LIC ends year with $30.6m profit
Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.
Entries for the 2024 Sustainable Business Awards are now open, with new categories.
The awards have celebrated businesses, local government, social enterprises, and individuals who have been successful in sustainability for more than two decades.
A new suite of award categories will be rolled out over the next two years to align with the Sustainable Business Network’s mission to drive transformative change.
Two of those categories are now open for entry, with the full line-up set to debut in 2025.
Rachel Brown, chief executive and founder of the Sustainable Business Network, says that “in the face of unprecedented environmental and social challenges, it’s time for a paradigm shift”.
She says that sustainability as usual isn’t enough.
“That’s why we’re changing the focus of these Awards.”
Going forward, Brown says, the awards will spotlight the pioneers whose actions and innovations inspire others to think differently and act courageously.
The new categories for 2024 are Transformational Leadership, which awards visionary leaders championing long-term, transformational changes, and Disruptive Innovation, which awards groundbreaking products, services, technologies or business models designed with sustainability and circular economy principles at their core.
“We want the business community to see what’s possible and be inspired to take that bold leap,” she says.
“We want these Awards to be the ultimate inspiration to see that happen.”
Brown says that the entry process this year will be simplified and streamlined into one entry form.
“This approach empowers us to reset, build stronger partnerships and ensure that next year’s awards reflect the urgency and innovation our planet demands,” she says.
“Right now, we’re calling on the trailblazers of 2024. We’re seeking individuals, teams and organisations that are leading the charge with bold action and groundbreaking innovation.”
Entry is free and open to all across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Entries close on Friday 20 September 2024. The winners will be announced at a celebration in November.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.

OPINION: Winston Peters has described the decision to sell its brand to Lactalis and disperse the profit to its farmer…
OPINION: The Hound reckons a big problem with focusing too much on the wrong goal - reducing livestock emissions at…