Wool-derived protein may help diabetes management
New research has provided insight into the functional potential of wool-derived protein, with an initial trial revealing it can influence how the body responds to insulin.
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.
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Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.