Nicola Shadbolt elected as LIC director
Academic and former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt has been elected as LIC director.
As of 1 May, Plant & Food Research has a new chief executive in Mark Piper.
Board chair Nicola Shadbolt says they were happy to appoint Piper, who has 30 years global experience in the food and primary sectors, from a wide field of high calibre applicants.
"We are thrilled with the calibre of people who came forward wanting to be part of our organisation. This is testimony to the work of our people and our reputation for high quality, impactful science," she says.
"Mark's passion is clear and he takes great energy from its potential to create a positive and sustainable future. I know Mark will lead Plant & Food Research with innovation, integrity and respect."
Piper has previously worked at Fonterra with the last five years as a research and development director along with international relations in Japan and America. Piper takes over from David Hughes, who announced his retirement in late 2022. Hughes will remain on board throughout May in an advisory capacity.
Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.

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