Fonterra, Sharesies join to make share trading easier
Fonterra is teaming up with wealth app provider Sharesies to make it easier for its farmer shareholders to trade co-op shares among themselves.
FORMER FONTERRA director Greg Gent is confident the co-op will continue to be a major player on the international dairy market.
Gent says New Zealand is not Fonterra's key market and it has to shine in the international markets.
"We are only 10% of Nestle," he told Dairy News. "Out there in the international market, we are competing with the big boys. And we have to remain a major global player."
Gent – who along with chairman Henry van der Heyden – joined the Fonterra board at its inception 10 years ago, says it was time to step down.
"Ten years is a long time," he says.
Gent spent 18 years as a dairy company director – including chairman of Northland Dairy and then chairman of Kiwi Dairy after it merged with Northland.
Van der Heyden says Gent is "one of the best farmer directors" he has served with.
"Greg's understanding of the global dairy business is very good. He also always put the dairy industry and Fonterra before his interests. This is always easier said than done."
Gent received a standing ovation from Fonterra shareholders at its annual meeting in Whangarei last week.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.