Leah Prankerd: A passion for dairying and farmer support
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
Waikato farmer Jim van der Poel has been re-elected chairman of DairyNZ.
Following the board elections and annual general meeting this month, the board met to follow standard process and elect the chair.
The DairyNZ board comprises five farmer-elected directors along with three board-appointed directors. Van der Poel was re-elected to the board for another three-year term this month while South Island farmer Cameron Henderson was elected to replace Colin Glass, who has retired.</p.
Van der Poel and his wife Sue live in Ngahinapouri and have farming interests in Waikato, Southland, Canterbury, and the US.
He has previously served on Fonterra’s board and was an inaugural director on the Fonterra Shareholders Fund and has won a number of industry awards including the AC Cameron Award, 2002 Nuffield Scholarship, Sharemilker of the Year and Dairy Exporter Primary Performer Award.
Claims that farmers are polluters of waterways and aquifers and 'don't care' still ring out from environmental groups and individuals. The phrase 'dirty dairying' continues to surface from time to time. But as reporter Peter Burke points out, quite the opposite is the case. He says, quietly and behind the scenes, farmers are embracing new ideas and technologies to make their farms sustainable, resilient, environmentally friendly and profitable.
Relationships are key to opening new trading opportunities and dealing with some of the rules that countries impose that impede the free flow of trade.
Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne says their joint venture with Alliance Group will create “a dynamic industry competitor”.
Tributes have flowed following the death of former Prime Minister and political and business leader, Jim Bolger. He was 90.
A drop in methane targets announced by the Government this month has pleased farmers but there are concerns that without cross-party support, the targets would change once a Labour-led Government is voted into office.
Farmer shareholders of meat processor Alliance have voted in favour of a proposed $270 million joint venture investment by Irish company, Dawn Meats.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.