Fonterra Names Four Independently Assessed Director Candidates
Fonterra Co-operative Group has confirmed the independently assessed candidates standing for election to its board in 2026.
Fonterra will introduce an independent organic milk price linked to market returns for organic products, prompted by the success of that business.
From June 2016, organic milk payments will reflect the performance of the organics business. Organic farmers currently receive a fixed premium together with the conventional farmgate milk price for their organic milk supply.
Organic farmers can choose to move to the new payment approach or stay under the existing payment system.
At a meeting with organic farmers this week, Craig Deadman, Fonterra's global business manager - Organics, told farmers that paying market-linked prices for organic milk recognises the improved performance of the organic business, which reflects greater demand and stable prices for global organic milk products.
"Organic milk products provide high-value returns for the cooperative. We want to grow our organics business over the long term. Linking the organic milk price to organic market returns will help us to increase the number of organic farmers."
Deadman says historically market prices for organic milk products have been less volatile than conventional milk price products and the organic milk price has the potential to provide farmers more certainty in operating their organics businesses.
He says the move also recognises the effort and commitment of Fonterra organic farmers to producing premium organic milk.
Deadman says Fonterra has undertaken a series of measures recently to enhance the attractiveness of organic farming for current and prospective organic farmers.
"A recent initiative is the establishment of the Organic Farmers Advisory Group, a representative group of organic farmers who provide an additional feedback channel between organic farmers and Fonterra. They also had provided feedback on the new organic pricing system," says Deadman.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
Ravensdown shareholders have elected Jane Montgomery and Kate Acland to the Ravensdown Board for three-year terms, following a closely contested director election.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
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