Karl Dean elected new Federated Farmers dairy chair, focuses on sector's future
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
Former Fonterra Shareholders Council chairman Simon Couper says the Trading Among Farmers (TAF) model is unable to deliver 100% farmer ownership and control.
Couper, who resigned yesterday, says it has always been a strong principle of his that the ownership and control of the co-op must be protected.
"TAF theoretically provides a unique opportunity for our co-op but absolutely must have complete safeguards around ownership and control"
While the board and council have made some progress he was convinced there were factors that needed to be in place to protect the co-op, he says.
"Fund size was key in my decision and a threshold of anything over 15% puts the co-op at risk"
He says farmers must realise TAF "will put us on a path that has the potential to become a slippery slope".
"I've always held to my integrity. I accept that a majority of council maybe happy with the proposed model but I couldn't lead an organisation where I had such a big fundamental difference on such a big issue"
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
A leading financial and banking advisor says he doubts if most dairy farmers fully understand the dynamics of banking.
Dairy farmers are shoring up their balance sheets, with almost $1.7 billion of debt repaid in the six months to March 2025.
Virtual fencing company Halter is going global but for founder Craig Piggott, New Zealand farmers will always remain their main partners.
A former Fonterra executive is the new chair of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
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