Meat co-op dilemma
Meat processor Alliance Group's cash-strapped farmer shareholders face a dilemma - either pour more money into the co-operative or risk losing 100% ownership and control.
This brings the total bonuses it has distributed for the season to $15.2m.
The latest quarterly payments were made to the co-operative’s ‘platinum’ and ‘gold’ shareholders who supply 100% of their livestock to Alliance. The latest payments cover the July to September period.
Last season, Alliance paid out $14.6m in loyalty payments to shareholders. Chief executive David Surveyor said the increase on last season is good news for farmer shareholders.
“Our loyalty payments programme rewards our farmers for committed and consistent supply. As a co-operative, we are focused on ensuring the interests of our shareholders are at the heart of every decision we make.
“Farmer shareholders also benefit in other ways including yield contracts, priority processing, an opportunity to participate in premium portfolio opportunities and free store stock facilitation.”
Platinum and gold shareholders are paid an additional 10 cents per kilogram for each lamb, 6 cents/kg for a sheep, 8.5 cents/kg for cattle and 10 cents/kg for deer.
Alliance will hold its annual meeting in Palmerston North on December 18.
