Why Fonterra accepted defeat in the dairy aisle
OPINION: Fonterra's sale of its consumer dairy business to Lactalis is a clear sign of the co-operative’s failure to compete in the branded consumer market.
Waikato sharemilker Ben Moore is urging sharemilkers to participate in the Fonterra Shareholders Council review currently underway.
He says the steering group set up to conduct the review is seeking the views of Fonterra shareholders and sharemilkers.
“Contentiously the survey is also open to sharemilkers of Fonterra suppliers ... I use the word contentiously as in the past the views of sharemilkers have not always been asked for,” he says.
“So, I see this opportunity and invitation from the council to view those opinions of sharemilkers as a welcome change.”
Moore notes that, last year, Fonterra launched its “Good Together” program after a few years of hard work, putting together a purpose and vision strategy.
He says the change is largely the culture within the company: “now less arrogant and more eyes wide open to what’s ahead”.
“Obviously, they realise that to make a change they need the industry’s future landowners to have their say.”
Moore says this is sharemilkers’ chance to have a say in the future of their coop.
“Take this opportunity to make a difference.”
Submissions close May 19.
The steering committee is chaired by former government official James Buwalda and is made up of farmer shareholders, Fonterra directors and councillors.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
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