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Fonterra chair Peter McBride.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride hopes the Government reaches a decision on its new capital structure before the end of the year.
As 100 Fonterra farmers gathered for its annual meeting in Rotorua last week, the primary production select committee released its report on the legislative changes to the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA).
McBride says it's another key milestone in the legislative process.
"We remain hopeful that the Government will reach a decision before the end of the year, after which we will move to the Flexible Shareholding structure as fast as possible."
In the past few years, the co-op has moved its strategy away from a global-volume play to a focus on deriving value from sustainable New Zealand milk.
McBride says that strategy is starting to deliver - as demonstrated by this year's milk price and earnings performance.
"Our customers are at the heart of our strategy.
"We will achieve our performance targets by continuing to deliver products to market in a way that meets their changing expectations."
McBride told the meeting that 73% of global consumers find sustainability pledges important when buying dairy products.
He says it's great news for a co-op that's strategy is focused on New Zealand milk and being a leader in sustainability.
"New Zealand dairy farmers already have the world's lowest carbon footprint.
"If we can maintain that advantage, we have an excellent opportunity to build mutually beneficial relationships with our premium customers.
"Maintaining a sustainable supply of that New Zealand milk, in an environment where we expect the country's total milk volumes to decline, has been a key priority for board and management over the past few years."
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
Fonterra has opened its upgraded Chengdu Application Centre, bringing New Zealand dairy expertise closer to customers in one of China's fastest-growing regions.
Tatua chair Stephen Allen says he leaves the co-op with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to its success.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
For Taupiri dairy farmers Logan and Sian Dawson, their involvement in the NZ Dairy Industry Awards has been a key catalyst in the growth of their business - the experience helping shape how they approach the farm ownership pathway they are pursuing today.
West Otago dairy farmer Luke Kane has been awarded the 2026 Rabobank Dr John Morris Business Development Prize.
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