Birth woes
OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.
Foreign investment not only brings in money but links New Zealand into foreign markets, says former Prime Minister John Key.
Speaking at the opening of a $50 million expansion at New Image Group (NIG) Nutritionals goat milk plant in Paerata, South Auckland, Key said that as Prime Minister he was a big fan of foreign investment.
Key also told Rural News imposing another tax on farmers now for greenhouse gas emissions won't achieve much and should be out of the question until science provides more answers. Read more here.
“I don’t think we always understand how important it is,” he said speaking on foreign investment.
NIG Nutritionals is 10% owned by the Chinese company Newer Biotechnology (Hunan) Ltd and 90% owned by Graeme Clegg’s New Image Group.
The company makes goat milk powder products for export, direct selling via operational offices in 20 countries. Last year it was independently ranked as the 52nd biggest direct selling company in the world.
Key spoke at the opening as PM Jacinda Ardern was unavailable to attend.
Former Fonterra executive Alex Turnbull has been appointed CEO to lead all five Yili Oceania Business Division companies in New Zealand.
Fonterra executive René Dedoncker is leaving the co-operative later this year to lead Australian agribusiness Elders.
Alliance Group and the Southland Stags rugby team have joined forces in a partnership that will see the the meat co-operative's farmgate brand feature on players' team kits and replica jerseys.
Fonterra's plan to expand its organic programme to the South Island is being well received by farmers, the co-op says.
Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.

OPINION: Here w go: the election date is set for November 7 and the politicians are out of the gate…
OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.