Keeping cyber attacks at bay
Fonterra says it takes the ongoing threat of 'adverse cyber action' extremely seriously.
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the co-op cannot afford to repeat last year’s disappointing performance.
The co-op has forecast earnings of 15-25c/share for this financial year, based on a forecast EBIT range of $700-800 million.
“While this is down on last year, our forecast EPS (earnings per share) is up, reflecting lower interest and tax. To get here, we can’t repeat last year’s disappointing performance.
“The fundamentals of dairy remain strong.”
He says the world wants more dairy, and a growing middle class with high disposable incomes is looking for premium products.
“We believe we can create value from innovation, sustainability and efficiency.
“And our new strategy positions us well to leverage this.”
But at the same time, Hurrell says, the global economy is showing signs of slowing, with increasing trade tensions.
“Given our reliance on the international market, these are factors we continue to watch closely.”
On 2019-20 milk collection, he says milk collection forecast is similar to last year.
Fonterra has revised its milk price to a range of $6.55 to $7.55/kgMS – the fourth consecutive year of milk prices over $6/kgMS.
The chair of Beef + Lamb NZ, Kate Acland says the rush appears to be on to purchase farms and convert them to forestry before new rules limiting this come into effect.
New Zealand farmers will face higher urea prices this year, mainly on the back of tight global supply and a weak Kiwi dollar.
Andy Caughey of Wool Impact says a lot of people in NZ have been saying it's crazy that we are not using natural fibres in our buildings and houses.
Former chief executive of Beef+Lamb New Zealand Scott Champion will head the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) from July.
Avian flu getting into New Zealand's poultry industry is the biosecurity threat that is most worrying for Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.
The annual domestic utilisation of wool will double to 30,000 tonnes because of the edict that government agencies should use woollen fibre products in the construction of new and refurbished buildings.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.