Fonterra Suppliers Confident in Mainland Dairy Future
Fonterra's 460 milk suppliers in Australia, who will switch to Lactalis end of this month, are unfazed with the impending change.
FONTERRA CHAIRMAN Henry van der Heyden is to get a 27% pay rise.
The co-op shareholders passed a resolution, at last week's annual meeting, boosting his salary from the current $315,000 to $400,000.
Shareholders also agreed to increase Fonterra director fees by 14% to $160,000. They will also receive allowance for board committee membership.
Fonterra director remuneration committee chairman Rodney Wilson says market expectations and trends for director fees – both here and overseas – were taken into account when setting the new fees.
"The committee believes it is important to set realistic fee levels, having particular regard to the broader market to ensure skilled directors are attracted and retained on the board," he told the meeting.
Wilson says the committee also looked at market trends and believes Fonterra director fees are "modest" in comparison to other New Zealand companies.
The committee also increased the fees of Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman Simon Couper by 12.5% to $90,000. The council's deputy chair will now get $55,000 – an increase of 25%, while councillors' fees remain unchanged at $25,000.
Fonterra shareholders also approved a new budget for the council. Independent director John Waller was re-elected for another term.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.
New Zealand farming is riding a high, with strong prices, full feed covers and improving confidence lining up at the same time.
Manawatu Mayor Michael Ford says the district sees itself as the agribusiness capital of the lower North Island.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is looking forward to connecting with farmers, rural professionals and community members at this year's Central District Field Days.
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.