Pamu and LIC to launch Synergizer
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
State farmer Pāmu has announced two new appointments to governance roles.
Libby Tosswill has been announced as Pāmu’s associate director and an observer on its board.
Tosswill has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago and a financial markets background both in New Zealand and internationally.
Since, 2010 she and her husband Ben have been farming near Pōrangahau on Birch Hill Station, a 1,300ha sheep and farm with production forestry, 350ha of native bush, including a mainland long-tailed bat colony.
Libby joined Pāmu in time for its February board and sub-committee meetings. The team farewelled Bridget Giesen who has been in the associate director role for the past 12 months at its March meeting in Dunedin this week.
The state-owned enterprise has also announced that international food marketer Jillian Laing has been appointed to the board of Spring Sheep Milk Co, a public-private partnership jointly owned by Pāmu and SLC Group.
Pāmu chief executive Mark Leslie says Laing brings expertise in marketing and sales, a global lens and connections, and commerciality in the demand generation space.
“She has been the CEO of a tech start-up and had extensive experience in global sales and marketing while she was at Fonterra,” Leslie says. “Now in her role with the World Macadamia Organisation, she is across consumer trends and customer insights globally. Jillian brings a new perspective, and we are excited to welcome her into the fold.”
Pāmu board chair Warren Parker says the company has a focus on increasing agri-sector leadership opportunities for women and Māori.
“Growing directors for the future is a great way to ensure continuity and development opportunities for the benefit of both individuals and the wider primary sector,” he says. “These sorts of initiatives provide those with governance potential and ambition, the opportunity to participate on a board.”
“It also provides boards with exposure to diverse talent, ideas, and experiences. I’d like to acknowledge respected industry leader Peter McClure’s contribution in the selection process of Jillian who will help to strengthen our appreciation of export marketing and sales skills especially into Asia.”
Many farmers around the country are taking advantage of the high dairy payout to get maximum production out of their cows.
In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.
Sheep milk processor Maui Milk is on track to record average ewe production of 500 litres by 2030, says outgoing chief executive Greg Hamill.
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton is calling for cross-party consensus on the country's overarching environmental goals.
Changes to New Zealand’s postal service has left rural communities disappointed.
A $10 milk price remains on the cards for this season despite recent softening of global dairy prices.

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