Tuesday, 14 January 2020 08:55

Fonterra pioneer expects much better

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

One of the architects of Fonterra says he’s very disappointed with the co-op’s performance over the years.

Tirau farmer, Tony Wilding says farmers expected better when they formed the co-op in 2001.

“It’s not the performance we had in mind when we formed Fonterra,” he told Rural News.

Wilding received a New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year’s honours list for his contribution to the dairy sector and community.

Read: Dairy leader’s award richly deserved.

He was part of the negotiation team that merged Kiwi Cooperative Dairies and New Zealand Dairy Group, with the New Zealand Dairy Board to form Fonterra.


Tony Wilding.

With the negotiations tying up then NZDG chairman Henry van der Heyden and his deputy John Roadley for months, Wilding stepped up to serve as NZDG’s acting deputy chair. Despite his criticism Wilding fully supports Fonterra, pointing out he’s happy with the shift in strategy.

Wilding is also happy that “the days of hiring high-flying overseas CEO” are over.

He fully supports the appointment of New Zealander Miles Hurrell as chief executive last year.

“There is nothing wrong with us, Kiwis”.

Featured

Pāmu Silver Stabilizer Dairy Beef Genetics Open to Farmers

A major move is about to get underway to improve the quality and viability of dairy beef and cattle in NZ.

Vets Back Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare Changes: NZVA

Veterinarians say changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle provides a positive foundation for improved cattle welfare across the country.

International Day of Rural Women: Two DairyNZ Farmers’ Stories

Today, 15 October, is the International Day of Rural Women, which recognises rural women’s contribution to farming, communities and the environment.

Breckenridge to Lead Lactalis Australia

Global dairy giant Lactalis has integrated its Australian operations with the Mainland Dairy consumer business it acquired from Fonterra earlier this year.

Sharemilkers Aaron and Marcia Flay Buy Their First Farm

After almost two decades of sharemilking, saving and building equity, Aaron and Marcia Flay this year realised their long-held dream of settling on their first dairy farm.

NZ Beef’s US Opportunity and the Dairy Beef Initiative

Good medium to long term prospects for NZ beef, especially in the US, has heighted the focus on various initiatives to capitalise on this situation.

National

Ballance Welcomes National's Policy on Securing Fertiliser Supply Contracts

Farmer-owned fertiliser company, Ballance Agri Nutrients is welcoming National’s plan to negotiate security agreements with key supplier countries to protect…