Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
Dairy Women's Network has appointed one of its past Dairy Woman of the Year winners as its incoming chair.
2013 Dairy Woman of the Year winner Justine Kidd will take the role at DWN's annual general meeting on October 22.
Current chair Michelle Wilson says it is a credit to the DWN board to have a person with Kidd's knowledge of agriculture and governance experience at the helm.
"As outgoing chair I take a lot of comfort in knowing that the organisation will continue to grow from strength to strength with strong leadership at the board table."
With the major prize for winning Dairy Woman of the Year being a place on the 12-month Global Women's Network's Breakthrough Programme, Kidd is nearly finished and will graduate in November.
Kidd says she is excited to be working with chief executive Zelda De Villiers and the team at the network.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge and am thrilled to get my first chair opportunity with a chief executive like Zelda and an organisation that has a strong fit with my own leadership goals.
"The sense of responsibility to do a great job for the DWN will drive me. The network has come through a significant development stage under Michelle's leadership. It is poised to move into its next phase of growth and organisational development.
"I think Michelle has done such a fantastic job of leading DWN through some significant changes and challenges.
"My ambitions lie firmly in building positively on a fantastic foundation, working with the board to support the ability of DWN to sustainably deliver great outcomes for its members and the dairy industry year in and year out.
Kidd, who hails from Hawke's Bay, heads the BEL Group, a private dairy farm milking 9500 cows, is a shareholder in Dairy CHB which is now milking 1000 cows across two properties in its second year of operating and also owns JMK Consulting – a business leadership firm – as well as holding several directorships.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
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.