Alliance now raising more capital from their farmer shareholders - basically making more deductions from livestock payments to increase share capital, and increasing their share requirements. They were carrying over $170m of debt at the end of their last FY, which is at the low point of the season/activity and want to use Lender funding for seasonal working capital needs only.

The Board believes the proposed changes will:

  • Restore balance sheet strength
  • Meet lender requirements
  • Continue our drive to be New Zealand’s most efficient red meat processor
  • Enable the co-operative to pursue additional value capture opportunities
  • Ensure Alliance remains 100 per cent farmer-owned


Tough for farmers to have to pony up for more investment when many will be making a cash loss for the year and prices/markets are poor.

Will be a problem as some farmers may choose to send their stock elsewhere - I understand Alliance's schedules are trailing behind others so if farmers go elsewhere, makes plants more inefficient, become more uncompetitive etc.

Will be an interesting watch......