Meetings underway to discuss Fonterra’s new structure

15 December 2010

Meetings underway to discuss Fonterra’s new structure

Federated Farmers have been holding a series of meetings around the country to discuss Fonterra’s new payment system, and the change it will make to sharemilking.

“There are some new issues that need to be considered when making agreements on payment to sharemilkers for milk supplied to Fonterra. Its great to see farm owners, sharemilkers and rural professionals all turning up to St Johns hall in Rotorua for our Q&A session,” says Scottie McLeod, Federated Farmers Dairy Sharemilker Employers’ Section chairperson.

“I especially thank Jeff Bolstad, executive member of the Sharemilkers’ Section and Fonterra’s Eamon Drumm for helping us run through the new system.

“While some of those attending had come with an awareness of the options available, others were bewildered. This is the ideal forum for everyone to ask questions and raise any issues and I feel everyone now has a better understanding of the issues.

“Despite all this, what is obvious is that every farm is different, and so there is not one option that will tick all the boxes for every farm owner-sharemilker partnership,” Mr McLeod concluded.

Jeff Bolstad, executive member of the Sharemilkers' Section, said he was encouraged by feedback, and agrees that the meeting cleared the air.

“It was apparent that some people had put a lot of thought into the changes Fonterra made to its payment system, and were busy weighing up the options. And that’s good to hear.

“However, I know there are a heap of other sharemilkers out there who still aren’t 100 percent. They want to know what the best deal for them is, and are ringing Federated Farmers Sharemilkers’ Section regularly. And that’s what we’re here for.

“While we are not leaning towards any particular option for payment, we are getting the point across to sharemilkers that they need to be having these talks with their farm owners now”, Mr Bolstad concluded.

Federated Farmers is holding a number of other meetings around the country in the coming days. These free meetings are open to sharemilkers, farm owners who employ sharemilkers, rural professionals and the media.

Members of Federated Farmers and non members are welcome.

Oamaru (Please note change in time)
The Lindis Room
Brydone Hotel
115 Thames Street
12 noon, Wednesday 15 December

Ashburton
The Ashburton Hotel
7 pm, Wednesday 15 December

Stratford
Conference room
War Memorial Hall
Miranda Street
11am, Thursday 16 December

Invercargill
Federated Farmers Invercargill office
70 Forth Street
11am, Thursday 16 December

ENDS

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