Farmers urged to vote

As this year’s Fonterra elections roll around farmers are urged to have their say.

The annual elections will have three vacancies up for grabs.

Three of the board members will retire by rotation but only two have re-applied meaning there will be at least one new face.

Fonterra shareholders councillor Ian Brown said it is important farmers have their say.

‘‘It is vital that shareholders take the responsibility to make an informed decision that benefits us now and the next generation of Fonterra Farmers in years to come.

‘‘ Voting in the Fonterra elections is farmers’ key control right and it is important that we not only exercise this right but do so in the best interests of all shareholders.’’

There are six director candidates including South Waikato farmer Gray Baldwin.

The other five are Leonie Guiney, David MacLeod, John Monaghan, Garry Reymer and Grant Rowan.

Brown said information on the voting process and the candidates has been distributed to eligible shareholders.

And now the aim is to encourage them to vote.

‘‘Sometimes its 60 or 70 per cent and sometimes less. We really want 80 plus per cent; it’s just making farmers aware of the need to vote.’’

‘‘With more than 50 per cent of total Fonterra votes held by shareholders who supply less than 200,000kg of milk solids annually all farmers need to know that their vote counts,’’ Brown said.