A flow of “fresh air” – here’s hoping Fonterra’ s financial performance gets a good whiff – Point of Order:
Fonterra’s latest move, appointing Miles Hurrell as interim CEO “with immediate effect”, has sent fresh rumbles through the dairy industry.
The co-op’s chairman John Monaghan, announcing the move, spoke of the need to “breathe some fresh air into the business”.
He is not alone with this observation: several politicians have been calling for just that – but many of the co-op’s 10,500 farmer-suppliers may be wondering what exactly a blast of “fresh air” may do. . .
Animal tracking legislation to be debated under urgency – Gia Garrick:
Legislation to properly enforce the animal tracking guidelines, which were found to be hugely inadequate during the Mycoplasma bovis response, is to be debated under urgency tonight and through tomorrow.
It will mean farmers’ compliance with the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme (NAIT) – the country’s cattle and deer tracking system – will be properly monitored.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said there would be penalties for those who did not comply.
“We will certainly have enforcement of these new guidelines, I can promise you that,” he said. . .
Farmers encouraged to open homes to drought-hit Australians – Esther Taunton:
Kiwi farmers are being urged to extend the hand of mateship to their drought-stricken Australian counterparts.
Federated Farmers national president Katie Milne said the organisation was working on ways to help farmers hit by severe drought across the Tasman.
Much of southeastern Australia is struggling with drought but conditions in New South Wales are the driest and most widespread since 1965. . .
Poorest performing iwi invested in large farms, ANZ report says – Tina Morrison:
(BusinessDesk) – The poorest performing iwi investment in recent years has come from farming, which is often favoured for cultural rather than economic considerations, according to the latest annual ‘Iwi Investment Insights’ report by ANZ Bank New Zealand.
In its 2018 annual ‘Te Tirohanga Whānui’ research report, ANZ evaluated the asset base of 34 iwi and hapū, finding the commercial assets of the combined group had increased by just over $1 billion, or 12 percent, to $5.4 billion since 2015. The report found the most common asset in the top quartile for underlying returns was the significant holdings in managed funds which have performed well in recent years. On the flip-side, most iwi/hapū in the lower quartile were actively managing large farms. . .
Raising triplets indoors works – Joanna Grigg:
It’s raining outside, again, but it’s not worrying these new lambs.
All 250 of Richard Dawkins’ triplet-bearing ewes get seven days or so indoors to adjust to supplementary feed, birth their lambs, bond and feed.
Then it’s out to the real world, albeit a nearby paddock with ad-lib clover and a watchful eye for that fading third lamb. . .
Sheep meats are in a sweet spot – Keith Woodford:
This year has been an exceptional year for many sheep farmers. Lamb and mutton prices have been at record levels.
The key drivers have been increasing demand from China combined with lower exchange rates. Sales to Britain have slowed down, linked to a ‘buy British’ campaign over there. But that has not been enough to counter the overall good news story.
Sheep farmers are telling me that, for the first time in many years, sheep farming is fun again. The cash is coming through to upgrade tracks and other infrastructure. Venison prices have also been exceptional for those sheep farmers who also farm deer. Most sheep farmers also run beef cattle and they too have been paying well. . .
LIC’s Murray King named Co-operative Leader of the Year:
Farmer owned co-operative LIC is pleased to announce its board chairman Murray King has been named Co-operative Leader of the Year at the Co-operative Business NZ Awards 2018.
The annual award recognises those who have shown strong leadership and commitment to the co-operative sector.
A Nelson-based dairy farmer, Murray has a long-standing connection to LIC and the dairy farming community of the upper South Island. . .
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