sure will stay with me forever," says Brazendale.

She is excited to work with farmers to help them achieve their goals, make confident decisions, and support both profitability and sustainability on their farms.

"During my studies, I developed a particular interest in feed and nutrient budgeting, so that's something I'm keen to build on, developing the tools to help farmers tackle their issues in that area."

Brazendale is also watching new innovations in the tech space with interest.

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"Virtual fencing is amazing in how that's been developing. It's largely in the dairy sector at the moment, but it will be interesting to see if it can be incorporated more in the sheep and beef industry, particularly if the technology can evolve to cope with the challenges of terrain and possible outages in remote areas."

Outside of work, Brazendale is passionate about staying fit, from going to the gym and playing hockey to enjoying being outdoors for long walks or runs.

"I love exploring new parts of New Zealand, and I enjoy travelling whenever I can to experience new places and cultures, so I'm looking forward to seeing farm operations in different regions and meeting new people."

She found the rigorous selection process enlightening.

"There was a lot around learning about myself and how my personality would fit in within their workplace, which was reassuring," she says.

Lee Matheson, managing director of Perrin Ag, said of the new appointment: "Alyssa's strong communication and problem-solving skills, along with her passion for sustainable farming, make her a perfect fit for Perrin Ag."

Perrin Ag, which is celebrating 25 years in business this year, has been running its formal Empower programme since 2019, with graduates benefiting from the mentorship of highly regarded rural professionals, advising on a diverse range of farm issues across all sectors of New Zealand's primary industry.

"This programme continues to bring us talented graduates eager to make a positive impact," says Lee. 

The event celebrates excellence in 11 regions across New Zealand in the Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year categories.

Regional winners will then compete for the national title at the gala dinner in Rotorua on Saturday, 9 May 2026. 

NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon says growth in sponsorship support this year is testament to the ongoing strength and success of the awards programme.

"It's exciting to see the renewed vibrancy in sponsorship and the interest from a number of organisations to be part of the awards programme.

"We had record support at our National Gala Dinner last year which has launched us into a positive position.

"We are launching into our 37th year with vigour to drive and showcase best practice across the dairy section.

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"The awards are an essential vehicle to shine a light on the positive sustainability stories in the dairy sector, as well as showcasing pathway opportunities for future generations into farm succession. The support from our sponsors and partners is critical to our ability to continue to achieve our goals."

The prize package continues to heat up across all categories with LIC adding an impressive GeneMark Genomics prize this year for the national winner of the LIC Animal Wellbeing Recording and Productivity Award.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is joining the fold as the newest all-region sponsor for the Awards. MPI will present the 'Dairy Manager of the Year MPI Sustainable Farming - Environment Award' at each of the 11 regional award ceremonies.

The Fonterra and ASB First Farm Award will be presented to three winners, who will receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% for three years, based on the bank's lending criteria with terms and fees applying.

The First Farm Award provides financial and strategic support to help the best in the industry successfully launch into farm ownership.

The award is open to farmers who have previously entered the Share Farmer of the Year category and are planning to buy their first farm within two years.

The Alumni of the Year Award is also up for grabs again, which is a collaboration between ASB and NZDIA to reward NZDIA alumni who have made significant contributions to the programme and the industry. The winner will also receive up to $1 million of ASB Business Term Lending fixed at 1% for three years.

Entrants must be former NZDIA award participants who may have progressed to farm ownership or have more than 50% equity in a farm business.

These awards are another great reason to encourage young dairy farmers to enter the Awards in the Dairy Trainee, Dairy Manager and Share Farmer categories as the opportunities and the value as an alumni member continues to give back in the future.

Entries for these two awards open January 9, 2026.

Together with the Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards is recognising leading farmers in the dairy sector, playing a key role to showcase excellence, identify role models and best practice, lifting the overall standard in the dairy sector.

Entries for the Dairy Industry Awards close December 6. Honda is giving away some great early bird prizes for people who enter before 27 October.

To find out more information about different award categories and prizes and to enter visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

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

Jago will lay a key role in shaping DairyNZ's science direction, supporting strategic partnerships, and ensuring research continues to deliver meaningful on-the-ground impact for dairy farmers.

She brings deep expertise in science change leadership, and adoption, along with strong relationships across both national and international science communities.

"This new role reinforces our commitment to world-class science that delivers value to farmers," said Campbell Parker, DairyNZ chief executive.

"Jenny's appointment, alongside the recent addition of Dr David Burger as chief science and innovation officer, ensures we have strong leadership in place to navigate changes in the science system and foster impactful collaboration."

Jago will be responsible for driving cross-sector partnerships, seeking external investment opportunities, overseeing the DairyNZ Independent Science Panel, and championing initiatives that connect research with on-farm outcomes. The role also includes monitoring global extension and delivery trends to inform impactful research and development.

Her appointment follows the transition of Dr Bruce Thorrold, DairyNZ's long-serving chief science advisor, who stepped down from the executive team at the end of August. Bruce will continue to support DairyNZ as a part-time strategic consultant.

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"Bruce has made an enormous contribution to DairyNZ and the wider agricultural sector over many years," said Parker.

"We are fortunate to continue drawing on his knowledge and expertise as he supports several key projects, including our Low N/Plantain and Resilient Dairy programmes, levy investment work, and key initiatives through NZ Animal Evaluation.

"These changes mark an exciting new chapter for DairyNZ's science and innovation programme. With Jenny and David in complementary leadership roles, and Bruce continuing to contribute in a strategic capacity, we are well positioned to lead science that delivers real results for New Zealand dairy."

The survey – done in late July – found the average New Zealand household reported wasting 10.9% of the food they bought each week, back from 12.2% in the 2023 survey. This fall drove a drop in annual food waste per household (down to $1,364 from $1,510 in 2023) and a reduction in New Zealand’s overall food waste bill. This fell to $3 billion per annum from $3.2 billion (fall of 6.25%) despite marginal increases in weekly household food spend and the number of households.

Rabobank partnered with food rescue charity KiwiHarvest in early 2020, as part of the bank’s wider commitment to work alongside its rural customers to support sustainable food production and its global vison around global food security. Rabobank has commissioned research examining Kiwis’ food waste habits since 2017 – the four most recent editions of the research (2021,2022, 2023 & 2025) in collaboration with KiwiHarvest – to help raise awareness of this issue and, ultimately to reduce the volume of quality food we currently produce that ends up going to waste.

The latest drop in household food waste was the second consecutive fall recorded by the survey, following a reading of 13.4% in the 2022 survey.

KiwiHarvest CEO Angela Calver said it was encouraging to see food waste trending lower across recent years.

“It’s really pleasing to see things are heading in the right direction. However, this year’s estimated food waste, valued at $3 billion, is still too high and remains a major concern,” she said.

“At average annual waste of 10.9% per household, Kiwi households are effectively throwing away nearly six weeks’ worth of groceries each year.”

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Calver said with more Kiwi kids now living in households where food regularly runs out, demand for KiwiHarvest’s food rescue services had never been greater.

“Since the last food waste survey in mid- 2023, KiwiHarvest has increased the volume of food that we rescue by 52%, and we are now providing the equivalent of over 125,000 meals back into the community each week,’’ she said.

“With so many Kiwis in need, it’s crucial we continue to prioritise public education on food waste and ensure the amount of perfectly good food New Zealanders are wasting continues to fall.

“KiwiHarvest is committed to working with Rabobank and other partners to tackle this issue by empowering New Zealanders with practical information to help reduce food waste at home.”

Small improvements helping drive food waste lower, while Kiwis attitudes to, and knowledge of, food waste, were largely in line with 2023. Rabobank head of sustainable business development Blake Holgate said small improvements in a few key areas had helped drive the dip in estimated food waste recorded in the 2025 survey.

“The latest survey found there is now a larger group of Kiwis committed to addressing food waste with more saying they ‘strongly agree’ with statements including ‘I care about reducing food waste’ (33% strongly agree from 23%), ‘It annoys me when I waste food’ (38% from 30%), and ‘It annoys me when I see others wasting food’ (31% from 23%),” he said.

“The survey also found Kiwis’ knowledge of food production was on the rise with 37% saying they know ‘quite a bit’ or a ‘great deal’ about this topic, and this was showing up in growing food waste concerns related to the wasted efforts of farmers here in New Zealand and abroad.”

Holgate said these changes were filtering through to improvements in food waste related behaviours.

The session also provided an outlook for 25-26, which confirmed what many have been sensing: a profitable season lies ahead. With the milk price forecast sitting at $10/kgMS, improved cash flow and lower interest rates, farmer sentiment is optimistic.

But confidence alone won’t feed cows. Feed reserves are tight across much of the country. Now is the time to lock in your maize silage procurement strategy. Whether you’re planning to grow maize onfarm and/or buy it in, early planning will give you more flexibility and ensure you are well placed to take advantage of this season’s positive economic outlook.

Feed budget first

Regardless of whether you’re growing or buying, a basic feed budget is a good starting point. Understanding how much feed is needed to fill the seasonal deficits on your farm is essential, particularly with less surplus in reserve carried forward from last season.

Plan to carry a buffer of maize silage

The big problem with feed budgets is that they rely on average pasture growth rates, and half the time, pasture growth rates are below average. The most resilient farm systems I have seen, carry a buffer of additional maize silage in stock. There are several benefits of doing this:

If pasture growth rates are below average, you still have enough feed to ensure cows are well fed.

In periods of extreme shortages, you are not waiting for feed deliveries, which can be hampered by the supply of feed and/or trucking capacity.

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The starch digestibility of maize silage increases in the stack.

It is more efficient to have a buffer so that you do not have to feed maize silage immediately after harvest.

Maize silage, when well-compacted, covered, and sealed, will maintain its quality for several seasons.

Tight feed reserves, strong demand

Last season’s prolonged summer dry in the North Island and cooler winter conditions in the South Island means many farmers have worked through their feed reserves. Without a strong spring and a good pasture silage harvest, they may head into summer with little onfarm supplement. So, there’s more pressure than ever to get this season’s feed strategy locked in early.

The Pioneer team are reporting strong demand for maize silage this season, and that demand could catch late buyers off guard, particularly those relying on the spot market.

If you’re planning to buy silage, now is the time to talk with your contractor or grower to confirm availability. Delaying those conversations may leave you scrambling later or paying a premium when demand increases.

Growing on farm? Don't delay

For those choosing to grow maize on farm, it’s equally important to start planning now.

That means determining the appropriate area required, identifying paddocks, and beginning any remedial actions needed for a successful crop. This includes addressing soil fertility, and possible preplanting fertiliser and/or effluent applications.

Maize remains one of the most cost-effective feeds to grow, but the best results are achieved when the crop is wellplanned and established under the right conditions.

Growing maize on effluent areas not only helps manage excess nutrients but can also produce feed for as little as 16-22c per kg drymatter.

Flexibility for uncertain weather events

Building some feed certainty into your system will put you in good shape to manage any weather challenges thrown at you during the season.

As weather patterns become more volatile, having a stored, highenergy feed like maize silage in your system provides flexibility. It offers support during dry spells, helps extend lactation, and reduces pressure on autumn pastures.

This season presents an opportunity to capitalise on strong economic signals, but that only happens when you’re prepared.

Your next step

Whether you’re growing or buying, the earlier you plan, the more control you’ll have. Talk to your grower, contractor or Pioneer area manager now to secure your feed and avoid the scramble later.

Wade Bell is Genetic Technologies farm systems manager. Contact him at wbell@genetic.co.nz

In its annual results, announced last week, PGW reported an operating revenue up $59.4 million (6%) to $56.1 million, and net profit after tax up by $7.6 million to $10.7 million.

The net profit represents a 248% increase, albeit from the low base of just $3.1 milion in the previous financial year, when no dividend was paid.

The company has declared a final dividend of 4 cents per share, totalling 6.5 cents for the year.

PGW chief executive, Stephen Guerin, said they had signalled increasing positivity at the time of the half-year result and that had come through in the result.

"Dairy was obviously the leading light but we could see a bit more than that, in terms of that movement in sheep price starting from about December.

"Red meat's alwasy been pretty good. And we could see what was going on from a real estate perspective and it's played out in the second half of the year, particularly in our agency businesses."

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Guerin said PGW's Retail & Water Group, incorporating Rural Supplies, Fruitfed Supplies, Water, and Agritrade recorded an operating EBITDA up $1.1 million.

"Retail & Water refreshed its five-year plan with a focus on a range of growth initiatives.

"A key example of such initiatives was the acquisition in July 2025 of the Nexan Group. Nexan Group manufacturers the Vetmed range of animal health products along with other brands. This acquisition PGW's commitment to delivering high-quality innovative solutions that help New Zealand farmers thrive."

Another initiative is the launch of the 'BlueAG' label of agrichemicals, which farmers will begin to see on the shelves from about next month.

Guerin told Rural News that a lot of generic agricultural chemicals come into the country and they want to market it under their own brand that they can stand.

"We still see a place for proprietary chemistry out of the major multinationals but we do want to bring some of this product in under our own brand."

However, the bulk of the improved profit has come from PGW's Agency group, incorporating the Livestock, Wool, and Real Estate businesses, which recorded an operating EBITDA of $23.5 million, up $11.1 million on the prior year's result.

Guerin said stud stock sales rebounded as clients returned to the market with an increased demand for sire bulls, with records set during the selling season.

"Good pricing for dairy resulted in strong demand. Livestock pricing was buoyed by the forecast milk price, and high-end herd sales. There were also strong forward contracts for dairy herd sales."

Guerin said increased real estate activity contributed to a "really pleasing" performance by PGW Real Estate, with revenue up by 55% on the same period last year.

The market had been buoyed by a gradual downward trend in interest rates, stronger dairy payouts, robust red meat pricing, and farm gate prices.

Guerin said the volume has come from commercial farm sales (rather than residential or lifestyle blocks) - initially dairy, but more sheep and beef properties latterly. Some of those were going into dairy conversions, particularly on the Canterbury Plains, while some were being retained for sheep and beef.

There were also increased enquiries for horticultural land, especially pipfruit and kiwifruit but "not so much" for viticulture.

Guerin acknowledged that the overall profit was still down on those enjoyed through the years 2021-23 but that was a time when "every part of the sector was aligned in the positive direction".

There were still challenges but PGW was now seeing increased enquiries for the likes of irrigation infrastructure for conversions, deferred maintenance such as fencing products, stock food for calf raising, and seed.

"We're seeing record volumes of calves passing through the North Island saleyards. There's some good pricing in there. It's too early to see those calves come through in the South Island yet, but that that confidence is now playing out in actual activity on farm."

a2 Milk Company is paying $282 million for Yashili’s Pokeno facility. At the same time, a2MC is offloading its 75% stake in Mataura Valley Milk to Open Country Dairy for $100m.

China Animal Husbandry Group’s (CAHG) is also selling its 25% shareholding in Mataura to Open Country.

a2 MC managing director David Bortolussi says the company intends to invest $100 million in a multi-year capital investment programme to increase capacity and enhance capability at the new a2MC Pokeno site with plans to employ more than 100 additional people over time, providing significant development opportunities to current and future team members.

He says the acquisition secures opportunity for greater market access to the attractive $23 billion China Label Infant Milk Formula (CL IMF) market through control of two highly sought after product registrations for CL IMF that can be amended to expand the a2 branded portfolio with the potential of a third registration over time.

Bortolussi says the new a2MC Pokeno site is a world-class fully integrated nutritional manufacturing facility with proven IMF experience including the current production of a2MC’s new English label products.

The sale of Mataura Valley Milk optimises asset footprint and capacity utilisation while maintaining access to high quality A1 protein free ingredients from the site through a commercial supply agreement, he adds.

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Mataura Valley Milk has struggled to return a profit for a2MC.

Open Country chief executive Mark de Lautour says the acquisition would give the company the ability to commit further to the Southland and South Otago regions. 

 “The deep South is an important region for Open Country and is an area we have previously announced as targeted for significant capital investment.  The acquisition of Mataura Valley Milk highlights our commitment to the South. 

 “This site is a strategic investment for Open Country given its advanced, high-tech design.  Its capabilities give us the opportunity to produce a different array of higher-value products that will complement our current Awarua site product range.”  

 Part of the acquisition agreement includes a supply arrangement with a2 Milk Company whereby the Mataura Valley Milk site will continue processing A1 protein free milk to produce A1 protein free milk powder.  Milk supply agreements with current farmer suppliers remain unchanged. 

 “We look forward to working with the team at Mataura Valley Milk to fully utilise the site’s capability.  In doing so, there will be an exciting opportunity for new farmers to add to the existing supply group and join the wider Open Country family of farmer suppliers,” says de Lautour.

Next week, de Lautour and Open Country’s chair, Laurie Margrain will join Bortolussi to meet with Mataura Valley Milk staff and current farmer suppliers.

 “We are all very much looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing our excitement around this purchase,” he says.

“At Open Country we are focused on ensuring we are in a position to provide dairy farmers with genuine choice.  Choice that benefits farmers, our staff and the New Zealand dairy industry as a whole.   This has flow-on benefits to the New Zealand economy and the communities in which we operate given our 100% New Zealand ownership.”

 Founded in 2001, Open Country is now New Zealand’s second largest milk processor and the world’s second largest exporter of whole milk powder.  It currently has six production sites across New Zealand and a head office location in Auckland.

Yili owns Westland Milk Products, Hokitika and Oceania Dairy, Glenavy - both have posted combined unaudited revenue growth of 16% compared to the same period last year. Before tax profit growth for the first half of 2025 is 12%.

Executive director, Zhiqiang Li, says profitability is expected to continue to climb for both companies well into 2026.

“Production capacity of high-demand, high-value products across Westland’s Hokitika and Rolleston sites and ODL’s Glenavy facility have undergone significant investment to capitalize on surging global demand for high-quality dairy products,’’ Li said.

Consumer butter production capacity at Hokitika has been boosted by 10,000 tonnes, while increased skim-milk powder production capacity at Glenavy has also led to increased production of UHT Cream at Rolleston with ODL cream now diverted to the Rolleston site.

Production capacity at Rolleston of UHT cream for the Chinese market has been boosted by 20% following investment in a new silo and improvements to the unloading facility.

Li said both Westland and ODL, which since 2024 have also operated under a co-operative external sales arrangement, are well positioned to build revenue growth off the back of increased production capacity.

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“Greater efficiencies and production capacity under this co-operative arrangement give us far more opportunities to optimize product mix and build on our high-value strategy,’’ Li said.

“Profits for the individual companies in the meantime will go through a consolidation period, however, both total revenue and profit margins are expected to continue to show healthy growth,’’ he said.

Aitken presented this information to New Zealand dairy veterinarians at a national conference in 2024, and the findings have since been published as a research paper in a major international scientific journal, Theriogenology.

Synchrony programmes allow groups of dairy heifers to be put up for artificial insemination (AI) on a single day. Calves bred from heifers by AI are normally higher value than those bred by natural mating as they are often of high genetic merit, but use of synchrony programmes also improves outcomes in the current heifer group. Synchronised heifers calve earlier in the calving season, giving them more time to recover before the mating season, and resulting in higher milk income for the farm as these heifers are milking for more days during their first milking season.

Over the years international researchers identified differences between heifers and adult milking cows in how they respond to synchrony drugs, then used this knowledge to design specific synchrony programmes to suit heifers. However, these findings had never been tested in New Zealand, so Peter and the team at Totally Vets wanted to explore whether a similar effect would be found in our pasture-based seasonal dairy industry.

At the start of the 2023 spring mating season, 565 rising two-year-old heifers from four dairy farms were randomly allocated to be synchronised for AI with either the current CIDR Heifer programme or the new CIDR Heifer Plus programme (also known as a modified 5-day Cosynch programme). Both programmes used the same drugs, but the CIDR Heifer Plus programme had different treatment timings and used some additional injections to align the treatments better with the activity of heifer ovaries.

After AI on a fixed date, the heifers were mated as normal for the rest of the spring mating season, then aged pregnancy testing was carried out using ultrasound to evaluate reproductive performance. Synchronisation with the new CIDR Heifer Plus programme resulted in significantly more heifers getting pregnant as a result of the AI mating, and for the entire first 6 weeks of the mating season.

If a mob of 100 heifers were synchronised with the new CIDR Heifer Plus programme, compared to the standard CIDR Heifer programme, these study results show that this would, on average, result in:

• 17 additional heifers pregnant following artificial insemination.
• 13 additional heifers pregnant after the first 6 weeks of mating.
• 10 extra days in milk for the heifer mob during their 1st season.

Once both the costs (drugs, yarding, feed, etc) and benefits (extra milk, higher value calves) of the new CIDR Heifer Plus programme were calculated, this improvement would be worth around an extra $98 per heifer at a $10 milk payout compared to the standard CIDR Heifer programme. Most of this economic benefit was found to be derived from the additional milk income that the farm would receive from their heifers calving earlier and therefore being milked for more days in their first season.

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The increasing availability of genomic testing is now enabling farms to identify genetically superior animals early in life, select them for entry into the dairy herd, and target them for breeding of future dairy replacement heifers.

Using the CIDR Heifer Plus programme to AI heifers would permit further acceleration of dairy herd genetic gain by breeding replacements early from their highest genetic merit animals.

Aitken and his team are grateful to the farmers who allowed their heifer groups to be included in this study. They also thanked Zoetis for their support with study design and supplying CIDR devices, and to Parnell Animal Health for supplying injectable hormones.

He told Dairy News that this would imply a higher enterprise value to earnings before interest and taxes (EV/EBIT) ratio - a metric used to determine if a stock is priced too high or too low in relation to similar stocks and the market.

"This would be great news if the valuation is true for Fonterra," says Montgomerie.

"The issue we have is that Fonterra hasn't disclosed earnings for Australia and New Zealand - only gross profit and revenue, so this makes it hard for us to have an informed view on the valuation.

"If you pro-rata the $2.2bn based on gross profit share it implies a 19x EV/EBIT multiple or 15x EV/EBIT multiple based on revenue share. Both of which are supportive for the top-end or greater of our valuation range for Mainland Group of NZ$2.5bn to NZ$3bn."

Media reports out of Australia say Bega Cheese and a European dairy co-operative, possibly FrieslandCampina, have made a A$2b bid for Fonterra's Oceania business.

Montgomerie says Fonterra has a clear preference for selling the entity in one piece.

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"At this stage, Bega is only interested in Oceania, but it would be interesting if FrieslandCampina is interested in the rest. From the outside, it seems like Lactalis is the front runner, but this is hard to call."

Fonterra farmers, who will have the final say to approve any sale, are watching the divestment process unfold from the sidelines.

Fonterra Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson says the council doesn’t have any insight into this process.

“So unfortunately, I can’t make any comments at this stage. Fonterra will be best placed to provide answers,” he told Dairy News.

Fonterra’s portfolio in Australia includes the country’s top butter brand, Western Star, and popular cheese brands, Perfect Italiano, Bega Cheese, and Mainland. Lactalis Australia has Paul brands of fresh milk, yoghurt and cream plus several top selling brands of flavoured milk and cheese.

The Bega bid means there could be a three-way battle for Fonterra’s assets. The world’s largest dairy company, Lactalis cleared a major hurdle last month when the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) indicated that it would not oppose Lactalis’ proposed acquisition of Fonterra’s consumer, dairy ingredients and food service businesses. The third player making a bid is Japanese food company Meiji Holdings.

However, the green light from the ACCC puts Lactalis Australia at the front of the queue.

Lactalis and Fonterra both currently acquire raw milk from dairy farmers in Victoria and Tasmania, as well as processing and supplying a range of dairy products across Australia. The ACCC decision means there are no regulatory hurdles for the acquisition.

“We looked very closely at the transaction as it will combine two of the largest buyers of raw milk in Victoria and lead to some further consolidation in Tasmania,” ACCC deputy chair Mick Keogh says.

“While we acknowledge the concerns raised by some representative bodies after careful consideration, we have determined that the acquisition is unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition.”

The ACCC found that across Gippsland, the Murray and Western Victoria, alternative buyers of raw milk would continue to constrain Lactalis if the acquisition proceeded.

“We found that while the industry in Tasmania is already concentrated, Lactalis has a limited presence and the acquisition would not substantially alter the market dynamics. If the acquisition proceeded, Lactalis would continue to be constrained by Saputo and, to a lesser extent, Mondelez,” Keogh says.

The 4th International Precision Dairy Farming Conference, the first to be hosted by NZ, will bring experts from 24 countries. Delivered by DairyNZ in collaboration with leading research and industry partners, the three-day event arrives at a pivotal moment as sustainable dairy growth becomes a key focus for policymakers and farmers alike.

The conference in Christchurch will feature farm visits showing diverse and innovative precision technologies in action, 120 accepted submissions covering cutting-edge science and practical applications and keynote sessions and farmer panels exploring research, adoption strategies, investment considerations, and system integration.

"DairyNZ is proud to show leadership in applied science, with this conference delivering for both farmers and scientists. We are bringing together dairy farmers, researchers, rural professionals and agri-tech innovators," says Nico Lyons, DairyNZ head of science.

"We're showcasing tools and insights grounded in farm reality, backed by research, and ready to support better decisions on-farms."

Experts will present on topics such as animal monitoring, sensor technology, and data use, alongside local farmers sharing their experiences with precision approaches in pasture management, reproduction, animal health, and labour efficiency.

DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says several leading companies are supporting the conference, including Halter, CowManager, and DeLaval as well as other industry partners.

"By combining world-class science with practical farmer experience, our goal is to help farmers get the best out of their systems - such as increased productivity, improved animal care, or greater environmental gains," says Brown.

International keynote speakers include Professor David Rose (Harper Adams University, UK) covering the role of social science for precision dairy research, Assistant Professor Joao Dorea (University of Wisconsin-Madison, US) on artificial intelligence and machine learning, and Dr Claudia Kamphuis (Wageningen University, Netherlands) on digital twins and use of drones in grazing systems.

Registrations are now open for farmers - with dairy farmers able to access a discount via Early Bird registration - and for researchers, students, and sector professionals at: precisiondairyfarmingconference.nz/registration.

The listed company says gross operating earnings for year ended June 30, 2025 will now be around $54 million, compared to $51m forecast earlier.

The company says this forecast reflects stronger-than-anticipated performance across several businesses and continued resilience in New Zealand's agricultural sector.

Chair Garry Moore noted that the agricultural sector has rebounded and built momentum as the financial year has progressed, in contrast to some other parts of the economy.

"Improved farmer confidence, favourable growing conditions, and solid commodity prices have all contributed to a more positive operating environment."

PGW's Livestock and Real Estate businesses have delivered a strong turnaround from the previous year.

Dairy and beef prices have remained robust throughout the year, supporting farmgate returns. Lamb prices have held at elevated levels, providing welcome cashflows. Horticultural returns, particularly for kiwifruit and apples, have also been positive, with kiwifruit exports on track for a record year.

Moore says that the 2024 financial year appears to have marked the bottom of the cycle. Improved economic signals, including lower inflation and interest rates, are supporting renewed optimism. Rural real estate enquiries have strengthened, particularly for dairy, beef, sheep and select horticultural properties.

"While the overall outlook is positive, we remain mindful of ongoing challenges in the wool, viticulture, and arable sectors. The performance of our Retail & Water business this financial year has broadly been in line with FY24.

"It is pleasing to be able to report a stronger than anticipated finish to the financial year and lift our guidance expectations. We will have more to say on PGW Group's performance when we release our audited financial results on 12 August 2015," says Moore.

That's according to the new 'Changing of the guard' white paper by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank.

It reveals that over this time, approximately 17,320 New Zealand farm and orchard growers - more than half the country's total - will reach the age of 65.

Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris says the findings highlight the extent of the succession challenge ahead for the agricultural sector.

"Succession is a moment in time - it's a process that takes years of planning, conversation and adaptation.

"The traditional model of passing the farm to the next generation is under pressure, but there are new and innovative models emerging that can help families stay connected to their land."

The fourth in a series exploring the opportunities and challenges faced by New Zealand's primary industry, this paper covered the emotional, environmental and economic aspects of farm succession including the risks of generational disconnect and the realities of servicing debt.

Rabobank commissioned the University of Waikato School of Economics to review official statistics as part of the development of the paper alongside its own desktop research and case study interviews.

Data collected found only one in three farmers have a formal succession plan in place, with 17% having discussed succession with relevant parties but nothing documented. Fifty per cent had not discussed succession at all.

While one-third of farmers intended to pass their farm to their children, 39% reported having no children seriously interested in farming.

"For many Kiwi farmers, the dream is that one of the kids will take over the farm," Charteris said. "The flipside is that it can be experienced as a feeling of pressure by the next generation.

"Taking over the family farm involves committing to decades of indebtedness in a sector that is subject to volatility and uncertain returns - a big call for a 20-something and their bank."

While this is the case, collected data suggests the financial obstacles to farm ownership have plateaued in recent years, with total package values for farm employees keeping pace with the increase in land valuations over the 2011-24 period.

However, Charteris said challenges remain high, particularly with the increased scale of farming and the need to increase margins to support borrowing.

The paper highlighted several increasingly prominent succession models, including hybrid ownership models.

Dragging the Chain

Todd Charteris says several of New Zealand's largest scale, most productive and environmentally responsible farming businesses are either fully corporate or run under Māori-owned incorporation models, with an increasing number of farms also being set up as hybrid models.

"We're committed to adapting our systems and products to support these new realities. There are some innovative solutions offering up promising ideas, not to disrupt the system but rather to enhance it.

"If we get this right, we can unlock new pathways for young Kiwis who are passionate about farming to own a share of a greater pie."

Charteris said most farmers spoken to in the process of compiling the white paper had been looking at succession for years, and all of them wish they'd started the process earlier.

"It's no surprise some people drag the chain when it comes to succession on the family farm or orchard. At the end of another month of another changing season, it's tempting to leave the succession conversation where it sits most comfortably - in the too-hard basket.

"Delay becomes a problem in that the more time passes, the more succession options become restricted, further exacerbating stresses and difficulties in the family."

The full white paper can be accessed on the Rabobank website at https://www.rabobank.co.nz/knowledge/primary-industries-summit

Milk processing, cheese making, packaging, storage and delivery will come under one roof, enabling the company to make a bigger range of products and seamlessly go from milk arriving for production to it being aged and ready for consumers. Meyer Cheese general manager Miel Meyer says the new building will have the capacity of holding 160 tonnes of products.

Meyer Cheese was started on a family farm in Temple View in 1976 by Miel's parents Ben and Sophia (Fieke). Now retired, the couple still live on the farm and are used as an important sounding board by Miel.

Miel says the family was shocked when they first heard the price tag of the new building, but they decided to go ahead with the investment to future-proof the business for the next generation.

Sustainability is a feature of the new building, the entire roof can be filled with solar panels and the company is looking at collecting gas from the effluent system to harvest energy.

One thing that's not moving is Miel's office. "I will still have the view over the farm. It looks lovely, but the reason for that is actually to manage the animals, the cows, and the grass. If I can see problems, I can deal with them," he told Dairy News.

The Meyer family farm employs sharemilkers Josh and Ashley who, along with their kids, milk 395 cows, down from a peak of 550 cows to make the farm self-sufficient in feed.

Miel says cow numbers were reduced despite the high milk price.

"We do this so that we only feed the animals from the platform and so we don't need to import food, and the only way we can achieve that is reducing the cow numbers."

Milk is piped underground from the milkshed to the factory, meaning fresh milk travels less than a kilometre before being turned into cheese. The company buys sheep and goat milk from other farms. Extra conventional milk is purchased from Fonterra and selected nearby farms. Meyer Cheese makes cheese from cow, sheep and goat milk.

Sustainability Award

At the recent NZ Champions of Cheese Awards, Meyer Cheese picked up the Woolworths Sustainability Champion award, which recognised a cheese producer embedding environmental stewardship into business practice.

The judges' note to Meyer Cheese said: "The judging panel was impressed by your holistic, Pasture to Plate approach, which demonstrates a commitment to sustainability at every stage of production. Your longstanding legacy of environmental consciousness, dating back to the company's founding, is a testament to your genuine dedication".

Miel Meyer says winning the award was an honour and a nod to the work done by his parents, who have always been planting trees and fencing waterways on the property. The company also funds planting by Friends of Barrett’s Bush on soil not suitable for grazing in the area.

“Fencing streams and planting native trees, I mean we never did it to necessarily be sustainable, my parents were doing this since I was a child. And now it’s cool to be sustainable,” says Miel.

His parents’ European (Dutch) heritage also plays a part.

“It’s a natural thing my parents are passionate about. Europe is probably 10 or 15 years ahead in terms of pushing the regulations around sustainability and the environment,” says Miel.

“Mum and dad have always realised that we generate our income and our product from the land. The least you can do is take care it.

“That’s quite an important feature of what they want to achieve. So, winning the award is awesome, but it comes at a cost too.

“This year we reduced the cow numbers and there are two things that have happened – less stress on the land and less money in our pocket.

“So, at the cost of profit, we have made decisions for the better of sustainability.

“It’s difficult to make decisions because sometimes sustainability does have a cost but there’s also a cost of not doing it.

“I’m glad that my parents have set a policy in place where every decision in the company and the environment must be flagged. So, if you’re deciding, hey, we’re going to make a new style of cheese or we’re going to employ someone, whatever it is, you have to consider the environment.”

Five Gongs

Meyer Cheese picked up five awards.

They won:

• The IXOM Champion European-Style Cheese for Meyer Cheese, Maasdam
• IFF Champion Farmhouse Cheese with Meyer Cheese, Smoked Gouda
• FSQSNZ Champion Aged Flavour Added Cheese for Meyer Cheese, Fenugreek
• Woolworths Sustainability Champion
• Their assistant cheesemaker Jarvis Whyte was named Innovative Packaging Aspiring Cheesemaker.

Miel Meyer says Whyte is a wonderful worker and deserves the credit.

"We are so happy for him whether he stays with us or sees a future in a big dairy company he'll contribute positively."

Whyte is the third generation from the family to work for Meyer Cheese; his grandmother and mother have both worked a the cheese company.

The conference, held every three years, is part of the International Red Dairy Breed Federation. The federation's two NZ members - Ayrshire NZ and NZ Milking Shorthorn Association will host the event.

The programme runs between March 2 and March 15th and includes the three-day conference in Palmerston North, 10 farm tours and post-conference tours.

A trip to Fonterra's R&D centre in Palmerston North is also on the itinerary.

Federation board member and Manawatu farmer Russell Tocker says they will be hosting international delegates from other red dairy breeds as part of the event.

Four federation youth scholarship recipients, two from Denmark and one each from Scotland and Australia, will also attend.

"As part of this we're organising a NZ-wide tour programme to help our visitors build up their knowledge, skills and network and learn about our country.

"The overall goal for the upcoming IRDBF conference is to facilitate a platform for red dairy breeders, farmers, stakeholders and industry to share knowledge, discuss research, network with their peers, learn and address challenges.

"We believe this will ultimately improve efficiency and quality of red dairy breeds and enhance growth and co-operation worldwide."

For more information visit the conference website: www.reddairyconference2026.co.nz

That's according to Rabobank's latest Global Dairy Quarterly report, which says modest production growth in the first few months of 2025 has underpinned firm dairy commodity prices, with output from the 'Big-7' dairy exporting regions (New Zealand, Australia, the EU, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and the US) expanding 0.5% year-on-year (YOY) in Q1.

Report co-author RaboResearch senior analyst Emma Higgins says while this modest increase aligns with recent price strength, outlooks are shifting.

"Growth is projected at 1.1% in Q2 and 1.4% in Q3, marking the strongest quarterly increase since Q1 2021. The US and EU are expected to contribute to this growth with additional support from South America - granted, against weak prior-year comparisons."

However, signs of stress are emerging on the dairy demand side, including near record-low consumer confidence in the US, indicators of economic struggles in China and declining sales data from restaurants and consumer packaged goods companies across many regions.

Meanwhile, global trade conflicts remain elevated, with volatility and rapidly changing tariffs influencing dairy trade flows.

Nevertheless, Higgins says dairy product prices have surged to multi-year highs, with a $10.00/kgMS forecast Fonterra price for the 2025/26 season, positive signs at the Global Dairy Trade Auction and US dairy commodities showing bullish trends and strong Q1 exports, albeit prior to the implementation of retaliatory tariffs by China and Canada.

Higgins explained while Rabobank does anticipate risks emerging in the second half of the year due to expanding supply and demand uncertainty; this was expected to be a "recalibration" rather than a sharp downturn.

"[This is] a natural correction following a period of strong performance. Fonterra's highest on-record milk price forecast positions farmers for a likely second consecutive season of double-digit payouts and sustained profitability."

However, uncertainty around the macroeconomic backdrop to the 2025/26 season remains. Fonterra's forecast ranging from $8.00-$11.00/kgMS highlights potential market volatility, with similar ranges in other dairy companies potentially cause for concern.

Higgins explains that while RaboResearch sees the $9.50-$10.00/kgMS range as sensible to kick off a new production season, firm dairy markets and weaker currency over a sustained period could see a higher figure, whilst winter volatility and commodity price shocks could bring it down.

New Zealand dairy export volumes for Q1 rose 5% year-on-year, with shipments to China up 10% and increased demand also seen from Indonesia, Korea, and Sri Lanka.

This was driven by a weaker New Zealand dollar and stronger commodity prices, contributing an additional $1.5 billion in export value over the same period.

The report says New Zealand dairy farmer confidence remains high, with dairy production for next season expected to rise.

Sentiment was particularly elevated in the South Island, where land conversions to dairy are being discussed.

Higgins said while the scale of new conversions remains uncertain, any resulting milk growth is likely to materialise from the 2026/27 season onward.

The competition has been running annually since 2017 and aims to support and celebrate the incredible efforts of rural communities in enhancing their local areas.

“Whether it’s a community garden, a local sports facility, or an environmental project, Rabobank wants to hear about the initiatives making a difference in rural New Zealand,” Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir says.

Entries for the competition are open throughout June, and community groups are encouraged to submit their projects for consideration. The winning group will receive a dedicated day of hands-on support from Rabobank employees as well as $5,000 to help bring their project to life.

The $5,000 of funding for the winning project will be drawn from the Rabo Community Fund – a fund set up by Rabobank in 2021 and backed by an annual contribution from the Rabobank Group.

Weir says Rabobank was thrilled to continue its support for rural communities through the Good Deeds Competition.

“Rural community projects play a vital role in strengthening rural areas, and we look forward to seeing the innovative and impactful initiatives that will be entered this year.”

Weir says around 20 Rabobank staff were generally lined up to attend the labour days supporting the winning project, and they were fantastic community events.

“I’ve been lucky enough to attend several of these labour days since the inception of the competition, and the local teams always roll up their sleeves and really get stuck in,” he says.

“We encourage local community members to attend these events too, and the winning community group has often been amazed at how much progress is made on the day towards the completion of the project.”

Recent competition winners include the Te Mata Tennis Club (2024), Beaconsfield School in South Canterbury (2023), and the Te Ranga School Bush Classroom in the Bay of Plenty (2022).

To enter the competition, visit the competition home page and complete the online application form. The winning project will be announced live in early July.

Sixty-three applicants have been invited to showcase automation, robotics, and AI innovations, alongside practical on-farm efficiency-increasing devices and 'problem-solvers' at the event.

"What stands out is the breadth of areas the entries come from, with ground-breaking ideas that redefine sustainability, automation, and efficiency," says Fieldays programme manager Steve Chappell.

"These include eco-friendly materials that transform waste into valuable resources to AI-powered tools optimising livestock management alongside precision monitoring, and crop growth."

A range of entrants see 33 in the Prototype category, 32 in the Early-Stage sector, and eight in the Growth & Scale competition. 

Five participants of 19 years old or younger are also in the running for the Young Innovator of the Year award.

Now a new agreement is about to benefit farmers and growers.

CNH has announced an agreement with Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, to bring industry-leading satellite connectivity to farmers. The collaboration will provide customers of CNH brands with robust and affordable high-speed connectivity, further unlocking the benefits of a fully connected fleet.

Starlink's advanced satellite network offers reliable, low-latency internet, enabling intelligent machines to communicate and coordinate efficiently, enhancing productivity and yield.

The system seamlessly integrates with the CNH FieldOps digital platform, giving users visibility of their machines and providing data from any location, at all times.

It also offers users greater data streaming capabilities by keeping their farm management devices consistently connected, regardless of location.

Prescription spraying is another potential situation where Starlink's fast and reliable transmission technology will benefit farming operations. A lack of connectivity in some markets can make farm logistics challenging.

CNH's FieldXplorer platform uses AI to transform drone images into a field map that distinguishes between weeds and crop.

Using a Starlink connection, the manufacturer says they can now export that data near instantaneously to create a prescription spraying map for the machine.

The result is farmers being able to apply crop protection products sooner, controlling weeds earlier, helping to improve crop yields.

