Waikato based, Dairy Environment Leader, Dairy Farmer and recently appointed Dairy NZ board member, Tracy Brown is one of five scholars from across industry sectors awarded a Nuffield NZ Scholarship. The scholarships were announced on Tuesday, 5th November at parliament by Hon Stuart Nash, Minister of Police, Fisheries, Revenue, and Small Business.
Alongside Tracy Brown,
the recipients of Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarships for 2020 are Shannon
Harnett, Whakatane based Agriculture and Horticulture Director; Waikato based
Phil Weir, Dry Stock Farmer and Agri business Consultant; Southland based
Edward Pinckney, director/owner of a dairy farm and sheep, beef and grazing
farm, Marlborough based Ben McLauchlan, owner of a 102 H vineyard and 30 H beef
finishing unit in Rapaura.
The Nuffield Scholarships
with the three core components provide new Scholars with an opportunity to
travel abroad in groups and individually and study the latest developments in a
number of leading agricultural countries.
“The reputation and
prestige of a Nuffield Scholarship opens the doors for new Scholars to access international businesses like Amazon, John Deere and Blue
Apron – businesses that are behind and beyond the farm gate. No other programme can offer this type of
access to these globally recognised companies” says Nuffield NZ Chairman Andrew
Watters.
Ms Brown who is a champion for
sustainability, and has been leading environmental change in the dairy industry for
nearly a decade sees the Scholarship as an opportunity to gain insight into the
policies and processes other countries are using to create positive
environmental change.
“While I have been active in the NZ
environmental space, this experience will enable me to gain the international
networks and experience that will add to my effectiveness in the roles I have
or will have in the future” says Ms Brown.
The
five new scholars will join more than 160 Nuffield alumni who have been awarded
Nuffield Scholarships over the past 70 years. The 2020 research topics are
likely to cover issues such as – Understanding the international policies and
processes that have created positive environmental change; How Plant Variety Rights provide growers the opportunity to successfully
develop new business internationally; Exploration of the NZ primary sector
to determine if there are fundamental barriers restricting collaboration;
developing and growing our young people entering the agricultural sector; Enhancing
the sustainability of Viticulture by lessening its reliance on scarce
resources.
United States – Czech Republic – Bulgaria – Romania – Qatar – Kenya
The Global Focus Orogramme (GFP) was an incomparable opportunity to see a diversity of agriculture in across a variety of countries. We were given candid insight into our hosts businesses, operations, motivations for being in agriculture and what they want to give back, even bringing our group of nine scholars into their homes for a cup of tea, meal or a drink.
These frank and open conversations were some of the highlights for me personally, where some hosts would openly discuss some of their business and personal challenges in agriculture. I found these moments golden, particularly in the middle of a leadership development opportunity as the Nuffield Scholarship. But it was gratifying to give back to some hosts in helping in their current challenges with the varied opinions and experiences of the nine scholars.
Travelling with the group of Nuffield scholars was invaluable experience and formed friendships that will last. After seeing some amazing and challenging aspects of global agriculture, the opportunity to discuss this with a diverse group of young agricultural leaders from different sectors and countries – Brazil, Canada, USA, Ireland and Australia (and Tasmania) – drew so much more out of the experience. We all had our different backgrounds, contexts and perspectives to bring to these discussions, and we need not agree – I’m writing this in the home of one of the scholars that we have some disagreements on fundamental elements of agriculture.
There was so much to see during the GFP through Washington DC, Kentucky, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Qatar and Kenya. It would be difficult to concisely describe just the highlights from each country so I have focused on a couple overarching observations from the two countries that were probably the most different from New Zealand – Qatar and Kenya.
Qatar
The context we were given on arrival to Qatar – other than the immense wealth of the small gulf state – was the shadow cast by the blockade. The blockade by many of Qatar’s neighbours has been in place since June 2017, impacting their previous food supply chain through countries such as Saudi Arabia. Food security was a major driver the majority food production and supply businesses we saw due to the very real and near threat of not being able to import food in a small desert nation.
