Two Major NZ Dairy Deals Completed
Two major acquisitions in the New Zealand dairy sector were completed this week.
SYNLAIT MILK is intent on selling more to key customers and growing its infant formula and nutritional sales, chairman Graeme Milne told the annual meeting of shareholders last week.
The 2014 year was good for farmers but volatility made it difficult to consistently achieve profit margins, and changes in infant formula market regulations in China “added complexity”, he said.
“However we are now in a strong position to take advantage of increased sales in this market.”
But the benefit of greater infant formula and nutritional sales expected to be balanced out by increased operating and funding costs.
Milne said Synlait intended to update its milk supply pricing in January 2015 with an update to its FY2015 forecast in March 2015 and news of interim results.
Managing director John Penno said infant formula and nutritional markets were now almost 50% of the business, with 45% of sales committed to four multinationals.
Capital projects this year include the completion of a third spray drier and a large quality testing laboratory at Dunsandel.
Synlait increased its revenue in 2014 by 43% to $600 million, up from $420m in 2013 and above the forecast of $524m.
Cyclone Vaianu is continuing its track south towards the Bay of Plenty, bringing with it destructive winds, heavy rain, and large swells, says Metservice.
While Cyclone Vaianu remains off the East Coast of New Zealand, the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group says impacts have been felt overnight.
A Local State of Emergency has been declared for the Waikato for a period of seven days as the region prepares for Cyclone Vaianu to hit the area.
Farmers will get an opportunity to hear about the latest developments in sheep genetics at the Sheep Breeder Forum this May.
Specialist horticulture and viticulture weather forecasters Metris says the incoming Cyclone Vaianu is likely to impact growers across the country.
A group of old Otago uni mates with a love of South Island back-country have gone the lengths of Waiau Toa Clarence from source to sea. Tim Fulton, who joined the group in the final fun to the river mouth, tells their story.