Milk price certainty
Westland Milk has reaffirmed its commitment to pay farmer suppliers 10c above Fonterra farm gate milk price for the following two seasons.
Independent dairy processor Westland Milk has reduced its payout prediction for the 2018-19 season.
A drop in butter prices has forced the co-op to revise its predicted 2018-19 payout range to $6.50/kgMS to $6.90/kgMS.
Four months ago, the co-op was predicting a payout range of $6.75 to $7.20.
Westland chairman Pete Morrison says the revised forecast payout “is in line with other milk processors”.
Chief executive Toni Brendish says Westland was now implementing its new five-year strategy, the key to which is milk segregation, and the continual focus on improving internal systems and process, which were now starting to deliver results.
“During the 2017-18 season we proved our ability to identify, separately collect and process milk with key characteristics that carry significantly more value in the market place and return increased premiums.
“We’re working with Southern Pastures to produce grass-fed milk to a set of very high standards that include strict environmental, animal welfare, feed management, soil and water management and other criteria that will set this milk apart.
“Our comparatively smaller processing plant gives us the flexibility to produce nutritional products for very specific niche markets with increasing global demand. Other types of speciality milk will also soon be available,” she says.
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Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
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In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.