An increase in the amount of milk collected over the past 18 months gave Fonterra the opportunity to upgrade some of its tanker fleet to improve efficiency between farm and factory and lessen the number of trucks on country roads.

The first of the 14 new tankers, driven by 26 new drivers, took to the roads in Fonterra’s Wynyard, Darnum, Cobden and Tongala dairy regions.

Farm Milk Collection operator Leon McLaren has spent 30 years collecting milk in the North West, and said the new tankers were more efficient and safer than the truck he drove when he started out.

“The ‘Truck and Dogs’ are much easier to manoeuvre in and out of farms, and the braking is much better too – I love jumping behind the wheel!” he said.

Fonterra’s ‘Truck and Dog’ tankers carry 37,000 litres of milk and the new 26-metre tankers carry up to 43,000 litres, Logistics and Distribution general manager Justin Ryan said.

“Both trucks have a smaller turning circle than other truck and trailer units, meaning they can access even more farms and local roads,” Mr Ryan said.

“The new drivers boost our existing team of drivers and ensure we’re providing a consistently high level of service to our farmers during the seasonal peak.

“We’ve had over 20 per cent growth in the volume of milk we collect over the past 18 months, and our new drivers and the upgraded fleet have been crucial to supporting that growth,” he said.

As well as creating new jobs in regional Victoria and Tasmania, the upgraded fleet improves efficiency, as the new trucks allow greater volumes of milk to be collected.

“The new fleet has helped us to lift our payload – the amount of milk we can carry – an average of 8 per cent, meaning fewer vehicle movements on the rural and regional roads on which we collect milk,” Mr Ryan said.

“This number is expected to rise to a 30 per cent improvement at the completion of the fleet upgrade, improving traffic flows and reducing wear and tear on rural roads.”