Ashburton Farmer Matthew Paton Elected to Ruralco Board
Ashburton cropping and dairy farmer Matthew Paton has been elected to the board of rural services company, Ruralco.
South Island rural service trader Ruralco says its chairman Alister Body has signalled his intention to step down from his role and pursue broader agribusiness interests.
Body chaired the Ruralco board for the past two years and served as a director since 2011.
Body has agreed to continue to support the business until June 30 when he will retire from the board.
The Ruralco board has appointed Jessie Chan-Dorman as chair-elect. She will be the first female chair of the board.
Ruralco says Body will aid in her succession.
The co-op says during his tenure Body initiated and led a full governance review leading to an overhaul of the board function, rebrand of the business, reorganisation of senior management and a return to profitability. He also chaired the joint venture with Ravensdown that saw the creation of the Ruralco brand.
“The Ruralco board acknowledges the significant contribution Alister has made over eight years of service and his infectious passion for Ruralco and the members it serves.”
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

OPINION: Your old mate welcomes the proposed changes to local government but notes it drew responses that ranged from the reasonable…
OPINION: A press release from the oxygen thieves running the hot air symposium on climate change, known as COP30, grabbed your…