After the initial awe of seeing some of these amazing agricultural feats – such as dairy farming and growing fodder in the desert – I got the impression that there was prestige than production in these operations. This was reinforced when we saw the largest grain importer and miller that had impressive logistical, processing and storage capability to maintain supply and volume – production was not a part it. Does livestock production count as food security when it is limited by the volume of imported feed? Would it not be simple to utilise the more efficient production from around the world and advance the logistical solutions and storage capability?
If you removed the heat and oxygen, some of the production might be what one would imagine farming on the moon may be. This pushing the boundaries of production are worth taking note as a demonstration of what is possible but, in the context of a variety of growing global social concerns around agriculture, may be limited in its impact.
However, in the position that Qatar has been put in, the prestige of these feats can be understood. Drawing a line in the sand, so to speak, to show what they can do despite of the imposition by their neighbours. Qatar’s response to this situation appeared to create a national pride and social inclusion in the achievements being made.
Kenya
An afternoon spent with Kenyan smallholders that are part of a collective, similar to our discussion group, set me straight on some of my assumptions that I had developed. We frequently saw some agricultural practices through central Europe and Kenya that would not be generally accepted in our own farming industries, but this group changed my view I had formed of smallholder and subsistence farming. The intensity and diversity of what they were able to do on such small plots was remarkable – but this may be also be a limitation – and were organised and actively seeking ways to improve their production and position.
We held a panel session with the smallholder collective and we were asked directly how they could become farmers that were able to travel the world like ourselves. A common view from our Nuffield group was simplifying their production to what works well and not trying to do everything and anything – one farm had dairy cattle, sheep, honey, pyrethrum, fruit, vegetables, chickens and fodder with the excess to be sold. However, as smallholders they were more exposed by a crop failure and require a level of diversity for security.
On reflection, I saw the infrastructure and economic limitations created by political climate was a significant hindrance on developing production and ability to trade. This is not a simple fix as impacts the wider economy and, despite some the frustrations we me have in our own countries, gave me a great appreciation for context we are able to operate and trade.
The second major eye-opener in Kenya also related to this political climate. We visited farming operations that had been established for a long time – whether multi-generational family farms, internationally funded agri-businesses or NGOs – which have invested in their local communities and introduce adapted and sustainable production methods to Kenyan agriculture. Each of these had either been or were currently involved in land invasions by graziers or land grabbers that can have violent or even lethal outcomes. The political climate often exacerbates or can drive these conflicts.
However, Kenya has a young population that is more and more educated, and, while there was some significant signs of poverty – such as the largest slum in Africa – there was large growth in relative affluence. The combination of increasing wealth and a young educated population coming through generates huge potential for their economy – if they can overcome some of their institutional handbrakes.
The GFP has been transformative for myself. It has raised more questions than were answered of my understanding of global agriculture, but my understanding and empathy of the situations in which these questions are formed has expanded immensely. While not perfect, I have a greater appreciation of the circumstances that the New Zealand agriculture sector can operate in and that we can deliver to the world.
Singapore – Philippines – Hong Kong – China – Germany – United States
Reflecting on six weeks traveling
around the world with our China GFP group and the opportunity to contrast Asia,
Europe and America, I am struck not by the differences between countries or
continents but more importantly the similarities. I observed relationships and
trust are common to success anywhere in the world and the importance innovation
and adaptability has for surviving and thriving.
Singapore
On the 5th of June I
joined nineteen other scholars in Singapore for a brief introduction of South
East Asia and it was quickly illustrated the size and impact the region has on
our current and future markets. Singapore has and is positioning itself as an
independent and secure hub to facilitate trade in the area. It was also the
start of forming a bond with a group of diverse individuals from different
backgrounds spanning different production systems and seven different
countries.
Philippines
Manilla and the Philippines was the
breakaway, providing our smaller group of ten a brief but exciting stop, not
only for the cheep beer and food but a quick insight into what much of the SE
Asian region is still like, managing its way through developmental projects as
it lifts population out of subsistence. Visiting the International Rice Research
Institute we learnt that over four billion people every day rely on rice as a
stable challenging me to consider my own lack of knowledge of such a
significant part of the worlds food equation.
