MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Three candidates are vying for a South Island seat on the board of fertiliser co-operative Ravensdown.
Simon Davies, Jane Montgomery and Aaron Stark filed their nominations last week. An election will be held under the first past the post electoral system, by postal and internet voting.
Voter packs will be posted out to South Island Area shareholders this Friday. Voting ends on September 22.
For the North Island seat, only one nomination was filed: sitting director Mike Davey will serve another term.
Meanwhile Ravensdown has appointed Tony Carter to its board. Ravensdown chair Bruce Wills says Carter is one of New Zealand's most experienced governors, known for his strategic leadership.
"With his extensive governance experience and commercial acumen across a broad range of sectors, Tony brings deep wisdom and foresight that will complement the existing collective skillset of the Ravensdown board.
"Importantly, he also has a real passion and understanding of co-operatives, having led Foodstuffs as chief executive and managing director for 10 years before embarking on his governance career."
Carter says it was the co-operative element that initially drew him to the role, but he's also looking forward to his first directorship in a primary sector organisation.
"Agriculture is such an integral part of New Zealand, from both an economic and cultural perspective.
"I'm excited to be joining the Ravensdown board and having an opportunity to contribute to positive outcomes for New Zealand farmers and growers."
Carter is currently chairman of New Zealand-owned technology business Datacom Group, My Food Bag, TR Group, The Interiors Group and the Skin Institute.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
Thirty years ago, as a young sharemilker, former Waikato farmer Snow Chubb realised he was bucking a trend when he started planting trees to provide shade for his cows, but he knew the animals would appreciate what he was doing.
Virtual fencing and herding systems supplier, Halter is welcoming a decision by the Victorian Government to allow farmers in the state to use the technology.
DairyNZ’s latest Econ Tracker update shows most farms will still finish the season in a positive position, although the gap has narrowed compared with early season expectations.
New Zealand’s national lamb crop for the 2025–26 season is estimated at 19.66 million head, a lift of one percent (or 188,000 more lambs) on last season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest Lamb Crop report.