Fonterra trims board size
Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.
In the biggest decision for Fonterra Cooperative shareholders since Fonterra was formed eleven years ago, voting packs that will define its future started arriving in the post yesterday.
"I cannot emphasise how important this vote is," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
"It would be incomprehensible to me if any shareholder did not vote. This is our cooperative and whether you are pro, anti or indifferent to Trading Among Farmers (TAF), we've got too much tied up in Fonterra to just shrug our shoulders.
"Ever since our Dairy Council in February resolved to ask the Board for a second vote on TAF, it's no secret Federated Farmers has enjoyed some frank discussions with Fonterra.
"We congratulate the Board for realising a second vote was needed to take the cooperative forward. Being for dairy farmers by dairy farmers, Federated Farmers will continue to ask what needs to be asked.
"The pack itself provides a lot of information so don't for heaven's sake chuck it onto the filing pile. Open it and start reading it. Talk to your neighbours, talk to Fonterra, the Shareholder's council or us. If you have any burning questions ring a Director.
"There will also be something like 50 farmer meetings in the next few weeks so get to one.
"Federated Farmers intends to bookend those meetings with ones of our own involving either Fonterra Directors, Shareholders' Council members or from Fonterra's management.
"We want to ensure our members are informed to make the right call but we'd actively encourage all shareholders to club together in groups to discuss and debate what's now before them.
"While the TAF vote will be a majority one, the Board well knows it needs a decisive shareholder mandate. There's no half-way house here as any yes vote will need to jump through a 75 percent hurdle to pass constitutional changes.
"When it comes to voting all options are available to us including post, fax or online. You can even appoint a proxy but the key date for any of these options to be exercised, is to have it done or returned by no later than 1030 am on Saturday, 23 June.
"Failing that the only other way to vote will be at one of eight special meeting venues on Monday 25 June at 1030 am.
"I can honestly say the future of Fonterra is totally within our hands," Mr Leferink concluded.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.