Farmlands returns to profit with strong FY25 result
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
Rural Trader Farmlands has appointed Dr Claire Nicholson to its board of directors.
Nicholson is a director of Parininihi ki Waitōtara Inc (PKW) and chief executive of Sirona Animal Health.
She is a member of the Māori, Stakeholders and Science Advisory Groups for the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, a member of the industry advisory group for a joint government and University of Otago project developing new antimicrobials for the animal health sector and previously was general manager for animal health company Intervet in New Zealand.
Nicholson holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and is a graduate of the Hillary Leadership Programme, the Agri-Women’s Development Trust’s Accelerate Programme and Fonterra’s Development Programme.
Farmlands chair Rob Hewett says he is delighted to welcome Nicholson to the board.
“Claire has more than twenty years’ professional experience relevant to Farmlands in veterinary science and animal health, agribusiness, business development and marketing, technical research, environment and governance.”
Hewett says Nicholson’s appointment strengthens the experience and perspectives of the board at an important time for the retailer.
“Her experience in, and commitment to, innovation will be valuable as Farmlands’ management team, led by recently-appointed CEO Tanya Houghton, delivers on a broad programme of renewal and change.”
“Having been involved in many sectors of the rural industry for over 20 years, I am excited to join Farmlands at this time. I look forward to offering my experience gained from a range of organisations to help Farmlands deliver improvements for shareholders, customers and partners,” says Nicholson.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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