Two resolutions will be voted on at a special meeting in Dunedin: the board is seeking support from farmers to form a 50:50 joint venture with Chinese company Shanghai Maling, while a resolution seeking full analysis of the benefits and risks of a merger with Alliance Group will also be voted on.
West Otago farmer Allan Richardson, who spearheaded the push for discussion on a possible merger with Alliance Group, said yesterday it could be the last meeting ''as a true co-operative''.
Mr Richardson was critical of Silver Fern Farms, saying the vote on the merger resolution should have happened in a fair and reasonable amount of time.
In early July, Silver Fern Farms shareholders exceeded the minimum threshold required to force a special meeting to discuss a merger.
The non-binding resolution was the board be required to provide all shareholders with a full analysis of the potential benefits and risks of a merger, along with a comprehensive risk mitigation plan, verified by an independent firm.
Even though the timing was a ''perfect storm'', when farmers were busy with lambing and calving, he was confident there would be a large turnout at the meeting.
He urged shareholders to vote against the Chinese proposal and vote for the Alliance Group resolution, saying ''working with the neighbour has to be a safer option''.
Meat Industry Excellence chairman Peter McDonald, of Dipton, encouraged farmers to ask questions of the board and to carefully evaluate the proposal.
The biggest question he had was why just one option was being put forward by the board.
The decision was in the hands of shareholders, and it was one that could significantly influence the fate of the meat export industry, he said.
