Early Bird I Wednesday August 7th 2024

Federated Farmers secures temporary visa relief for dairy sector, Fonterra trims board to nine as long-serving directors step down, and rising star caps UK season with Scottish shearing victory. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Federated Farmers secures temporary visa relief for dairy sector In a welcome move for dairy farmers, the government has agreed to ease immigration rules for on-farm workers during calving season. This decision comes after ongoing talks between Federated Farmers, the Minister of Immigration, and Immigration New Zealand. Richard McIntyre, Federated Farmers dairy chair, has highlighted the critical nature of this issue citing recent data from their Farm Confidence Survey revealing that recruiting farm staff is at its most challenging in over ten years. The Minister has now allowed limited exceptions for existing visa applications where the candidate is already in New Zealand. This aims to get workers onto farms as quickly as possible. Under these changes, dairy farm workers who have already submitted applications will temporarily bypass requirements such as meeting the minimum skills threshold, having relevant prior experience, and achieving a minimum English standard. These adjustments apply to those seeking Dairy Cattle Farm Worker roles who were in New Zealand on August 2nd, 2024, and applied for an Accredited Employer Work Visa between April 7th and August 2nd, with their application still under review. Additionally, the Minister extended priority processing for dairy farm worker and dairy farmer visa applications until September 1st, covering much of the South Island calving season. While this decision offers some relief to dairy farming families and businesses this season, McIntyre noted it's only a short-term fix. Federated Farmers will now turn their attention to addressing larger, long-term challenges within the immigration system. Fonterra trims board to nine as long-serving directors step down Fonterra is set to reduce its board from eleven to nine directors this November. The change follows strong support from co-op members, with nearly 89% of voting farmers approving the move last year. At the upcoming annual meeting, two long-serving directors will conclude their tenure. Fairlie farmer Leonie Guiney and independent director Clinton Dines are stepping down after completing the maximum nine-year term allowed under Fonterra's charter. Fonterra Chairman Peter McBride has acknowledged their contributions noting Dines' valuable international perspective and focus on financial management since joining in 2015. McBride also highlighted Guiney's significant leadership, particularly her role chairing the safety and risk committee and involvement in various other key committees. McBride himself and director John Nicholls are also retiring by rotation. However, both intend to seek re-election at the annual meeting. The new board structure will maintain six farmer-elected positions alongside three appointed independent directors. This arrangement aims to balance farmer representation with external expertise. Nominations for director elections open on August 9th. Shareholders will elect two farmer directors at this year's meeting, reflecting the revised board composition. As the election process unfolds, farmers are encouraged to stay informed and engaged. The chosen directors will play a key role in shaping Fonterra's strategies, which in turn affect the livelihoods of dairy farmers and the economic health of rural communities across New Zealand. Alliance Group in talks with staff over potential shop closures Alliance Group  is mulling over the closure of its Timaru and Ōamaru retail outlets. They’ve  launched discussions with 13 team members at the Smithfield and Pukeuri locations about this potential change. John Skurr, Alliance Group's general manager for New Zealand sales, says there are ongoing efforts to boost efficiency and enhance product value while keeping costs low. At the heart of these talks is the likely end of in-person retail at these sites. Should this go ahead, it would mean changes for the online Pure South Shop and is looking at new ways to keep delivering effectively online.  Skurr made it clear that nothing is set in stone yet. Right now, the company's main concern is ensuring a fair and considerate process for affected staff. He also reassured that Smithfield and Pukeuri remain crucial to Alliance's processing network. For now, both butcher shops are running as usual amid the uncertainty. This move mirrors wider retail trends, with many businesses rethinking their physical stores and moving more towards online sales. NZ meat takes centre stage at Olympic Village amid dietary shift Meanwhile Alliance Group has secured its role as the official red meat supplier to New Zealand House at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and comes amid unexpected dietary challenges at the Olympic Village. New Zealand House serves as a gathering place for Kiwi athletes, their families, and supporters during the games. Lumina Lamb, Pure South Handpicked 21 Day Aged Beef, and Pure South Venison, will feature prominently on the menu. A standout dish is the Olympian Sandwich, showcasing Pure South Venison Loin with stewed kiwi and onion compote, cheese, and french fries. Alliance plans to host VIP events and a dedicated Alliance BBQ, introducing their top brands to an international audience. Interestingly, this emphasis on meat products contrasts with initial plans for the Olympic Village. Paris organizers had mandated that 60% of food in the village be vegan-friendly. However, just before the opening ceremony, they faced an unexpected shortage of meat and dairy options. Contrary to expectations, many of the world's top athletes showed a clear preference for meat and dairy over vegan alternatives. This led to a last-minute scramble as caterers rushed to bring in additional eggs, meat, and dairy products to meet demand. Rising star caps UK season with Scottish shearing victory. Young Wairoa shearer Bruce Grace has made waves on the international stage, claiming victory at the historic Black Isle Show in Scotland. This win marks the end of his maiden season in the United Kingdom, where he followed in the footsteps of his mentor, John Kirkpatrick. The twenty-year-old dominated the senior final last Thursday, shearing 12 sheep in just over 13 minutes. He outpaced his nearest rival by nearly a minute, securing a win with a margin exceeding five points. The Black Isle Show, where Grace clinched his latest win, has a rich history dating back to 1836. Grace's victory there places him alongside fellow Kiwi shearers Jack Fagan and David Buick, who also competed at the event. Now returning to New Zealand, Grace is set to begin trade lamb shearing. He anticipates this upcoming season will be his last in the senior grade before moving up to the open class. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.