Feds Label New Farmer Group 'Bad News'
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
Taupiri farmer Chris Woolerton is tipped to take over as Federated Farmers Waikato president from next week.
Woolerton, current Feds provincial vice-president and North Waikato branch chair, takes over from Phil Sherwood, who is giving up the post after one year in the role.
Dairy News understands that Sherwood is relocating to Taranaki. He remains a Federated Farmers member.
Woolerton farms in Taupiri on 370ha including a runoff. The family-owned business runs two herds, one with 380 cows and the other with 480 cows.
He represented Waikato District Council's rural Hukanui-Waerenga Ward from 2019 until 2022, before the ward was disestablished due to council boundary changes.
The farms have a contract milker who has five staff and this gives Woolerton time for his Federated Farmers work.
Woolerton will be confirmed in the top role at the Federated Farmers Waikato provincial annual meeting next Thursday.
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
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