Go woke!
OPINION: The Hound reckons the powers at Landcorp (or as they/them like to call themselves, Pāmu) are coming under the microscope with the new government in place.
Landcorp, no longer threatened with sales of some of its farms, has reported an after-tax profit of $51.9 million for the year to August 31.
Electioneering National had proposed selling some farms but Labour wouldn’t hear of it.
Its 2017 annual report shows asset values rose to $1.81 billion in 2016-17, an increase of $27.9m on 2015-16. Debt fell from $219.6m to $206.9m.
Recently re-branded as Pāmu Farms of New Zealand, the company’s chief executive Steve Carden says the 2017 result is very pleasing and reflects higher returns from milk, beef and venison.
“As we enter the halfway point of the financial year our business is tracking well. However, any downward pressure in commodity prices as we head into 2018 will impact our result.”
Carden says the company has focused on cutting debt and reinvesting in the business recently as part of its overall strategy. Ongoing solid trading conditions indicate another profitable year ahead, he says.
“Pāmu is looking at how we can enhance shareholder value, not just by being a price-taker at the farmgate, but by adding value right along the food chain.
“Agriculture needs to be changing and evolving in what it produces in response to consumer demand,” said.
“Whether partnering with Spring Sheep Milk Co to offer a unique product range, or providing high quality wool to NZ Merino for the innovative brands they work with... Pāmu is always looking at ways to drive value and innovation.”
Carden says the company is going from strength to strength and the last few years of intensive refocusing is now bearing fruit.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…