Ruralco Instore Days supporting local farmers
This year’s Ruralco Instore Days is centred on staying local and local connections, as part of the co-operative’s ongoing commitment to supporting Mid Canterbury farmers.
Former Agriculture Minister and Banks Peninsula farmer David Carter has been elected to the board of rural trader, Ruralco.
Carter took up his directorship at the co-operative’s annual meeting last month, replacing former chairman Alister Body who stepped down after nine years on the board.
Carter, one of National’s longest serving MPs, retired at the last general elections after serving as a parliamentarian for 26 years and in a number of National governments as a cabinet minister, including Agriculture Minister and Speaker of the House.
He says joining the Ruralco Board is a chance to offer his experience to his first passion—New Zealand agriculture.
“Ruralco has a unique history. I believe with good governance, good management, and a dedicated staff, it has the potential to deliver even greater benefits to its shareholders,” he says. Ruralco, a farmer cooperative owned by Ashburton Trading Society (ATS), made a gross profit of $1.2 million from a group turnover of $241m last financial year.
For the third year in a row, the co-op paid its owners a bonus rebate. This year farmer owners received $250,000.
Ruralco chair Jessie Chan, speaking at the AGM, described Covid-19 as an unprecedented obstacle.
But she says the co-op attracted 68 new shareholders last year and increased its market share.
“Crisis does not change who you are – crisis reveals who you are. Covid-19 revealed a lot about us this year. We are agile, innovative, and willing to rise to the challenge,” said Chan.
She says Ruralco recognises that while the agricultural sectors are currently well placed despite the uncertainty created in the wake of Covid-19, the need to work collaboratively will remain at the forefront of all it does.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.