Patoa Farms, New Zealand's Largest Pig Farm, Sold to Pork Industry Consortium
Patoa Farms Limited, New Zealand's largest pig farm, has been sold for an undisclosed price.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
Bucknell, who has been involved in the meat industry for over 45 years, is the pork procurement manager for Wilson Hellaby, a New Zealand red meat company supplying domestic and export markets.
“It’s a privilege to take on the role of chair at such an important time for the New Zealand pork sector,” says Bucknell.
“I look forward to working alongside farmers, processors and our industry partners to ensure New Zealanders continue to have access to high-quality, locally raised pork, and that our farmers have a strong, sustainable future.”
He replaces Eric Roy, who stepped down in August.
“I also want to thank Eric Roy for his leadership and contribution to NZPork and the sector. He has been a strong advocate for our farmers,” says Bucknell.
Bucknell has served as a director on the NZPork board since 2016.
Fonterra has reduced its forecast 2026/27 Farmgate Milk Price.
New Zealand dairy farmers are set to be the first in the world to receive access to a new digital physical milk pricing tool that enables them to fix the price for their physical milk.
State farmer Pāmu is opening its farm gates this summer in an effort to give the rural sector the opportunity to see how large-scale, multi-system farming is delivering productivity and profitability across New Zealand.
A five-year study has found that the cost of reducing emissions without technology may be significant and unsustainable for Northland dairy farmers.
DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.
While the Government has moved quickly to make commercial hauliers' lot easier during the current fuel crisis, they appear to be stuck in the creep box when it comes to the agricultural industry.

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