Fonterra’s $3.2b capital return to farmers set to boost rural incomes and NZ economy
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
The 0.4% drop in dairy price index overnight in the GlobalDairyTrade auction was likely Brexit's impact on dairy prices, says ASB rural economist, Nathan Penny.
The impact is likely to be modest and temporary, he says.
"We stick with our 2016/17 milk price forecasts $6/kgMS. However, we note that any further temporary setbacks to prices or alternatively the absence of an improvement in prices over coming months will make our forecast increasingly difficult to maintain," he says in his Quickview briefing.
WMP prices were down 1.6%, while in contrast SMP prices lifted 2.6%.
"In general, the fall was consistent with our expectations that Brexit's impact on dairy prices is likely to be modest and temporary. This reaction is in line with the similarly modest agricultural market reaction to date. Moreover, the Brexit doesn't change agricultural or dairy market fundamentals, so we wouldn't expect markets to react much anyway."
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.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.