Elders mum on PGW
Australian rural services company Elders has downplayed media speculation it is raising funds for a buyout of New Zealand’s largest agricultural services company PGG Wrightson (PGW).
THE SALE OF the Elders New Zealand (Elders) business to South Island based Carr Group has been completed following the sale announcement on June 20.
Elders managing director Stu Chapman and Carr directors,Greg and Craig Carr have been travelling New Zealand meeting with Elders staff and clients to discuss what bringing together two strong agri-businesses will mean for the rural community into the future.
"The feedback we have received from both Elders staff and current clients has been overwhelmingly positive" says Chapman. "The rural sector is very encouraged about the 100%New Zealand ownership and is keen to embrace a new Kiwi brand moving forward".
Carr Group managing director, Craig Carr said "I am looking forward to working with both companies under one entity and joining forces with Stu Chapman to create a robust rural business. We will continue to look for synergies across the combined group and are working on growth plans to support our vision. The Elders staff both Greg and myself have met with have been extremely encouraging and supportive of the sale"
The Elders business will continue to trade under the Elders brand for the foreseeable future with Chapman continuing on in his role as managing director.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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