Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman James Barron says it’s important for all shareholders to participate in the review process.
Read: Call to scrap Fonterra shareholders body.
He says the Fonterra farmer base will have a wide range of views on the future shape of the council.
“I would encourage all shareholders to take part in the review process governed by the steering group.”
The nine-member steering group is made up of two shareholders councillors, two Fonterra directors and four farmer shareholders chosen by Barron.
“I was very aware of the importance of having the right people leading this review,” he says.
“I reviewed all the applicants against a comprehensive set of skills and attributes including their understanding of governance and representation, experience of consultation processes, integrity, honesty, leadership, sound judgement, communication and listening skills, and ability to challenge and critique constructively.
“Together, the group combines a strong level of knowledge and understanding of how governance, representation and management work in our co-op, balanced with an appropriate level of objectivity.”
The Steering Group has appointed James Buwalda as its independent chair.
Buwalda is chair of the Ospri Stakeholders Council and has a lot of experience consulting for industry sector groups, government agencies and research and academic institutions.
The group says it chose Buwalda “after considering a wide range of candidates, because of his independence, chair experience, reputation, experience in collaborating with stakeholder groups and his sound grasp of the methodology which should underpin a review such as this.”
The steering group is meeting regularly via conference call, developing the process for consultation with Fonterra shareholders and sharemilkers.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.
OPINION: Dipping global dairy prices have already resulted in Irish farmers facing a price cut from processors.
OPINION: Are the heydays of soaring global demand for butter over?