Agri-Women's Development Trust creating future 'farm CFOs'
Graduates of a newly-updated Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) course are taking more value than ever from the programme, with some even walking away calling themselves the “farm CFO”.
The Agri-Women's Development Trust business programme for sheep and beef farming women has been confirmed for 2016 with funding from the Red Meat Profit Partnership.
Fourteen programmes will be held around New Zealand that will further engage women as critical farming partners by building business knowledge skills and confidence.
Each programme consists of four high-quality, full-day workshops delivered by industry experts over four months in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Understanding Your Farming Business (UYFB) is funded by the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP).
More than 150 women completed the programme in 2015 following an earlier pilot in partnership with Beef + Lamb New Zealand that involved 90 women.
Programmes will be run in the Wairarapa, Tararua, Hunterville, Stratford, Blenheim, Cheviot, Wanaka, Gore, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Rotorua and National Park.
See www.awdt.org.nz
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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