Rowarth appointed DairyNZ deputy chair
DairyNZ has appointed Jacqueline Rowarth as its first deputy board chair.
DairyNZ's Tactics campaign continues to support farmers through field days which will be underway in September and October.
These Tactics for Spring events will help farmers extract maximum value from their pasture.
"Pasture First is a message we are promoting with farmers. Our research shows pasture drives in excess of 85% profit for most farms at a $7/kgMS milk price, but 98% at a $4/kgMS milk price. So it makes sense to get our focus clearly set on managing this important feed source well – we've got to make the most of it, particularly this spring," says DairyNZ Chief Executive Tim Mackle.
"While increasing revenue is important, it's even more important to keep hold of as much of it as possible. This means running a tight budget.
"Following on from the huge interest in this area last year, farms with a low cost of production have opened their books once again and revealed their 2016/17 budgets – enabling other farmers to improve their own business, by comparing themselves.
"It's this information sharing which is so important and we will continue to work with our farmers to get through the low milk price cycle."
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.