New CEO for meat board
Nick Beeby has been appointed as the new chief executive of the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Meeting Change is a book rich in detail that covers the hugely complex saga of the revolution and evolution of the meat industry during the last 25 years.
What is special about this book is, while there is serious detail for those who have been part of the meat industry in this period, the writing style and layout make it easily readable for those with limited knowledge of the sector. I especially like the profiles of key individuals scattered throughout the book, which gives the reader time to catch their breath before embedding on the next chapter.
One clearly gets the impression of the complexity, nuances and divisions in farmer politics, which make the intrigue in national politics pale into insignificance. A picture of the shakers and movers emerge - the likes of Mike Petersen, Jeff Grant, Owen Poole, Keith Cooper to name but a few.
People who have served the sector in senior roles - such as Neil Taylor, Rob Davison, Andrew Burtt, Gerry Thompson, Ben O'Brien, Allan Frazer, Sir Graeme Harrison, Sam McIvor and from the MIA, Brian Lynch and the late Tim Ritchie.
Of course, we can't forget the politicians - the likes of John Luxton, Sir Lockwood Smith, Jim Sutton, Sir David Carter and Damien O'Connor.
Then we have the various chairmen such as James Parson and now Andrew Morrison and Bill Falconer and John Loughlin from MIA. Special mention must be made of John Acland for his role in helping to resurrect the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. The list of the names of people is seemingly endless.
There are some nice touches on the people side, for example, special mention is made of Mary Malone a very dedicated, loyal and efficient administrator who was behind the scenes in the industry.
This book is one that I believe people will keep coming back to - a reference book if you like. It will provide for all those who follow in the footsteps of the people of the last two decades and a give a perspective of the past and where they come from.
It is also likely the book will job the memories of others who've been involved in the sector and perhaps prompt them to document their stories as well. Meeting Change is a must read and special congratulations to Ali Spencer and Mick Calder for what they have done.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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