Fonterra Names Four Independently Assessed Director Candidates
Fonterra Co-operative Group has confirmed the independently assessed candidates standing for election to its board in 2026.
Fonterra is fast tracking $100 million worth of milk plant upgrades in Australia.
The co-op says extra capacity resulting from the upgrade will allow it to process an extra 500 million litres of Australian milk.
Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings says its Australian business has been transformed – from a return of -8% return on capital a few years ago to 15% ROC.
“Our Australian business is now processing 2 billion litres of milk with a ROC of 11 to 12%,” he told the co-op’s annual meeting in Hawera today.
Fonterra’s Australian plants are running at full capacity, with a waiting list of suppliers.
“We are the largest milk processor in Australia right now,” says Spierings.
He says there have been developments in the Australian dairy industry; Murray Goulburn has been sold to Saputo and the deal needs shareholder approval and regulatory clearances.
Spierings says while other players will be seeking regulatory cleareances, Fonterra will not rest on its laurels.
“I have approved the $100m upgrade to be fast-tracked; $100m allowing us to process another 500m L of milk is a no brainer,” he says.
“We will drive the Australian business as hard as we can,” he says.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms, following a closely contested director election.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
OPINION: Have a plan in place now!
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says it welcomes the passage of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, calling the bills a positive step for sheep and beef farmers.