Fonterra Suppliers Confident in Mainland Dairy Future
Fonterra's 460 milk suppliers in Australia, who will switch to Lactalis end of this month, are unfazed with the impending change.
Fonterra farmers are pleased with their co-operative's interim results, says Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson.
He told Rural News that the results give farmers confidence.
"A fully imputed interim dividend of 22 cents per share evidences our co-op's strong focus on return on capital," he says.
"Maintaining the forecast farmgate milk price midpoint for the current season at $10/kgMS with a narrowed range will give farmers confidence.
"Both a high milk price and solid earnings are a great outcome for farmer shareholders and council acknowledges the efforts by Miles Hurrell and his team."
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says it's pleasing to be able to deliver these results for farmer shareholders and unit holders.
"We're focusing on driving value which includes delivering strong financial performance while achieving the highest sustainable farmgate milk price," says Hurrell.
"At the same time, we're looking ahead as we implement our strategy and continue to invest for the future. We have commenced projects to unlock manufacturing production capacity for our Ingredients and Foodservice channels, with site works now underway at Studholme for high-value protein capacity and at Edendale for a new UHT cream plant.
"We're also continuing to invest to future proof our operations and supply chain network, with work underway on a new Whareroa coolstore and plans for decarbonisation projects."
Ospri is reducing TB testing frequencies and movement control measures as the disease risk subsidies in parts of the country.
Farmgate beef prices remain at record levels and show no sign of easing.
Buyers trying to secure supply are keeping dairy prices at elevated levels.
Labour supply, and not geopolitical events, remains New Zealand dairy farmers' biggest worry, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean.
Farmlands Co-operative has announced Rachel Aldikacti will be its new chief sales officer.
From 14th - 22nd March, Cornwall Park will play host to Farm Week, seven days of activities centred on farming, agriculture and the farm's heritage on the site.

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