Mr Shaw, who lost his seat two years ago when the company restructured its board, is one of two candidates challenging chairman Eoin Garden and long-serving director Joe Ferraby, both standing for re-election.
The other candidate is King Country farmer Oliver Saxton.
In a statement, Mr Shaw said restructuring last year, in which Silver Fern Farms shares were listed on the Unlisted board with some controls, had diminished farmer influence and alienated loyal suppliers without raising the capital sought.
SFF was "lurching away from farmer control and influence which could eventually lead to its demutualisation," he said.
He questioned the timing of the election with the Christmas break, saying it suited some SFF board members who did not want the direction the company was taking to be debated.
He supported a merger between SFF and Alliance and said the Silver Fern brand could be successful, but the company needed to stick to its co-operative principles and protect its loyal and committed farmer supply base.
Mr Garden yesterday said an independent assessment of all candidates overseen by the Institute of Directors will be collated, outlining personal attributes, skills and experience. The assessment will be sent to all shareholders.
Fonterra followed a similar process.
