Data sharing initiative wins national award for saving farmers time
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
Fonterra Shareholders' Council chairman, Duncan Coull, said today's interim results announcement was in line with forecasts, and the expectations of the council.
Coull noted the board's decision to pay out an interim dividend of 20 cents per share, and to accelerate the final dividend payments, would be very well-received by farmer shareholders and go some way to alleviating immediate on-farm cash-flow pressures.
"With the forecast milk price remaining at $3.90 per kg/MS, farmer shareholders' expectations are that the value-add side of their business will provide them the much talked about counter-cyclical benefits.
"The results in this regard are encouraging in that the business, on the back of weaker global demand, has moved volume into higher value which has contributed to the lift in interim profit.
"A clear focus on driving cash into the business is also evident in terms of free cash flow and a reduction in gearing ratio.
"It is important that the board continues to drive the business forward as the performance of some business units, such as Australia, Venezuela and China Farms are having a negative effect on the business.
"However, the council looks forward to the current positive momentum continuing and translating into more cash for our farmers."
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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