Fonterra to cut up to 100 jobs in Hamilton, Pest to Plate: Hawke’s Bay tackle feral deer with butchery classes, and AI-powered weed zapper impresses agriculture industry. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Fonterra to cut up to 100 jobs in Hamilton The country's largest dairy co-operative, Fonterra, is set to eliminate up to 100 jobs at its Hamilton headquarters as part of a cost-saving initiative. The move, which includes outsourcing work overseas, has raised concerns among employees and farmers alike. The cuts, described as "brutal" by affected staff, will primarily impact the finance and accounting team. Many long-serving employees are among those affected. According to anonymous sources, the jobs will be outsourced to Accenture, a global accounting firm, in India. Incoming Chief Financial Officer Andrew Murray stated that Fonterra has been reviewing its operating model to enhance returns for farmer shareholders. The changes include "co-sourcing" work with an existing partner in Bangalore and Manila. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions within the farming community. Matthew Zonderop, Waikato sharemilker and provincial dairy chair for Federated Farmers, expressed strong opposition to outsourcing jobs overseas, emphasising the importance of keeping money within New Zealand. John Stevenson, chair of the Fonterra co-operative council, acknowledged the difficult balance between making returns for farmers and valuing employees. He noted that farmers have challenged Fonterra to increase efficiency and deliver higher returns on invested capital. The proposed changes are part of what Fonterra calls the "future of finance" programme, which is expected to bring widespread changes across the company's financial operations globally. The current focus is on the Hamilton office, but employees suggest this is just the beginning of a larger restructuring effort. Fonterra has stated that they will inform employees about the changes first as they go through the consultation process. Final decisions on individual redundancies are expected to be made on August 12. AgResearch scientist pitches groundbreaking facial eczema treatment A young AgResearch scientist has gained international recognition for her work on a novel treatment for facial eczema, a disease that costs New Zealand's animal production sector $330 million annually. Dr Tanushree Gupta, the sole New Zealander to win an award in the Australasia-based AgriFutures growAG 2024 catalyst program, has developed an antifungal product targeting facial eczema-causing fungal spores. Facial eczema continues to affect many farms in the upper North Island and is spreading southward due to climate change. The disease is challenging to manage, with its presence heavily dependent on specific climatic conditions. Current treatments for facial eczema are either highly toxic chemical sprays that damage the soil environment or zinc dosing for livestock, which is itself a toxin requiring careful administration. Dr Gupta's innovative approach involves a naturally occurring, non-toxic, and sustainable solution. While details remain confidential, she confirms the treatment comes from a previously unstudied but naturally available source that is already recognized as safe and part of the ecosystem. Dr Gupta envisions the product being developed into a spray that can be applied directly to paddocks or through irrigation systems, moving away from treating animals in response to the fungi's presence. Dr Gupta's discovery stems from her curiosity about potential solutions in everyday environments, combined with her background in dairy hygiene and microbiology. Her work has included advanced diagnostics using CRISPR-based techniques to detect bacteria on farms and in food. The award has secured Dr Gupta a place to pitch her research to potential investors, bringing her closer to providing farmers with a commercial, viable solution to this long-standing agricultural challenge. Kiwifruit growers navigate rising costs amid record harvest New Zealand's kiwifruit industry is experiencing a mix of challenges and achievements, with growers reporting financial strain despite a record harvest. The sector produced more than 197 million trays this season, yet many orchardists are grappling with increasing costs and delayed returns. Rob Thode, a Pāpāmoa kiwifruit grower, highlighted the industry's cost inflation. He notes that labour rates have more than doubled in the last decade, rising from $16.50 to $35 an hour. Meanwhile, returns for Hayward green kiwifruit remain stagnant at around $8 per tray, the same as ten years ago. The payment structure adds to growers' financial challenges. Earnings are often distributed over extended periods, with some orchardists waiting up to 14 months for full payment. This delayed cash flow can create ...
