Thursday, 19 March 2020 10:12

No shareholder meetings for Fonterra

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman James Barron. Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman James Barron.

Coronavirus is forcing Fonterra to cancel its farmer shareholder meetings to discuss its interim results.

The co-op usually holds farmer meetings throughout the dairy belt to discuss results; instead, two webinars are being organised this week for farmers to hear from Fonterra leadership and ask questions.

Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman James Barron says restrictions caused by coronavirus means no shareholder meetings are taking place.

Councillors have also been encouraged to phone farmer shareholders rather than holding face-to-face meetings.

Fonterra farmers will get details on how to get on the webinars from their Farm Source reps.

Barron says the situation around coronavirus is changing constantly.

“Farmers, like everyone else, is bracing for uncertainty around coronavirus,” he says.

Fonterra chairman John Monaghan says coronavirus is now a global event.

He acknowledged the thousands of Kiwi businesses and communities doing it tough as a result of restrictions in place.

“These are unprecedented times, at least in my lifetime.”

The following rural/ farming events have now either been ‘postponed’ or cancelled due to the current COVID-19 situation:

• Agrifood week

• Central District field days

• International Agribusiness Summit

• NZ Shears

• All Beef and Lamb NZ events

• All regional NZ Dairy Industry Award events

• Mackenzie Easter Show

• Auckland Easter Show

• Dairy Women Network conference

• Irrigation NZ conference

• National Fieldays

More like this

Fonterra's in good shape

Fonterra released its interim results last month, showing a continuation of the strong earnings performance delivered by the co-op through the 2023 financial year. Here’s what Fonterra chair Peter McBride and chief executive Miles Hurrell said about the results…

China trade

OPINION: Last week's revelation that data relating to New Zealand MPs was stolen amid Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting two arms of the country’s Parliament could test the long-standing trade relations between the two countries.

Featured

Feds back Fast-Track Approval Bill

Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.

Machinery builder in liquidation

In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.

Two hemispheres tied together through cows

One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter