Fonterra’s Pierre Venter named next vice chancellor of Massey University
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven says it’s up to Fonterra’s leadership to reverse its awful financial result.
“It was certainly disappointing and the size of the loss was surprising,” McGiven told Dairy News.
“But the ball is now firmly in the directors’ and senior management’s court as to how they review/revise the strategy to reverse this result.
“The key to this will be an improved communication and PR strategy towards shareholders and suppliers to ensure there is improved confidence from the grassroots so that milk supply is guaranteed.”
McGiven says while the $196 million net loss was “exacerbated by the Danone payout and the Beingmate writedown,” it’s not a good look for the co-op.
At its results announcement, chairman John Monaghan said the co-op is being clear with farmers and unitholders on what it will take to achieve the forecast earnings guidance.
“For the first time we are sharing some business unit specific forecasts. Among others, these see the ingredients and consumer and foodservice businesses achieving an EBIT of between $850 million and $950 million, and between $540 million and $590 million, respectively.
Lifting the performance of the co-op is a key priority for FY19, Monaghan said.
“We are taking a close look at the cooperative’s current portfolio and direction to see where change is needed to do things faster, reduce costs and deliver higher returns on our capital investments.
“[We will assess] all investments, major assets and partnerships against our strategy and target return on capital,” Monaghan says.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.
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