Hing Kong, SAR China
Hong Kong into the middle of Human
Right protests gave an insightful view of the main event China, and our building anticipation continued. Our
group had begun to form into a cohesive unit, efficient use of public
transport, coordinated logistics, more concentrated questioning and inquiry and
the ability to adapt to the challenges presented, showed we were becoming a
great team holding us in good stead for the remainder of our travel.
China
Having visited Shanghai once
previously it was exciting to see many of the groups perceptions shattered on
discovery that it is a clean, organised and developed city (albeit with
26million people).
Introductions with MLA, ADM etc amongst
the others from the ANZ, Cotton Inc, JWM, CBH and Syngenta over the last ten
days had given the obligatory introductions so with the excitement of kids is a
toyshop we rode a bullet train at 315km/ hr for Qihe in the Shandong province.
The size and scale of China became
evident as we witnessed the changes moving north and inland. Highways with
several lanes in either direction, multi number high rise complexes popping up
and the efficiency of nearing 30,000 km of high speed rail network built in the
last decade were all on show making the fact that China has used more concrete
in the three years than the USA the did in the entire 20th century
very real and relevant.
The realisation that there are two
separate economies in China, became evident as we confronted the existing
subsistence of small holdings in rural areas contrasted with enormous dairy
farms and processing facilities. This acted as a metaphor illustrating
difference between the large developed coastal cities and large parts of rural
China growing at quite separate rates. We learned that in 40 years China has
gone from 17.9% to 58.5% urbanised meaning a shift of some 640 million people
to urban areas. Following a similar trend of urbanisation, another 15-20% means
approximately another 220-250 million shifting to Cities in the ten years
(equal to about two thirds of the current US population).
Seeing the importance of trade
within China between its people and regions, and accounting for the fact China
has approximately 1.4 billion people and only 7% of the worlds arable land. It
became evident we need China as much as China needs the world. We encountered
willing and open people, doing good business in the ways similar to all of our
countries. Sharing a formal meal with a group of officials it became obvious
the importance of relationships and how they are formed. Like anywhere in the
world the level of that trust facilitates the exchange, however it is the
cultural diversity or rituals around the way in which that trust its formed
that differs between people.
European Union, Germany & Ireland
Inner Mongolia and Beijing rounded out China before jumping into Europe and the precision and efficiency of Germany. We were fortunate to see some of the contrasts between east and west as we travelled from one to the other. This allowed us to gain some insight into the challenges facing further eastern bloc countries and when overcome their potential for large scale production of food.
The role of the EU was evident as we toured Germany and Ireland but what became obvious was that successful enterprises has mastered their production in a two to three areas and continued to innovate at the edges. I was particularly impressed by the way these successful businesses demonstrated fast feedback loops created providing useful information to launch or pivot when changes arose.
Washington, DC
Our two GFP Groups combined once
again, this time in Washington DC to come face to face with the position the
USA has and continues to play on a global geopolitical spectrum. It was cool to
catch up with a similar Nuffield group and share our experience as it
highlighted how much we have seen and how close the experience of a Nuffield
GFP brought our particular group together. A welcomed rest day could have been
used to recharge or some time to ourselves but we unconsciously chose to come together, spending the time riding lime
scooters visiting the sites of the Capitol!
I will never understand the
complexity of the US and its political system, especially in three short days
but some context from meetings with Senators, lobbyists and the USDA allowed
insights not many get the opportunity to have. However, I came away thinking
again that USA is an enormous engine with many hierarchical layers, entrenched
views and complex processes of government so that like an aircraft carrier it
has very little ability to change direction and when it does only one degree at
a time.
Texas, United States
If Iowa was the start of our
Nuffield in March, Texas provided the perfect book end. Over six weeks we met
many proud and passionate people sharing their businesses and stories. None
more so than Texans which highlighted an observation that a strong sense of
identity provides real power in a market. The Chinese had very a strong sense
of being Chinese despite incredible diversity, the truly Irish – Irish brand
capturing value for what we recognise from Ireland, and Go Texan slogan all
illustrating shared history and values for those regions. My observation is
that we are all individuals but get a real sense of motivation and engagement
from belonging to a team and in these last two cases has translated to market
positioning from combined effort.
