International speakers at shareholder seminars

They will speak on the drivers of current volatility in global commodities and deliver insight and stimulate discussion as to how to manage its on-farm effects at the April seminars.

Fonterra Shareholders' Council chairman, Duncan Coull, says commodity volatility continued to have a significant effect on-farm. The council has secured the services of Chicago-based Brian Rice, founder of brokerage firm Rice Dairy, and JT MacFarlane, one of Australasia's most experienced international bankers, to tackle these subjects.

The seminars will be held at eight locations throughout the country from Monday, April 11 to Friday, April 15.

"Brian and JT are knowledgeable and engaging presenters who, through a mixture of economics, industry analysis and market knowledge, will ensure our farmers leave the GYMS with greater clarity on the current global dairy commodity situation," says Coull.

"They will also provide a deeper understanding of the drivers for the downturn, honest perspectives on where Farmers' future focus should be, and insight on risk mitigation techniques which can be applied in our farming businesses."

Coull says the presentations and discussion would provide Fonterra farmers' with great value.

"Providing our farmers a forum for open dialogue with individuals such as Brian and JT, who are willing and able to speak candidly and impartially on a subject which is of the utmost importance to our industry, is an important part the council's representation role and, along with an increase in milk price, is exactly what our farmers are seeking at this time.

"I encourage them to take the opportunity to see two highly-regarded experts take an in-depth look at this interesting, complex, and most relevant of subjects."