Leah Prankerd: A passion for dairying and farmer support
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
Waikato farmer Jim van der Poel has been re-elected chairman of DairyNZ.
Following the board elections and annual general meeting this month, the board met to follow standard process and elect the chair.
The DairyNZ board comprises five farmer-elected directors along with three board-appointed directors. Van der Poel was re-elected to the board for another three-year term this month while South Island farmer Cameron Henderson was elected to replace Colin Glass, who has retired.</p.
Van der Poel and his wife Sue live in Ngahinapouri and have farming interests in Waikato, Southland, Canterbury, and the US.
He has previously served on Fonterra’s board and was an inaugural director on the Fonterra Shareholders Fund and has won a number of industry awards including the AC Cameron Award, 2002 Nuffield Scholarship, Sharemilker of the Year and Dairy Exporter Primary Performer Award.
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.