Glut in global milk supply keeping prices down
The final Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction has delivered bad news for dairy farmers.
Global dairy prices have taken a hit in the overnight auction.
As predicted by the futures market, prices fell as concerns grew around coronavirus in China and its impact on global trade.
China is Fonterra’s major key market: Around 11% of all dairy consumption in China comes from Fonterra
The GDT price index fell 4.7%: whole milk powder down 6.2%, skimmed milk powder down 4.2%, and butter up 0.2%.
Updated coronavirus statistics show confirmed cases total 20,708 worldwide (20,483 in China), of which 4% have recovered, 13% are in critical condition, and 427 have died (425 in China).
Key results
AMF index down 4.5%, average price US$4,626/MT
Butter index up 0.2%, average price US$4,258/MT
BMP index down 5.2%, average price US$2,886/MT
Ched index up 6.0%, average price US$4,302/MT
LAC index up 2.5%, average price US$830/MT
RenCas index up 6.0%, average price US$9,956/MT
SMP index down 4.2%, average price US$2,907/MT
SWP index not available, average price not available
WMP index down 6.2%, average price US$3,039/MT
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
Applications are now open for the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards, set to be held at Parliament on 23 July.
Ravensdown has announced a collaboration with Kiwi icon, Footrot Flats in an effort to bring humour, heart, and connection to the forefront of the farming sector.
Forest & Bird's Kiwi Conservation Club is inviting New Zealanders of all ages to embrace the outdoors with its Summer Adventure Challenges.
Grace Su, a recent optometry graduate from the University of Auckland, is moving to Tauranga to start work in a practice where she worked while participating in the university's Rural Health Interprofessional Programme (RHIP).
Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.