Select committee 'blew it' - Feds
Sheep and beef farmers are urging the Government to do more to stop productive farmland overrun by pine trees.
Red meat farmers have dealt a major blow to their umbrella farmer body, Beef + Lamb New Zealand - rejecting an increase in directors’ fees.
Results from B+LNZ’s annual meeting in Nelson today shows that almost 66% of farmers who voted, opposed the fee increase. Voter turnout was around 12%.
The board had asked farmers to boost the fee of chair Kate Acland to $90,000 from $76,220. Each director would have received $45,000 from this year (currently $38,110). The pool available for additional director duties was to increase to $25,000 from $20,000. The pool is currently used to recognise additional duties as a chair of board committees and is intended for those directors who sit on our representative organisations’ advisory groups on behalf of B+LNZ and who are not remunerated in these roles.
Farmer support was required for the proposal to proceed, so the fees will not be increased this year.
Acland says the board respects the result.
“We recognise it’s extremely tough on farm at the moment and believe this has been reflected in the voting outcome,” Acland says.
“However, the fact remains that B+LNZ’s director fees are well below industry benchmarks. While the result shows there are some farmers who would be comfortable with this being addressed now, that’s not the case for the majority so we’ll pick this up again when the time is right.”
A second resolution put forward by the on the appointment of the auditor was supported by farmers.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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