Two Major NZ Dairy Deals Completed
Two major acquisitions in the New Zealand dairy sector were completed this week.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly asks if the financial pickle that milk company Synlait currently finds itself in is a case of the people supposed to be in charge of the company taking their eyes off the ball.
The majority Chinese-owned dairy company - once the darling of financial markets - now has analysts saying it will take several years to recover after posting its recent financial loss.
John Penno was parachuted in as chief executive again, but his so-called Midas touch appears to have disappeared, with the company now selling assets and culling staff.
This old mutt's sources say while Penno appears to be good at selling the sizzle, there was never much sausage behind this and that is now coming home to roost.
They are also questioning the time Penno spent last year spruiking the Government's hugely unpopular new freshwater regulations when things at Synlait were turning pear-shaped.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.
Technology and the use of artificial intelligence are increasingly part of life, both on the farm and off it.
Ashleigh Gordon and Leilani Lobb have been named as the two finalists for Dairy Women's Network's (DWN) 2026 Regional Leader of the Year Award.
Animal and Plant Health New Zealand (APHANZ) says the approval of a new fungicide seed treatment is a positive, however growers will be hoping the final approval is completed ahead of the spring season.
North Canterbury farmer Adam Williamson has been appointed DairyNZ's associate director for 2026-27.
Fonterra farmers are set for a multi-billion-dollar payout this week.

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