"Our" business?
OPINION: One particular bone the Hound has been gnawing on for years now is how the chattering classes want it both ways when it comes to the success of NZ's dairy industry.
Fonterra’s milk collection across New Zealand for the four months to September 30 reached 297 million kgMS, 3% behind the same period last season, Fonterra says in its latest update.
September milk collection was 175 million kgMS, 2% lower than September last season.
As a result, the cooperative’s forecast offer volumes on GlobalDairyTrade over the next 12 months for New Zealand products has been decreased by 11,199 MT. Including this latest decrease, Fonterra has reduced GDT offer volumes since August 1, 2016 by 55,481 MT.
North Island milk collection in September reached 110 million kgMS, 5% behind September last season.
“Unfavourable weather conditions continue to impact production across most dairying regions. High levels of rainfall in October have made conditions difficult across many regions, but most noticeably in the central region where daily production is down around 14% compared to last year,” the update says.
South Island milk collection in September reached 64 million kgMS, 3% above September last season. Initial October collections indicate milk volumes in the South Island have begun to decline and may fall below last season, it says.
Fonterra’s milk collection across Australia in September, was 12 million kgMS, 1 million kgMS lower than September last season.
“New season milk collection has been heavily impacted by unfavourable pasture conditions through winter and early spring. While we have new farmer suppliers moving to Fonterra, this increase in supply has been offset by the challenging conditions, with record rainfall seen in some regions,” the update says.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
RaboResearch, the research arm of specialist agriculture industry banker Rabobank, sees positives for the Alliance Group in its proposed majority-stake sale to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
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