76 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Miraka Big demand for sustainably sourced dairy Karen Phelps Since Taupo based dairy processor Miraka announced in July that it was seeking 40 new farmer suppliers to meet growing demand for its low carbon footprint products it has been overwhelmed with interest. “It’s been exceptional,” says Miraka Chief Executive, Karl Gradon. “Suppliers are normally within approximately 100 kilometres range of our Mokai factory but we’ve even had enquiries from the South Island, well outside our area of operation. And the reason for it is that there is a signi cant portion of our farming community that wants to be part of a movement of sustainability. The awareness for us all to do better is growing.” Karl says that Miraka is looking for farmers that align with its core values and are committed to best practice methodologies on-farm. Top of the list is kaitiakitanga – caring for the whenua (land), taiao (natural environment and resources) and people, as best as is possible. He says Miraka prefers the carrot to the stick approach as evidenced by its Te Ara Miraka farming excellence programme, which takes a holistic approach to nancially incentivising farmers to strive for excellence in animal welfare, sustainable land management, people management, milk quality, and well-being. Karl says that by encouraging the supply whanau to apply environmentally sound practices Miraka is helping create climate-resilient farms that produce some of the highest quality milk in the world. In real terms for farmers this can equate to up to 20c more per kilogram of milk solids than Fonterra. Miraka, which was founded upon Te Ao Maori principles, is one of the largest employers in the UK Secretary of State for International Trade, Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan is welcomed to the Miraka factory by chairman, Kingi Smiler. Taupo district with 145 staff from 16 different nationalities. From its beginnings in 2010 as a whole milk powder producer, Miraka’s product range has grown signi cantly to include frozen milk concentrate, UHT and a range of specialty milk powders. The business is also moving into food service areas and purpose driven brands, which value carbon reductions. Miraka products are sold across 17 international markets. Karl says that Miraka allows farmers to see into the future in terms of trends and maintaining a social license to operation in terms of sustainability. It walks the walk at its dairy plant, which uses geothermal energy and has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world emitting 92% less carbon than coal-powered factories. “... we are positioning ourselves as the leading proponent of sustainable dairy globally and as a result we are seeing big demand for sustainably sourced dairy, which is leading to the need for more suppliers.” Karl Gradon, CEO of Miraka. He says that Miraka prioritises being highly connected to its supplier whanau. “As Chief Executive I regularly drive down the driveways of our suppliers. I spend a lot of time in front of our community. We are trying to create connectivity with the people that are on the journey with us at a human level not a farm number level. The way our on farm team works is that they are also expected to be out there alongside our farming community on farm all the time – not in an of ce. They are able to support farmers in what they do today but also create a longer term plan for their farm management taking them and their business into the future.” He acknowledges that the dairy industry is facing some challenges in terms of sustainable growth. “Our customers globally want to see us remain in a leadership position. That’s our point of difference at Miraka - we are positioning ourselves as the leading proponent of sustainable dairy globally and as a result we are seeing big demand for sustainably sourced dairy, which is leading to the need for more suppliers.”
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