What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
Fonterra's regional heads of co-op affairs have been inundated with calls from farmers; the PKE usage guidance came out of the blue and days before the latest round of farmer meetings by directors.
Surely, the co-op could have floated the plan at farmer meetings before going public with it. This is another example of the co-op putting the cart before the horse.
