30th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Miles Hurrell's final day at Fonterra NZ Foot and Mouth readiness put to the test Horticulture Industry Award nominations now open   Miles Hurrell's final day at Fonterra Today marks the end of an era at Fonterra, with Miles Hurrell stepping down after eight years as Chief Executive and twenty-five years with the co-operative — handing the reins to Richard Allen from tomorrow. Hurrell took over in 2018 when Fonterra was posting unprecedented losses, farmer trust was shaken, and debt was mounting. He leaves it a fundamentally different business — milk payouts to farmers effectively doubled under his watch, from six dollars per kilogram of milksolids to twelve dollars, and the three-point-two billion dollar sale of the consumer business to Lactalis returned significant capital to shareholders. Record profits, a stronger balance sheet, and improved farmer trust are the markers of his tenure. Hurrell always said the numbers weren't just figures — they were the livelihoods of farming families. Hurrell remains available in an advisory role until September to assist with the transition.   NZ Foot and Mouth readiness put to the test New Zealand's preparedness for a foot and mouth disease outbreak will be tested over the coming months, starting with a farm simulation in Taranaki next month. Exercise Farm Gate will rehearse on-farm detection, veterinary inspections, reporting and quarantine. A national simulation, Exercise Cloven Shield, follows in July — working through governance and decision-making at a national level. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says an unchecked outbreak could cost fourteen-point-three billion dollars a year, with eradication alone running to three billion dollars and serious damage to trade and rural communities. New Zealand has never had a case of foot and mouth disease. Any visible field activity in Taranaki on May thirteenth is part of the drill — not a real event.   Horticulture Industry Award nominations now open Nominations are open for the 2026 Horticulture Industry Awards, with HortNZ encouraging growers and sector workers to put forward the people whose contributions often go unrecognised. Six categories are on offer, covering excellence, leadership, service and innovation. They include the Bledisloe Cup for outstanding industry contribution, the President's Trophy for emerging leaders, the Sustainable Innovation Award, and the Manaaki Award recognising exceptional support for employers and workers under the RSE scheme. HortNZ board chair Bernadine Guilleux says most people in the sector will know someone who deserves a nomination. The deadline is June fifteenth, with awards presented at the New Zealand Horticulture Conference dinner in Wellington on July twenty-ninth. You can nominate at hortnz.co.nz.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.