Fonterra Whareroa sets cheese record, wins top award
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
The GlobalDairyTrade price index was up 1.4% over night, with whole milk powder up 5.5%.
The lift follows better sentiment across markets generally, says ASB rural economist Nathan Penny. For example since the last auction, the S&P 500 has lifted around 4%.
The rise was bang on expectations, he says. WMP led the way, posting a 5.5% increase (although WMP remains around 13% lower than as at the end of 2015). Casein recorded the largest increase (up 14.9%), while SMP rose a more modest 1.3%.
ASB is maintaining its 2015-16 and 2016-17 milk price forecasts at $3.90/kgMS and $6/kgMS, respectively.
Key Results from last night' s GlobalDairyTrade Event 159:
AMF index down 8.3%, average price US$3,254/MT; Butter index down 0.5%, average price US$2,811/MT; BMP index down 2.9%, average price US$1,452/MT; Ched index down 0.7%, average price US$2,528/MT; LAC index up 7.9%, average price US$613/MT; RenCas index up 14.9%, average price US$4,569/MT; SMP index up 1.3%, average price US$1,802/MT;
WMP index up 5.5%, average price US$1,974/MT.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
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