Over six weeks visiting farm businesses, industry bodies and political institutions were heard talk all over the world of the challenges being faced with environmental regulation, the growing disconnect with agriculture, human resource limitations, no succession planning, undervalued food or lack of profitability in our farming enterprises just to name a few, which brings me back to where this started. I am struck by the similarities the agricultural world is facing.
The problems and challenges all over the world over are the same, just they are dressed in different clothes.
I have been very fortunate to contrast seven countries and three continents in six weeks with a group of intelligent agriculturalists. They have helped me to look at things from different angles and to process what we have seen, at each stage challenging me to ask a better question with new information gathered!
We could never hope to have understand the world in that time, or find the answers to questions but what I am incredibly grateful for is the knowledge, experience and insights gained to continue learning and asking better questions!
GFP Brazil: Seven International Scholars, Six Weeks, Five Countries
Washington DC
At the conclusion of the Nuffield conference in Iowa, our
GFP group left the melting snow and ice for Washington DC. The political engine
in the US is both impressive and scary. We met with many agricultural lobby
groups and the US Department of Agriculture. Trade is at the top of the agenda
with many still supporting the full fair and free trade message despite the
pain inflicted on the rural communities by the current trade war with China.
Interim subsidy programs are in place to keep farmers happy but on the day of
our departure the administration announced cuts to farmer support programs,
including crop insurance, in an effort to cut spending. My key learnings came
from the experienced Washington players.
Focus
your messaging on the ‘movable middle’ population
Having
experience being lobbied makes you a better lobbyist.
Politics
is all about networks
The NZ
Embassy in Washington has a great bar in the basement for networking.
Florida
Down the coast in Florida we saw a state that is aiming to
take over from California as the produce capital of the US. We saw blueberries,
carrots, tomatoes, sweetcorn, nuts all grown on large scale and timed to fit
into a value window where, for a few weeks each year, Florida is the source of
produce for the major US supermarkets. Most family farmers are at the mercy of
brokers and manufacturers for pricing but a few are looking to innovative
marketing ideas of their own (Satsuma chapstick anyone?).
I was very impressed with the community extension service
of the University of Florida. Their experienced agents have created outstanding
demonstrations, facilities, programs and guides to pass on the University’s
research and knowledge to farmers and the general community. Despite the US
administration’s current views on climate change, the University is performing
research on GHG mitigation, particularly with animals, that we should watch
closely. Key Florida lessons
Controlling
more of the value chain is more profitable but requires more capital, risk and
knowledge.
Focus
on your window of value in the market.
Don’t
be afraid to try something completely new
Farm
near a beach – it helps with managing stress
Mexico
The visit to Mexico was very short with two days spent at
CIMMYT, the wheat research facility near Obregon. The farmer run facility is
completely a not-for-profit that develops parent genetics of wheat to breeders
around the world. They also run plant breeder training programs and help the
local farmers of Sonoma State with everything from agronomic advice to irrigation
infrastructure. We also visited a local grain cooperative and finished off with
a walking tour of Mexico City. The history of this city is amazing having being
built on the ruins of the Aztec empire. The blending of the native bloodlines
with the colonising Spanish is creating a modern challenge in defining the
nations identity not unlike our own.
Key Mexican lessons:
Farming
doesn’t always have to be about making a dollar (or peso).
There
is a bright future for well-run cooperatives.
Pride
in your identity is a powerful marketing message.
Brazil
Our Brazilian leg started in the capital Brasilia, a city of 4 million people that was just farmland sixty years ago. It was founded as the development of Brazilian land headed east away from the coast during a time when much of central and northern Brazil was opened up for agriculture. In the 1970s Brazilian farming families from the south moved north to open up farmland for cropping with new technology and financial incentives. With so much land available, family farms in this area now often exceed 50,000 ha.
With land development came pressure on natural resources, particularly the rainforest and soils. Brazilian farmers and government have responded quickly to these issues with 60% of all crops in Brazil now using no till systems and a Forestry Code that protects large tracts of the native rainforest. There is also a great awareness among farmers of how the Amazon forest contributes to the highly valued rainfall patterns in Brazil.
