Board upheaval at PGW
The board of rural trader PGG Wrightson Limited has agreed to call a special meeting demanded by its largest shareholder.
The Federation of Maori Authorities (FOMA), which represents Māori interests on He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), is hopeful of a positive response from government.
FOMA chair Traci Houpapa says she's confident that at the end of the day, pragmatism, goodwill and common sense will prevail and that a good outcome will be achieved for the HWEN partners.
She says FOMA signed up to HWEN because it knows that climate change is a significant issue and matters for Māori, NZ and the world.
"FOMA has certainly positioned Māori in terms of levies, resources, investments, governance, sequestration and the pricing modelling which are outstanding and are on the table now for open discussion on how we might develop them," she says.
Responding to criticism of the Government's response to the HWEN proposal by the Māori Trustee, Dr Charlotte Severne, Traci Houpapa says the fact that Māori may disagree is no different to Pakeha.
"I could well ask Pakeha farmers, when are you all going to agree?" she says.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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