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 is cutting up to 300 jobs in its New Zealand corporate offices to save about $65 million a year.
The co-op has had a hiring freeze since February, so about 50 roles potentially affected by the review of its support services in New Zealand are already vacant. Fonterra employs 17000 people globally.
Consultation is starting with employees on the proposed changes which chief executive Theo Spierings says are designed to enable Fonterra to deliver its growth strategy.
"While we are investing in growth, we have to make sure our people are working on the right things and that we are spending our precious capital on the right priorities," says Spierings.
"The review has identified potential opportunities for us to deliver a range of corporate services centrally, reducing duplication and removing layers of management."
Spierings says the proposed changes, which will potentially lead to the loss of 300 positions, will be applied only to positions in Fonterra's corporate offices in New Zealand.
If implemented, the changes would provide on-going savings of $65 million a year, before restructuring costs. Most of these savings would be reinvested to support Fonterra's growth priorities. These savings would be additional to the $60 million in cost savings Fonterra has already committed to deliver this year.
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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