Strong production, tested demand send milk prices crashing
Strong global milk production and rebalancing of demand among key buyers has delivered one of the biggest drops in whole milk powder prices in recent years.
New Zealand dairy farmers woke up to some very good news. The overnight Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction recorded a massive jump in prices.
The GDT price index jumped 15% compared to the previous auction, its eighth consecutive price rise.
Whole milk powder prices, used by Fonterra to set its milk payout, rose a whopping 21% to US$4364/MT, a seven-year high.
AMF index up 7.4%, average price US$5,929/MT
Butter index up 13.7%, average price US$5,826/MT
BMP index down 0.3%, average price US$3,144/MT
Ched index up 1.3%, average price US$4,280/MT
LAC index up 4.9%, average price US$1,278/MT
SMP index up 3.5%, average price US$3,302/MT
SWP not offered
WMP index up 21.0%, average price US$4,364/MT
The head of Fonterra's R&D facility in Palmerston North is set to literally cross the road and become the new vice chancellor at Massey University.
Allan Freeth, chief executive of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced he is resigning.
A rare weather double-whammy has seen many South Island farmers having to deal with unseasonal snow while still cut off from power supplies after an unprecedented windstorm.
One of Fonterra's largest milk suppliers says Fonterra's board and management have got what they wanted - a great turnout and a positive signal from shareholders on the sale of its co-operative's consumer and related business.
Wool farmers are hoping that efforts by two leading companies to develop a more efficient supply chain would eventually boost farmgate returns.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.