Sally Rae

He was the banker who became a farmer who became the president of rural lobby organisation Federated Farmers.

It is a safari with a difference.

Silver Fern Farms' Finegand plant celebrates its centenary this year. Agribusiness reporter Sally Rae visits the South Otago meat-processing plant - described by one employee as the "glue for the community" - and meets some of the characters who work there.

When it comes to commitment to a job, it would be hard to go past Finegand plant manager Phil Shuker.

When John Shaw emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand in 1852, he brought with him the name of his birthplace - Finegand - in the Highlands of Scotland.

Prices continued to slide for all wool types at the South Island wool sale in Christchurch yesterday, prompting growers to reserve wool.

Waikato dairy farmer John Wilson has been named chairman-elect of Fonterra, replacing Sir Henry van der Heyden.

Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills estimates he probably spends half his time on water and environmental issues.

Young Patearoa farm worker Ashley Boardman has won the Central Otago Stud Merino Breeders' junior judging competition.

Meat Industry Association chairman Bill Falconer believes the red meat sector strategy has been "settling down extremely well" since its launch 14 months ago.

The latest wool auctions are "nothing short of a disaster" for all strong-wool growers, Wools of New Zealand chairman Mark Shadbolt says.

Creating landscape designs for the challenging Central Otago climate is a passion for Joe and Jaye Nutting.

E.B. McDonald Ltd managing-director Greg Wansink is excited about the potential for the engineering firm to make significant changes to communities in developing countries.

Rural servicing co-operative CRT has reported another bumper year with a record turnover of $1.292 billion and record operating surplus of $13.1 million in the year to March 31.

Westpac economists are calculating a total dairy payout of $5.70 for 2012, while industry leaders say the year is shaping up as a "bumpy one" internationally.

A $23.7 million programme to produce high-value marbled beef for premium markets was announced by Ministry for Primary Industries director-general Wayne McNee yesterday, during the Red Meat Sector conference in Queenstown.