Silver Fern Farms shareholders have voted in favour of the joint venture with Shanghai Maling.

The original vote last October saw 82 per cent of Silver Fern Farms shareholders approve the venture.

That's decreased somewhat today, but still drew a majority of over 80 per cent.

The partnership will see Shanghai Maling secure a 50 per cent stake in the company, worth over $260 million.

Chairman Rob Hewitt emphasised throughout the meeting that today's vote meant nothing, as the company was simply awaiting approval from the Overseas Investment Office.

The non-bonding vote drew well over 100 shareholders to the meeting called by opposing shareholders John Shrimpton and Blair Gallagher.

Mr Shrimpton insists they did the right thing calling today's meeting.

"People should not feel bad in any way about what's been achieved. We've highlighted some very, very serious issues. People have exercised their rights to vote and as the Chinese would say, be careful what you wish for."

William Ralston was for the sale, saying it had nothing to do with money.

"It's a transaction about strategy. It's a transaction about vertically integrating into the market and penetrating as deep as we can into that market. I think that's really really important."

Under law, a sale requires 75 per cent of shareholders to approve a major transaction.