Fonterra slashes forecast milk price, again
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
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.
Waikato dairy farmer Neil Bateup, made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the New Year 2026 Honours list, says he’s grateful for the award.
Another Australian state has given the green light to virtual fencing, opening another market for Kiwi company Halter.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
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Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
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