Fonterra trims board size
Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.
Fonterra's Pahiatua and Longburn based tanker operators have proven the benefits of pulling together - quite literally - by hauling their trucks by hand for charity.
The tanker pull was one of three team events dreamed up by shift team manager Michael Woodfield who wanted to raise the stakes for their Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser.
Teams of four had to complete the three challenges, including pulling a truck for 50 metres, eating dry Weet-Bix and reversing a truck and trailer around a 90-degree angle corner. The tasks were timed and judged and were carried out at the depots at around 6am before the drivers went out for their dairy milk runs.
Raising money for Relay for Life every second year, Michael wanted to up the ante, and it worked, more than doubling their usual fundraising total, this year pulling in almost $3,000 between the depots and the local Fonterra manufacturing sites.
Michael explains that he was compelled to really give their Cancer Society fundraiser a boost this year because "the last 10 funerals I've been to have been because of cancer. It's an awful disease and it affects everyone in some way."
It was a tight competition, but Longburn depot's Blue Shift took out the number one title and Red Shift from rival depot Pahiatua came in at a close second. A trophy's been donated by Longburn manufacturing site. It's hoped with an official prize to fight for, the challenge will become a more regular feature, proving a little inter-depot rivalry can also do great things for a great cause.
Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.
Five hunting-related shootings this year is prompting a call to review firearm safety training for licencing.
The horticulture sector is a big winner from recent free trade deals sealed with the Gulf states, says Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg.
Fonterra shareholders are concerned with a further decline in the co-op’s share of milk collected in New Zealand.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.