Season Planner 2026/27

Your entire Co-op team is here to make your season as successful as possible. Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect, and what help is on hand. This page will be updated throughout the season.

WHAT’S NEW

Updates, changes, and what’s coming in 2026/27

Prepare for your Farm Dairy Assessment

MUST DO

Prepare for your Farm Dairy Assessment

You can now access the Assessment Checklist to begin preparing for your assessment. This tool will help you get organised in advance, so everything is ready when the assessor arrives. Taking the time to prepare will ensure a smooth and efficient assessment process.

Co-operative Difference 2025/26

CAN DO

Co-operative Difference 2026/27

Co-operative Difference requirements have been streamlined to reduce some duplication within Te Putake/The Start. There's no change to Te Puku or Te Tihi levels of the Co-operative Difference, or to Customer Incentives.

Review, track and update your progress on the Co-operative Difference dashboard.

Simplifying your farm admin

CAN DO

Simplifying your farm admin

We're working on ways to make things easier, with improved apps and digital tools.

Keep up to date with what new and improved tools are available to save you time and effort this season.

FOR YOUR DIARY

Plan ahead for key dates

Early May 2026

EARLY MAY 2026

31 May 2026

2026/27 Food Safety Plan (Practices and Procedures)

Every dairy farm in New Zealand must complete these, as required by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), to prove our food products are safe and fit for consumption.

Please make sure to click the blue SUBMIT TO ASSESSOR button to finish and please note, these are not your Farm Dairy Records.

31 May 2026

31 MAY 2026

2025/26 Co-operative Difference Achievements deadline

2025/26 Co-operative Difference Achievements deadline

The Co operative Difference is how Fonterra recognises and rewards the performance that sets our farmers apart while strengthening our Co op. This includes:

• Carbon Removals Declaration

• Monthly Hygiene Checks

• Food Safety Plan (Practices and Procedures)

• Farm Environment Plan Review

• Workplace 360 Assessment

• Animal Wellbeing Plan

1 June 2026

1 JUNE 2026

30 June 2026

2026/27 Season Begins

• New Terms of Supply come into effect

• 2026/27 Monthly Hygiene Checks open

• 2026/27 Farm Dairy Assessment Checklist available
• Complete your Food Safety Practices & Procedures online

1 June kicks off the start of the season, and your first Monthly Hygiene Check will open. You can also get prepared for your assessments using the new 2026/27 online checklist.

30 June 2026

30 JUNE 2026

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2025/26 Farm Dairy Record submissions deadline

Your Farm Dairy Records help us prove that your milk meets the claims we make when selling it. They also allow us to showcase the great work you’re doing to produce high-quality, sustainable milk – building trust with customers, regulators, and the New Zealand community.

30 June 2026

LATE SEPTEMBER 2026

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Annual Results
 

Final Milk Price, plus record date and payment date for any final dividends.

• Early Oct: expect a statement with details of your final payment

• Mid Oct: expect a statement summary of the previous season's milk payments

30 June 2026

1 DECEMBER 2026

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Share Compliance Date

This is the date by which you need to be within your minimum and maximum shareholding limits for the current season. The Measurement Statement that shows the sharing limits is available at the start of the season by mid-June. 

In early December, we send you your Share Compliance Statement that includes your current shareholding and any share compliance requirements.

30 June 2026

15 DECEMBER 2026

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Application Period opens

The application period runs from 15 December 2026 until 5pm on 28 February 2027. During this period, farmers need to get in touch if any of these circumstances apply:

• New entrants who want to apply to supply milk next season
• Existing shareholders who intend to change their supply volumes by more than 20% next season
• Existing shareholders who intend to cease supply next season

Handy links

Start collection

Milk collection

Start or stop your milk collection, or change your milking frequency.

My Co-op app

My Co-op app

Keep connected with the latest news, events and updates from your Co-op.

New season checklist

New season checklist

Do you need to update your herd size, address or staff details?

On Farm App

On Farm App

Get instant access to your milk production data and milk quality stats.

Shop at Farm Source

Shop with Farm Source

Shop for products, redeem rewards, find your local store, and more.

Terms of supply

Terms of supply 2026/27

Ensure you're across any changes for this season.

Your Farm Dairy Records

Your Farm Dairy Records

Find out what’s new to your Farm Dairy Records this 2026/27 season.

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PREPARING FOR ASSESSMENT

Taking the stress out of your annual assessment

Every dairy farmer in New Zealand has an annual assessment, as required by the Ministry of Primary Industries. It’s how we can prove that your milk is safe for consumption. We also use it to prove that your milk is world-class, to help us with selling it.

You’ll be contacted 42 days before your assessment with a date and time.

Find out what to prepare, what to expect and more.

Get prepared

YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

Your team is here to help

Find your team's contact details in the contact tab of the My Co-op App.

Your team of knowledgeable staff are here to help in store, on the phone, or online. We are happy to answer your questions and provide expert advice. If you're not sure who to talk to, call our Customer Service team at any time on 0800 731 266. We're available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Co-operative Services Area Manager

Co-operative Services Area Manager

Your local contact for any questions on supplying the Co-op, or to be pointed in the right direction.

Farmer Support and Relationship Advisor

Farmer Support and Relationship Advisor

Your contact for support with farm admin, including your Farm Dairy Assessment, Farm Dairy Records. They're here to make things easier.

Sustainable Dairying Advisor

Sustainable Dairying Advisor

Your specialist for everything related to meeting efficiency and sustainability goals on your farm.

Technical Sales Representative

Technical Sales Representative

Your specialist for farming advice and supplies tailored to your needs.

YOUR SUPPORT TOOLS

What’s available to support you

Dairy Diary

Record your farm data from the palm of your hand to simplify tasks like your assessment and records. Great new features and improvements are coming to the Dairy Diary App this season.

Data connections

Connect and manage data from your farm apps to Fonterra, to pre-populate and simplify tasks like your assessment and records.