Tuesday, 15 November 2022 10:55

Challenges ahead for co-op farmers

Written by  Staff Reporters
Incoming Fonterra Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson (left), with predecessor James Barron. Incoming Fonterra Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson (left), with predecessor James Barron.

New Fonterra Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson says there are plenty of challenges ahead for Fonterra farmers.

The Wairarapa farmer, who took over the chairmanship at the co-op's annual general meeting last week, says he's looking forward to the challenge.

"There are plenty of challenges ahead: our co-op is in a strong position and it's important our farmers have a voice," he told Dairy News.

"I'm excited with this opportunity to represent farmers."

Stevenson replaces James Barron who retired after three years in the role.

He was first elected to the council in 2017 from the Wairarapa ward. A fifth generation dairy farmer, he has been milking cows on the family farm for 12 years.

Stevenson owns two farms: a 1,000-cow farm in Carterton and a 500-cow farm in Masterton.

He is currently chair of the council's accountability committee. He was part of the DIRA working group in 2018-9 and currently serves as a council's representative on the board's co-operative relations committee.

More like this

Fonterra names Templeman-Jones to Mainland Group board amid divestment

As part of preparing for a potential IPO in relation to the divestment process for its global Consumer business and integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka, Fonterra has named Anne Templeman-Jones as chair-elect of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Mainland Group board.

Featured

National

Machinery & Products

Gongs for best field days site

Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Less hot air

OPINION: Farmers won't get any credit for this from the daily media, so Milking It is giving the bouquets where…

Dollars go offshore

OPINION: The Advertising Standards Authority’s 2024 report revealed that not only is social media rotting our brains, it is also…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter