Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
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.
Farmers are counting down the days to when major shareholdings in New Zealand Wool Services International (NZWSI) will be on-sold by the receivers.
"In a green-aware age, bales of wool should be flying out of our woolsheds. As they are not, is why management consultants could describe the wool industry as a 'problem child'," says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson.
"New Zealand Wool Services International is our largest exporter but two of its major shareholders are in the hands of receivers. This is not a criticism of the receivers. Their role is to keep things ticking over rather than making strategic decisions.
"Wool has a strong future and this future is a discussion point next week in Wellington during Federated Farmers 2012 Meat & Fibre Council meeting.
"In November, HRH the Prince of Wales and patron of the Campaign for Wool is visiting New Zealand. I am certain Prince Charles will catalyse interest in wool as one of the greenest fibres we have.
"The priority is to get WSI's two major shareholders out of the hands of the receivers and into the hands of a company that will grow our industry. Being a Kiwi I would dearly love to see these assets remain in local ownership.
"We need to make progress with consumers and that is what the Campaign for Wool is aimed at. Then we have innovators, like The Formary and Icebreaker, taking wool in bold new directions.
"Finally, we need our largest exporters at the top of their game, no matter who owns them.
"It is why WSI's two major shareholdings need to leave the hands of the receivers and we cannot wait for this to happen," Maxwell says.
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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