Fonterra Suppliers Confident in Mainland Dairy Future
Fonterra's 460 milk suppliers in Australia, who will switch to Lactalis end of this month, are unfazed with the impending change.
The Government has appointed Dr Alison Watters as new chair of AsureQuality Limited.
Watters has served on the AsureQuality board for over three years, and as deputy chair for the past 18 months.
She is a director of Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), and was previously a principal research scientist for Fonterra.
“Her knowledge of AsureQuality, experience in primary industries, and expertise in laboratory management sets her up well to lead the board,” Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises Shane Jones said.
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead the AsureQuality board and to work with management to ensure the continued success of AsureQuality,” said Watters.
She is appointed for three years from 1 November 2019, when current Chair Janine Smith retires after nine years of service.
The Government has acknowledged the contribution and leadership of Smith during her time as chair.
Matt McRae, a farmer from Mokoreta in Southland who runs a sheep, beef and dairy support business alongside a sheep stud, has been elected to the Beef +Lamb NZ Board as a farmer director.
Ravensdown's next evolution in smart farming technology, HawkEye Pro, was awarded the Technology Section Award at the Southern Field Days Farm Innovation Awards in February 2026.
While mariners may recognise a “dog watch” as a two-hour shift on a ship, the Good Dog Work Watch is quite a different concept and the clever creation of Southland siblings Grace (9) and Archer Brown (7), both pupils at Riverton Primary School.
Philip and Lyneyre Hooper of the Hoopman Family Trust have tonight been named the Taranaki Regional Supreme Winners at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
We are not a bunch of sky cowboys. That was one of the key messages from the chairperson of the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association (NZAAA) Kent Weir, speaking at an education day at Feilding aerodrome for 25 policymakers and regulators from central and local government and other rural professionals.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.

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