Keeping cyber attacks at bay
Fonterra says it takes the ongoing threat of 'adverse cyber action' extremely seriously.
THE FONTERRA Shareholders' Council says the final payout of $6.16 ($5.84 farmgate milk price and 32c dividend) for a fully shared-up farmer was an accurate reflection of the season.
Council chairman, Ian Brown: "Given the pressure placed on Fonterra by this year's drought and the unpredictability experienced in international markets the cooperative has delivered a satisfactory return for farmers."
Brown says the success of the integrated ANZ (Australia/New Zealand) business, which has encountered tough market conditions of late, is vital for Fonterra.
"The ANZ business has been working hard to adapt to the changing Australian business environment," says Brown.
"Accordingly, changes have been made to the ANZ business, there's a cost associated with these and the council will continue to monitor the situation."
Brown was satisfied with the final dividend and said the co-op had once again displayed a welcome degree of pragmatism in its decision on retentions given the cash flow issues being faced by some Farmers.
"That Fonterra delivered a final dividend of 32 cents provides the council with sufficient confidence that the business is working efficiently.
"LATAM (Latin America) and AME (Asia/Middle East) have again delivered at a local level and New Zealand Milk Products had a solid year.
"We are pleased with the current status of the gearing ratio as this will allow flexibility moving forward.
"Farmers will be happy to put the climatic challenges of last season behind them and are buoyed by the forecast payout for next season."
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.
Among the regular exhibitors at last month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days, the one that arguably takes the most intensive preparation every time is the PGG Wrightson Seeds site.
Two high producing Canterbury dairy farmers are moving to blended stockfeed supplements fed in-shed for a number of reasons, not the least of which is to boost protein levels, which they can’t achieve through pasture under the region’s nitrogen limit of 190kg/ha.
Buoyed by strong forecasts for milk prices and a renewed demand for dairy assets, the South Island rural real estate market has begun the year with positive momentum, according to Colliers.
The six young cattle breeders participating in the inaugural Holstein Friesian NZ young breeder development programme have completed their first event of the year.
New Zealand feed producers are being encouraged to boost staff training to maintain efficiency and product quality.
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