Rural round-up

Reducing injuries and fatalities on our forest blocks:

“The Independent Forestry Safety Review has recommended a three-year action plan to drive improvements in the forestry sector. The action plan will leverage the commitments to a new safety culture and a better safety record made by the forestry sector during the Review process. It will be a document against which the actions of the sector – at all levels – can be measured.

“The Panel Review believes the first action that needs to be undertaken is the development of a Safety Charter and an agreement by leaders across the industry to meet the mandatory health and safety and employment standards already in place.

“In the 21st century being unable to achieve these basics is simply not acceptable and has a negative impact on the culture of a workplace and the ability to work safely. It sends terrible signals to workers about how they are valued and the priorities of their employers. It also has a direct impact on safe working practices.

“The Panel Review believes all participants in the forestry sector need to make a concerted effort to improve the basic standards on the forest block to reduce the numbers of serious injuries and fatalities. If there are industry participants at any level that cannot or will not meet the standards, they should consider exiting the industry. . .

 

Minister welcomes Forestry Safety Review recommendations:

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse welcomed the recommendations of the Independent Forestry Safety Review and outlined the Government’s initial response.

“The Government supports the findings of this review and acknowledges everyone who played a role in this critically important work. The safety record of the forestry sector is not acceptable and Government agencies are committed to working in partnership with industry to build a safe, sustainable and professional forestry sector,” Mr Woodhouse says.

The Government’s initial response released today sets out how the Review’s findings and recommendations will be addressed, including through the Working Safer reforms already underway.

“The Government supports the establishment of a Forestry Leadership Action Group (FLAG) with industry, worker and government representation. . .

Westland Milk Products proposes new investment share for its farmer shareholders – Fiona Rotherham:

 (BusinessDesk) – Westland Milk Products, New Zealand’s second biggest dairy cooperative, is proposing a new capital structure that would see its shareholder farmers issued with investment shares annually on top of the existing milk share.

The move follows the Hokitika-based cooperative admitting it didn’t deliver an industry competitive result for shareholders in the 2013/2014 season. Westland reported record revenue of $830 million for the season, up 46 percent on the previous year but the $7.57 per kilogram of milk solids payout was well under Fonterra’s $8.40 per kgMS final payout.

Chief executive Rod Quin said the board signalled a year ago that the capital structure of the cooperative was under review and that had now taken place. The outcome was a proposal to issue investment shares that reflect the value of retentions to shareholders. . .

 

World’s first NZ Inc. farm in the high tropics, higher than the Remarkables:

Waikato farm development organisation Dairy Solutionz (NZ) Ltd. will open the first ever New Zealand-technology demonstration dairy farm in the high tropics – 2800m above sea level – next month.

After a year of development, Corpoica’s 117ha, 300-cow demonstration dairy farm is milking the first of its herd in the Narino region in the south of Colombia.

At that altitude close to the equator, the weather is very similar to the Waikato, rye grass and clover flourish, says Dairy Solutionz chief executive Derek Fairweather.

The $2m development was funded by the Colombian government and Corpoica, the equivalent to AgResearch in New Zealand. . .

 

Closing looms for Dairy Woman of the Year nominations:

There are just two weeks left to nominate someone for New Zealand’s biggest industry award for women in dairying.

The Dairy Women’s Network’s Dairy Woman of the Year Awards close on 15 November 2014.

Sponsored by Fonterra, the prestigious award includes the chance to attend the 12-month Breakthrough Leaders Programme run by Global Women, worth $25,000.

DWN chief executive Zelda De Villiers said the Dairy Woman of the Year Award celebrates and advances women who are making a difference in the dairy industry, in their dairy businesses and in their communities. . . .

 

Employers Encourage Staff to Enter Dairy Awards:

Encouraging staff to enter the 2015 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards will assist their progress in the dairy industry.

Richard and Joanna Greaves have always had staff members enter the awards – the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions – and expect two of their staff to enter the 2015 awards.

Entries in the awards are now being accepted online at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz and close on November 30. . .

 

Trans-Tasman Partnership to take equestrian events to new level:

A new trans-Tasman business partnership between New Zealand and Australia’s top two equestrian event organisers has been announced to take the sporting attractions to a new international level.

Event Pro, the company behind New Zealand’s Farmlands Horse of the Year Show, and Equine Productions, which owns Australia’s most successful equine exhibition Equitana, have established a joint venture.

The companies’ managing directors Kevin Hansen, Event Pro, and Rod Lockwood, Equine Productions, said together the companies planned to grow the equestrian event market across all aspects of the sport with a focus on attracting greater international adventure tourism. . .