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I’m a Sharemilker

Do you want to buy Fonterra shares?
 

You might be able to apply to be an Associated Shareholder or a Secondary Shareholder.

More types of farmers can hold shares under Flexible Shareholding, helping to provide a pathway for future owners.

This section gives an overview for Sharemilkers of what’s involved in being an Associated Shareholder or a Secondary Shareholder – depending on your circumstances.

See below for a quick overview of Associated Shareholders and Secondary Shareholders, plus a tool to help you figure out which one you’re eligible to be.

For a full overview so you can make an informed decision, remember you’ll need to read the Rules for Shareholding.

A quick overview of Associated Shareholders

As a Sharemilker, am I eligible to become an Associated Shareholder?

You can apply to hold shares as an Associated Shareholder if:

  • you’re a Sharemilker on a farm where there is a shareholder supplying milk to the Co-op;
  • you have a sharemilking agreement or similar document with this Supplying Shareholder; and
  • Fonterra is paying you directly for milk supplied from the farm.
     

Contract Milkers and Farm Lessors can also become Associated Shareholders.

How many shares can I own and can I vote as an Associated Shareholder?

The maximum number of shares all Associated Shareholders for a single farm may own is equal to 1x the Share Standard for milk supplied from the farm.

This excludes any shares still held by anyone who has stopped being an Associated Shareholder of the farm. There’s no minimum shareholding requirement.

No, Associated Shareholders cannot vote because they do not supply milk to the Co-op.

A quick overview of Secondary Shareholders

As a Sharemilker, am I eligible to become a Secondary Shareholder?

You can apply to hold shares as a Secondary Shareholder if:

  • you’re a Sharemilker on a farm where there is a shareholder supplying milk to Fonterra;
  • you have a sharemilking agreement with this Supplying Shareholder;
  • you own or provide all of the dairy herd on the farm; and
  • your Supplying Shareholder has agreed to allocate you a proportion of shares it is eligible (or, for its minimum holding only, required) to hold.

How many shares can I own and can I vote as a Secondary Shareholder?

You will be able to hold up to your agreed percentage of the Supplying Shareholder's maximum holding.

You will be required to hold your agreed percentage of the Supplying Shareholder's minimum holding.

Yes Secondary Shareholder can vote - for the wet shares that you hold (being the agreed percentage of shares backed by the milk supply).

Still need help to work out what you’re eligible to be?

If you’re still not quite sure what type of shareholder you’re eligible to be, please use the tool below.

QUESTION 1

Do you have a sharemilking agreement with a Supplying Shareholder (i.e., farm owner)?

You cannot apply to the Co-op to hold shares.

Go to Question 2.

QUESTION 2

Do you:

  • agree, with the approval of your Supplying Shareholder, to hold an agreed percentage of your Supplying Shareholder’s entitlement to hold shares; and
  • own or provide all of the dairy herd on the farm?

Go to Question 3

You can apply to the Co-op to be a Secondary Shareholder. Apply here.

Alternatively (provided the Co-op pays you directly for milk) you can apply to be an Associated Shareholder. Apply here.

QUESTION 3

 You cannot apply to the Co-op to hold shares.

You cannot apply to the Co-op to hold shares.

You will be able to apply to the Co-op to be an Associated Shareholder. Apply here.

  

Become an Associated or Secondary Shareholder

Click below to fill out the online application form.

Apply now

Where can I find more information?

Take a look at the Rules for Shareholding.

Learn More