‘We are blessed to be Our alive’ P5 latest cycling star
ASHBURTON
P28 www.guardianonline.co.nz
Tuesday, Nov 19, 2013
Since Sept 27, 1879
THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
Retail $1.40 Home delivered from 95c
Students let artistic flair loose on walls Eight-year-old Hampstead School pupil Sean McQuillan (front) works on the local schools art exhibition mural being created at the Ashburton Art Gallery. FULL STORY
P3
Fairton unhurt by $28m loss BY LINDA CLARKE
LINDA.C@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Silver Fern Farms says it is business as usual at its Fairton plant this season despite posting a $28.6 million loss nationally and possible job losses at other plants. However, New Zealand’s largest meat processor and marketer is keeping a close eye on declining sheep numbers and says farmers must use Fairton or lose it in seasons to come. Around 560 seasonal and sala-
ried staff are employed at the Mid Canterbury plant during the peak of the killing season, which is just getting under way. Chief executive Keith Cooper said Silver Fern Farms had decided on its operating infrastructure for this season and Fairton was unaffected. “We have invested in it over the years. It has a good cutting room and is a selfsufficient plant.” Fairton processes sheep from around Canterbury and Marlborough, but the company has
watched sheep numbers decline over the years as farmers converted to dairying. Mr Cooper said a lack of support from farmer suppliers or changing land use could affect the future of the Fairton plant. “We are a co-operative. If local farmers don’t use it, we have to review it. “We also look at what is happening in the region and we are carefully watching changing land use. If that change means fewer sheep in the area, that is
BUFFALO/HB4589
We’re officially New Zealand’s newest bank. Call 0800 227 227 Or visit your local branch.
With roots stretching back to 1875, Heartland has a proud history of supporting small-to-medium sized businesses, farms and families in Canterbury. It’s great to offer the people of Ashburton a local banking option that is 100% for New Zealand.
another consideration.” SFF closed its Canterbury plant three years ago. Mr Cooper and chairman Eion Garden are on the road talking with shareholders, who wanted to know what the industry was doing to keep sheep farming competitive with other land uses. “We don’t disagree with the call for change.” SFF net loss for the 12 months ending September 30 was $28.6m, compared to a loss
of $31.1m the year before. Sales slipped 1.5 per cent to $2 billion. The company blamed last year’s sheep meat market spike and subsequent collapse for two years of losses. “It is clear something needs to change and as a farmer-owned co-operative it was incumbent on us to not only ascertain the appropriate path for our Silver Fern Farms’ shareholders, but also how we can make a difference within the overall industry model,” Mr Garden said. Ph 03 307 7900 to subscribe!
6 Months
4.00
Interest paid quarterly.
12 Months
4.25
Interest paid quarterly.
*IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Minimum term deposit investment $1,000. Interest rates subject to change. The current Heartland Bank Limited Disclosure Statement, Term Deposits Investment Statement and Account and Service General Terms and Conditions are available at any Heartland branch, at www.heartland.co.nz or by calling 0800 227 227.
Weather: High 22˚ - Overnight 10˚ Page 26
Puzzles: Page 25
Television: Page 27
Family Notices: Page 26
www.guardianonline.co.nz