Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
Fonterra director Malcolm Bailey says there is a "clear 50/50 split" among shareholders on the issue of governance.
Bailey, who chairs the board's governance review committee, was speaking at the annual general meeting in Waitoa today.
His comments came as early results saw 54.4% support for a resolution to reduce the board to nine members- six elected and three appointed.
Shareholders at the meeting are yet to cast their votes so the final result is still a few hours away.
The motion, moved by former directors Greg Gent and Colin Armer, is unlikely to get 75% support needed to change the constitution.
Bailey says both Gent and Armer are well regarded in the co-op.
"It's no surprise that they have received strong support," he says.
Fonterra chairman John Wilson will be commenting on the voting result soon.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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