Silver Fern Farms roadshow highlights global demand
The second event in the Silver Fern Farms ‘Pasture to Plate Roadshow’ landed in Feilding last week, headed by chair and King Country farmer, Anna Nelson, and chief executive Dan Boulton.
Tony O'Boyle, a Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer, has been elected to the Silver Fern Farms' Board of Directors.
The result of the election which closed at 3pm on Friday, is:
· Tony O'Boyle – Wairarapa 10,779,693
· Oliver Saxton – North Waikato 8,986,745
· David Shaw – South Otago 8,907,781
· William Oliver – King Country 4,921,728
Chairman Rob Hewett says he is looking forward to working with Tony O'Boyle on the board.
"I extend a warm welcome to Tony. As indicated by the independent assessment of Tony, information that was sent to all voting shareholders, he is clearly very capable, and has come through a strong group of candidates."
Hewett says it is a "particularly interesting" time to be a part of the co-op as they works towards the completion of the 50:50 partnership with Shanghai Maling.
O'Boyle fills the position made available by long-serving Hawke's Bay director Angus Mabin, who retires at the Silver Fern Farms annual meeting on Wednesday.
"I would like to thank Angus for his dedication though his eight years on the Silver Fern Farms Board, and prior to that, the four years he served on our North Island supplier council. He is handing over the reins with our cooperative now in a sound space both financially and strategically.
"His insight into North Island issues following the Richmond purchase helped us with the significant job of rebuilding faith with members of the cooperative and suppliers in the North Island. An important role which I am sure Tony will continue to provide to decision-making around the board."
The vote represents 55.36% of total eligible shares, compared to 68.10% in the previous election in February 2015. The voter return percentage was 23.72% of eligible shareholders, compared to the February return of 30.86%.
Votes were received from 1,183 eligible voters from a total of 4,986 eligible voters.
A New Zealand dairy industry leader believes the free trade deal announced with India delivers wins for the sector.
The Coalition Government will need the support of at least one opposition party to ratify the free trade deal with India.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.
At Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri, mating has wrapped up at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test.
More than 150 people turned up at Parliament recently to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
Biosecurity New Zealand says Kiwis should continue to keep an eye out for yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) over the holiday season.

OPINION: The release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red-letter day…
OPINION: Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to…