Ruralco bounces back with $1.25m profit in 2025
Farm supplies trader Ruralco has recovered from two consecutive years of losses to post a $1.25 million profit for the 2025 financial year.
OPINION: Your old mate's editor was contacted by Ashburton-based farmer co-op Ruralco in relation to this old mutt's recent column about the difficulty in signing up to the organisation.
It says its application is, “Not 67 pages long, but in fact 32 pages for a shareholder or 19 pages for a cardholder”.
The co-op points out that, when put into the context of joining a bank or other financial services organisation, “that is entirely within similar realms”.
It also adds the Ruralco’s boss Robert Sharkie would, “love to have the opportunity to speak with the farmer concerned and help alleviate their frustration”, and “this is how much he cares about helping farmers to do business”.
It’s good to see such a proactive attitude from the boss of a rural company. So, any farmers having any similar issues joining Ruralco – give good old Bob a bell.
Craighead Diocesan, Darfield High School and Christchurch Boys' High School took out the three age groups at the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges, which was held at the recent Ashburton A&P Show.
The New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) is expanding its collaboration with TextileGenesis to deliver full traceability for 100% of ZQ certified wool and ZQRX regenerative wool.
According to Federated Farmers, Environment Southland has mishandled the consent process for Waituna Lagoon, leaving the community with numerous bad outcomes.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.

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