What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
The Hound notes that Lincoln University’s vice-chancellor Andrew West has suddenly resigned. This old mutt hopes West’s replacement is not serial bow-tie wearer and rent-a-quote Lincoln academic Keith Woodford.
The latter’s credibility has been called into question after he claimed the sheep being shipped live to Mexico would “quickly be killed and end up on the barbeque at village festivals”. As agent Peter Walsh curtly pointed out, with these sheep being landed in Mexico at around US$360 a head “that makes it a very expensive lamb chop for financially struggling Mexicans”. The Hound suggests Woodford better stick to producing dour and unreadable columns about Fonterra, because his understanding of the economics and spending power of Mexican peasants is way off beam!
Ballance Agrinutrients chief executive Kelvin Wickham says despite a tough year, he is pleased the business has returned to profit.
When Northland farmer Mark Cameron entered parliament six years ago, the Beehive was a lonely place.
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
I think it's going to greatly weaken National at the election. That's the view of a former senior National MP on the recent attempted coup against Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
Despite political shenanigans in Wellington, farmers are confident that Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms will get over the line in this term of Parliament.
New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.