Ravensdown partners with Footrot Flats to celebrate Kiwi farming heritage
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
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.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.
Operating with a completely different format from conventional tractors and combine harvesters, the NEXAT prime mover combines all steps of crop production in one modular carrier vehicle, from tillage, through seeding to harvesting.
Reports of severe weather forecast to move over the vast majority of New Zealand’s kiwifruit orchards this weekend will be very concerning for a significant number of growers.
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks says while it's still early days in terms of the kiwifruit harvest, things are looking pretty good.
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