We saw a range of highly developed, innovative and massive
farming operations that are held back by a lack of political stability and
logistics to move produce to port. If these two issues were to be resolved,
Brazil would rival any country in the world as an agricultural powerhouse.
Key lessons from Brazil:
Our
natural environment is important for our own success and for our public
reputation. We must work harder to protect it. If Brazil can do it so can we.
NZ
exports competing on price or volume has a limited life
Genetic
engineering is at the core of Brazilian agriculture development. Would we be
left behind without it?
Netherlands
Our tour of the Netherlands focused on the centre of the
country with visits to pig, dairy, flower and vegetable farms. To me the
country was one big garden and a testament to the innovative thinking of the
Dutch – intricate drainage networks, reclaimed land, robotic dairies, wind
turbines, fields of glass houses (even a university inside a glass house).
Digging into the success of Dutch agriculture two key
factors emerge.
Animal
based agriculture in the Netherlands relies on cheap imported (GE) grains
through the local port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport.
A
European customer base of over 500 million people all within easy trucking
distance of the Netherlands and all within a single customs market (EU).
The Netherlands has an input based environmental regulation
(e.g. stocking rate and fertiliser rate limits) compared to New Zealand’s
output based regulation (you can do what-ever you like so long as you don’t
leach above a certain number). The result appears to be a tick box exercise to
get the environmental subsidy without a deeper understanding of why the
practices are important or what else farmers could be doing to improve
environmental outcomes. For example soil moisture monitoring was not common
under irrigation nor were buffer strips used to prevent sediment runoff.
Key lessons from the Netherlands:
Technology
and innovation can overcome nearly any obstacle
Look
for your unique advantages and exploit them.
Be
wary of statistics – Netherlands is Europe’s largest ag exporter but only
because it imports a third of that produce through Rotterdam (the Netherlands
exported $500 million of bananas last year but didn’t grow a single one.)
Output
based environmental regulation is a greater challenge to implement but creates
a better long term outcome than input based regulation.
New
Zealand
The final week of the GFP was spent in the Nelson and
Marlborough regions touring previous Nuffielder’s innovative farming
operations.
Andy Elliot (2018 Scholar) introduced us to aquaculture at
the Cawthron Institute and Wakatu. Cawthron Institute is a pioneer in shellfish
spat production. Wakatu, a shining example of the booming Maori economy, grows
out the shellfish in the Marlborough Sounds and has developed its story into a
successful brand and 500 year business plan.
Julian Raine (1997 Scholar) showed us Wai West
Horticulture, a multiple family owned business growing apples, kiwifruit and
boysenberries near Nelson. He is currently exploring nutraceutical applications
of the fruit in China. Julian’s other projects include his role on the Primary
Sector Council (a concept the other scholars were very impressed with) and
Oakland Dairies. Oakland Dairies milks a small herd on the Nelson city boundary
and provides most of the food service outlets in Nelson with A2 milk in glass
bottles. There are also a few local vending machines which are very popular
with the locals. His Aunt Jeans brand is distributing the milk nationwide.
Murray King (2003 Scholar) has strong ties to dairy and is
particularly proud of his latest joint venture Appleby Farms, an ice cream
producer in Nelson. Appleby has clocked up a string of successes since
launching in 2017. A New Zealand gold medal ice cream award within 12 months
and is now available in 380 stores in
New Zealand. I would recommend the Bad Boys and Berries (Boysenberry) flavour!
John Palmer (1989 Scholar) has had the odd governance role
in New Zealand but is now focused on his family farm growing pip fruit, hops
and kiwifruit in Nelson. He also introduced us to the McCashin family hop
operation, an inspiring story of growth and innovation in a niche market.
Hamish Murray’s (2019 scholar) family farm Bluff Station
near Kekerengu suffered massive damage in the Kaikoura earthquake but is
rebuilding into a strong, multigenerational family business. As is John Murphy
(2014 Scholar) who is growing family business Marlborough Garlic into a
producer of high quality garlic and shallots while always looking for new
opportunities (keep an eye out for Garlic Noir).
A flying visit to Wellington to visit Ministers O’Conner
and Shaw to talk the future of farming, and stops at MPI’s economic research
unit and Beef and Lamb to discuss strategy and Taste Pure Nature left us all
feeling very impressed with the state of NZ ag and the other GFP scholars
looking at the local real estate ads in the hopes of moving here!
