Two Major NZ Dairy Deals Completed
Two major acquisitions in the New Zealand dairy sector were completed this week.
Fonterra chairman John Wilson says the final vote on governance and representation reflects shareholder sentiment.
He says that the recommendations were a significant improvement and it was time to move the cooperative forward.
“Cooperatives, by their nature, need consensus on the important decisions. That is as it should be and today we have agreed on the final recommendations after a very constructive eight months of discussions and refinements,” says Wilson.
“It is a clear signal from our shareholder base that it is time to push on so the co-op can focus on our business priorities.”
Fonterra shareholders voted 85.96% in favour of the new proposal by the board.
The main effect of the changes is that a new election process for farmer directors will come into force. Under this process, candidates are selected by an Independent Selection Panel, then approved by the Nominations Committee of the Board and by the Shareholders Council before they are put forward to shareholders for their vote and support.
There is also provision for candidates to stand outside this process and self-nominate, provided they are supported by 35 other shareholders. A first past the post majority voting system will mean all director candidates now need at least 50% farmer support.
While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.
AgriZeroNZ has invested $5.1 million in Australian company Rumin8 to accelerate development of its methane-reducing products for cattle and bring them to New Zealand.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
A bull on a freight plane sounds like the start of a joke, but for Ian Bryant, it is a fond memory of days gone by.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced changes to the ministerial lineup, including a new Minister for the Environment and a new Associate Agriculture Minister.
Farmers are being offered help to protect themselves and their people while using quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles on farm.

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