Taupiri Farmer Chris Woolerton Tipped as New Federated Farmers Waikato President
Taupiri farmer Chris Woolerton is tipped to take over as Federated Farmers Waikato president from next week.
Outgoing Federated Farmers leader Karen Williams says she will remain a Federated Farmers member.
She says the farmer lobby is doing an amazing job across nearly 40 policy areas with an increasing number and complexity of issues.
"People don't appreciate just how hard the staff and elected officials work on their behalf or how many submissions we write, hearings we attend and outcomes we influence by just being in the room."
She says Feds is a broad-church of members, and it tries to represent everyone as fairly as it can. But she adds that, like all representative bodies, it can't please all of the people, all of the time.
"But I would ask members, and those people who should be members, to hang in there with us, there is much work to be done."
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.
Technology and the use of artificial intelligence are increasingly part of life, both on the farm and off it.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.

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