By KEVIN TAYLOR
The vote for GlobalCo means John Bluett feels confident enough to expand his Matamata dairy farm.
The 45-year-old says he and his family can look to a better future after New Zealand Dairy Group and Kiwi shareholders voted to form the global dairy giant.
Mr Bluett took time out
from the daily farming routine to attend a shareholders' meeting. A few hours later he was back smiling after 85 per cent of the 6600 Dairy Group shareholders who voted supported the merger.
"We are stronger together rather than divided," he said.
GlobalCo remained farmer-owned and profits would come back to farmers.
"It gives greater protection for my business and makes me more optimistic. It gives you more security in how you invest in your farm."
Mr Bluett said he would have put expansion plans on hold if GlobalCo had been rejected, but he now had the confidence to enlarge his two-property, 500-head dairy business.
A farmer of 21 years, he works one of the properties with his wife, Jill, while aherd manager looks after the other.
He was convinced GlobalCo would mean better management decisions between the marketing and manufacturing arms of the industry.
The right product would be made for the right market and more revenue would flow, meaning better payouts.
Mr Bluett has just had his best year with a record payout of $5 for each kilogram of milk solids produced. His cows generated 141,000kg - a $705,000 payout.
Nationally, the payout is expected to boost the economy by more than $2 billion.
In recent weeks doubt was thrown on the merger when opponents formed a group called Farmers for a Better Dairy Deal. But the group, which had wanted a two-company dairy industry model, was soundly defeated yesterday.
Spokeswoman and Dairy Group shareholder Hilary Webber said after the vote that she would fully back GlobalCo and support the majority's decision.
"I had a feeling at the end of last week that it would turn against us, but I was surprised by the depth of support for GlobalCo at the meeting."
She said time would tell if GlobalCo would really deliver.
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