Organic dairy co-op files for liquidation
A co-operative touted as New Zealand's only 100% farmer-owned organic milk producer has gone bust.
KPMG’S Ian Proudfoot says the biggest surprise for him when compiling the latest Agribusiness Agenda was the discussion on what the future dairy industry might look like.
He didn’t expect to have the level of conversation fundamentally about how much milk Fonterra will end up collecting.
“It’s a conversation that has definitely come up in the last 12 months and I think it’s from seeing well-capitalised companies come into the industry with the potential to change the industry,” Proudfoot told Rural News.
“It comes from real concerns about whether Fonterra is adding value, and the general answer is that there is a lot more they could be doing.”
Proudfoot says the other surprise for him was seeing broadband climb the list to second equal – indicating it is a core issue for the sector.
“We can see the productivity opportunities in technology, its environmental potential and what it can do to strengthen our communities. If we can get rural broadband right, we can transform the rural environment, create new jobs and generate more wealth.”
Proudfoot points to a growing realisation of the need to inspire young people to make a career in agriculture and to help them understand the sector.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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