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.
The recent announcement by Silver Fern Farms that Richard Young is the new chairman of the meat co-operative got this old mutt thinking this is a true case of ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’.
According to the Hound’s recollection, Young first burst onto the scene as the leader of meat industry meat sector ginger group MIE and then got himself elected to the board of SFF as a representative of this group.
However, much to the disappointment and criticism of his former MIE mates, Young seemed to quickly become inculcated by the SFF board and towed the company line and not MIE’s.
Your old mate reckons there will be much gnashing of teeth about Young’s promotion by whatever is left of the MIE rabble.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.

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