Unit holders finally smiling
After years of average or below-average returns, Fonterra unit holders received a record dividend in 2023.
Fonterra Shareholders Fund chairman, left, pictured with former agriculture minister Nathan Guy, will step down at the end of the year.
The independent chair of Fonterra Shareholders Fund John Shewan is stepping down later this year.
Another director Kim Ellis has also indicated his intention to retire at the fund's annual meeting in November.
The fund board has appointed Mary-Jane Daly as chair-elect.
Daly was elected to the board in November 2020.
She is currently chair of the Earthquake Commission and an Independent Director of Kiwibank and Kiwi Property Group Limited. She has a strong background in insurance, banking and finance with experience in a variety of senior roles both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.
Next month, wool training will reach one of New Zealand's most remote communities, the Chatham Islands - bringing hands-on skills and industry connection to locals eager to step into the wool harvesting sector.
Farmers' health and wellbeing will take centre stage with a new hub at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Dannevirke farmer Dan Billing has been announced as the new national chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's (B+LNZ) Farmer Council.
A Mid Canterbury beef farm has unlocked a new market for its products thanks to its unusual beef breed, and an award-winning pie taking the district by storm.
The number of beef straws going into dairy cows is on the increase, according to LIC beef genetics product lead Paul Charteris.

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