Red meat sector reaffirms commitment to China
The next phase of the Taste Pure Nature campaign has been launched in Shanghai, China.
Silver Fern Farms’ chairman Rob Hewett has effectively backed himself and Herstall Ulrich in the director election requesting a vote for “no change” to the board.
The cooperative’s debt reduction and Plate-to-Pasture programmes are “winning strategies” and it is important they are not derailed, he told Rural News.
“We want to invest more in the revenue growth parts of our business, driving our consumer and hotel-restaurant offers into selected high-potential markets around the world.”
The $100m capital raise that Goldman Sachs is scoping for the cooperative would drive such investment, as well as debt reduction, and shareholders will be kept informed and given a clear investment value proposition when appropriate, he says.
“Increased equity is investment in growth and at the same time as paying down debt, turbo-charges the business.”
Hewett acknowledges industry restructure “remains to be dealt with” and says SFF is committed to “sensible rationalisation discussions” with any industry participant.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.