US remains important market - Fonterra
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
Fonterra’s board has been reduced to nine - comprising six farmer-elected and three appointed directors.
Last year over 88% of voting farmer shareholders backed a board proposal to reduce the 11-member board to nine.
This year, three farmer-elected directors – chair Peter McBride, John Nicholls and Leonie Guiney retired by rotation. Guiney did not seek re-election after serving nine years on the board. McBride and Nicholls were re-elected unopposed.
Appointed director Clinton Dines has also retired after serving for nine years. He was replaced by Alistair Field, whose appointment was ratified by shareholders at the co-op’s annual meeting in New Plymouth yesterday.
Speaking at the meeting, McBride thanked Guiney and Dines for their time and energy.
“Your contribution to Fonterra has been significant, but in particular your focus on risk and balance sheet management has been invaluable as we have reset the business.
“If the measure of success for a director is leaving the organisation in better shape than you found it, then you have both unquestionably achieved that. Our Co-op is in good health.
“The sentiment we are receiving from farmers right now is overwhelmingly positive.”
Ballance Agri-Nutrients is expanding its fixed price offer to help customers manage input costs with greater certainty over the coming season.
Farmers and wool carpet manufacturers are welcoming a Government decision to use wool fibre products in the construction and refurbishment of state buildings.
Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has welcomed the New Zealand Government's announcement that comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations have formally commenced with India.
Exports of dairy products will be included in the negotiations New Zealand has with India on a free trade agreement.
A new international study serves as a stark warning for New Zealanders: our health and wellbeing are in our hands, and increasing our intake of fruit and vegetables is a key step to reducing the pressure on our healthcare system.
Sustainably managing powdery mildew on grape vines has taken another step forward, with Hawke's Bay company Greencollar NZ collaborating with Agri Automation to trial an ultraviolet light prototype unit on its table grape vineyard.
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OPINION: The proposed RMA reforms took a while to drop but were well signaled after the election.