Fonterra has held a further round of consultation with its suppliers this week as it prepares for a ground-breaking vote on capital restructuring.
The dairy co-operative's 10,500 farmer shareholders will decide at next week's annual meeting on whether to approve the first two steps in its proposal to change the share structure.
Fonterra is proposing to allow farmers to buy 20% more shares than they need to match their milk supply to provide funds for growth in the company.
The co-operative is also seeking approval to adjust the way shares are valued to reflect the fact that share ownership is restricted to farmer suppliers.
However, it will not be asking them to vote at this stage on another part of the plan, to allow shares to be traded among farmer shareholders.
After the first round of consultations, Fonterra has made some changes to the proposed first stage.
Shareholders Council chair Blue Read says the changes to make conditions fairer for suppliers buying shares during the transitional phase.
Fonterra's policy from next season onwards will be to allow share purchases from the beginning of the season until the end of September, a period when cash flows are generally highest.
Meanwhile, Fonterra shareholders have just a few days left to vote in the board elections.
Three directors are being elected from six candidates for the Fonterra Board, and one Shareholders' Councillor from two candidates in Ward 16, Rotorua.
Earlier this week, only about 20% of potential votes had been cast. Voting closes at 10.30am on Monday.
