RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
Meat processor Silver Fern Farms is being forced to divert product away from China as coronavirus ravages its biggest market.
Read: Coronavirus starting to impact meat processing.
SFF chief executive Simon Limmer says it is working with its Chinese partners to monitor the situation on a daily basis.
“We are diverting product to other markets….while short-term these markets deliver lower value returns, and will unfortunately have an impact on upcoming livestock pricing, it will enable us to maintain our ability to process stock.
“While beef and lamb items can be diverted, we have very limited market options for mutton with China the main global market for mutton.”
SFF is reducing mutton processing at its plants from next week and says it recognises the impact of its decision on NZ farmers.
“During peak production and with limited feed availability, the timing of this event is challenging and processing continuity is important,” Limmer says.
He is urging farmers to talk to their SFF representatives for more information.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.