Winston Peters calls Fonterra vote result 'utter madness'
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
FONTERRA FARMERS bought at least 100,000 posts in one week as part of their effort to reach the co-op’s stock exclusion goal.
A fencing products promotion last month by Fonterra and its subsidiary RD1 Ltd has been dubbed a great success.
RD1 managing director Jason Minkhorst says about 2500 suppliers bought in.
“We we sold over 100,000 posts,” he told Rural News. “More was spent during the one week of the promotion than we could expect in store sales in a month; suppliers really responded to the offer.
“We’ve also got a clearer idea about regional product variations and will incorporate this knowledge into our national fencing campaigns.”
Fonterra in June 2012 launched a waterway management scheme requiring that farmers, under their supply contracts, by December 1, 2013 exclude stock from waterways by permanent fencing or planting.
Fonterra’s director global sustainability, Bruce Donnison, says the promotion is one way of helping farmers to achieve this.
“Protecting New Zealand’s waterways is important to everyone in our cooperative and we need to work together to make a difference.
“We know our farmers are working hard to make changes on-farm, but we also know there are big costs involved. We want to do what we can to get behind our farmers and support the work being done.”
The promotion included 50% off the price of fencing supplies, zero interest for three months on all fencing products, and free wire with all purchases over $1000. Barbecues were held at RD1 stores around the country during the promotion.
Minkhorst says farmers enjoyed getting off-farm and catching up with neighbours, and supplier feedback suggested that having Fonterra field representatives and RD1 staff together at one time was helpful, especially for farmers yet to finish their exclusion fencing.
“They now have a clear understanding of what they need product wise and the best approach for their particular property.”
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

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