Farmlands returns to profit with strong FY25 result
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
Rural trader Farmlands has launched an exclusive new casual clothing range across its 42 stores nationwide and online.
Exclusive to Farmlands, the ‘1972 by Barkers’ represents the co-op’s most versatile choice for rural people, it says.
The co-op reports that in the first week, sales have been strong with almost 1000 pieces sold. The iconic Barkers trackpants is leading the top-sellers.
Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton says Farmlands stores are in parts of rural New Zealand that a fashion brand like Barkers normally can’t be.
“We’ve created a range of high-quality clothing that’ll work as hard as our farmers and growers. It’ll last through tough conditions on-farm and also look good down at the local pub or restaurant.”
The range has been named ‘1972’ as a celebration of Barkers’ 50-year history of creating quality menswear. Farmlands says the 1972 collection is another way it’s delivering on its mission to bring more value to farmers, joining Farmlands’ stable of exclusive products and brands that now extends across agrichemicals, animal feed, workwear and rural supplies.
Barkers chief executive Glenn Cracknell is excited about the collaboration. “It really is the perfect partnership with a highly-regarded New Zealand rural brand.”
The first winter collection, featuring merino knitwear, outerwear and classic shirts, is now available from select Farmlands stores and online.
Effective from 1 January 2026, there will be three new grower directors on the board of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR).
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.

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