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.
Former Ravensdown board member Scott Gower is calling for farmers to step up and participate on boards of their co-operatives.
Gower is a third-generation hill country sheep and beef farmer from Ohura near Taumarunui, who retired from the Ravensdown board last September after reaching the maximum term.
"The ag sector is served by more co-operatives than most. Participation by working farmers is vitally important especially in the board's composition and determining its priorities," he says.
"Co-op members can nominate candidates; they can run themselves and of course elect the directors that best represent how they think things should be governed."
Gower admits he was elected to the board earlier than was comfortable, as he was single-handed on his farm, but the experience gave an enormous boost to his career path.
"Being on the board really changed my career. I knew what I was doing on the farm, but exposure to business and networks opened up new ways of thinking for me. It taught me how to see farming business differently," he adds.
"The ideal candidate might already have farm-staff to keep things running while they're at board meetings every six weeks or so, reading board papers and emails, and talking with farmers."
Looking back on his 12 years on the Ravensdown board, Gower is proudest of helping engineer the co-op's shift to the concept of 'smarter farming'.
"Farming has been under social and environmental pressure for a number of years," he says.
"We got in a little ahead of the game in spotting that what we did for farmers was central to these pressure points. If we developed smarter products and services, we could help them farm more effectively."
Gower believes that getting an active farmer's perspective at board level on the company's products and services and its delivery is of huge value to the company.
"I would encourage active farmers to consider standing for a director's spot.
"It is a company of farmers for farmers. If it is to continue to be successful, they need to participate at a high level."
Nominations for directors on the Ravensdown board are open between July 17 and August 13.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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.