RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
Meat processor Alliance is warning farmers to brace for a drop in prices for their lamb and cattle.
In an email to farmers last night, Alliance chief executive David Surveyor says the COVID-19 situation remains challenging for the co-op and wider meat processing industry.
The co-op’s plants have resumed processing under the new rules and restrictions set by the Government but with reduced capacity: 50% reduction in ovine capacity and a 30% reduction in bovine capacity. There is no impact on cervine capacity.
“This means a new way of working for our people and we will look to increase capacity as we learn how to optimise the operational constraints created by Alert Level 4,” he says.
“This is likely to be common across the industry. We are, as always, prioritising livestock from Platinum and Gold shareholders.”
Surveyor told farmers that the pricing volatility and the changed operational run modes for its plants means the co-op is significantly less efficient as a result of COVID-19.
“Although we are holding the livestock schedule this week, it is likely to cause downward movement in prices.
“We will do our best to minimise the extent of this, but it is unlikely we will be able to absorb the full impact.”
The co-op is asking farmers to hold back stock until capacity steps back up.
“From a farmer perspective, we know you will be considering what this means about timeframes for when your animals will be processed, and we will be providing you with clarity on this going forward,” Surveyor says.
“We are asking that farmers who are in a position to do so, prepare for holding stock for longer periods until the capacity steps back up. We would also appreciate it if farmers can let their livestock representative know, so we can prioritise those farmers facing drier conditions on farm.”
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.