Leah Prankerd: A passion for dairying and farmer support
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
New DairyNZ chief financial officer Robyn Marsh started last week, an appointment DairyNZ says will provide strong financial direction, vision, and profitable management.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says Marsh - who takes on the title of chief financial officer and general manager of corporate services - is an experienced sector finance leader.
"We are privileged to recruit an individual with such depth of knowledge and expertise, along with solid understanding and appreciation of our sector. Robyn grew up on a South Taranaki dairy dairy farm and being part of a rural agricultural community is an anchoring motivator in her career and way of life."
As a chartered accountant, Marsh started her career with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu before moving to Fonterra in 2002.There she held several financial leadership roles, such as general manager of global accounting services and mergers and acquisitions. Her initial focus will be the execution of the strategic plan for the coming year, to help align priorities and overall strategy. She say she is excited to be taking her career in agricultural finance to the next level and having the opportunity to be part of positive progress for the dairy industry.
"There are significant challenges and opportunities facing the dairy sector today and into the future," she says.
"Collaborating with our farmers and sectors partners on innovative solutions is an effective way to drive a positive future for dairying. Working at DairyNZ provides a great opportunity to be a part of this journey, and I look forward to progressing my work in the sector to date with this new role."
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.