Ospri brings Bovine TB testing in-house
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
Southland farmer and director Tony Cleland has been named OSPRI New Zealand’s new chair.
Cleland takes over the role this month from long-standing board member and interim chair Fenton Wilson.
Wilson steps down from the board after 10 years of service, which has seen him most recently hold the role of interim chair after the resignation of Dr Paul Reynolds last year.
OSPRI chief executive Sam McIvor says the organisation has been fortunate to have had the benefit of Mr Wilson’s knowledge and experience, while transitioning to a new board chair.
"I speak for all farmers and the funders of OSPRI when I say we owe a significant debt of gratitude to Fenton.
"He has made a substantial contribution to the development of the work of OSPRI for more than a decade.
"He’s been fiercely committed to the value of TB freedom for New Zealand and brought a unique knowledge set as a farmer but also as a regional council chair."
Cleland is a well-known figure in New Zealand’s primary sector, as he and his wife have farming and wine industry businesses. Amongst his governance experience, Cleland was a board member of FMG Insurance for 16 years and chair for six years.
"We’re really pleased to have someone with the industry knowledge and respect that Tony has, as our new chair," McIvor says.
"He brings grassroots farmer knowledge and significant governance experience, both critical for OSPRI’s success."
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
If there was a silver lining in the tragedy that was Cyclone Gabrielle, for New Zealand Young Grower of the Year, Grace Fulford, it was the tremendous sense of community and seeing first-hand what good leadership looks like.
New research could help farmers prepare for a future where summer rainfall is increasingly unpredictable and where drought risk is rising, no matter what.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
Spinach is NZ's favourite leafy green, according to the Department of Statistics.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…