Taupiri Farmer Chris Woolerton Tipped as New Federated Farmers Waikato President
Taupiri farmer Chris Woolerton is tipped to take over as Federated Farmers Waikato president from next week.
Federated Farmers says helping its members save money and easily and securely trade stock online is behind its decision to sign a partnership with StockX.
“The trend for business transactions to be done online is accelerating and it’s no different in farming,” Feds chief executive Graham Smith says.
“Farmers are up against adverse weather, roller-coaster financial and export market trading conditions, and waves of new regulations. Every dollar counts and StockX delivers a digital platform that gives farmers more flexibility,” he adds.
Smith says Federated Farmers is improving its own digital set-up and is pleased to partner with StockX.
Since StockX launched about a year ago at least 1500 farmers nationwide have registered to trade livestock. It’s free to register and list livestock for sale or purchase. The only cost is 2.5% commission on sales.
Its digital platform enables farmers to extend their sale or purchasing reach beyond their own district and pay lower commissions and fees.
North Canterbury farmer Dan Hodgen says he had heard StockX is “straightforward to use and provides a level of security without an over-the-top cost”.
Hodgen, Feds meat & fibre spokesman for North Canterbury, says he learned about this when drought forced him to look to the North Island to sell his lambs.
He was told there was no demand, but StockX enabled him to test that for himself.
“You’re chasing best value and the biggest thing is that it opens more doors. You’re accessing a wider market than perhaps your agent wants to deal with.”
StockX managing director Jason Roebuck says linking with Federated Farmers is fantastic.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.
The 2026 Holstein Friesian NZ Young Breeders Development Programme is off to a strong start, with this year's intake coming together for their first event on March 18 and 19.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced it will pay a $10 million special dividend to the Crown off the back of a strong outlook for the business and a capital repayment of $9.5 million following Fonterra's consumer business sale.

OPINION: If you ask this old mutt, the choice at the next election isn't shaping up as a contest of…
OPINION: A mate of yours says we're long overdue for a reckoning on what value farmers really get for the…