Top dairy CEO quits
Arguably one of the country's top dairy company's chief executives, Richard Wyeth has abruptly quit Chinese owned Westland Milk Products (WMP)
Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products, New Zealand’s second largest dairy co-operative, has lifted its payout prediction for the 2016-17 season to a net range (after retentions) of $5.30 to $5.70/kgMS.
The cooperative’s previous estimate for the season was a net range of $4.55 to $4.95/kgMS.
Chief executive Toni Brendish says the lift in payout prediction has been made possible by two factors.
“Firstly,” she says, “global dairy market prices have increased and Westland has been able to take advantage of that.
“Secondly, we have made a number of improvements to the efficiency of our production and quality assurance processes resulting in savings that can be passed on to shareholders.”
Brendish says the global dairy market remained volatile and industry commentators did not have a consensus on where final payout figures were likely to settle.
“The improvements in the market give us sufficient confidence to take a cautiously optimistic approach and raise our payout prediction accordingly.”
Brendish says that Westland would also raise its advance payout rate to shareholders to $4/kgMS (up from $3.80).
The New Zealand Food Network's (NZFN) fifth birthday celebrations have been boosted by a whopping five tonne meat donation from meat processor ANZCO.
Pukekohe vegetable growers farewelled 101-year-old Alan Wilcox in late July, celebrating his many achievements and reflecting the widespread respect in which he was held.
A new nationwide survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but also gave them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.
North Otago farmer Jane Smith is standing for the Ravensdown South Island director seat.
"Unwelcome" is how the chief executive of the Horticulture Export Authority (HEA), Simon Hegarty, describes the 15% tariff that the US has imposed on primary exports to that country.
Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.