Ravensdown partners with Footrot Flats to celebrate Kiwi farming heritage
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Ravensdown have won the Large Business Award at the 2015 Hawkes Bay Chamber of Commerce Awards.
In the Hawkes Bay region the fertiliser co-op has several stores - a spreading venture, customer contact centre, laboratory and a superphosphate manufacturing plant.
Regional manager Jamie Thompson says the whole team can take pride in this acknowledgement of its contribution to the Hawkes Bay economy.
Ravensdown's understanding of how technology can accelerate business success, good implementation of health and safety practices and the strong focus on people development was what ultimately impressed the judges.
"Like any long-established business, there's a danger of being taken for granted. But those who depend on us, such as local farmers, port workers, transporters and service businesses, all know the importance of a successful Ravensdown."
Ravendown have been operating their seven-hectare manufacturing plant since 1953, ISO 9001 quality accredited since 1996 and ISO 14001 environmentally accredited since 1998. It is the largest superphosphate manufacturing plant in New Zealand with products being applied across nearly one million hectares of farmland throughout the North Island.
Former Fonterra executive Alex Turnbull has been appointed CEO to lead all five Yili Oceania Business Division companies in New Zealand.
Fonterra executive René Dedoncker is leaving the co-operative later this year to lead Australian agribusiness Elders.
Alliance Group and the Southland Stags rugby team have joined forces in a partnership that will see the the meat co-operative's farmgate brand feature on players' team kits and replica jerseys.
Fonterra's plan to expand its organic programme to the South Island is being well received by farmers, the co-op says.
Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.