Make the right decision, Peters urges Fonterra farmers
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters is ratcheting up pressure on Fonterra farmers as they vote on divesting the co-operative’s consumer and related businesses.
Fonterra farmers are picking up the tab of about 30 fellow shareholders forced to dry off due to damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Some Hawke's Bay farms remain inaccessible by mik tankers, brining their 2022-23 season to an end months earlier than normal.
The co-operative has agreed to pay these farmers for loss of income under its 'force majeure' terms, based on the average of the past three year's milk production.
Fonterra Co-operative Council chairman John Stevenson told Rural News that he is really proud of how the co-op has supported affected members.
"Fonterra has covered farmers' milk that was unable to be picked up, including to continue to support those who have had to dry off due to no tanker access," he says. "This is a unique benefit of being part of the co-operative."
Stevenson, who was in Napier last week, met some of the affected farmers.
"I was blown away by the resilience shown by farmers I met who had been cut off by the storm. Some have significant infrastructure damage to farms.
"Many co-op members, including councillors, have also provided support to their fellow co-op members, both during the weather events themselves and afterwards, including by sending generators, feed, and making donations of rewards dollars via Fonterra Farm Source.
"I have not heard from one farmer shareholder who does not support the co-op covering for lost milk."
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through a new initiative designed to make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking easier.

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