Agrium managing director Mike Wilson angered a key farming lobby ahead of his arrival in Australia last night, placing a hurdle in front of the Canadian fertiliser giant's $1.2 billion takeover of AWB.
The Victorian Farmers Federation, the largest state-based farmer organisation in Australia representing over 10,000 members, is frustrated that Mr Wilson has made time only for a teleconference with a number of farming groups instead of face-to-face meetings, as was the case when Canada's Viterra was making its bold $1.6 billion play for South Australia's ABB Grain.
"When Viterra were in town looking at ABB they were here for a week or longer to make sure they spoke and met with everyone," VFF grains group president Russell Amery said. "I would have liked them to meet and talk to as many people as they could."
Farmers collectively represent about 20 per cent of AWB's register, according to The Australian Financial Review.
Calgary-based Mr Wilson was due to arrive in Australia last night. He is expected to meet AWB's managing director, Gordon Davis, and the former wheat monopoly exporter's senior management team this afternoon.
A teleconference with farming lobby groups is planned for Tuesday. Mr Amery said he wanted clarification from Mr Wilson on whether Agrium would retain AWB as a whole or planned to sell off the grains trading arm.
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