"We're thrilled to offer our customers access to industry-leading satellite connectivity, enabling them to maximise the potential of our full suite of precision technology in even the most challenging rural environments," said Stefano Pampalone, agriculture chief commercial officer at CNH.

The National Fieldays marks the official kick off date for the new alliance, which will see SealesWinslow retain its name while offering a broader range of feed options.

Grant Jackson, general manager of SealesWinslow welcomes the opportunities the Farmlands purchase brings, with multiple benefits to farmers across the length of the country.

"SealesWinslow has been known mainly for its quality compound or pelletised feeds. Farmlands ownership means our team can now include commodity blend solutions alongside our pelletised options."

He says the full national coverage lifts the number of feed mills under the one umbrella from three to eight, now extending from Whangarei to Winton, matched by a nutrition team set to double in size with the SealesWinslow purchase.

Bunnythorpe sharemilker Craig Gregory is among the first to enjoy the benefits of combining SealesWinslow's quality pelletised feed with a bulk feed option.

He runs a System 5 high input operation for his 330 Holstein Friesian herd and has tuned up their feed regime in the past year, working alongside his SealesWinslow nutrition rep Peta Hamilton.

"We have opted for the Value Dairy pellet as 50% of the feed, and the other 50% is bulk palm kernel expeller (PKE). The mix means we avoid any blockages in our in-shed feeding system.

"It gives the herd that extra production push - it's really the difference between feeding them and fully feeding them."

He says being able to include PKE alongside the pellets also makes them a more affordable option, whilst still delivering valued nutrient benefit.

He feeds 3-5kg a cow a day during lactation and the blend forms part of a feed regime that includes maize and grass silage in addition.

Jackson says farmers can now enjoy the best of both worlds through SealesWinslow's feed offerings, giving their herds high quality pelletised feed, alongside higher volume, cost effective bulk feed.

"More farmers are starting to realise it is not just about giving their cows more of one feed but want to achieve better productivity with a lighter environmental footprint, optimising their feed options.

"With strong payout prospects, the timing has never been better to consider those optimal feed options and avoid leaving production on the table."

According to a Rabobank report, Indonesia's new school milk programme could nourish minds and global dairy markets. The recently-elected Indonesian government has introduced a range of policy measures with the potential to transform the country's dairy supply chain.

"The centrepiece of its policy is the Nutritious Meals Programme, which aims to combat malnutrition and promote healthy eating among school children," report author RaboResearch senior analyst Michael Harvey says.

"A key feature of this programme is to provide food, including milk, to 60 million students on every school day by 2029. RaboResearch estimates the total milk required at full implementation could surpass 2 billion litres.

"This estimate is based on an anticipated 83 million recipients accounting for school absenteeism, lactose intolerance, and an average serving size between 125ml and 200ml."

The report says the ambitions behind Indonesia's school milk programme have the potential to significantly increase Indonesian demand for liquid milk.

"The majority of milk consumed by Indonesia's 280 million people in 2024 was imported, with domestic production estimated at 900 million litres, and an additional 2.5 billion litres (liquid milk equivalent) imported," Harvey says.

"To meet the growth in demand that will result from the programme, the government and industry plan to significantly increase the national dairy herd."

As the rollout of the programme gathers pace, the report says, investment across Indonesia's dairy sector is expected to accelerate, with more pronounced impacts on the global sector.

"For Indonesia to achieve its ambitious milk supply growth targets and accommodate the considerable number of dairy cattle needed, it will need to scale up both live cattle supply and the local dairy supply chain," Harvey said.

"This will include need for feed genetics, farm infrastructure and farm management skills to support the expanding local industry.

"And overall, we expect global input players and dairy companies to benefit."

While the school milk programme is likely to increase domestic supply and provide a tailwind for local Indonesian dairy players, Harvey says, Indonesian dairy import demand is also expected to rise.

"Fundamentally, RaboResearch expects Indonesia to remain a net importer of dairy and anticipates that annual import volumes are likely to grow over the medium term," he says.

Moffett launched the Get Uniformed website one year ago for buyers and sellers to connect in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to buy school uniforms.

On the website, anyone can upload the uniform for sale and anyone can purchase it. Once the sale has been made, the money will go straight into the seller's bank account. There's a 5% fee per transaction, which Moffett says helps to help cover costs.

"The money you'd be saving compared to a brand-new uniform is absolutely worth it," he told Dairy News.

Moffett says the uptake among the rural community is grand.

"There are many listings for many rural schools, in all different sizes and kinds," he says.

He adds that getting uniforms in rural areas can be a bit of a hassle and a trip into town specifically to get the uniform can be a bit of a mission.

"And not to mention the uniform itself is very expensive.

"Get Uniformed lets you see exactly who in your community has the uniform you need and puts you in contact with them. And it also has a postage system so if you need the uniform to be delivered to you that is always an option."

He says the website is popular around the country but points out that his home region, Hawke's Bay, has the largest quantities of school uniforms.

On his website, Moffett explains how the business was launched.

"I had ripped yet another pair of my school pants beyond repair, so I was off to the school uniform shop to buy myself another pair. I had to wait until Thursday at 3:15 as it was only open two days a week and for only one hour.

"There was a huge queue of boys needing uniform, so I waited and waited until I was finally let in. I searched for ages and finally found what I was looking for. I looked at the price and it was $75 for one small pair of pants. I thought to myself, 'heck, that's a lot'.

"There were a million other things that I would rather spend $75 on, but school uniform is compulsory, so I got it anyway."

Moffett says that later that evening, he thought about the mission he had to go through to get another pair of his uniform.

He started thinking about possible solutions.

"My first idea was to buy uniform off people and resell it in one convenient store, but this would be very high risk because I could be left with lots of unsold uniform.

"I then thought about the marketplace and letting people make their own listings."

Fonterra is actively undertaking a dual-track process, pursuing both a trade sale and initial public offering (IPO) as potential divestment options.

Fonterra chair Peter McBride says Anne's extensive experience in both executive and board roles across a range of sectors will be valuable to the Mainland Group board.

"Anne's career spans the banking and financial services, consumer goods and energy sectors. She has spent 25 years as a banking executive in global roles, and her governance roles include nine years with the CBA Group, including six as chair of the Group Audit Committee, two years as chair of Blackmores Group, and seven years on the board of Worley Limited, including five years as chair of the Audit and Risk Committee," says McBride.

This appointment follows the co-op's announcement in March that Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts ONZM has been elected as chair-elect for the Mainland Group board.

Fonterra says it also continues to progress the trade sale process, including engaging with potential purchasers of the Consumer and associated business.

The co-op says that it is now at the stage where some potential purchasers may pre-emptively seek regulatory approvals, which is a standard step ahead of any deal being agreed.

Following a challenging period off the back of the Covid-19 pandemic and rising on-farm costs, market activity has grown considerably in recent months.

With green shoots emerging at the back end of last year, that has carried through into 2025. Fonterra’s 2024/25 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price has a midpoint of $10/kgMS, providing a boost for farmers.

Shane O’Brien, director of rural & agribusiness at Colliers Christchurch, says purchasers have been particularly active across the Canterbury region.

“During the past couple of years farmers have worked incredibly hard to make their businesses profitable and many are looking for expansion opportunities or to extend their farming footprint, which is driving a surge in local buying interest,” O’Brien says.

“We have also seen a resurgence among equity partnerships, something that has not been present in the market for several years. Buyers are searching for well-maintained farms with good management practices and strong compliance.”

While interest rates have been dropping as the Reserve Bank cuts the official cash rate, this has had less of an impact in the rural sector compared to the residential property market, according to O’Brien.

In the 2024-25 season, 25 dairy properties have been sold in the Canterbury region, a significant increase on the previous year. This renewed demand for dairy assets has seen the Colliers Canterbury team transact a collection of major deals to start the year, highlighted by the sale of a 179ha Tier 1 farm in Methven for $10.2 million. Another premier offering of a similar size on the outskirts of Ashburton sold for $9.7 million.

Richard O’Sullivan, director of rural & agribusiness at Colliers Christchurch, says as we head into autumn, buyers are seeking purchasing opportunities under the umbrella of an easing regulatory environment, farm cash surpluses, and strong financial backing from major lenders.

“Mid and central Canterbury have been met with the perfect storm of pent-up supply being exceeded by strong buyer demand. This has led to multiple offers being received on most properties we have sold recently,” O’Sullivan says.

“Farmer confidence levels are the highest they have been in a decade and the interest we have received in the recent properties we have taken to market underscores this. Buyers are keen to invest in farmland assets in Canterbury.”

Looking further south, Ruth Hodges, director of Colliers rural & agribusiness in Otago and Southland, says the dairy market in Southland has performed well to start the year with a key theme being a highly localised buyer pool.

“Demand remains strong and a majority of the 24 sales we have seen during the current dairy season are well-located farms that offer appealing infrastructure and production capabilities. One sale topped $50,000 per hectare, pricing not seen since the Global Financial Crisis,” Hodges says.

“Activity in the Gore and Clutha districts has been more subdued. There have been five recent sales across Gore and Clutha.”

Waikato’s Sean Alexander, Canterbury’s Rachel Cox, Horowhenua’s Cara How, Otago’s Megan Morrison, Canterbury’s John Wakelin and Manawatu’s Karl Wood took part in a two-day introductory session from March 19-20 in Hamilton, which outlined how the programme would run.

This was followed by a session on understanding TOP traits and Breeding Values, along with governance training covering the four pillars of governance, director responsibilities and governance for not-for-profit organisations.

“It was great to meet the participants in the inaugural Young Breeders Development Programme, they are a great group of keen future leaders,” HFNZ general manager Cherilyn Watson says.

“The first sessions were well received by the group with everyone agreeing they learnt something across the two days. I Iook forward to following their progress through the programme and seeing them develop a range of skills that will allow them to contribute positively to the New Zealand dairy industry in future.”

The six young breeders were approached to join the programme, which runs from March until December, by the Holstein Friesian NZ board of directors, who recognised their potential for leadership roles in the future.

“The programme is targeted at young breeders and aims to help participants develop skills outside of the showring, particularly in the areas of governance and industry affairs,” Watson says.

“The Association sees this programme as a pathway to developing young breeders for board succession and to represent HFNZ across industry affairs in the future.”

