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.
Agribusiness expert Keith Woodford says within the next five years China could be accepting only A2 milk products.
Speaking at Federated Farmers Dairy conference in Wellington this morning, Woodford, a retired agribusiness professr, says the push for A2 milk won’t come from the Chinese Government but consumers.
He told dairy leaders that A2 milk was the “largest selling milk” in Australian supermarkets.
“I know this because I’m part of the Australian A2 milk story,” he says.
Woodford says he recently spoke to 6500 “medical folks” in Australia about A2 milk.
“The demand for A2 milk is going to increase around the world,” he says.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet”
He says dairy companies around the world had been ignoring A2 milk until recently.
Fonterra announced a strategic partnership with the a2 Milk Company in February this year.
Over the years the co-op had downplayed the importance of A2 milk.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
Opportunity says its land value tax (LVT) is unlikely to force farmers into a position where asset sales or increased debt are required.
Milk powder prices are keeping farmgate prices up, helping processors offset the dip in milk fat prices.
Climate, nature and animal wellbeing make up Fonterra's refreshed sustainability roadmap released last week.
The Government is introducing a new nationwide rural recycling scheme that will significantly increase the recovery of farm plastics from March next year, Minister for the Environment Nicola Grigg announced today.
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