Why Now Is the Time to Plan Farm Succession, Findex Says
OPINION: Succession and long-term planning are perennial topics because it is perpetually sidelined on busy farms.
Māori-owned milk processor Miraka is looking for a new chief executive following the resignation of Karl Gradon last week.
Gradon, who was appointed chief executive three years ago, is leaving for personal and family reasons.
Miraka chair Bruce Scott attrributed much of Miraka's recent growth and success during the past three years to Gradon's leadership and efforts resetting the business for future success.
"Karl Gradon has successfully navigated Miraka through a significant period of change, leading the reorganisation of the business to set Miraka up for long-term, intergenerational success, as was envisioned by our founding leaders and shareholders.
"There are many successes and wins we attribute to Karl's leadership. This includes building a strong senior leadership team, evolving from single products to optimising customer focus and our portfolio of value-added products."
Gradon says that leading Miraka has been a rewarding experience both professionally and personally.
"I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together as a whānau and business. I am confident in the company's continued success.
"Our shareholders bestowed a set of values that I personally admire, and I look forward to seeing this values-based approach continue to flourish through the generations as our founders intended."
The Miraka board has begun a search for Gradon's replacement. Miraka chief operating officer, Richard Harding, is now acting as CEO.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) and Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network are calling for investment in a proposed new training pathway for rural GPs, warning that many rural practices are struggling to recruit while a large share of the existing workforce nears retirement.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Synlait has swung to second-half profit as operations stabilise, but the dairy processor still posted a $75.4m annual loss.

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