Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Federated Farmers' annual conference kicks off in Ashburton today and runs until Friday.
President Bruce Wills says precision agriculture and the red meat sector's future are likely to dominate in industry group annual meetings. These are dairy, meat and fibre and grain and seed.
"We look forward to hearing from our colleagues at Meat Industry Excellence, as well as from industry experts, leaders and insiders," he says.
"This will also feature one of the first talks by New Zealand's Special Agriculture Trade Envoy, Mike Petersen, since his confirmation in the role.
"On Thursday afternoon our Plenary Day kicks-off and this is about generating new thinking and ideas. We are using external panellists to get discussion flowing on Local Government's Future; Water Partnerships for Progress and Rural New Zealand & Agriculture with the Next Generation."
The annual awards will be held on Thursday evening.
"Here we will announce our Agri-Personality and Allflex Agri Businessperson for 2013. This night is also the only opportunity where all of agriculture's major award winners come together under the same roof. It is a galaxy of farming talent."
The federation's formal business day takes place on Friday. This will also feature a focus on adverse events and Federated Farmers role in them. "Somewhat timely given recent snow and of course, the 2013 drought," says Wills.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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