Fonterra, Sharesies join to make share trading easier
Fonterra is teaming up with wealth app provider Sharesies to make it easier for its farmer shareholders to trade co-op shares among themselves.
Fonterra has increased the mid-point of its forecast farmgate milk price for 2020/21.
The mid-point has increased to $6.80 per kgMS, up from $6.40 per kgMS, while retaining its current +/-50c per kgMS range.
Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says the stronger 2020/21 milk price forecast is largely being driven by improved demand in China.
“Despite the initial impact of COVID-19, we have seen demand for dairy in China recover quickly. In particular, demand for whole milk powder, which is a big driver of milk price, has been stronger than expected.
“While it is still early in the season, dairy prices have improved from the levels we saw on GDT through the first wave of COVID-19 and demand for milk powders has proved resilient.
“We have seen this demand reflected in GDT auctions, with prices trending upwards in recent events and this is supporting our decision to lift the range and its mid-point, which farmers are paid off.”
Hurrell says one of the co-op’s priorities is to have a competitive milk price, as this not only supports its farmers, it supports local communities as well.
“At a $6.80 milk price, more than $10 billion would flow into regional New Zealand.”
Commenting on the supply and demand picture, Hurrell says there are a number of factors the co-op is keeping a close eye on, which is why it’s retaining a wide forecast range of $6.30 - $7.30 per kgMS.
“It is still relatively early in the season and a lot can change. For example, we could experience volatility with exchange rates, milk supply from the EU and US is increasing and there continues to be uncertainty around how a potential risk from further waves of COVID-19 and a global economic slowdown could impact demand.
“With increasing demand and supply, we see the dairy outlook as more balanced, but given there are still a number of risks, we are still recommending our farmers be cautious with their decision making.”
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Two major red meat sector projects are getting up to a combined $1.7 million in funding from the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB).
Angus Barr and Tara Dwyer of The Wandle, Lone Star Farms in Strath Taieri have been named the Regional Supreme Winners at the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Dunedin.
OPINION: The distress that the politicians and bureaucrats are causing to the people of Wairoa and the wider Tairāwhiti is unforgivable.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…
OPINION: Synlait's financial woes won’t be going away anytime soon.