Lamb returns forecast to remain low
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
ANZ has revised its 2021-22 forecast milk price by 50c to $9.30/kgMS.
This puts the forecast just above the mid-point of Fonterra's latest milk price guidance of $8.90-$9.50/kgMS.
ANZ agriculture analyst Susan Kilsby says farmgate milk prices have benefitted from both the sharp lift in global dairy commodity prices and the softer New Zealand dollar.
"Dairy prices lifted much faster than anticipated in January as the impact of tight global supplies for milk started to have a material impact," she says.
"Milk supplies in all of the major milk producing countries are either tracking behind last season or growing only modestly.
"This lack of additional supply is now being felt in the global markets."
Kilsby notes that the recent milk production data from New Zealand, supported by dairy company announcements, means buyers are now well aware that there will not be a lot of additional product available from New Zealand during the latter part of the milk production season.
New Zealand's milk supply is tracking 3.2% behind for the season to December, with production for the month of December down 5.5% on the same month last season.
Dry conditions throughout January mean milk supplies are likely to be curtailed for much of the remainder of the season, says Kilsby.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.