Winston's crusade
OPINION: A short-term sugar hit. That's what NZ First leader Winston Peters is calling the proposed sale of Fonterra's consumer and associated businesses.
Fonterra chief executive officer Theo Spierings has announced members of his senior management team as part of a reshaping of the organisation to deliver on its group strategy refresh announced in late March.
Eleven of the 12 new Fonterra management team roles have been filled, all by internal appointments: "From day one I have been impressed by the quality of people at Fonterra and it is great to be able to draw on this strong bench strength when assembling our team," Spierings says.
"With our refreshed group strategy confirmed, we have now aligned our business to deliver on our strategic priorities.
"The new structure and senior appointments reflect our focus on dairy nutrition and emerging markets, as well as our intention to reduce layers and duplication to drive efficiencies across the business."
In line with the group S=strategy, Fonterra has formed new business divisions to grow emerging markets in China/India and Latin America, as well as a new global Fonterra Nutrition business to build the nutrition portfolio across the business, driven by innovation.
"These changes, along with re-configuration of existing business units and the support functions within the company, will position us to increase volumes and value in line with our strategy," Spierings says.
The new Fonterra management team comprises:
• Chief financial officer, Jonathan Mason
• Managing director, group optimisation and supply chain, Ian Palliser
• Group general manager, strategy, Maury Leyland
• Group general manager, mergers and acquisitions, Paul Campbell
• Managing director, cooperative affairs, Todd Muller
• Managing director people, culture and services. Position to be confirmed.
• Managing director, New Zealand Milk, Gary Romano
• Managing director, Australia New Zealand, John Doumani
• Managing director, ASEAN/Middle East/North Africa, Mark Wilson
• Managing director China/India, Kelvin Wickham
• Managing director Latin America, Alex Turnbull
• Managing director, Fonterra Nutrition, Sarah Kennedy
Spierings says the new organisation structure would take full effect from the start of the financial year on August 1, 2012.
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.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

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