Listen: Fonterra raises a glass for World Milk Day

Photo / Mark Mitchell

It's World Milk Day today and Fonterra is encouraging its farmers to raise a glass to celebrate.

Fonterra Head of Farm Source for Central Districts, Jason Boyle spoke to The Country Early Edition's Rowena Duncum about World Milk Day and to give an update on what's happening with the dairy co-op in the wake of the Mycoplasma bovis eradication announcement.

Fonterra is running a competition for farmers to take a photo of themselves enjoying a glass of milk, send it in to worldmilkday@fonterra.com and Boyle says they could win a Kapiti cheese hamper.

The big news this week was the Government's announcement that it would attempt to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis rather than manage the cattle disease.

The cull is a huge decision and a difficult time for those involved and they will need support says Boyle.

"Obviously it's a really upsetting time for the industry and everyone affected, the Government expects around 192 farms across New Zealand to be involved in the cull which is a decent chunk."

Farmers can find support from MPI, contact their Fonterra area managers, at the DairyNZ website and the Rural Support Trust, says Boyle.

Also in today's interview: Jason Boyle looks forward to the Ballance Farm Environment Awards coming up on June 7th.

Listen below: