Herd production performance soars
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Federated Farmers has brokered what could be its last meeting before the mutant calf issue ends up before the Courts and/or the Commerce Commission.
"Over the weekend we tried one last time to get to a solution. I now fear this is heading towards the Commerce Commission and possibly the courts," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
"The shame is that this hairy mutation is so rare, a farmer is more likely to win Lotto's first division than to encounter it again. This rarity is why we felt Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) ought to get on the front foot and actively build its customer relations.
"We hoped LIC would have run their commercial ruler over this issue, bearing in mind how low the odds are of a repeat.
"I guess it comes down to LIC shareholders either ringing directors to give them an ear-full or to lend them their support.
"Likewise, for affected farmers, they could club together in order to pursue some form of remedy if that is their wish.
"As this could now become a commercial dispute, Federated Farmers has to step back until this these processes are complete.
"Federated Farmers does a lot of work behind the scenes in order to resolve matters before they publically break; this issue has sadly been anything but. A dose of pragmatism would have avoided much public acrimony.
"Federated Farmers is however ready to mediate for a solution that works for those affected by this mutation and for LIC's wider shareholding base."
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
A seminar on rural dispute resolution has been organised at Lincoln University, Christchurch this month.
The legacy of Dr Peter Snow continues to inspire as the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Peter Snow Memorial Awards were announced at the recent National Rural Health Conference.
One of Fonterra’s global customers, Mars is launching an ambitious sustainable dairy plan to work with dairy farmers and cut emissions by 50%.
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