Farmers Weekly In Focus

Farmlands rural supplies co-operative has declared another trading loss, of $14.3 million, after revenue came down by 8.5% to $740m in the 2024 financial year ended June 30. Chief executive Tanya Houghton tells Bryan that while it has been a very tough year, the co-op has been working to right-size its operation and is set to offer great value and service to shareholders.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie gives an update on some work the horticulture sector is doing to forge new export markets. Zespri, T&G Global and others are linking up with businesses in India and Thailand with a focus on partnership, not product.

Farmlands rural supplies co-operative has declared another trading loss, of $14.3 million, after revenue came down by 8.5% to $740m in the 2024 financial year ended June 30.

Chief executive Tanya Houghton tells Bryan that while it has been a very tough year, the co-op has been working to right-size its operation and is set to offer great value and service to shareholders.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie gives an update on some work the horticulture sector is doing to forge new export markets. Zespri, T&G Global and others are linking up with businesses in India and Thailand with a focus on partnership, not product.

Canterbury sharemilkers Eugene and Sarah Cronin have been named the supreme winners of the 2024 Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards in Wellington. They milk 500 cows on Falstone Farms near Methven through their sharemilking business Kilmurry Farm. Bryan caught up with Eugene to talk about sustainable irrigation, his journey from dairy farming in Ireland to making a home in Canterbury, and his thoughts on the future of farming down south.

Westpac and BNZ have some serious questions to answer after it came to light that they’re both unfairly targeting Kiwi farmers on emissions reductions targets, says Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre. He says that the banks were asking New Zealand farmers to reduce emissions more than those in Australia.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie has just returned from Thailand where he’s been looking at the opportunities there are for food exporters. The Thai market accounts for  $1.5 billion of exports, with the vast majority being dairy products.

Canterbury sharemilkers Eugene and Sarah Cronin have been named the supreme winners of the 2024 Zimmatic Trailblazer Sustainable Irrigation Awards in Wellington. Eugene and Sarah milk 500 cows on Falstone Farms near Methven through their sharemilking business Kilmurry Farm.

Bryan caught up with Eugene to talk about sustainable irrigation, his journey from dairy farming in Ireland to making a home in Canterbury, and his thoughts on the future of farming down south.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie has just returned from Thailand where he’s been looking at the opportunities there are for food exporters. The Thai market accounts for  $1.5 billion of exports, with the vast majority being dairy products.

Westpac and BNZ have some serious questions to answer after it came to light that they’re both unfairly targeting Kiwi farmers on emissions reductions targets, says Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre.

He told Bryan that the banks were asking New Zealand farmers to reduce emissions more than those in Australia.

Leading food scientists from around the world will gather in Palmerston North next week for the 17th International Hydrocolloids Conference. The Riddett Institute’s Cr David Everett, acting chair of the organising committee, tells Bryan all about hydrocolloids, which form the building blocks of food and influence food texture, flavour, shelf life, digestion and nutrition. 

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is touring the country with the Prime Minister in an effort to boost farmer confidence. He says the three events will offer farmers a chance to hear about the government’s plan for the food production sector.

Senior reporter Hugh Stringleman joins the studio to reflect on the latest GDT auction, a possible cash windfall for Fonterra shareholders, and he previews next week’s Fonterra annual meeting.

Leading food scientists from around the world will gather in Palmerston North next week for the 17th International Hydrocolloids Conference.

The Riddett Institute’s Cr David Everett, acting chair of the organising committee, tells Bryan all about hydrocolloids, which form the building blocks of food and influence food texture, flavour, shelf life, digestion and nutrition.

Senior reporter Hugh Stringleman joins Bryan to reflect on the latest GDT auction, a possible cash windfall for Fonterra shareholders, and he previews next week’s Fonterra annual meeting.