Co-op’s new chair ready for challenge

It’s never been a better time for Rob Hewett to take up the role of chairman of Farmlands.

The agricultural sector is in good heart and there’s plenty for the country’s farmers to be positive about.

‘‘All prices are looking pretty good for farm produce – be it avocados, sheep or beef,’’ Hewett said.

Hewett will take over from Lachie Johnstone as chairman of Farmlands, the country’s largest farmer-owned rural supplies co-operatives, at its annual meeting in November.

The succession plan was implemented some time ago and it will ensure a smooth transition for the South Otago farmer and businessman who is also co-chairman of Silver Fern Farms Limited.

Hewett is in his fourth year as a director of Farmlands which has about 70,000 shareholders and 82 retail stores around the country.

‘‘It’s a great company and there’s lots of exciting stuff going on.’’

Hewett said the new computer system, named Braveheart, will be operating in the coming months.

It will improve point of sales and pricing and enable the co-operative to benchmark farmer spending.

‘‘It will be a big step forward in the functionality and capacity of the business and will be of significant benefit to shareholders,’’ Hewett said.

Farmlands has an annual turnover of more than $2 billion and offers competitive pricing on everything from fuel to finance to fertiliser.

Hewett said the co-operative had a great future and he was looking forward to building on its success.

Three years ago he stepped away from fulltime farming to focus on his role as chairman of Silver Fern Farms Co-operative and to pursue other interests.

‘‘I decided to make myself redundant (from farming) and gave away my dogs.’’

He employs a manager on his 960-hectare sheep and beef farm in the Manuka Gorge, west of Milton.

In 2008 Hewett joined the board of Silver Fern Farms – the same year it changed its name from PPCS – and has been a director ever since.

He took on the role as chairman in 2013 and several years later the co-operative joined forces with Chinese company Shanghai Maling.

In May this year Hewett became co-chairman of Silver Fern Farms Limited alongside Chinese businessman Guoxiang Wang.

Hewett said he was unsure how long he would continue to juggle the dual chairman role.

‘‘I won’t be at Silver Fern Farms forever, but I’m quite happy to chair the two companies for a period.’’

Hewett said there was continued strong demand for New Zealand red meat in global markets.

‘‘The global demand for protein is brilliant and I’m cautiously optimistic that will continue.’’

Hewett said there were exciting times ahead for farmers despite the pressures of global warming.

‘‘We can’t expect to continue farming the way we have always farmed.

‘‘Changes are needed and Farmlands is well placed to help farmers make those changes.’’

Incoming Farmlands chairman Rob Hewett.