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.
Visiting US climate change expert Dr Will Happer says the idea of reducing cow numbers to greatly reduce methane emissions is crazy.
Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for "The Twelve Pests of Christmas" in an effort to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) has given farmers in the Tararua District a boost as they rebuild following recent storms.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
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?