Federated Farmers President Colin Hurst Adds Dairy Farm
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
South Canterbury farmer Colin Hurst has been elected as the new president of Federated Farmers.
Hurst, the current vice president, replaces Golden Bay dairy farmer Wayne Langford.
The election was held at Feds annual meeting in Auckland. Before the elections, the meeting went into committee to discuss a remit allowing Langford to serve a fourth year in the top job.
However, the remit was voted down and excluded Langford from the contest, paving the way for a two-way battle between Hurst and national board member Mark Hooper.
After his election, Hurst thanked members for their support and said he looked forward to serving in the new role.
There was a three-way battle for the post of vice president - board member Sandra Faulkner was elected.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.

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