Canterbury based dairy company Synlait has signed up its first Waikato dairy farmers who will supply the company's new Pokeno site.
The company said the build is on track, with the first nutritional spray dryer expected to be ready for the 2019/2020 season.
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Once commissioned, the dryer will be capable of producing up to 45,000 metric tonnes of nutritional powders each year and Synlait is now signing up local farmers.
"Our milk procurement team has received a very warm welcome and a positive response from Waikato dairy farmers and rural professionals," said Synlait CEO Leon Clement.
"We're thrilled to have signed up our first group of milk suppliers," he said.
He said Synlait's Lead With Pride programme has been well received by farmers who want to be rewarded for the work they do in terms of environment, animal health and welfare, milk quality and social responsibility," he says.
National Milk Supply Manager, David Williams said the milk procurement was going well.
"We've received significant enquiry, but we're still keen to hear from Waikato farmers within 150km of Pokeno," he said.
"We're also looking for a2 milk and winter milk, but farms don't need to be a2, or have winter milk to supply us," said Mr Williams.
The plant will produce a range of powders including infant-grade skim milk, whole milk and infant formula base powders.
Newshub.
