Thursday, 10 November 2011 14:48

Farmers urged to vote

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

WITH ONLY a few days until voting closes in Fonterra’s director and council elections, farmers are being urged to vote.

Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman, Simon Couper is concerned over the level of voting. He says it’s time for shareholders to ensure the directors and councillors they want to represent their interests are supported by getting out and voting in numbers.

“There has been a lot of talk in recent times about ownership and control of our co-op. Voting for our directors is our ultimate control right yet participation in director elections continues to fall,” he says.

This year’s director and council elections are one of the biggest in the 10 year history of the cooperative. Despite this we have, to date, one of the lowest voter turnouts ever, says Couper.

“We want to maintain ownership and control of ourco-op; therefore we must take responsibility and provide the mandate for our directors to run it.

“I urge all farmers to demonstrate your rights and have your say in the future of Fonterra.”

Voting closes at 10.30am on Tuesday, November 15 and results will be announced later that day.

More like this

What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?

Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.

Why 'Fork to Farm' Beats Farm to Fork, Expert Says

In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.

Four-Year Trial Confirms Plantain Cuts N Losses 33%

A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.

Fonterra Opens Upgraded Chengdu Application Centre

Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.

Stephen Allen to Step Down as Tatua Chair After 23 Years

Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.

Featured

Editorial: The Value of Credibility

OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.

DairyBase and MINDA Link Up to Cut Farmer Paperwork

Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.

Kaikōura Families Get School Run Lifeline After Storm

Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.

Rural NZ Welcomes $8.5m Government Health Package

Rural New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s recent package of rural healthcare initiatives.

Massey Adds New Majors in Agritech, Animal Science

Interest in agritech and production animal systems has prompted Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment to new majors to its popular animal science degree.