MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Ravensdown has appointed Garry Diack as its new chief executive, replacing Greg Campbell who has held the position at the farmer-owned co-operative for the past eight years.
Diack joins Ravensdown from his position as chief executive and executive director of Tait Communications in July.
He has over 30 years' experience of improving corporate performance, effective governance and driving growth.
Ravensdown chair John Henderson said Diack's experience across many industries, his rural connections and his grounded-yet-innovative approach, made him a compelling proposition for the board.
"The board is excited that its search for someone that offers strategic continuity and deliberate evolution has been successful.
"There's no doubt that our purpose of enabling smarter farming for a better New Zealand has never been more important and Garry is passionate about that direction."
A firm believer in the power of co-operative business models, Christchurch-based Diack is looking forward to helping take Ravensdown forward in a changing landscape.
"Large parts of my career have been devoted to helping harness the power of New Zealand agriculture to punch above its weight in domestic and international markets.
"I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity of advising the likes of CRT, Silver Fern Farms and the predecessors to Fonterra. Through these experiences and a directorship of the Ashburton Trading Society, I have witnessed Ravensdown forge true value-based relationships with its farmers and I am privileged to be given the opportunity to play my part in the challenges of tomorrow's farming," said Diack.
"I know that Ravensdown has invested in tools and technology that have potential to be win-wins for the environment and farm profitability," he says.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
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