Apprenticeship scheme to grow new generation of farmers
Nine lucky school leavers passionate about farming will join Pamu for a two-year journey into agriculture, living and working at Pamu farm, Aratiatia near Taupo.
Agribusiness leader Warren Parker has been appointed the new chairman of state farmer Pāmu Farms (Landcorp).
Parker is a former chief executive of Scion (NZ Forest Research Institute) and Landcare Research, and was previously chief operating officer of AgResearch.
He chairs the Forestry Ministerial Advisory Group and until recently chaired the New Zealand Conservation Authority. He is a director of Predator Free 2050 Ltd, Farmlands Cooperative Society and Genomics Aotearoa.
Parker has a PhD in animal science and was previously a professor of agribusiness and resource management at Massey University, where he spent 18 years in various roles, including supervising the 9000 stock unit Riverside Farm in Wairarapa.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson says Parker is an experienced expert in NZ’s primary industries a senior in science, education, management and most recently in governance. Robertson applauded Parker’s “experience and ability to take over the chair’s role at Landcorp”.
Associate Minister of State Owned Enterprises Shane Jones says Parker’s “experience in a wide range of primary industries will enable him to look at all Landcorp’s work and ensure shareholder value for money from our investment”.
Landcorp is New Zealand’s largest farming business. Its core business is pastoral farming, running 1.5 million stock units – sheep, deer, beef and dairy cattle – on 126 properties totalling 372,115ha under management.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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