increase font size
Former Fonterra chair John Wilson.
A long-time anti-farming newspaper columnist is facing backlash on social media for falsely implying last year that former Fonterra chairman John Wilson was faking ill-health.
Facebook and Twitter users are urging Rachel Stewart to apologise to Wilson’s family; some are calling on NZ Herald to sever ties with the deliberately antagonistic columnist.
Wilson died last week and was farewelled by his family and friends at the weekend in Hamilton.
After Wilson had stepped down as Fonterra chairman in July last year citing health reasons, Stewart tweeted that “I’m confident that John Wilson is in fine fettle, and his ‘health scare’ was an excuse to slip quietly out the back door of Fonterra. Can anyone prove me wrong?”
Following Wilson’s death, Stewart’s original tweet resurfaced with calls for her to apologise to Wilson’s family.
Stewart, known for her anti-farming views, tweeted last week, “Turns out John wasn’t in “fine fettle” - but neither was Fonterra at the time. Before his deification gathers full steam, who do I make my unreserved apology out to?”
However, there was no apology from Stewart on Twitter.
Taranaki farmer and avid social media user Mathew Herbert urged her to start with Wilson’s family.
“They’ve lost a husband, father, brother and on the day you were asking to be proven wrong they were dealing with learning he probably wouldn’t live much past Christmas,” he replied to Stewart.
Lawyer Emma Marr was scathing in her reply.
“Have you ever thought about being gracious and attempting to look genuinely sorry about a truly horrible comment you made? The man was dying. Your comments, then and now, couldn’t have been more ill-judged.”
On Rural News’ Facebook page, David Clark had a message for NZ Herald. “It is long overdue for the NZ Herald to bring an end to Rachel Stewart’s personal vendetta against the NZ agricultural sector and she should most definitely be sacked for her misjudged tweet.”
Contract milker Brandon Law posted that it was “a cold-hearted mongrel thing for her to say”.
“Her comments are testament to her quality of character.”
Meanwhile, Stewart has taken umbrage at Rural News for pointing out her insensitive, nasty comments about Wilson and the impact on his friends and family. She accused this newspaper of being “low life scumbags” and “assholes”.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
Supply chain problems, growing protectionism and a move to greater food security are some of the key challenges facing New Zealand exporters, according to our top trade negotiator, Vangelis Vitalis.
A spat within the ranks of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association has resulted in the suspension of outspoken North Canterbury farmer Barry Cuttance.
After delivering a strong financial year, rural trader PGG Wrightson says the coming months will depend on customer confidence and weather.
Beef+Lamb New Zealand and the Ag Emissions Centre have launched a new research project aimed at helping beef farmers reduce methane emissions without impacting productivity or profitability.
The apple sector is working with the Government to unlock access to two key markets that could bring millions in revenue for apple growers.
Celebrating 50 years in the rural landscape of Central Canterbury and beyond, Ashburton-based Carrfields, has been the exemplar for all aspects of modern agriculture via its extensive range of services including supply, growing, agronomic advice and marketing.
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…
OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.