Throughout the year, participants will attend a mixture of online and in-person workshops covering industry topics such as understanding three-generation pedigree reports and bull catalogues; health, safety and risk assessment; understanding the national breeding objectives and breeding values that underpin the New Zealand dairy industry; genomics; the New Zealand milk payment system and the impact of global financial fluctuations; strategic planning; banking and finance; and communication, strategic and critical thinking skills.

The HFNZ young breeder development programme is generously sponsored by Dave Marshall of Waihou Friesians, Te Puke, who is in the process of forming an education trust for young people to ensure future leaders can develop to their full potential for the betterment of the dairy industry.

Last year the New Zealand Feed Manufacturers Association (NZFMA) created and launched a new series of training workshops to deliver industry-developed qualifications.

A key element of the workshops was that they were held on actual production sites to allow training in real life situations. The goal was to uphold the FeedSafeNZ standards used in accredited sites for producing high-quality feed for the animals New Zealanders consume and export.

Last year, over a million tonnes of animal stock feed was produced in New Zealand.

NZFMA executive director Michael Brooks says the workshops are just one of the ways the NZFMA helps ensure the feed production sector is as efficient as possible while ensuring quality is maintained.

“The international grain market has been volatile with global events and rising costs. It’s been a tough few years for the industry, having to navigate uncertainty and adapting quickly to change, but I’m proud to say the industry is in good heart and the uptake of this training across the industry is a healthy sign of that.

“A strong programme like this benefits the whole agricultural sector and all those who purchase quality local feed for their animals.”

Brooks says 2025 spots are filling up already, but a few spaces are available.

“I’d encourage anyone in the feed manufacturing business to sign up, no matter the level of experience or size of the feed mill. This course is designed by the industry for the industry and is an invaluable part of good business practice.”

With over 20 years’ experience, industry expert and NZFMA facilitator Trevor Scoones helped lead the development of the course and has seen continued interest from the feed manufacturers he trains.

Scoones says the NZFMA Training Workshop has been a success, with strong sign-ups to the two-day workshop.

“In its first year, all workshops filled up quickly and this year it’s about 90% full already. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We have people from all levels join our workshops, from entry-level operators to management and engineers,” he says.

Over two days, participants get hands-on practical training, visiting farm mills, as well as theory sessions, where the group get to share knowledge with one another and form networks.

The workshop is split into three modules, where they learn about processing raw materials, pellet production, nutrition, quality management, food safety, health and safety and the industry’s quality assurance scheme FeedSafeNZ.

Having assisted in the development of the workshop, SealesWinslow national operations manager Tyler Stuthridge is a strong supporter and has already sent several of his staff to attend.

“These workshops are of great value to our business and customers. It helps us stay on top of our game, keeping up with good health and safety practices and achieving the best possible efficiency.

“For customers that know to look for feed that carries the FeedSafeNZ accreditation mark it’s also reassurance that we are involved in training to maintain that,” Stuthridge says.

All members of the NZFMA are FeedSafeNZ accredited. They must undergo regular audits and staff training to uphold these high standards and maintain their accreditation.

The NZFMA hosts training workshops in both the North and South Island to be accessible to all members.

The Fonterra & ASB First Farm Award (FFA) is a collaboration between ASB, Fonterra and the NZDIA Trust and the award aims to remove barriers to farm ownership by offering to help the best in the industry successfully transition into farm ownership, ensuring good succession to ownership and the future of the dairy industry.

In 2025 there will be three FFA winners, each receiving 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.

Winners will be announced at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards National Gala Dinner at Baypark, Tauranga on Saturday 10 May.

Entries are now open and farmers who have previously entered the Share Farmer of the Year category at least once and are planning to buy their first farm within the next 24 months are eligible to enter. Full conditions of entry and judging criteria are available at the awards website.

Anne Douglas, group director Farm Source says securing the future of the co-op is a critical part of ensuring a successful and sustainable dairy industry for generations to come.

“By supporting first time farm buyers, the First Farm Award is an exciting opportunity that will help our shareholders of tomorrow to thrive. We’re proud to be partnering with ASB and NZDIA to offer these awards.”

Aidan Gent, ASB general manager rural banking, notes that the prosperity and growth of the food and fibre sector in New Zealand is crucial to the country’s progress.

“Supporting the next generation of farm owners is a critical part of this, and something ASB is determined to help support. We are proud to partner with Fonterra and NZDIA to deliver this very special award to the lucky recipients.”

Robin Congdon, NZDIA general manager, says the award represents a significant step towards removing financial barriers and accelerating farm ownership for the next generation of dairy farmers.

“By combining financial backing, expert mentorship, and industry networking, this award aligns with NZDIA’s mission to support and celebrate excellence in New Zealand’s dairy industry.”

The second initiative is a collaboration between ASB and NZDIA to specifically encourage and reward NZDIA Alumni who have made significant contributions to the programme and the industry.

The ASB Alumni of the Year Award (AAOTY) is open to NZDIA Alumni who have been entrants in the past seven years and are no longer eligible to enter the Dairy Manager of the Year or Share Farmer of the Year categories, are not yet ready to purchase their first farm, or already own one. (Full entry terms and conditions are on dairyindustryawards.co.nz).

Entrants will be judged by representatives from ASB and NZDIA, with the winner of up to $1 million of ASB Business term lending fixed at 1% per annum for three years also announced at the National Awards.

“The ASB Alumni Award, alongside the First Farm Award, helps to celebrate and reward those continuing to contribute to the dairy industry. The calibre of farmers coming through the NZDIA is always exceptional, and I look forward to seeing this year’s entrants,” says Gent.

The Awards programme includes New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year, New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year and Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award categories and is supported by national sponsors ASB, CowManager, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, and Trelleborg, along with industry partners DairyNZ and MediaWorks.

“With the addition of both the AAOTY and FFA, the NZ Dairy Industry Awards continue to provide clear and valuable pathways for progression within the industry,” says Congdon.

“These awards strengthen our ability to recognise excellence at all stages of the dairy career journey while supporting long-term industry growth and sustainability.”

Funded by Community Governance Aotearoa, as part of their national action plan for community governance, led by SWIFT and facilitated by Mentoring Foundation NZ, this six-month initiative has been life-changing for participants like Chloe Jones, a 26-year-old regional operations manager for Fonterra, and John Natua, a New Zealand-born Cook Islands father of four who has worked in the public sector for over 20 years.

Jones, who juggles three jobs in the farming industry and serves as the volunteer board chair for NZ Young Farmers, joined the programme with an open mind, eager to improve her governance skills.

“I went in blind with no expectations, and it turned out to be the best approach I could’ve had,” Jones says.

The programme paired her with Waikato dairy farmer Gray Baldwin, a seasoned board member of Farmlands and Ballance, who shared her farming interests.

Their relationship grew through regular one-on-one meetings, where they discussed various governance scenarios over coffee.

“Gray and I had open and honest conversations about different topics, diving deep into the weeds,” Jones explained. These ‘situational discussions’ provided Jones with valuable insights into the complexities of governance.

One of the most impactful lessons she learned from Baldwin was understanding that every board is different and that whilst governance practices stay the same, they can be tweaked to the needs of each board to fit each unique environment.

“As a young professional at the start of my governance career, hearing from someone with a different experience that it’s normal for things to vary was reassuring,” she said.

The programme also helped Jones fine-tune her governance approach and build her confidence.

“It grounded me and helped me figure out my style, which is crucial when stepping into a boardroom,” Chloe said. “It also helped me build my own board and networks, providing me with a support system to sound out ideas.”

Jones has already applied her new skills to her role with NZ Young Farmers.

“Our board is unique, with members typically under 31 and facing the challenge of ‘forming, norming, and storming’ within a year. The governance insights I’ve gained have been influential in brainstorming and leveraging our board members’ skills to get the best out of them.”

Looking ahead, Jones is excited about her governance aspirations and aims to align them with her values and passions.

“I want to focus on farming boards and continue my career in this sector. The programme has given me a clear direction and the confidence to pursue my goals,” she says.

SWIFT is now calling for expressions of interest for future governance mentoring and training programmes. Professionals eager to improve their governance skills and contribute to their communities are encouraged to contact SWIFT via email at info@swift.org.nz.

Timpack has been operating in Hamilton since 1984 and now has seven sites throughout New Zealand. Their team of 200 quite literally takes business places with production of more than a million items of wooden packaging annually.

The NZ-owned and operated company will retain responsibility for supply and maintenance of Fonterra's pallet requirements for transportation of its goods throughout the nation and across the globe.

"Our relationship with Fonterra dates back to its inception in 2001, and can be traced back to our relationship with its predecessors when our own business was formed 40 years ago," said Timpack managing director Alan Walters.

"We see ourselves as a strategic partner rather than a supplier. To have our contract renewed for another five yuears is welcome news, and a vote in confidence that we're continuing to live up to our promises."

Walters said Timpack has an intimate understanding of the essential role pallets hold within Fonterra's supply chain, and the agility to forecast and respond to seasonal peaks with a reliable supply of pallets.

To meet Fonterra's standards, the business operates with an extensive quality of system which includes a comprehensive risk management regime to ensure that each pallet is fit for purpose before leaving the site.

Fonterra's national pallet manager, Lawrence Hooker, said that after going to market, it was clear Timpack was the right company to partner with based on their proven capability to meet Fonterra's dynamic and globally unique requirements.

"Time and time again they have demonstrated willingness to invest in new technology, plant and equipment to assist in improving the quality and service provided to Fonterra."

Lawrence and Timpack manager, Debra Cowen, communicate daily, planning and forecasting individual Fonterra factory requirements to ensure Fonterra sites nationwide are supplied in a timely and efficient manner.

"Over the years, Timpack has worked with Fonterra to optimise the efficiency of the pallet and bin pool operations, ownership and management."

Walters said the contract was the icing on the cake as Timpack celebrates 40 years in business this year.

Billions of dollars' worth of exports is shipped overseas on pallets each year, and hundreds of businesses spanning many industries including horticulture, dairy, construction, packaging and logistics, rely on Timpack's products.

"We are immensely proud to move the goods that move New Zealand and look forward to the next 40 years in business."

Ferdon Genetics, from Otorohanga, from the heart of New Zealand’s Waikato knew they wouldn’t be flying under the radar when they returned to the NZDE this year with the show’s 2024 Jersey Grand Champion, Ferdon Tbone Veneer EX. But pressure is something they are used to absorbing, because Veneer comes from a family line laden with superstars.

One of them is Ferdon Comerica Viyella (who won NZDE Supreme Champion in 2012, 2015 and 2016 – in among a swag of Grand Champion Jersey titles and Reserves during her heavily decorated career). Veneer and Viyella’s dams are maternal sisters, and there were other “V” family members who showed in the Ferdon string.

Ferdon Genetics is owned and operated by Warren and Michelle Ferguson, together with their son, Corey, milking 200- 210 head on 75 effective hectares. They showed 18 in-milk and six dry heifers in two breeds.

For the Ferdon crew, winning never gets old. They have now won Grand Champion Jersey nine times, Supreme Dairy Cow five times, and Premier Jersey Exhibitor nine successive years.

Veneer came out of the five-to-six year-old in-milk class. And, while Ferdon is known for its Jerseys (which take up 75% of the herd) they also run 25% Holsteins and some registered Ayrshires.

One of those Holsteins, Waipiri CR Freaky Girl-ET, won Senior Champion Holstein this year. She was held out of contention for the Supreme (all breeds) race by the Intermediate Champion Holstein (and Supreme Intermediate Champion), who travelled from Tahora Farms in the South Island, Tahora Sidekick Legacy2, who qualified to compete for Supreme Exhibit by winning Grand Champion Holstein.

“We did feel the pressure this time,” Michelle acknowledged. “It was a relief when we won the Jersey championship, but then we had to wait for the Supreme."

Number's Game

The Jersey and Ayrshire shows did have the biggest class numbers, and a second Jersey – the Junior Champion – went on to win Supreme Junior Exhibit. It gave the Jersey show two of the three big awards.

Thomas Jeyes was typically low-key about his winning Jersey junior entry, Manor Black Apple Tess (sired by Rapid Bay Black Apple).

The Jeyes family immigrated from the United Kingdom to New Zealand 11 years ago and started dairying from a modest start. Today, the family is sharemilking 650 cows with no staff outside of Thomas, 19.

The Te Kuiti herd is made up of crossbred cows and 160 registered Jerseys. Thomas is responsible for the show programme, in between working fulltime on the farm, with the support of the rest of the family and their farm owner, Sir David Fagan (New Zealand’s former champion shearer, who has won the New Zealand Golden Shears a record 16 times).

Thomas started showing and breeding with his prefix, Manor Jerseys, in 2017. Before last year, the best the family had done at the NZ Dairy Event was second in class. In 2024, they started to make their move – winning Junior Champion Jersey (and Reserve Supreme Junior Champion) with Manor Cocochip Alaska. They also won another heifer class. This year, they came to play.

They won Junior and Reserve Junior Champion Jersey with Manor Black Apple Tess (sired by Rapid Bay Black Apple) and Manor Victorious Classy (sired by River Valley Victorious-ET and led by Thomas’s 17-year-old sister, Annabel) respectively, before Tess went on to trump the entire junior show.

Mitigation Actions in Life Cycle Assessment (MiLCA) is a protocol that gives dairy companies and consumers confidence that claims for GHG emissions stack up.

Fonterra and New Zealand's Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre are part of an international group that includes Nestle, Danone, Arla Foods, and FrieslandCampina.

MiLCA is credible and is far from a back-of-the-envelope calculation, greenhouse gas scientist Aaron Simmons told the International Dairy Federation conference in Paris recently.

"We haven't made this up at a backyard barbecue while we've been drinking a few beers. What MiLCA ultimately does is demonstrate that we're taking action on climate change," Simmons says.

Simmons, a senior scientist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, specialises in estimating GHG reductions.

There were lots of claims out there for carbon sequestration products, he said.

"Do consumers trust that? I don't trust the majority of them and that's my area of expertise."

The first step to building trust in various products was to build a body of scientific evidence to independently test claims.

The idea was to build trust in the consumer.

By being "robust and defensible", the industry could create a positive, credible narrative.

"So, rather than someone coming in an putting in the boot to the dairy sector, it allows the sector to stand up and say 'hey, we're doing the right thing'."

MiLCA could show that technologies for reducing GHGs were safe as well as effective, like proving that the dairy industry wasn't doing harm in some other area by reducing emissions.

"There's a whole heap of indicators that we could be creating problems with so there needs to be a Life Cycle Assessment that shows 'we're going to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - and relative to what we're doing now, we're not going to screw up much else'."

The impact of the farming system also needed scrutiny, in areas like animal health and product quality.

There are currently two frameworks for calculating and reporting GHG emissions. First, a greenhouse gas inventory, likely used for a country or a dairy business.

An inventrory can help identify the greatest single source of emissions. At an international scale, that information is usually passed on to the United Nations Climate Change Conference - forming a global picture of how well the planet is doing on reducing emissions.

The other framework addresses claims about reducing GHGs. It's important for people to understand that the two frameworks use completely different methodologies.

In Australia, for instance, carbon credits that are generated through soil-carbon sequestration don't show up in the country's national inventory when it reports to the UN.

Basically, it was a "horses for courses" approach, Simmons said.

Tim Fulton travelled to Paris with support from the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators.

The dairy processor, New Zealand's second largest Māori-owned global export company, was the world's first company to use renewable geothermal energy in dairy processing.

Chief executive Karl Gradon says Miraka has always set lofty goals, and has set its sights on being fully powered by renewable energy in line with its core value, kaitiakitanga - caring for the natural environment and resources.

"We aspire to be 100% powered by renewable energy come 2030. Ninety three percent of our current energy already comes from renewable energy sources such as geothermal, so we are already most of the way there," he says.

Last September, Miraka launched New Zealand's first green hydrogen dual fuel powered milk collection tanker.

The 700 horsepower Volvo hydrogen-diesel tanker reduces on road carbon emissions by 35% per tanker which is the equivalent carbon reduction benefit of planting 1,600 trees annually.

"We've embraced innovation, another of our core values, to introduce green hydrogen into our operations and supply chain," says Gradon.

"This move has taken us a major step closer toward our aspirations of being fully powered by renewable energy. Any initiative which removes carbon emissions from the atmosphere is a good initiative."

The hydrogen is produced by Halcyon Power, a joint-venture of Obayashi Corporation of Japan and Tūaropaki Trust, a foundational shareholder in Miraka with its roots in the settlement of Mokai, 30km northwest of Taupō. The hydrogen plant is nearby to the Miraka dairy plant which also calls Mokai home.

The geothermal steam power which Miraka uses is also owned by Tūaropaki Trust. The steam is piped across the road from the Mokai Power Station to the Miraka plant. The remaining power goes to the national grid.

It is well known that in the dairy manufacturing process, spray drying - the process of removing water from milk to make powder - is hugely energy intensive, requiring vast amounts of power.

Miraka's use of renewable energy sources is world-leading and underpins the company's sustainability credentials. Miraka is a Certified B Corporation and Toitū carbon reduced certified - the globally recognised certifications endorsing the company's commitment to sustainability and social impact.

The 17-year-old from Palmerston North was presented with the Paramount Cup - awarded to the top all-rounder - at the conclusion of the Youth Camp, held in Wyndham from January 4-7. She was also presented with the title of top senior handler.

Holstein Friesian NZ field officer and youth camp co-ordinator Amelia Griffin said she was impressed with the level of growth and development Zara had demonstrated over the past three years she had attended Youth Camp.

"Over the last few years Zara has shown growth - not only within herself, but in her ability to work with others, particularly younger kids," Griffin said. "She is such an incredible young woman."

Each year Holstein Friesian NZ hosts the youth camp, which is designed to upskill young people aged 10-21 interested in showing and handling dairy cattle.

Held over four days, the camp allows young people to make friends, learn about animal behaviour and care and take part in a mini show and team building activities. Educational modules at the 2025 youth camp included showmanship and clipping modules, a reproduction module with Vytelle and a technology module with SmaXtec.

Each year, six awards are presented at the conclusion of the youth camp: top junior handler, top senior handler, the McDonald Family Trophy for best presented heifer, the Dennis Terry Memorial Trophy for most improved clipper, the best team award, and the Paramount Cup for best all-rounder.

This year, judge Clint Cummings presented the top junior handler to Elyse Horgan (13) of Palmerston North; the McDonald Family Trophy for best presented heifer to Lucy O'Reilly (15) of Tirau, and the Dennis Terry Memorial Trophy for most improved clipper to Nishaan Bindra (13) of Morrinsville. The best team title wne to the SmaXtec team.

Griffin said Zara not only stood to those running the camp, but to the judge as well.

"She is always eager to help, jumping in whenever she is needed to assist in leading and clipping," she says. "Her skill level has also grown; she asks questions whenever she needs to and takes everything we tell her on board."

Griffin said the heifer that was assigned to Zara at the beginning of the youth camp wasn't easy, and she experienced some setbacks along the course of the camp.

"But she managed to turn it all around. She not only placed first in her team for the best presented heifer, and third overall, but was presented with the title of top senior handler and top all rounder."

Griffin said the 2025 camp was a fantastic event.

The nine apprentices, many of whom were in high school just last year, have begun settling into farm life over the past two weeks of onboarding at Aratiatia Farm in the Central North Island. Donning their high-vis uniforms and work-boots, the apprentices from diverse backgrounds and geographies, are adjusting to their new roles.

The first cohort of apprentices brings a wealth of enthusiasm and aspirations to the programme. From aspiring head shepherds to future farm owners, each apprentice is eager to learn, contribute, and grow.

The scheme offers apprentices a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both dairy and livestock farming while working toward Level 3 and 4 Primary ITO qualifications. Apprentices will gain practical skills including animal husbandry, stock rotation, pasture management, and vehicle operation.

The first year offers a broad foundation before apprentices specialise in either dairy or livestock in their second year, with a guaranteed permanent role at Pāmu upon completion.

Carl Carmichael, farm manager at Aratiatia and a dedicated mentor to the apprentices, emphasises the importance of supporting young people in the agricultural sector.

"It's incredibly rewarding to guide young farmers as they find their feed in the industry. Watching them grow and develop into confident, skilled individuals is whatg it's all about," says Carmichael.

Supporting the apprentices is Gary Brady, Pāmu apprenticeship scheme manager, who brings decades of experience in agriculture, education, and mentoring.

"For me, it's about building confidence and self-belief in these young people. This programme isn't just about farming - it's about helping them develop as individuals," he explains.

"We're preparing these apprentices not just for a job but for a lifetime of farming excellence. It's about respecting the land, embracing innovation, and leaving a legacy for future generations."

Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie says: "As the apprentices embark on their journey, we look forward to the long-term impact this programme will have on New Zealand's agricultural future. By investing in young talent, Pāmu is building a stronger, more resilient industry that prioritises innovation, sustainability, and community."

The apprenticeship scheme aligns with the commitment of Pāmu to sustainable progress, supported by the ASB Sustainable Progress Initiatives. This $1 million partnership funds innovative, industry-good projects, including methane reduction research, smart agri-data tools, and the Pāmu Apprenticeship Scheme.

Pāmu is the brand name for Landcorp Farming Limited, a state-owned enterprise with 112 farms across the country. Pāmu exists to enhance the future of agriculture for generations and is focused on running a profitable and efficient business where farming activities positively impact ecosystems and communities.

The lending options provide a potential opportunity for greater affordability and access to Halter’s virtual fencing system used by hundreds of farmers and are open to existing and prospective Halter customers who meet eligibility, lending and identification criteria.

The banks’ preferential rates are based on: ANZ’s business green loan floating rates, ASB’s special purpose base rate and BNZ’s reduced floating and fixed rates, tailored to individual clients.

Halter notes that products/rates are subject to change. Lending and eligibility criteria, terms, conditions, and fees may apply.

Farmers also receive a 10% discount from Halter for paying 2-years up front via the sustainability loans, with the flexibility of monthly repayments.

For example, compared to average term loan lending rates, a typical 500 herd dairy farm could save up to $4,700 across two years through a lower interest sustainability loan and Halter discount. This example, for demonstration purposes only, is based on a 6.15% interest rate and 10% Halter discount for 2-year upfront payment terms.

“These offerings unlock pathways to sustainable lending across the lion’s share of rural lenders and is another step towards helping Halter farmers run more productive, sustainable and resilient farms,” says Halter partnerships manager Steve Crowhurst.

“As well as driving farm performance and profitability, Halter is a tool that helps farmers easily deploy sustainable farming practices outlined by industry bodies. Halter incorporates virtual fencing and herding, precision pasture management, and animal health and location monitoring.”

Halter farmers are advancing their sustainability outcomes by reducing fuel through less farm vehicle use (some by up to 47%), increasing pasture harvest and therefore reducing the need for supplements, and reducing nitrogen via more strategic application informed by cow location data.

They can also improve fertility which reduces the number of heifer replacements needed on farm and therefore overall farm emissions.

Halter’s virtual fencing and herding allows farmers to better manage waterways, using the Halter app to easily create grass buffer strips between stock and waterways, keep stock away from critical source areas, move stock off vulnerable areas of the farm at any time during significant weather events, and to reduce pugging.

“We’re excited to have New Zealand’s largest financial institutions acknowledging agritechnology that is driving sustainability on farm,” says Crowhurst.

“Traditionally in the industry we’ve seen sustainability goals in tension with lifting productivity. Farmers can use Halter as a tool to run high performing farms while having the flexibility and bandwidth to farm in a way that mitigates impact on the environment.”

Halter farmers are achieving financial gains by generating more milk in the vat and the potential to achieve better live weight gains.

Farmers interested in these sustainability loans can visit www.HalterHQ.com/financing or speak to their bank’s relationship manager.

Farmers banking with Westpac and Rabobank can also reach out to their relationship manager for alternative lending options for Halter services.

The investment will see electric boilers installed at the co-operative’s Whareroa, Edgecumbe, and Waitoa sites, along with further fleet decarbonisation.

The co-operative says this will contribute towards its goal of a 50.4% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from a 2018 baseline.

Fonterra chief operating officer, Anna Palairet, says the investments mark a significant step for the co-operative’s future operations.

“Last year, we turned off the last coal boiler in the North Island, meaning manufacturing operations in the North Island are now coal-free,” Palairet says.

She says these investments are the next step in creating enduring assets that are fit for the future as Fonterra looks to reduce its reliance on gas.

“Choosing the right energy solutions is about striking a balance between affordability, security of energy supply and reducing our environmental footprint, and the new electric boilers are crucial to navigating this challenge,” Palairet adds.

Read More:

• New UHT plant construction starts
• Fonterra's $64m investment to cut emissions by 9%
• Fonterra 'on track' to meeting climate change, coal targets

She says the electrification projects play a significant role in ensuring efficient operations with a reliable energy supply for Fonterra’s manufacturing sites and to support the long-term sustainability of the business.

“It also represents a commitment to our farmer owners that we are building a resilient, future-ready co-operative,” she concludes.

"Everyone brings different ideas, knowledge and perspective to set us up for success, and are a key part of the story we are generating. That's why it's important to us that we support our staff, making sure the farm is a happy place to be, and they come to work because they want to."

Jayson and Stacey share how they care for their team, and how they are supported themselves on farm.

"We have a budget for personal development for every team member to progress their growth - whether that be attending a work-related course, getting a licence, or signing up to a gym. This is important because we know that if they care for their wellbeing, that brings better outcomes for the farm and animals," explains Jayson.

Outside of this, everyone is encouraged to have hobbies and interests off the farm, including joining the Young Farmers club and getting involved in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in the next year.

"Getting off the farm gives you a break, takes your mind off work, and provides something to work towards. For me I have an interest in motorbikes which helps put me in a different mindset as it must have my whole attention and focus," says Jayson.

"But it also includes catching up with friends and family, going to the zoo with our boy, and just enjoying life."

They do regular one-on-one catch ups with the team, celebrate birthdays, and have nights off the farm as a whole team, including with the farm owners, to help build team morale. Different roster options were also available depending on what suited the team, with some prioritising extra income, and others wanting more work/life balance.

"While we are trying to be the best managers we can, we couldn't achieve that without the support of our farm owners, Sarah and Andy Storey. They are a big part of the farm, always available to bounce ideas off, and are willing to share their expertise, to support our success, and the success of our team," says Jayson.

"At the end of the day, they acknowledge that we are part of the same community, and they want both us and our team to have the opportunity to achieve our goals."

Jayson and Stacey have a team of 6 full-time staff, along with casual staff, and contract milkers on 500ha of land across three blocks, with around 1200 cows.

Their staff are also ready to sing their praises, with team members Jordan and Kharn appreciative of having great managers, farm owners, and working in a supportive team.

"Jayson and Stacey really show that they care for us as people, not just employees, and go out of their way to support us, with both work goals and personal growth, or dropping off meals if someone is really unwell," they explain.

Jayson and Stacey Thompson with son Reg.

"They listen to different ways of doing things, take on feedback, all while staying focused on caring for their team, land and animals."

Acknowledge People

DairyNZ people lead, Jane Muir, says that it is important to take the opportunity to acknowledge hard work of our farmers and their teams.

"I often take time to reflect on the hard mahi of every person working on a dairy farm. Every year brings new challenges, and across the country, farm teams step up and face these, getting on with it - like they always do.

"It is not an easy job, but it is a critical and rewarding role nurturing cows and land to produce quality food. Working together as a team is what makes it happen and why it is important to recognise our people and the good work they are doing.

"It's key for us all to take time to celebrate, and thank, people who work on dairy farms across New Zealand and reflect on how great leadership makes farm teams thrive. Investing in your people will always improve outcomes for your farms, and the wider sector."

The conference is set to take place at Claudelands Event Centre, Hamilton, on May 1-2, 2025.

DWN chief executive Jules Benton says that the conference is known for focusing on relevant topics, connection off-farm, and ensuring the dairy sector and its people are celebrated.

“This focus remains the same, emphasising the importance of the DWN conference in the sector,” Benson says.

“Having Bayleys as our naming rights partner strengthens our ability to deliver a world-class event that reflects the resilience and innovation of our industry,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Bayleys general manager Waikato & country manager Mark Dawe says the real estate company is “honoured” to be the naming partner for the conference.

“Supporting rural communities and celebrating the achievements of the people in the dairy industry aligns perfectly with our values,” Dawe says.

“Through this partnership, we are proud to help foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and provide a platform for meaningful conversations that will shape the future of the sector."

The DWN2025 Conference will feature keynote speakers, thought-provoking workshops, networking opportunities, and insights into the latest sector trends.

The $64 million investment will cut the co-operative’s overall emissions by nine per cent with reductions totalling 155,000 tonnes of CO2e each year, the equivalent of removing more than 64,000 cars from New Zealand roads each year.

Fonterra chief operating officer Anna Palairet says the project marks a significant milestone in Fonterra’s sustainability journey as it works towards a 50.4% reduction in absolute Scope 1&2 emissions by 2030, from a 2018 baseline.

"This conversion project at Clandeboye is another demonstration of our Co-op’s commitment to sustainability and climate action and follows successful boiler conversions at our Te Awamutu, and Hautapu sites.

"In making our largest decarbonisation investment to date, we're reducing our environmental impact – while securing operational resilience. This project represents a significant milestone in our journey towards a coal-free future."

Fonterra’s site operations manager – cheese and protein, Conrad Harle echoes this sentiment believing the investment will drive fuel diversity in the South Island by providing the demand signals to establish wood pellet supply chains in the region.

“The move to wood pellets for the Clandeboye site is a great thing for the South Island as it will play a role in diversifying the country’s renewable energy options while strengthening fuel optionality at the site.

“The team at Clandeboye are both proud and excited to play a role in the establishment of these regional supply chains that give added resilience and further options for future decarbonisation investments at our other sites, primarily Darfield, Studholme, Tākaka, and Edendale.”

The conversion is co-funded as part of a previously announced EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) partnership. The partnership agreement includes the Co-op achieving approximately 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 cumulative reductions from its coal reduction activities this decade, enabling the Co-op to lift its 2030 target from a 30% to a 50% absolute reduction by 2030.

EECA chief executive, Dr Marcos Pelenur, says it is encouraging to see Fonterra continue to progress their emissions reduction programme.

“It is a milestone that once again highlights the central role of biofuel in the clean energy space and the use of clever technology in increasing energy efficiency.”

The conversion of the two boilers is scheduled to be completed and operational by September 2025. Plans to transition the site’s remaining boilers onto renewable energy will continue as part of the Co-operative's wider decarbonisation plans. 

The site has recently completed another decarbonisation project with the installation of a heat recovery system in its lactose plant back in February 2024. This was the first project co-funded under EECA for the Co-operative focusing on energy efficiency. The new system allows the recovery of high-grade heat from the lactose plant's equipment, saving the site 2.5 tonnes of steam per hour and decreasing annual carbon emissions by around 3,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 1,250 cars from New Zealand roads.