Winston's crusade
OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.
Announcing the co-op’s 2020-21 financial results today, chief executive Miles Hurrell said the last three years have been about resetting the business.
Fonterra says its business reset is complete and it’s now moving into a new phase of value growth.
Announcing the co-op’s 2020-21 financial results today, chief executive Miles Hurrell said the last three years have been about resetting the business.
“We’ve stuck to our strategy of maximising the value of our New Zealand milk, moved to a customer-led operating model and strengthened our balance sheet.”
The co-operative reported a net profit of $599m, down $60m from last year. Normalised profit after tax rose $190m to $588m.
Hurrell pointed out that the previous year’s net profit was helped by sale of DFE Pharmna and foodspring businesses.
Fonterra’s net debt has reduced by $872m to $3.8b.
Hurrell says the results “show what we can achieve when we focus on quality execution and an aligned co-op”.
“I want to thank our farmer owners and employees for their hard work and commitment over the last few years that has got us to this position.
‘Together, we’ve shored up foundations and done this despite the challenges of operating in a COVID-19 world.”
Although the higher milk price and tightening margins put pressure on earnings in the final quarter, Hurrell says this is a strong overall business performance.
It allowed Fonterra to deliver $11.6 billion to the New Zealand economy through the total payout to farmers.
“The work we’ve done as part of the 2019 strategic reset means we’re well placed to take advantage of favourable industry dynamics.
“Growing global demand for dairy coupled with constrained supply has resulted in high prices for our milk. Our resilient supply chain has allowed us to get products to market and the healthy demand for our farmers’ New Zealand milk has seen a record shipping year for the co-op.
“We’ve continued to reshape our business and the sales of our joint venture farms and wholly-owned farming hubs in China. Our continued focus is to get our New Zealand milk to the world.”
Following recent storms in the region, the 69th edition of the Tour of Southland cycling event has been postponed.
A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.
The Government's revised 2050 biogenic methane target range of 14-24% by 2050 is being welcomed by dairy farmers.
An increasing number of students are doing agricultural and horticultural degrees at Massey University by distance learning.
ANZ New Zealand is encouraging farmers and businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather that hit Southland and South Otago last week to seek support if they need it.
When Professor Pierre Venter takes up his new role as vice chancellor at Massey University next February it will just be a matter of taking a few steps across the road to get to his new office at the Palmerston North Campus.
OPINION: Has the horse or horses bolted in parliament?
OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer…