Ah Tatua, You've Done It Again!
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
OPINION: This old mutt suggests that Fonterra farmers may well have been a little too distracted by a high payout this year to see - or even notice- the exploding salary at the co-op.
According to excellent analysis recently done by BusinessDesk's Jenny Ruth, the number of Fonterra executives earning over $500k a year fell by 12 in the last year to 96.
However, this followed a 35.7% increase in the same salary bracket a year earlier.
Meanwhile, during the past year 1,052 more Fonterra employees are now 'earning' $100k or more a year - taking the total to 8,440 people.
Ruth is scathing about this jump in the salary bill saying: "The Fonterra gravy train keeps chugging along as its farmers, who are supposed to own the joint, appear oblivious to how much of the cream they produce is being hijacked by the executives". Ouch!
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.

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