There has been some disquiet over AWB’s December 23 AGM, right in the middle of harvest and close to Christmas.

However, Mr Smith said with a normalised constitution, AWB had no obligation to cater to grower-shareholders specifically.

"At the end of the day, we are just talking about one wheat trader, which also has a merchandising arm," he said.

"It does not have the same impact on growers it did when AWB administered the single desk.

"AWB does not hold any statutory responsibility to anybody, and if it is in the reporting season, then the date is fine."

Business commentator Stephen Mayne started the ball rolling, criticising the company for 'burying' its AGM at an unsuitable time, and it has hit a chord with certain segments of the grower population, unhappy that the normalised AWB appears to be unconcerned with grower-shareholders.

Speaking at last week’s full year results, AWB managing director Gordon Davis said the timing reflected their results cycle.

"The date is a good fit for companies that cover their results for a year to September 30," Mr Davis said.

"We are one of a number of companies with AGMs in the last week before Christmas."

He said it was impossible to meet all shareholders' wishes in regard to the timing of the meeting, and the company thought this was the best fit.

"We've got a diverse shareholder population, and there is an efficiency to having the AGM promptly after announcing the results, so that is why we made the decision to move the meeting to December."

Traditionally, AWB’s meeting has been held in late January.