Well-placed to weather conflicts
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
Ravensdown has appointed Steve Belton as the new regional manager, Western North Island.
He replaces long-serving employee Mike Davey, who retires on March 31. Belton takes over on February 3: the two-month overlap will help make for an easier transition for both staff and the local farming community.
Belton says Davey is leaving behind some big boots to fill.
Raised on a sheep and beef farm near the North Canterbury township of Waikari, farming is in Belton’s blood.
After graduating from Lincoln University with an agricultural science degree, Belton began his career in the rural sector. Not long after, he landed his first role at Ravensdown as an account manager based out of Nelson.
After six years in the role, he went on to work as an agronomist and finance manager before coming back to Ravensdown in 2017 as the Upper North Island Regional Manager.
The father of two says that the move to Taranaki will be a big change for both himself and his family, but he’s keen to hit the ground running and is looking forward to the challenge.
“One of my first tasks will be to meet local farmers, learn about the environment and their needs and make myself available to my new community.”
After 35 years with Farmer’s Fertiliser Ltd and more than 20 with Ravensdown, Davey is calling it a day.
“I’m going to miss it, but the locals will still see me around,” he 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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