Meat co-op dilemma
Meat processor Alliance Group's cash-strapped farmer shareholders face a dilemma - either pour more money into the co-operative or risk losing 100% ownership and control.
Sangster, who helps run a family sheep and beef business with 10,000 stock units spread across 2500ha in two properties, beat six other candidates to take one of two seats available in the election.
Dipton farmer, John Lindsay, was successful in retaining his seat, having retired by rotation.
Sangster told Rural News she sees over capacity, procurement issues, and too much competition as the key issues for the red meat sector.
“And the whole thing of working towards improved sustainability and the environmental issues farms have got to be aware of.”
For some younger farmers there’s also an issue that may be they need to heed some of the lessons from previous generations.
“They haven’t been through the really tough times and maybe don’t realise the value of the co-operative.”
Sangster says she’ll bring a fresh perspective to the board table and while she’ll have a lot to learn, as time goes by she’s confident she’ll be able to contribute “in a positive way.”
The result of the postal ballot was announced at the annual meeting of shareholders in Invercargill earlier today (December 16), with 42% of eligible votes exercised.
Alliance chairman, Owen Poole, commended and thanked all candidates for their time and effort in seeking a position as a director.
At the meeting, director Owen Buckingham retired from the board after almost 25 years service. Mr Poole paid tribute to the contribution Buckingham had made to the company during his tenure. Among other things, he would be remembered for his strong support for farmer ownership and his commonsense, tenacity and courage, said Poole.
Sangster has a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce in Farm Management from Lincoln University, a 25-year farming career and extensive experience and training in commercial and community leadership and governance.
She’s an elected member of the Beef + Lamb Central South Island Farmer Council and the NZ Mohair Board, and earlier this year polished her leadership and governance skills by graduating from the Agri-Women’s Development Trust’s inaugural 10-month leadership and governance programme ‘Escalator’, something she says really readied her for this new role.
