Divestment means Fonterra can focus on its strengths
OPINION: Fonterra's board has certainly presented us, as shareholders, with a major issue to consider.
Bidders are lining up for beleaguered Australian dairy co-op Murray Goulburn.
Fonterra has been named by Australian media as one of the bidders; others include A2 Milk and several Chinese dairy players.
The co-op, Australia’s largest processor of milk, is in strife following the sharp drop in dairy prices over the past two years; the co-op was forced to claw back milk payout from farmers, triggering an exodus of suppliers.
Recently it announced an after-tax loss for 2016-17 of A$370 million.
MG has told farmer shareholders that all options are on the table as part of a strategic review underway.
“There is no pre-determined outcome to the strategic review and all options are on the table,’ it says.
MG says since announcing the review, MG and its financial advisor have received a range of proposals from third parties. “It is the duty of MG’s directors to consider whether any bona fide propositions tabled are in the best interest of MG’s shareholders.
“The board has asked our advisor to now review any formal proposals received to determine how they might add value to MG’s suppliers, shareholders, and unitholders.”
MG says any potential bidder’s ability to pay higher farmgate prices, access capital for future developments and views on its co-op principles will be crucial for its shareholders.
Fonterra has been approached for comment.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.