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Strategy before structure: Merino man’s advice

STRATEGY SHOULD come before structure for new proposals to get the crossbred wool industry on its feet, chief executive of the New Zealand Merino Company Ltd, John Brakenridge, says.

Outlook still positive despite confidence drop

LONG-TERM PROSPECTS are still bright for sheep and beef despite a big drop in farmer confidence, says Beef+Lamb NZ chairman Mike Petersen.

DairyNZ director’s in for a pay rise

DIRECTORS OF industry-good organisation DairyNZ are in line for a pay increase.

Largest cotton farm in Oz sold

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST cotton farm has been sold to a consortium which includes a Chinese textile maker.

Avoiding the debt noose

DEBT FUNDING structured so that it works for both bank and farm business means the debt is not experienced as a noose around the borrower’s neck.

Difficult balancing act protecting farmer incomes

DROUGHT IN the US and New Zealand economics are coming together in a delicate dance that could affect returns to Kiwi farmers.

Editorial - Own goals cost Fonterra

TO SAY that Fonterra has been through an unsettling time in recent years would be an understatement. Like the global dairy prices, the co-op has seen it all: ups and downs, free-falls and a few spikes in between.

Golden ride on Alliance’s roadshow

ALLIANCE ROADSHOWS are always must-see events; the recent cooperative meeting at Milton appeared to have the catchy theme ‘too much for too long.’ It was a message most sheep farmers will quickly recognise as our meat industry leaders prepare us for the inevitable drop in schedule prices, when the season gets under way.

Barton’s branded beef initiative

Some could argue Mike Barton (see main story) was more psychologically prepared when he took over his Taupo catchment farm in 2004. Variation 5 was going to happen and it was just a matter of the thrashing out final details.

Leading on farming within limits

TAUPO FARMER Mike Barton played a leading role in negotiating with Environment Waikato over its controversial nitrogen loss law for the catchment, Variation 5. It’s a law which has hit all farmers in the area in the pocket, both in the short and long term.