Milked dry: Northland dairy goat farmers’ ‘beautiful dream’ sours in battle with BNZ

Milked dry: Northland dairy goat farmers’ ‘beautiful dream’ sours in battle with BNZ
Barry and Judy Foote have been milking goats since the 1970s. (Image: Jason Dorday/NZME)
Riley Kennedy
Garth Bray
Milking goats has been Barry and Judy Foote's life.“Farm becomes part of you, mate. Your animals, that’s why you get up in the morning,” Barry said, emotionally, while reminiscing on 50 years of farming along the old Russell Rd, out of Whakapara.The Northland couple bought a “little wee scrap heap” of a dairy farm in the late 1970s and began milking goats and cows.They’ve spent their entire working lives developing their farming business, tacking on and buying up neighbouring properties.  'A real...

More Primary Sector

Govt announces 'farmer-focused' RMA reforms
Primary Sector

Govt announces 'farmer-focused' RMA reforms

Proposed reforms cover freshwater, farming practice, mining and quarrying.

Fonterra expects strong dairy demand to continue
Primary Sector

Fonterra expects strong dairy demand to continue

It will open the season with a wide range on its forecast milk price.

Kiwifruit still appeals to cautious Chinese
Primary Sector

Kiwifruit still appeals to cautious Chinese

Will the kiwifruit grower have another aspirational revenue target?

Riley Kennedy 28 May 2025
Bakery China - NZ dairy on the world stage
Primary Sector

Bakery China - NZ dairy on the world stage

Fonterra’s Anchor FP Whipping Cream has roughly a third of the market.

Riley Kennedy 27 May 2025