Dawn Meats takes 65% stake in Alliance Group in major industry deal
Alliance and Dawn Meats have completed their new strategic partnership.
Alliance Group has announced the appointment of Ross Bowmar as the 2022/23 associate director.
Raised in Southland where his parents still farm, Bowmar and his young family now own and operate Redcliffs Station, a high-country sheep and beef station in the Rakaia Gorge in Canterbury.
Running close to 8,500 stock units, Bowmar is balancing economic growth with environmental and social enhancement.
Bowmar completed a Masters in Agriculture Economics at Michigan State University in the United States before spending 10 years with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).
He gained experience in direct management of sales, import and export logistics, processing, staff, risk management and profit and loss ownership in various roles across the US and Australia.
He then returned home to New Zealand, starting the business here and building it to over $100 million turnover and 1,000 customers (mostly farmers) within five years.
“I returned home to raise my young family and play a lead role in the future of agribusiness in New Zealand. I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to contributing my knowledge in a meaningful way, while also learning from some of the best and most experienced directors in the rural sector,” he says.
Bowmar is actively involved in the rural community and was recently appointed chair of the Meat & Wool section of Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury, among several other roles.
“Alliance Group is committed to supporting the future growth of the rural sector, and we need to create the next generation of leaders in order to do so,” says Murray Taggart, chairman of Alliance Group.
“Ross attended the Know Your Co-operative conference earlier this year and impressed us then, and subsequently, with his global experience, his desire to learn and develop, and the leadership role he plays in his community.
“His diverse capabilities including understanding farming systems, farm operating environments and global trade movements, will certainly add a lot of value to board conversations.”
Taggart says the Board was delighted with the calibre and number of shareholders that put themselves forward for the role.
Bowmar will replace inaugural associate director Victoria Trayner, who finishes her 12-month appointment next month.
Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.
Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.

OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable…
OPINION: A press release from the oxygen thieves running the hot air symposium on climate change, known as COP30, grabbed your…