Bulk, boutique go together
Fonterra Australia commercial director Abhy Maharaj recently addressed the Australian Dairy Conference in Victoria. Here are excerpts from his speech.
Lingering lockdowns and travel restrictions between states led the ADC board to make the difficult move this week, says president and Tasmanian farmer Ben Geard.
He says the decision was a hard one but the board deemed the outcome to be the most responsible course of action given the current climate.
"I think we have all been quietly hoping for some miraculous fix but the reality is we are currently facing a very similar scenario as we did 12 months ago, in regard to the impacts of Covid, and the position of ADC has always been only to proceed if we have absolute confidence we can do so.
"We would love nothing more than to bring ADC delegates to Hobart in February, however the risk and financial implications for us as a not-for-profit organisation are significant and would have a considerable impact on the viability of our organisation and our ability to deliver our premier event into the future," he said.
"This week in particular has demonstrated the immediacy and volatility surrounding Covid and the impacts on communities, and one that can happen almost instantaneously.
"The board looks forward to delivering an event when it is safe and appropriate. We know many ADC regulars will be disappointed, but it means we will all be even more eager to get together when we have the best opportunity to do so."