Key lessons from New Zealand
Farmers
tend to like working on their own but the success of the business we saw relied
on strong partnerships and teams.
Tell
your story using six words (Thanks for the advice Julian!)
Kiwi
hospitality is second to none.
The GFP experience highlighted to me the diversity in opportunities and challenges that exist in agriculture around the world. Ultimately most agricultural markets were trying to do two things – at a macro level, feed 9 billion mouths by 2050 while at a micro level, add value to produce to generate greater profitability. And achieve both while minimising environmental impact.
New Zealand is as well placed as any nation to achieve this goal.
Many thanks to the many farmers, businesses, organisers and
sponsors who made this experience possible and to my GFP travel mates who
shared many insights, experiences and laughs along the way.
I look forward to my personal travel where the real work begins!
Enthusiasm for a digital future key asset for Dairy Women’s trustee role 1 July 2019
Enthusiasm for a digital future is a key asset Auckland based tech enthusiast Sophie Stanley feels she can bring to the Dairy Women’s Network as the newest member of its trust board.
“I’ve worked with the Dairy Women’s Network in the past and have always admired what they are doing in the community to support women in the dairy industry,” she said. “I thought it was an organisation I could add a lot of value too and opportunities like this don’t come along that often.”
Stanley, 32, felt her youth and enthusiasm for a digital future was the key asset that she would will bring to the role.
“Having lead an agtech company in the US for the last two years I bring experience from the technology sector with agile and design thinking, and also have international experience working with farmers in the Midwest, USA.”
She said her experience travelling as a scholarship recipient of the prestigious rural leadership programme Nuffield New Zealand where she researched social media in the agricultural sector highlighted the importance of community and good use of technology, but stresses the importance of face to face connections.
“Used well, technology should be leveraged to enhance knowledge, community and connection, but real human interaction remains very important.”
Chair of the Dairy Women’s Network Board of Trustees Cathy Brown said Stanley had a strong understanding of strategy development and execution.
“Her digital knowledge will be an asset as the Dairy Women’s Network tells the story of the amazing women who work in the industry. We look forward to having Sophie on the team,” she said.
Stanley spent a year as an Associate Director on the Rural Leadership Consortium board (Nuffield NZ) following travelling overseas and has worked extensively in the banking and technology sectors.
“I feel excited to join a team who are committed to enabling transformational change in agribusiness, particularly with women,” she said.
“The agricultural sector has long been a passion of mine, and I believe that grassroots organisations such as Dairy Women’s Network provide so much value to its members by providing a community and access to tools and knowledge that can help them thrive.”
With strong rural roots resulting from growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Rangitaiki, in the Bay of Plenty, Stanley has always had a strong passion for agriculture and food production. She graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Science) and Bachelor of Business Studies (Economics) and went on to spend five years working as an Agri Manager for ANZ Bank with dairy farmers in Morrinsville.
In 2013 when she won the Nuffield Scholarship to research the impact of social media in agriculture she was one of the youngest scholars to ever be awarded it.
She joined cloud software company Figured in 2014 to build the vision for a cloud based agri accounting software, spending four years helping grow the company that included moving to Omaha, Nebraska to launch the business in the United States.
The call of New Zealand’s beaches and mountains saw her return home earlier this year to take up a role working on building app partner programmes for the global ecosystem at Xero.
An avid reader, podcast listener and traveller who says she loves learning about food systems, politics, economics and climate change, she has found time to run her first 50 kilometre ultramarathon in February and is training for her next ultramarathon in Taupo in October.
Stanley’s first Dairy Women’s Network Trust Board meeting will be in September.
New Zealand farmers are “more environmentally engaged” than their European counterparts, a North Canterbury dairy farmer says.
Cam Henderson, who farms in Oxford, has just returned from eight weeks visiting the US, Mexico, Brazil and the Netherlands as part of an agricultural scholarship programme.
Expecting the Netherlands to be ahead of New Zealand on environmental protection, he found they were less concerned about their farming impact.
“Their reputation is very clean and green, but I felt quite the opposite when I was there,” he said.
