Thursday, 13 July 2023 08:56

Fonterra defends Farm Source revamp

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Farm Source group director Anne Douglas. Farm Source group director Anne Douglas.

Fonterra says a revamp of its Farm Source field team won’t change the total number of people working face-to-face with farmers.

Farm Source group director Anne Douglas says the co-operative knows how important that support is to farmers.

In an update to farmers today, Douglas says the changes focus on three things - improving local support, improving phone and digital tools to make things easier, and ensuring the co-op is doing everything it can to maintain, and grow, sustainable milk supply.

“We want to provide a wider range of ways that you can connect with your co-op.

“And then no matter which one you choose, depending on your preferences and needs, we aim to enhance that connection.”

The co-op is introducing three new roles to on the ground teams: regional managers, co-operative services area managers and farmer support advisors.

Once the regional manager roles have been appointed in the coming weeks, they will get in touch with farmers to introduce themselves and the members of their team, Douglas says.

The new structure is set to be in place from 1 August 2023, but Douglas notes that positions may still be filled after that date.

The revamp will lead to some Farm Source staff being left without roles: Fonterra is working with them to investigate new opportunities within Farm Source or other parts of the co-op.

“We don’t take decisions related to our team’s roles lightly and we know that change can be unsettling.

“Supporting our people through this conversation has been and will continue to be a top priority.”

Some Fonterra farmers expressed unease at loss of face-to-face contact with Farm Source field staff. Fonterra Co-operative Council and board members fielded calls from farmers on the issue.

Douglas says they have listened and gone through a genuine consultation directly with the team, including time to consider everyone’s views. “Significant adjustments have been made to our original proposal based on that feedback, and I believe we’ve got to a much better position as a result of the consultation.

“We needed to ensure our people heard about potential changes from us first and had an opportunity to contribute to the changes before anything was confirmed, which is why we haven’t been able to provide further details until now.”

Douglas also thanked farmers who contacted her directly to share their thoughts.

“I assure you that we’ve read and considered every message or email that has come through from our farmers.”

More like this

Fonterra trims board size

Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.

Returns 'not good enough'

Fonterra leaders are making their case for offloading the co-operative's $3 billion consumer business, noting that its return on capital has been nowhere near respectable.

Record milk price!

A record farmgate milk price for Fonterra shareholders is all but confirmed for this season.

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

National

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of…

Machinery & Products

BA Pumps expand

Cambridge based BA Pumps & Sprayers, specialists in New Zealand-made spraying equipment, has acquired Tokoroa Engineering’s product range, including the…

Entries open for innovation award

Fieldays and its renowned Innovation Awards are celebrating their 57th year, marking a longstanding tradition in the agricultural calendar, with…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter