Better days ahead for Synlait farmers
Synlait farmer suppliers are relieved to see the troubled milk processor on the road to recovery.
Synlait Milk has dual listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and started trading on Friday.
“Interest in Synlait from Australian investors has grown in the past few years – 72% of our institutional shareholding is based in Australia,” says John Penno, managing director and chief executive.
“Being dual listed on the NZX and ASX increases access for institutional investors in Australia, and opens up the company to Australian retail investors too.”
Synlait expects this dual listing will provide increased liquidity, as well as a broader and diversified shareholder base.
“We’ve launched our next growth phase - a three year, $300 million capital expansion programme - and will continue to pursue profitable opportunities to make more from milk. I’m pleased NZX and ASX investors both have the opportunity to be a part of our journey.”
Synlait’s growth was recently underpinned by the successful $98 million pro-rata rights issue, which closed in October 2016.
Synlait has listed on ASX as a foreign exempt issuer under a compliance listing, which will not see any capital raised as a part of the process.
In the financial year ending July 31, 2016 (FY16), Synlait reported a record net profit after tax (NPAT) of $34.4 million ($10.6 million in FY15).
Located in New Zealand’s South Island, Synlait employs more than 430 staff and their Dunsandel site in Canterbury received 658 million litres of milk in FY16.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.