“I saw drains running through to rivers with cropping right to the edge. There were no setbacks or sediment traps…
The government has introduced a Research and Development (“R&D”) Tax Incentive, to support and further promote R&D in NZ businesses.
The R&D Bill has passed its first reading in Parliament and we expect legislation to be enacted in May/June this year, allowing businesses to access, and make the most of the incentive from the start of the current tax year (typically 1 April 2019).
The incentive is a great opportunity for businesses to access support for R&D – It’s expected that over 2000 New Zealand businesses will be eligible to claim the incentive.
KPMG invite you to join one of their sessions where R&D experts will present – alongside officials from Inland Revenue, and Callaghan Innovation – on the R&D Tax Incentive, providing insight into how the incentive will provide broader access to R&D funding for New Zealand businesses.
The seminar will also cover what is, and what isn’t R&D, and how to start planning early to be ready to make a claim for this year’s R&D activities.
As well as KPMG, officials from Inland Revenue and Callaghan Innovation will be on hand to answer any of your questions on the new incentive in the Q&A section of the seminar.
It is with great sadness that I share the news that 2000 Nuffield Scholar and former Chairman of Fonterra, John Wilson passed away aged only 54yrs. He is survived by his wife Belinda and four daughters, Sophie, Victoria and twins Tessa and Libby.
In July last year, John made the difficult decision to step down from the role of Fonterra Chairman to focus on his health. He then retired from the Board at the Fonterra Annual Meeting last November.
John was a man whose dedication and commitment to our Co-op ran deep. Outside of his family life, he dedicated most of his time to farmers, Fonterra and farming.
We owe John and his family a debt of gratitude for all the time, energy and sheer hard graft he gave us as a farmer-owner, inaugural Chairman of the Fonterra Shareholder’s Council on merger, as a Farmer Elected Director from 2003, and as Chairman from 2012.
John always brought dedication, commitment and deep dairy knowledge to each of the representation and governance roles in which he served. On behalf of his fellow farmers he was the ultimate advocate for what we stand for. He’d never back down from going at something head on if he believed it was important.
John was one of us – a dairy farmer through and through. He always looked ahead and focused on finding a way through the tough times that would protect Fonterra’s farmers, sharemilkers and their families. Bringing farmers solutions, not problems was always his mindset.
We have lost a friend, colleague, leader and champion for our industry much too soon. Nuffield NZ has lost an amazing leader who has demonstrated the commitment of Nuffield. John has always made every attempt to attend the Nuffield NZ Conference
and has been a contributor as a presenter to both the Nuffield and Kellogg programmes
Our thoughts and deep gratitude for all that he contributed go to his family and friends.
Geoff Mathis a Nuffield Scholar has focused his energies into an amazing project in Tanzania – East Africa. With the support of many individuals (including Nuffielders) MFAT, Rotary NZ World Community Service, The Rotary Foundation and numerous other people, this NZD1.1m project is changing lives.
The goal: Moving farmers and the community off the poverty line in Mwika, Tanzania.
In 2008, I started helping the village of Mwika on the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro with sufficient funding for 36 biogas digesters (converting cow manure to methane gas)?.
We have funded over 90 on-farm biogas digesters, 200 stainless milk cans, 1,000 good farming booklets – very basic, a 600 ltr per hour processing milk plant replacing the old copper boiler, 150 rising 2yr old milking cows and a lot of other equipment to support the community. Most were made available on a shared basis – the locals had to take ownership of the assistance – in most cases (but not all) the farmer made a 25% contribution to each part of the project – ownership!
It has grown considerably from that point to where we are at now – the final stage of that project.The Kondiki Dairy Co-op is very similar to where the first NZ Co-op was born in Otago in the 1880’s, a fledgling company growing with plenty of constraints …It is in desperate need for a second reliable small truck (ute) to assist in collection and distribution of dairy product. I have undertaken to do our best to fund the NZD$30,000 required.
I have setup a Charitable Trust with Rotary New Zealand (all donations receipted) – my hope is that this will be shared with your family, friends and colleagues.If you are willing to forward this domain page onto 20 persons I am sure we will achieve our goal.
