Government appoints three new directors to Pāmu board
The Government has appointed three new members to the board of state farmer Landcorp Farming Ltd, trading as Pāmu.
Landcorp Chief executive Steven Carden says its further development of dairy farms in the central North Island is under review.
He says since he became chief executive he’s been aware of the risks dairying poses to Landcorp’s balance sheet.
Landcorp had initially planned to develop 35 dairy farms in the region in partnership with private company Wairakei Pastoral, but has so far done only 13. Contrary to popular belief, Carden says they are not committed solely to developing dairy farms.
“What we are committed to is developing land for pastoral purposes and it doesn’t have to be dairy,” he told Rural News.
“We are looking broadly at other options such as sheep, beef cropping options and dairy support. We are having an expansive look at what we can do and Wairakei Pastoral is amenable to alternative ideas.”
Carden says Landcorp is committed overall to a long term outlook in its operating environment rather than short term riskier gains. He says the company runs a conservative balance sheet with a low debt-equity ratio.
Sheep and beef farmers are urging the Government to do more to stop productive farmland overrun by pine trees.
Auckland’s Eventfinda Stadium saw New Zealand’s top butchers recognized at the National Butchery Awards.
According to the latest Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Stock Number Survey, sheep numbers have fallen by 1% while beef cattle numbers rose by 4.4%.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand says it is seeing strong farmer interest in its newly launched nProve Beef genetics tool, with early feedback and usage insights confirming its value in helping farmers make better breeding decisions and drive genetic improvement in New Zealand's beef herd.
The Innovation Awards at June's National Fieldays showcased several new ideas, alongside previous entries that had reached commercial reality.
To assist the flower industry in reducing waste and drive up demand, Wonky Box has partnered with Burwood to create Wonky Flowers.