Birth woes
OPINION: What does the birth rate in China have to do with stock trading? Just ask a2 Milk Company.
A2 CORPORATION (A2C) and its China distributor partner China State Farm Holding Shanghai Company (CSF) has hosted the official launch ceremony for a2 Platinum infant formula in China.
It was held in the press room of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square.
A2C managing director Geoffrey Babidge says: "The launch was the start of another exciting new chapter for A2C and a2 brand products. A2C owns and commericalises a unique portfolio of intellectual property and the official launch today of a2 Platinum infant formula in China is a crucial step to provide Chinese mothers access to our products."
The launch event included a scientific panel discussion with key medical professionals specialising in infant and child care. The panel highlighted the benefits of dairy based products containing only the A2 version of the beta casein protein can provide to all people, in particular infants.
Babidge went on to say: "a2 Platinum infant formula is also available throughout Australia and New Zealand as part of a coordinated launch. a2 Platinum infant formula contains only the A2 form of the beta casein protein, which is structurally more comparable to that which mothers naturally produce."
The chairman of CSF Agribusiness Group, Li Ya Cheng says "a2 Platinum infant formula expands the range of premium agricultural and aquaculture products CSF distributes throughout China. We are confident consumers will recognise the unique benefits of the a2 proposition and CSF will achieve significant distribution throughout China."
The planned roll-out in China will initially include high end baby maternity outlets in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and East China before progressively expanding to further major cities plus Hong Kong and Macau.
Former Fonterra executive Alex Turnbull has been appointed CEO to lead all five Yili Oceania Business Division companies in New Zealand.
Fonterra executive René Dedoncker is leaving the co-operative later this year to lead Australian agribusiness Elders.
Alliance Group and the Southland Stags rugby team have joined forces in a partnership that will see the the meat co-operative's farmgate brand feature on players' team kits and replica jerseys.
Fonterra's plan to expand its organic programme to the South Island is being well received by farmers, the co-op says.
Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.
The most successful catchment groups in NZ are those that have 'a source to sea' approach.
OPINION: A dairy version of fantasy football has been launched.
OPINION: In recent weeks beaches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch have been unsafe to swim in because of recent heavy…