North Otago Farmer Jane Smith Joins Ravensdown Board

North Otago farmer Jane Smith has officially joined the board of the fertiliser cooperative Ravensdown following its annual meeting held last week. The election drew significant participation, with over 25% of the co-op’s South Island shareholders casting their votes. This turnout represented nearly 39% of the shares held by that group, indicating strong interest in the governance of the cooperative.

During the meeting, Chairman Bruce Wills praised Smith’s election, noting her dedication to Ravensdown and her extensive knowledge of the broader primary sector. He emphasized that shareholders recognize her alignment with the cooperative’s ethos, a critical aspect of governance. Smith brings her practical farming experience from Newhaven Farms, a substantial 9,500-stock unit sheep and beef farm, which includes breeding studs supplying genetics both domestically and internationally.

Smith’s governance experience is noteworthy. She has served for six years as an independent director on the Red Meat Profit Partnership, a $64 million initiative aimed at enhancing long-term profitability for the red meat sector through collaborations between agribusiness and government entities. During her election campaign, she advocated for secure and transparent fertiliser supply, as well as fair pricing in an industry facing increasing competition.

In her own words, Smith stated, “I believe shareholders need strong, diverse voices around the table that will challenge management, not cloned corporate compliance.” This perspective is particularly relevant as industry dynamics evolve, with new competitors emerging in the fertiliser sector, often offering low-cost, product-only solutions.

Ravensdown’s recent financial performance reflects the challenges the cooperative faces. The organization reported a loss of $5.4 million after tax for the year ending May, which included one-off costs such as the expensive closure of its Dunedin fertiliser manufacturing facility. This context underscores the importance of robust leadership and strategic direction as the cooperative navigates a competitive landscape.

With Jane Smith’s addition to the board, Ravensdown aims to leverage her expertise and hands-on approach to strengthen its position in the fertiliser market, ensuring that it meets the evolving needs of its shareholders and the wider agricultural community.