Fonterra Whareroa sets cheese record, wins top award
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
Fonterra has started consulting its 10,000 farmer shareholders on potential changes to its capital structure.
In an email farmer shareholders co-op chairman Peter McBride has asked them to fill an online survey.
The short survey has nine questions including on whether farmers want the capital structure review.
Fonterra’s board and management have been looking at capital structure options.
McBride told farmer shareholders that it needs a capital structure to ensure it best supports the co-op strategy and long-term vision.
“We have spent the past few months reviewing potential options, including staying with our current structure,” he says.
“Every option has its own merits, but also involves some form of trade-off.”
McBride says the farmer feedback will be considered as part of the board’s decision-making process as it moves toward a preferred option.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.