Fonterra adds record milk solids to its Fixed Milk Price program, Biosecurity New Zealand boosts summer border protection, and forestry sector wins major ETS reduction.

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Fonterra adds record milk solids to its Fixed Milk Price program

Fonterra has allocated a record 120 million kilograms of milk solids to its Fixed Milk Price programme for the 2024/25 season. This represents the highest allocation since the tool's introduction in 2019, covering approximately 8% of the current season's projected 1.49 billion kilogram production.

Farmers can now secure pricing on up to 150 million kilograms of milk solids, a substantial increase from the previous 75 million kilogram limit. This move provides critical financial predictability during volatile market conditions.

Nearly 3,500 applications were received from 1,778 individual farms, a significant jump from the 965 farms participating last year. Milk supply director Lisa Payne highlighted the programme's importance, noting the dairy commodity market's inherent unpredictability.

Pricing options ranged from $8.09 to $10.10 per kilogram of milk solids. The April and August application windows proved particularly popular, with demand outstripping available allocations. December's allocation saw 8.18 million kilograms of milk solids applied for from 207 farms at a fixed price of $10.10.

Fonterra remains committed to evolving the programme, with Payne promising new features to be announced before the March application window.

Swift response to early morning fire at Fonterra’s Te Rapa site

Meanwhile Fire and Emergency responded swiftly to an early morning incident at Fonterra's Te Rapa manufacturing plant north of Hamilton on Tuesday. Multiple emergency response teams arrived at the site shortly after 3am, to discover localized smouldering within one of the plant's critical dryer units.

Eight fire trucks managed to control the situation within a couple of hours, preventing any significant disruption to the dairy processing facility.

Alan Van Der Nagel, Director of New Zealand Manufacturing said that no one was harmed and the entire plant infrastructure remained intact. 

Normal manufacturing continued later on Tuesday morning

Biosecurity New Zealand boosts summer border protection

Biosecurity New Zealand is mounting a robust defense to protect the primary sector this summer, deploying an unprecedented array of resources to guard against potential agricultural threats. 

The initiative includes recruiting 72 new frontline officers, with 24 recent graduates positioned at Auckland Airport during the peak summer period. The detector dog team will expand from 30 to 39 nationwide, providing enhanced screening capabilities.

Key enhancements include more efficient airport processing and a targeted approach to identifying potential biosecurity risks. 

Forty-four part-time biosecurity hosts will be stationed at four main international airports, building on last year's successful trial. These hosts will welcome arrivals, manage queues, and provide critical biosecurity guidance to international travelers.

The most significant threats remain unchanged: fresh produce, contaminated camping equipment, soiled outdoor gear, and meat products continue to pose potential risks to New Zealand's agricultural ecosystem. Unusual recent discoveries, including silicon-filled eggs and an intricately carved cow skull from Indonesia, show why the country needs thorough border inspections.

Travelers face serious consequences for non-compliance, with infringement fees reaching $400 and potential prosecution for those failing to declare risk items. 

A public awareness campaign will further educate international visitors about New Zealand's stringent biosecurity requirements.

Forestry sector wins major ETS reduction

The Government has delivered a significant financial boost to forest owners, announcing a 50 percent reduction in annual charges for the forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). 

Forestry Minister Todd McClay says the decision will dramatically lower costs for over 4,300 forestry owners across the country, dropping from $30.25 to $14.90 per hectare, a move designed to rebuild confidence in a sector that has faced considerable challenges in recent years. 

McClay emphasized that the reduction represents a commitment to supporting New Zealand's critical forestry industry while maintaining a responsible approach to cost recovery.

A wider review of cost recovery settings is planned for completion in 2026, with a newly established Forestry Sector Reference Group working to increase transparency across ETS registry operations. 

The reduced charges will take effect in January next year, with invoicing to commence in February.

FENZ bans fireworks across Mackenzie Basin and Ashburton Lakes

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has placed a temporary ban on fireworks across the Mackenzie Basin and Ashburton Lakes region, running until the end of March next year. The ban covers key areas including Lake Clearwater and Lake Camp.

Mid-South Canterbury District Manager Rob Hands says the land still remains scarred by devastating wildfires, including the major incident at Pukaki Downs last year and the Lake Ōhau fire in spring 2020, which highlights the potential destruction fireworks can cause.

Last week, the entire Mid-South Canterbury District transitioned into a restricted fire season, banning all open-air fires unless a permit is granted through FENZ.

Rob Hands says a quick visit to www.checkitsalright.nz will show users if any restrictions are in place before lighting up.