Fonterra, Sharesies join to make share trading easier
Fonterra is teaming up with wealth app provider Sharesies to make it easier for its farmer shareholders to trade co-op shares among themselves.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the popular Open Gates initiative is likely to go bigger next year.
On Sunday, November 10 about 7000 people flocked to 13 farms NZ-wide to see how a typical dairy farm operates.
Hurrell, who spent over two hours at Brad and Ellie Cockrell’s farm at Mercer, says he was a bit surprised by the uptake.
He told Rural News that all farms except one were sold out days before the event.
“It’s a bit hard to get more farms come on in the last minute. Given the overwhelming support, early indications are that we’re going to go bigger next year.”
Hurrell says it was great to see people given the opportunity to look at all aspects of dairy farming, to live and breathe the rural sector for a few hours.
While mingling with visitors at the Stewarts’ farm, Hurrell picked up questions on water quality and animal welfare.
He praised Brad Cockrell, a second generation farmer, for doing a great job on the farm.
The Cockerill’s milk 920 cows and are both passionate about caring for their animals and looking after the land.
Brad says they see themselves as the custodians of the land, rather than the owners.
“As a New Zealander and father of four, I’m committed to looking after the land and waterways on their farm.”
The Cockerill’s have planted several thousand natives across the farm in addition to a protected original bush block, next to the farm dairy.
A Fonterra spokesman says it planned for 14 farms to open, but poor weather forced cancellation of the Tauranga event.
“We know the wet weather across New Zealand would’ve put off a few people, but in the end we still had a good turnout with around 7000 people attending the 13 farms,” he told Rural News.
“The whole country cares about what’s happening with our environment, including us.
Fonterra says Open Gates is showing communities what its farmers are doing to help look after the land, waterways and their animals, while also providing a fun family day out on farm.
“Visitors got to see where their milk comes from, chat to our farmers about work being done on farm and sample some of our delicious products.”
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.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
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