Ashburton Farmer Matthew Paton Elected to Ruralco Board
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
OPINION: A mate of the Hound’s recently applied for membership with Ashburton-based farm supply co-operative Ruralco.
He reports that by the time he’d downloaded all the paperwork there was something like 67 pages he had to read, sign and wade through.
“I won’t go into all the information they wanted,” the perplexed farmer says. “But it came across as like they were paying me – not the other way round!”
Other people have told your mate of similar issues faced when trying to sign up Farmlands.
In fact, yours truly has looked at joining that rural supply co-op on a number of occasions, but he just couldn’t be bothered after looking at the convoluted process needed to go through to sign up.
Funny how these farming co-operatives are all mad keen on more people joining them, but then make it such an onerous ordeal to sign up!
Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.
Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.

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