Fonterra considers equity fund as part of Farms Source launch
By Fiona Rotherham
Sept. 29 (BusinessDesk) - Fonterra Cooperative Group may establish an Equity Partners' Fund that would source capital
from investors for farmers in New Zealand and Australia.
It's one of the new offerings rolled out today by the giant dairy co-operative under its new Farm Source hubs which will
combine retail service, support, rewards, digital technology and financial options.
Speaking at today's launch in Methven, Fonterra chairman John Wilson said the idea for Farm Source followed discussions
with farmers over the "together as one" principle behind co-operatives.
"Co-ops have always been about unity and collective strength and we have a lot of both. This is about putting it to work
for our farmers so we all benefit."
Chief executive Theo Spierings said by supporting farmers to succeed, the co-operative will also grow its milk pool in
New Zealand which is core to its business.
"We want to access a 30 billion litre global milk pool by 2025. Farm Source starts here in New Zealand. We will also
look to adopt it in other markets where we are growing our milk pools, tailoring it to those local markets."
The existing 67 RD1 farm supplies stores will be rebranded Farm Source and a further four are in development. Each Farm
Source hub will feature facilities that farmers and the local community can use including meeting rooms and a drop-in
space with free wifi. Methven is the first one off the block.
A new loyalty programme will see Fonterra's 10,600 milk suppliers receive a Farm Source Rewards Card that will earn Farm
Source dollars for every dollar spent with Farm Source (former RD1) and its partners. These Farm Source dollars can be
converted to store vouchers or other products and services including travel. The partners offering exclusive discounts
via the car include Mobil with an 18 cents per litre saving at the petrol pump, On Farm Fuel providing a 23 cents per
litre fuel saving delivered to farms, and Carters Tyres offering up to 25 per cent savings on tyres.
On the digital side, the company has given its farmer internet service Fencepost an overhaul to allow farmers expanded
advice, tools and information to manage their farm operations and financials on mobile, tablet and computer.
Under the financial toolbox the Equity Partners' Fund is suggested as a potential investment at the farm level to
support farmers. However the company said the fund would only proceed if it enables farmers to "retain control of their
futures".
The toolbox includes other existing measures designed to reduce farmers' need to borrow to buy shares such as the
dividend reinvestment plan which allows farmers to receive shares in lieu of all or part of their cash dividend and the
share up over time contracts which allow farmers to spread their share purchase requirements over a period of three to
ten years. There's also the guaranteed milk price which allows farmers to lock in the opening forecast price for a small
percentage of their milk.
(BusinessDesk)