MSA triumph
OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first foray into fertiliser co-operative governance.
Ravensdown has recorded a strong profit for the 2019-20 financial year.
The fertiliser cooperative received a profit before tax, bonus share issue and rebate of $69 million, compared to $52 million in the 2018-19 financial year.
It says it will be returning a total of $68 million to its eligible farmer shareholders.
The co-op says it is confident in its financial strength and cautiously optimistic in the face of uncertainty around Covid-19 and emerging government policy.
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Ravensdown Chairman John Henderson. |
In addition to a previous non-cash bonus share distribution in March of $40 million, including imputation credits and a further rebate of $25 per tonne of fertiliser purchased in 2019-20, Ravensdown says it was able to increase spending on its physical infrastructure to $28 million and repeat its 2018-19 spend on R&D ($5 million).
Reduced inventory and strong cashflows throughout lockdown meant that Ravensdown finished the financial year with no net debt and an operating cashflow of $143 million, versus $31 million in 2018-19.
Canterbury farmer Michelle Pye has been elected to Fonterra’s board for a three-year term.
Farmers are welcoming the announcement of two new bills to replace the under-fire Resource Management Act.
The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society has achieved a major sustainability milestone - reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and reaching the target five years early.
Fonterra's 2025/26 financial year is off to a strong start, with a first quarter group profit after tax of $278 million- up $15m on the previous year.
Government plans to get rid of regional councillors shows a lack of understanding of the fundamental problem affecting all of local government - poor governance.

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