What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
Seven new AGMARDT scholarships totalling $50,000 have been granted to agribusiness people undertaking leadership and governance training.
The scholarships are available for people who want to grow their leadership or governance skills to take on future leadership roles within agribusiness and beyond says AGMARDT's general manager Malcolm Nitschke.
He congratulated the winners, four of whom are undertaking the Kellogg's rural leadership programme at Lincoln University.
Others are taking part in the AWDT Escalator programme, or going on Fonterra and Institute of Directors courses, or high performance leadership courses.
"We believe the success of New Zealand agribusiness will be driven by talented and inspired leadership," he says.
Scholarships were granted to:
· Jolene Germann of Fast Track Dairies Ltd from Otautau;
· Joanne Kerslake from AbacusBio, Dunedin;
· Natalie Bowie of AgriOne, Palmerston North;
· Marcus Peacock of Hononga, Waipukurau;
· Sarah Bell of Taroa Holdings Ltd, Taihape,
· Dylan Barrett of PRP International Property Consultants from Tauranga, and
· Carla Muller, of DairyNZ, Hamilton.
This is the first time AGMARDT has awarded specific scholarships for leadership and governance training, and Nitschke says they will become an annual event. Applicants were nominated by industry organisations or groups.
See www.agmardt.org.nz
OPINION: Political parties are getting plenty of advice and recommendations from sector groups as the election approaches.
In farming there are external factors that can influence behaviour of a whole herd, such as a bad weather event, triggering false positive heat detections or health attentions.
For Canterbury dairy farmer Cameron Henderson, supporting Meet the Need comes down to a simple question: how can the success of New Zealand farming benefit more than just those within the industry?
Fonterra board members are in line for a pay rise of around 3%.
Dairy processors are ready to further boost New Zealand’s export earnings but want the incoming government to match their ambition with good policy.
Federated Farmers has welcomed new rural policies released by ACT, saying they align closely with its own election priorities.

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…