Payout stakes
OPINION: It's that time of the year again when milk processors announce their annual results and final milk payout for the previous season.
MAKING THE most of a higher milk price will be discussed at a Northland Focus Farm field day on the farm of Alister and Lyn Candy, at Okaihau on July 2. DairyNZ will be in support.
A farm accountant and top award winner in the 2013 Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Charmaine O’Shea, will talk to farmers about how to best take advantage of a rise in payout.
Also speaking will be dairy farmer Roger Hutchings. The two will offer a practical approach to managing finances and look at the opportunities and pitfalls of a higher milk price.
A review of the Okaihau farm’s 2012-13 season will also be given.
Focus farm facilitator Gareth Baynham says the field day will help farmers plan for a successful spring.
“The forecast milk price has resulted in some smiling farmers, but the challenge will be making sure the expected increase in milk price translates into generating profit on the farm. The goal is to set up the farm to hit targets this spring. In Northland, that starts with winter management.
“On the focus farm, for example, the Candys are planning to increase milk production this season by building on their experiences from the 2012/13 season and delivering on the focus farm goal of profiting from pasture.”
Farmers Dave Gray and Peter Flood will expand on the ‘profiting from pasture’ theme.
“Dave and Peter have successfully built their farming businesses on profitable pasture management and will provide tips and tools to make pasture management simple and effective,” says Baynham.
“Good pasture management starts with getting winter management right and these field days provide a good opportunity to glean some ideas off other farmers.”
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