Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
Singaporean conglomerate, Olam International has succeeded in a full takeover of New Zealand Farming Systems Uruguay.
Olam purchased 85.93% of NZFSU shares in July last year. However, the shareholding fell short of the 90% stake it needed to acquire to trigger a compulsory acquisition of the remaining shares.
On October 18 this year, the company made a full cash takeover offer for 75c/share for shares it did not own. The offer was accepted.
NZS was established in late 2006 with the objective of applying New Zealand's expertise in pastoral dairy farming to high quality, low cost and under-utilised farmland in Uruguay.
The company is the largest single producer of milk in Uruguay, accounting for approximately 6% of national production. The company's medium term plan projects it to be milking 48,000 cows and producing approximately 17% of the total milk currently produced in Uruguay by the 2013-14 season
It has completed the construction or upgrading of 30 dairy sheds, 62 farm workers' houses, 11 irrigation dams, 470km of roading, and reticulation of 65km of high tension wiring for electricity supply required for dairy shed and irrigation pump.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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