fbpx
Print this page
Tuesday, 28 March 2023 11:55

Co-op spirit shines through

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Fonterra Co-operative Council chairman John Stevenson. Fonterra Co-operative Council chairman John Stevenson.

Fonterra farmers are picking up the tab of about 30 fellow shareholders forced to dry off due to damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Some Hawke's Bay farms remain inaccessible by mik tankers, brining their 2022-23 season to an end months earlier than normal.

The co-operative has agreed to pay these farmers for loss of income under its 'force majeure' terms, based on the average of the past three year's milk production.

Fonterra Co-operative Council chairman John Stevenson told Rural News that he is really proud of how the co-op has supported affected members.

"Fonterra has covered farmers' milk that was unable to be picked up, including to continue to support those who have had to dry off due to no tanker access," he says. "This is a unique benefit of being part of the co-operative."

Stevenson, who was in Napier last week, met some of the affected farmers.

"I was blown away by the resilience shown by farmers I met who had been cut off by the storm. Some have significant infrastructure damage to farms.

"Many co-op members, including councillors, have also provided support to their fellow co-op members, both during the weather events themselves and afterwards, including by sending generators, feed, and making donations of rewards dollars via Fonterra Farm Source.

"I have not heard from one farmer shareholder who does not support the co-op covering for lost milk."

More like this

Fonterra unveils divestment plan

Fonterra is exploring full or partial divestment options for its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka.

Fonterra appoints new CFO

Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.

Featured

Feds make case for rural bank lending probe

Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.

National

Fonterra unveils divestment plan

Fonterra is exploring full or partial divestment options for its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra…

Fonterra appoints new CFO

Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.

Machinery & Products

GPS in control

In a move that will make harvesting operations easier, particularly in odd-shaped paddocks, Kuhn has announced that GPS section control…