New Federated Farmers meat and wool chair praises predecessor
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven says it’s up to Fonterra’s leadership to reverse its awful financial result.
“It was certainly disappointing and the size of the loss was surprising,” McGiven told Dairy News.
“But the ball is now firmly in the directors’ and senior management’s court as to how they review/revise the strategy to reverse this result.
“The key to this will be an improved communication and PR strategy towards shareholders and suppliers to ensure there is improved confidence from the grassroots so that milk supply is guaranteed.”
McGiven says while the $196 million net loss was “exacerbated by the Danone payout and the Beingmate writedown,” it’s not a good look for the co-op.
At its results announcement, chairman John Monaghan said the co-op is being clear with farmers and unitholders on what it will take to achieve the forecast earnings guidance.
“For the first time we are sharing some business unit specific forecasts. Among others, these see the ingredients and consumer and foodservice businesses achieving an EBIT of between $850 million and $950 million, and between $540 million and $590 million, respectively.
Lifting the performance of the co-op is a key priority for FY19, Monaghan said.
“We are taking a close look at the cooperative’s current portfolio and direction to see where change is needed to do things faster, reduce costs and deliver higher returns on our capital investments.
“[We will assess] all investments, major assets and partnerships against our strategy and target return on capital,” Monaghan says.
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.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.