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Silver Fern Farms chairman Rob Hewett.
Silver Fern Farms (SFF) chairman Rob Hewett has dismissed claims that the newly merged meat company is about to start a bidding war for new season lambs.
SFF’s deal with Shanghai Maling will come into force on January 4 next year, when the company will receive a $261 million cash injection from its Chinese partner.
“We have no desire to start a procurement war,” Hewett says. “It would be irresponsible use of funds.”
However, like his Alliance counterpart, Hewett admits if a procurement war does flare up this coming season the company is now better prepared for it.
“SFF now has a balance sheet that can withstand pressure in that space if we need to.”
Meanwhile, Hewett says farmgate returns need to link with in-market returns and he concedes that it is “challenging” at the moment.
“It is fair to say that since I joined the board this is the most uncertain outlook I’ve seen for all species except venison.”
He says the impact of the strong kiwi dollar is harming export returns.
“We’ve seen a 15-25% move against the euro, sterling and US dollar in the last 12 months.
“However, in-market prices are roughly the same and processors are currently wearing this. This has not come home to farmers yet.”
Hewett says the company has not yet settled on new season pricing. “It’s very challenging and we’re still working out where it’s going to be.”
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
As dairy farmers lock in plans for the upcoming mating season, a partnership between Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms has been formed with the aim of making it simpler to create additional value from calves not entering the replacement herd.
Applications for Silver Fern Farms Co-operative's next board-appointed farmer director are open.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
Silver Fern Farms has successfully produced and delivered 90 tonnes of premium chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates via airfreight.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
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