How farmers make spring count
OPINION: Spring is a critical season for farmers – a time when the right decisions can set the tone for productivity and profitability throughout the year.
A strong field of eight candidates is contesting two vacancies in Ballance Agri-Nutrients North Island director elections this year as the cooperative moves to its new two ward voting system.
Shareholders last year approved the move from three wards to two – one in the North Island and one in the South, with the aim to move to nationally-elected directors over time.
The North Island ward is seeing the retirement of Oliver Saxton after 15 years and the retirement by rotation of Sarah Von Dadelszen. The South Island ward has a bye this year.
Nominations for the vacancies closed on August 16 and eligible shareholders in the North Island have until 5pm on Wednesday, September 21 to vote.
Voting papers have been mailed to eligible shareholders. Provision has been made for both postal and online voting.
Sarah Von Dadelszen is seeking re-election. The remaining seven candidates are Dirk Sieling of Whitianga, Donna Smit of Whakatane, Grant Coombes of Taupiri, Ken Hames of Paparoa, Murray Jagger of Whangarei, Paul Martin of Whangarei and Stu Chapman of Dargaville. Candidate profiles can be accessed at http://www.electionz.com/ballance2016nw/profiles.pdf
Ballance chairman, David Peacocke, says he is pleased to see eight candidates standing for the new North Island Ward.
"It's important for our co-operative to have strong governance and that our shareholders have the opportunity to choose from a deep pool of candidates to select the best directors with the best skills and experiences. We are confident this strong selection will encourage a good voter turnout."
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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