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 Global Dairy Trade price index was up 6.6% overnight, with the all-important whole milk powder up 9.9%.
Key Results:
AMF index up 4.7%, average price US$3,797/MT
Butter index up 6.6%, average price US$2,871/MT
BMP index up 7.7%, average price US$1,661/MT
Ched index down 0.8%, average price US$2,889/MT
LAC index up 3.7%, average price US$741/MT
RenCas index up 16.3%, average price US$6,161/MT
SMP index up 2.1%, average price US$1,965/MT
WMP index up 9.9%, average price US$2,265/MT
ASB rural economist Nathan Penny says the overall result was stronger than their expectations heading in; they expected WMP prices to lift by between 5% and 7%.
The bounce was also broad-based. On top of the WMP increase, casein prices surged 16%, while butter and BMP rose 7% and 8%, respectively. Only cheddar prices recorded a fall.
"From here, we expect rapidly tightening global supply to lift prices further over 2016," he says.
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.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
OPINION: Microplastics are turning up just about everywhere in the global food supply, including in fish, cups of tea, and…
OPINION: At a time when dairy prices are at record highs, no one was expecting the world's second largest dairy…