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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.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities Party, labelled by some as the 'LinkedIn Greens' for their corporate spin on Green-esque 'tax the rich' policies.
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in Westminster is a salient warning for us.
OPINION: Proponents of regenerative agriculture tend to be naturally aligned with a 'green mindset', so they will be nonplussed with their new mates in the US of A.
OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put their levy-funded industry organisations under the same scrutiny as fertiliser, electricity, labour and freight.
A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any given issue.
Fonterra’s 2026 financial year was a year of delivery, with record volumes of milk collected, processed and shipped by the co-op.
OPINION: The Government's decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone subject from Year 11 is the right one.
Dairy farmers, still holding onto their Fonterra shares despite switching milk supply elsewhere or exiting the industry, now face a stricter share sell-down requirement.
Hamilton-based agritech company Aimer Farming has completed a $3 million capital raise to support its next stage of growth, including a beef farming product due to launch in 2027.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
Nominations are open for the 2027 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award.
