In the biggest decision for Fonterra Cooperative shareholders since Fonterra was formed eleven years ago, voting packs that will define its future started arriving in the post yesterday.

Fonterra's Board will be looking for a clear mandate from the cooperative's 10,500 dairy farmers when they vote on Trading Among Farmers (TAF) on June 25, says chairman Henry van der Heyden.

Milk production is now noticeably dropping off as the season draws to a close. With winter around the corner, grass growth has slowed as both air and ground temperatures drop. Herd condition is very good has we head into the winter months.

DANISH CO-OP dairy processor Arla Foods is shedding 250 jobs in a restructure to remain globally competitive. It is also cutting procurement costs and market research and analysis spending to save NZ$111m (500 m Kroner).

GALLAGHER PLANS to offer help to farmers needing to comply with the NAIT regulations kicking in on July 1, says key account manager Mathew Macfie.

THE BEST bull in the world will be on display at National Fieldays, says LIC.

FARMERS ARE warned to be ready for ups and downs despite dairy’s medium term prospects looking up.

AGRESEARCH’S ROLE in the changes taking place in farming is the theme for the SOE’s site at National Fieldays. Its scientists continuing work with ryegrass will feature prominently.

TWO WEEKS out from his first National Fieldays as chief executive, Jon Calder is a confident man.

TIM WILSON is the third-generation of his family, farming land on the seaward side of SH1 just south of Otaki, not far from the Otaki River.