Keeping a watch on dairy farms
OPINION: Dairy farmers are under increasing pressure to safeguard their livestock, equipment and operations from a range of security threats.
The first change in Synlait’s management team, since China’s Bright Dairy securing 65% ownership, has been announced.
Chief executive Grant Watson has resigned. Synlait subsidiary, Dairyworks chief executive Tim Carter has been appointed acting CEO from today.
Watson, who took up the role in January 2022, has overseen the company through an unprecedented era in its history – suffering heavy losses and a recapitalisation programme that saw Bright Dairy increase its stake.
Synlait Chair George Adams says recent months have seen a long list of urgent challenges for Synlait, and Watson’s ably led the team through them.
“His achievements are extensive and notably include our balance sheet's recent, successful reset.”
Watson says Synlait is an amazing and agile company, which he has been honoured to lead.
“Working with our passionate employees and farmers who care deeply about Synlait’s success has been a privilege. Our team’s determination and dedication to deliver has also been a real highlight. I wish Synlait all the best for a successful future.”
Adams notes that Watson’s tenure has been incredibly busy – notably resetting Synlait’s strategy to reduce customer and market concentration risk, commercialising plant-based production at Pokeno and the foodservice business in Canterbury, extending reach into South East Asia, maintaining China market access, and building an outstanding executive team.
“Grant will take a well-deserved break before deciding his next career move. He has set a strong platform for Synlait going forward, the Board is extremely grateful for this and wishes him all the best.”
Synlait says Carter’s leadership, Dairyworks has performed impressively over the past six years, recently delivering a record EBITDA result due to strong sales growth, operational stability, and low staff turnover. Aaron Kenny, Dairyworks' chief financial officer, will act as Dairyworks CEO in the interim.
Federated Farmers says the farming sector has been unable to effectively address quad bike safety.
A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.
The 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, Jo Sheridan, has paid tribute to women who apart from their farming connections are making contributions to their local schools and communities.
Limping towards the end of the season is how Richard Walker describes the situation he's facing due to prolonged drought in coastal areas of Taranaki.
Auckland Federated Farmers want a national conference debate on whether New Zealand should withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker says the industry-good organisation is proud to be an ongoing industry partner of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, providing judging expertise and facilitating field days.
OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…
OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…