3 Jul 2011

Allied Farmers gives assurance over payments

7:00 am on 3 July 2011

Allied Farmers is confident it can retain farmer clients and pay them for sales of stock, despite losing 10 livestock agents to its main competitor.

The rural services and finance company lost six agents in Manawatu and four in Taranaki to PGG Wrightson in June.

Allied's livestock general manager, Bill Sweeney, says the agents have jumped shipped because of rumours about Allied's financial stability.

Mr Sweeney says the company is in a good position despite the collapse of finance arm Allied Nationwide Finance and a loss of value in its Hanover Finance assets.

New agents are being recruited and he assures farmers they will be paid.