New Zealand Sign Language Week Highlights Inclusion at Fonterra Clandeboye
Last week marked New Zealand Sign Language Week and a South Canterbury tanker operator is sharing what it's like to be deaf in a busy Fonterra depot.
Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman Duncan Coull says farmers are unhappy with the co-op’s current performance.
Commenting on Fonterra’s annual results, he says the underlying result and its impact on earnings, dividend and carrying value is totally unacceptable and one that our farming families will not want to see repeated.
“Moving forward, it is imperative that our business builds confidence through achievable targets and at levels that support a higher carrying value of our farmers’ investment.
“We have been encouraged in the recent short term by the willingness of the board and management to take an honest look at our position and make the necessary changes.
“We are looking forward to a continuation of more open and transparent discussions, and seeing those translate into long term results.”
Coull also noted the co-op’s $20 billion revenue resulting from the very strong milk price.
“The New Zealand public needs to recognise that out of that $20 billion revenue, a good portion remains in the New Zealand economy. That’s a real positive - no other New Zealand business delivers that,” he says.
Despite today’s results announcement, Coull says the council remains firmly resolved that Fonterra as a strong co-op “is the only model that serves to deliver a strong future for our farming families in New Zealand”.
A move to boost farmer uptake of low methane emitting sheep is underway.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
The primary sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery, according to economist and researcher Cameron Bagrie.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
Farmers around the country are going public big time, demanding their local district, city and regional councils come up with amalgamation plans that meet the needs of rural communities and don't allow urban councils to dominate.
The battle for the rural vote is on and parties are securing high profile names to try and bolster their chances at the general election.