Farmers' call
OPINION: Fonterra's $4.22 billion consumer business sale to Lactalis is ruffling a few feathers outside the dairy industry.
Recent job losses announced by Fonterra aren’t linked to the low milk price faced by farmers.
Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman Duncan Coull says the co-op signalled to shareholders in May that this was happening as part of a longer term plan.
“Contrary to some commentary, we don’t feel this is a reaction to a low milk price. It’s about becoming more efficient and agile in the way Fonterra conducts its business.”
The co-op last month said 523 staff would leave this month, and more job losses are on the cards.
Coull agrees there is a personal cost for employees. “In my interaction with employees, I know many are passionate about working in Fonterra; we need to be respectful of that personal cost to them and ensure they get the support required.”
Lift Performance
Fonterra is on notice from shareholders to improve its performance, says Coull.
He says shareholders will need to work with the board and management to ensure this happens.
Fonterra’s performance is based on two things: the milk price and the dividend from its value added business, Coull says. “It’s well documented by council that Fonterra’s performance needs to improve. It is highly critical in a year such as this that the strengths
of the co-op shine through and we see the full benefits of vertical integration.”
Coull says the Australian business remains an issue for the co-op. “Fonterra has been reasonably transparent about its Australian business which is good. We have told the board we would like to see clear pathways to resolving those issues.”
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.
OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…
OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…