Coutts appointed chair-elect of Mainland Group
Fonterra has named Elizabeth (Liz) Coutts the chair of Mainland Group, the proposed divestment entity of the co-operative’s consumer business.
Fonterra chairman John Monaghan says a lot of work goes into delivering a globally competitive milk price to farmers.
“A competitive milk price doesn’t just happen,” he told the Fonterra annual meeting in Lichfield yesterday.
He reminded the 400 shareholders at the meeting that last year’s farmgate milk price was $6.69/kgMS, third highest in a decade.
Sales outside the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) platform added 10c/kgMS to the payout last year; GDT sales account for 42% of milk price auction.
The combination of these sales and Fonterra’s ability to keep milk price costs below the rate of inflation, equates to an additional $750 million paid to farmers every year in higher milk prices, says Monaghan.
Monaghan pointed out that there had been a “structural change” in local milk prices since Fonterra was formed.
“We’ve gone from being paid about half as much as our global peers to the point now where we are consistently paid the same or thereabouts.
“It sounds arrogant to say it, but the fact is that simply never would have happened without a strong Fonterra.
“For a time this year, NZ farmers were paid the highest milk price in the world.”
A higher milk price poses a challenge to Fonterra’s ingredients and consumer and foodservice businesses; they were competing on price against US and European dairy giants that had lower input costs.
Rural retailer Farmlands has launched a new casual clothing range available across 42 stores nationwide and through its online store.
Federated Farmers says the health and safety changes announced this week by the Government represent the start of overdue reforms.
The Government is calling on rural New Zealanders to share their views on proposed regulations designed to improve the management of farm plastic waste.
For many urban New Zealanders, stepping into Pāmu’s Pinta dairy farm near Taupo last month was the first time they had had the chance to experience farm life up close.
After tasting 240 New Zealand made cheeses, judges have bestowed medals upon 199 of the entries.
Bay of Plenty’s top share farmers Andre and Natalie Meier are no strangers to the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards winning circle.
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