For help preparing for your Farm Dairy Assessment contact our Farmer Support and Relationship Advisor team on 0800 65 65 68.
The Co-op’s Farmer Support and Relationship Advisory team is on hand to help farmers through the Farm Dairy Assessment process and more.
Co-op farmers provide the world with some of the best milk. Your milk is exported to more than 130 different countries.
Every farm in New Zealand, regardless of processor, must meet certain food safety and quality requirements to allow milk to be exported. Your Farm Dairy Assessment is how we can make sure all farmers are doing their part to deliver high-quality milk, and is how we can check you're on track for The Co-operative Difference.
While this is an annual obligation, it doesn’t have to be a headache for farmers – the Co-op is introducing ways to halve the time spent on compliance.
The Co-op’s Farmer Support and Relationship Advisor team has been created to provide dedicated support for farmers, like helping with your Farm Dairy Assessment and other compliance tasks.
Farm Support and Relationship Advisor Marie Hicks understands that farm assessments can be stressful – she’s a former dairy farmer herself – but says, a little preparation goes a long way.
“As a dairy farmer, you’re supplying raw milk and we need to know it has come from a safe place. It’s the same with everyone – when you eat food, you want to know it’s come from a clean environment. The Farm Dairy Assessment is actually something to be positive about. It’s your chance as a farmer to shine and show off your farm. You’re showing Fonterra and the world what a great farmer you are,” she says.
“Farm Support and Relationship Advisors are here to support farmers through the FDA process and to achieve The Co-operative Difference. Our team is based in every region aroundthe country and we all have an excellent understanding of the dairy industry. Most of our work is over the phone – some farmers prefer a text or email so they can work through things in their own time. We can also meet farmers instore for a face-to-face chat. First and foremost, we talk to farmers to understand what they need, and then provide support from there.”
Top tips to maximise your visit
Be prepared: Complete your Food Safety Practices and Procedures online before the start of supply.
Use the tools available: Fill in your Dairy Diary regularly and take advantage of the data integrations available to Co-op farmers – like LIC’s MINDA – so you don’t have to enter information twice. Complete your records as-you-go so they don’t get on top of you.
Keep on top of the latest focus areas for assessments: Export requirements can change often, so it's worth keeping on top of the latest focus areas. For instance, this year, the EU has changed its requirements regarding some animal treatments. Your Farm Dairy Assessor will ask a question to confirm that treatments like Bovatec, Rumensin and others are used solely for the treatment and prevention of bloat, ketosis, coccidiosis, and other livestock disease conditions. You can call your Farmer Support and Relationship Advisor for more details.
Check hygiene practices and equipment regularly: Keep the Farm Dairy clean throughout the season so it isn’t a big job ahead of assessment. Ensure you document monthly hygiene checks and equipment checks in your Dairy Diary.
Ensure your farm’s effluent system meets regulations: Good effluent management is essential for enhancing production on-farm as well as compliance.
Look at your previous assessments: What were the recommendations and comments from last season’s assessment? Have you acted upon these and do you have evidence of your work?
Do a self-assessment: Look at your farm through the eyes of an assessor or someone external to the business. Is there anything that jumps out as an issue?
Aim to get it right first time: Farmers are busy enough without having to worry about a repeat visit. Understand what is required of your assessment. If you’re unsure of something, ask the Farmer Support and Relationship Advisor team.
Be proud: It’s your time to shine!