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PRIMARY WOOL Cooperative's profit of $1.9m for the 2013 financial year is the largest in the cooperative's 39-history, says chairman, Bay de Lautour.
An average of two members per week joined the cooperative in 2013, growing to three members per week in the first four months of the 2014 financial year, de Lautour says.
The 2013 profit represents 71c a share and comes from Primary Wool Cooperative's 50% share of Elders Primary Wool which de Lautour says has gained market share as farmers see the benefits of their wool being handled by an efficient broker and seeing half the profits returned to the 100% farmer owned cooperative.
Consistent rewards to members include a 5% dividend in 2012, a 10% dividend in 2013, the annual 3c/kg rebate and new high quality woolpacks at a significant discount, have clearly struck a chord with farmers.
The cooperative has sourced about 75,000 new wool packs and sells them to farmers at $4 each, less than the market rate for second-hand packs. "This is a reward to members and also a way of improving the presentation of the wool clip."
Primary Wool Cooperative supports industry-good programmes and is a significant funder of the Campaign for Wool in New Zealand. The cooperative will increase its spending on promotion and industry-good as its equity position continues to strengthen, de Lautour says.
Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect New Zealand-bound products from export restrictions and greater supply chain certainty.
Carrfields has announced the appointment of Stu Hall to the newly created role of chief operating officer, Carrfields Ltd, reflecting the continued growth of their agribusinesses and the need to ensure the company has the leadership capacity and support in place as it pursues the emerging opportunities ahead.
New Zealand's role is not to compete with Indian growers, according to NZ Apples and Pears.
The potato industry is celebrating the success of two rising stars - James Blair, the 2026 Young Grower of the Year and runner-up and innovation award winner, Amber Davy.
Twenty-eight emerging leaders from across the horticulture sector spent two days last month learning valuable skills and connecting with industry experts.
There are five entrants in this year’s Young Horticulturist of the Year, competing in a series of technical, practical, business and leadership challenges.

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