MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Ravensdown has recorded a strong profit for the 2019-20 financial year.
The fertiliser cooperative received a profit before tax, bonus share issue and rebate of $69 million, compared to $52 million in the 2018-19 financial year.
It says it will be returning a total of $68 million to its eligible farmer shareholders.
The co-op says it is confident in its financial strength and cautiously optimistic in the face of uncertainty around Covid-19 and emerging government policy.
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Ravensdown Chairman John Henderson. |
In addition to a previous non-cash bonus share distribution in March of $40 million, including imputation credits and a further rebate of $25 per tonne of fertiliser purchased in 2019-20, Ravensdown says it was able to increase spending on its physical infrastructure to $28 million and repeat its 2018-19 spend on R&D ($5 million).
Reduced inventory and strong cashflows throughout lockdown meant that Ravensdown finished the financial year with no net debt and an operating cashflow of $143 million, versus $31 million in 2018-19.
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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