Fonterra unveils divestment plan
Fonterra is exploring full or partial divestment options for its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka.
Fonterra says it will bring a revised governance structure for vote before shareholders by the end of this year.
The co-op has failed to get the 75% support needed to reduce its board size, from 13 to 11.
The board's proposal received 63.7% support from shareholders who voted; 58.6% of total shareholders took part in the vote.
Chairman John Wilson says personally he is delighted that nearly two-thirds of farmer shareholders supported the proposal.
He says there is a strong desire for change and he is confident the co-op will land on a model that is right for its shareholders.
"There is a strong desire for change among our farmer shareholder base," he says.
"Farmers want a system that will bring knowledgeable people to our board.
"We must change the current system; we proposed some significant changes and not everyone supported them."
Wilson says the main feedback from farmers was that under the proposed system they were not able to choose between all the candidates.
Wilson says the board will go back to the drawing board and bring a revised plan before shareholders by the end of this year.
"We cannot stand still."
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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