Birth woes
OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.
A2 CORPORATION (A2C) and its China distributor partner China State Farm Holding Shanghai Company (CSF) has hosted the official launch ceremony for a2 Platinum infant formula in China.
It was held in the press room of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square.
A2C managing director Geoffrey Babidge says: "The launch was the start of another exciting new chapter for A2C and a2 brand products. A2C owns and commericalises a unique portfolio of intellectual property and the official launch today of a2 Platinum infant formula in China is a crucial step to provide Chinese mothers access to our products."
The launch event included a scientific panel discussion with key medical professionals specialising in infant and child care. The panel highlighted the benefits of dairy based products containing only the A2 version of the beta casein protein can provide to all people, in particular infants.
Babidge went on to say: "a2 Platinum infant formula is also available throughout Australia and New Zealand as part of a coordinated launch. a2 Platinum infant formula contains only the A2 form of the beta casein protein, which is structurally more comparable to that which mothers naturally produce."
The chairman of CSF Agribusiness Group, Li Ya Cheng says "a2 Platinum infant formula expands the range of premium agricultural and aquaculture products CSF distributes throughout China. We are confident consumers will recognise the unique benefits of the a2 proposition and CSF will achieve significant distribution throughout China."
The planned roll-out in China will initially include high end baby maternity outlets in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and East China before progressively expanding to further major cities plus Hong Kong and Macau.
New Zealand farming is riding a high, with strong prices, full feed covers and improving confidence lining up at the same time.
Manawatu Mayor Michael Ford says the district sees itself as the agribusiness capital of the lower North Island.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is looking forward to connecting with farmers, rural professionals and community members at this year's Central District Field Days.
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.
The head of Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment, Professor Paul Kenyon, says the outlook for the primary sector is positive with record numbers of students enrolling for Massey's range of undergraduate courses in the primary sector.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.