A rollercoaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Labour's primary industries spokesperson Damien O'Connor says the second TAF vote must be "comprehensive and democratic".
He wants a postal ballot, rather than voting at a special meeting to be held on June 25.
"All Fonterra farmers must be given the right to have their say on the core issue of whether TAF is needed, and not be distracted by the issues of milk price and share value.
"The message I get from a growing number of farmers is that each and every one of them wants to see the full details and due diligence on TAF proposals and then make a decision to support it or not by way of postal vote.
"Any attempt by Fonterra to seek partial endorsement of TAF, before the details are known by its shareholder-farmers, is, in my view, an undermining of their basic shareholder rights."
O'Connor also wants the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill currently before Parliament to be withdrawn until a clear mandate is received for TAF to proceed.
"The legislation as it stands will create a dilemma for farmers and will impose milk price interference and manipulated share price on their cooperative if they reject TAF.
"Fonterra's directors have astutely recognised the growing concern among farmers regarding the proposed changes, which have yet to be fully detailed or explained by the board of Fonterra."
China’s Ambassador Wang Xiaolong says bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and New Zealand has made significant and rapid progress.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.