Fonterra Suppliers Confident in Mainland Dairy Future
Fonterra's 460 milk suppliers in Australia, who will switch to Lactalis end of this month, are unfazed with the impending change.
A former chief executive of Australian dairy processor National Foods and Waikato dairy farmer Ashley Waugh has been elected to the Fonterra Board of Directors.
Waugh was a critic of Fonterra's performance during the election lead up and questioned why its payout was never substantially ahead of other milk processors.
Fonterra board chairman John Wilson and Nicola Shadbolt were incumbent directors who retained their seats, says returning officer Warwick Lampp, of electionz.com. Blue Read lost his seat and Greg Maughan and Murray Beach were unsuccessful.
Ashley Waugh lives and farms at Pokuru, near Te Awamutu. He is an experienced company director and dairy company executive, having previously worked for the New Zealand Dairy Board in a number of roles since 1991, and latterly as CEO of National Foods in Australia. Ashley is currently chairman of Moa Group Ltd, and a director of Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Ltd and The Heat Group Ltd (Australia).
Shareholders David Gasquoine and Stephen Silcock were elected unopposed as members of the Directors' Remuneration Committee.
In the Shareholders' Council elections, the following Shareholders' councillors were elected:
Ward 14 – Eastern Bay of Plenty Wilson James
Ward 17 – Northern Taranaki Kevin Turnbull
Ward 23 – Hawke's Bay Andrew Hardie
Ward 26 – Tasman/Marlborough Sue Brown
Andrew Hardie and Sue Brown are new shareholders' councillors.
In the eight other Shareholders' Council wards where elections were due, nominees were elected unopposed. The councillors in those wards are:
Ward 2 -Central Northland Penny Smart
Ward 5 - Hauraki / Coromandel Julie Pirie
Ward 8 - Matamata Grant Wills
Ward 11 - Te Awamutu Kevin Ferris
Ward 20 - Egmont Plains Rob Poole
Ward 29 - Ashburton Charles Whitehead
Ward 32 - Otago Ad Bekkers
Ward 35 - Western Southland Vaughan Templeton
All successful candidates will take office at the close of the annual meeting on Wednesday, November 25, 2015.
New Zealand's dairy and beef industries say they welcome the announcement that the Government will invest $10.49 million in the Dairy Beef Opportunities (DBO) programme.
New Zealand farming is riding a high, with strong prices, full feed covers and improving confidence lining up at the same time.
Manawatu Mayor Michael Ford says the district sees itself as the agribusiness capital of the lower North Island.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is looking forward to connecting with farmers, rural professionals and community members at this year's Central District Field Days.
Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins has announced a reshuffle of the party's caucus portfolios.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.
OPINION: Expect the Indian free trade deal to feature strongly in the election campaign.
OPINION: One of the world's largest ice cream makers, Nestlé, is going cold on the viability of making the dessert.