High volumes of imported pork flood NZ
Over 40,000 metric tons (MT) of overseas pork from 22 countries were imported into New Zealand in 2023.
Owen Symmans has been appointed the new chief executive officer of New Zealand Pork Industry Board (NZPork). He replaces Sam McIvor.
Symmans joins NZPork from the Seafood Industry Training Organisation, where he repositioned the business to meet the industry's training needs, says NZPork chairman Ian Cater.
"As former chief executive officer to the NZ Seafood Industry Council Ltd, Owen boosted the public profile of the seafood industry and successfully managed a number of challenging policy issues," says Carter.
"NZPork is thrilled to bring Owen's skills and experience to the pork industry, along with his excellent working knowledge of primary production and the food, science, local government and training sectors."
Carter also paid tribute to Sam McIvor, saying "Sam has guided the pork industry through difficult times, including the adoption of world-leading animal welfare standards and the ongoing campaign to keep our animals safe from Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)."
"Modern pig farming requires high levels of technical and practical farming skills, along with the dedication and understanding to compete in a highly aggressive local market. Owen's strategic leadership skills and his wide experience in the food-producing primary sector will place NZPork in a strong position as we seek to continue to meet industry and government objectives for our sector," Carter says.
Symmans takes up his new position on 23 April.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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