Winston's crusade
OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.
In a blow to Fonterra's trading among farmers (TAF) proposal, Simon Couper has resigned his position as Chair of the Fonterra Shareholders' Council effective immediately.
Couper's unexpected resignation came about due to his "lack of comfort with some aspects of the Trading Among Farmers proposal".
The Council today endorsed Council's Deputy Chair, Ian Brown to move into the position of Chair.
Fonterra has had trouble quelling unrest among its shareholder base about the detail of TAF and has already had to take it back to a second vote, which is due in June. Couper's departure will be seized upon by the TAF opponents that Fonterra has positioned as "a vocal minority".
As statement issued by Couper's replacement, Ian Brown, simply says "the Council would like to thank Simon for the dedication he brought to the Council over the past eight years."
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.
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.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

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