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.
Voting for the 2012 Fonterra elections opens tonight. Voting packs were posted to shareholders today.
This year's Fonterra elections are being held for three seats on the board of directors and the five wards in the Shareholders Council: Wards 8 (Hamilton), 9 (Morrinsville), 17 (Eastern Bay of Plenty), 23 (Egmont Plains) and 32 (Southern Canterbury).
There are eleven candidates standing for the board of directors' election: Blue Read, Donna Smit, Eric Ray, Grant Cochrane, Grant Rowan, Jacqueline Rowarth, Jan Marten Kingma, Lachie Cameron, Michael Spaans and the two incumbent directors John Wilson and Nicola Shadbolt.
Fonterra shareholders have the opportunity to meet candidates at the directors' election candidate roadshow on December 3-7.
Shareholders can vote by internet, fax or post using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. The results will be announced at Fonterra's annual meeting in Hamilton on Monday, December 17.
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.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.

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