Chinese strategy
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
Waikato dairy processor Tatua has announced a final payout of $7.50/kgMS for 2011-12, easily beating Fonterra.
The co-op has also retained 54c/kgMS to strengthen its balance sheet. Fonterra last week announced a final payout of $6.40/kgMS, made up of a milk price of $6.08/kgMS and a dividend payout of 32c/share. Fonterra retained 10c/share from its shareholders.
Tatua chairman Steve Allen says the 2011-12 season has been another positive one for it and its 109 suppliers.
"Demand for our products has remained firm throughout the year and our product mix returns were favourable," he says.
Milk supply from Tatua Suppliers was 13.2 million kilograms of milksolids, an increase of 9.5% from the previous year. The company's gearing ratio (of debt divided by debt plus equity) increased in line with expectations to 34%.
However, the co-op says foreign exchange management continues to be a challenge with the New Zealand dollar remaining elevated throughout the year.
"Our foreign exchange hedging policies have mitigated the impact of this to a considerable extent," he says.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.
Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
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