Milk Powder Prices Prop Up Farmgate Milk Price
Milk powder prices are keeping farmgate prices up, helping processors offset the dip in milk fat prices.
Higher dairy payouts have put dairy farmers in a good position to take advantage of new technologies, says ANZ’s managing director commercial & agri, Mark Hiddleston.
He says these new technology will redefine farm efficiency in the years ahead.
“While diary and other commodity markets remain changeable, a higher payout provides an opportunity for our dairy farming customers to pay down some of the debt they’ve built up, and to reinvest in their businesses,” Hiddleston said.
“We are seeing the next agricultural revolution where technology and innovation will drive improvements in farm productivity, efficiency, while reducing environmental impact.”
“National Fieldays, supported by ANZ will be “an unrivalled opportunity” for dairy businesses to check out the latest innovation and thinking, he adds.
Research by ANZ rural economist Con Williams into some of the apps and technology aimed at improving the bottom line for agri-businesses shows real growth in tech adoption across the sector.
“There are a whole range of benefits, but essentially it’s about the ease of doing business, being more efficient and productive, making better decisions, mitigating risks, meeting compliance requirements and improving the bottom-line,” Williams said.
Despite a challenging global backdrop he believes the outlook for New Zealand agri-businesses is positive.
“The operating environment looks positive for the key livestock sectors. We are most cautious on beef, with a large supply increase anticipated from the US and Brazil. For dairy, current market indicators suggest a high-$5/kgMS to high-$6/kgMS range for the milk price,” he said.
“The main horticulture sectors had challenging growing and harvesting conditions this year, impacting on the overall quality of crops. That said, decent prices are still expected, supporting overall revenue.”
ANZ’s long-term association with Fieldays reflects the bank’s commitment to the New Zealand agriculture sector.
“We are proud to get behind Fieldays and are committed to being part of the solution that addresses New Zealand’s industry challenges and creates a brighter future for our agri-sector,” Hiddleston said.
Fonterra Co-operative Group has confirmed the independently assessed candidates standing for election to its board in 2026.
Fonterra has revised its Farmgate Milk Price forecast for the 2026/27 season, lifting the midpoint and narrowing the range on the back of improving global dairy commodity prices.
New Zealand's citrus growers were challenged to build their future on the value embedded in their fruit rather than the volume they produce, at Citrus New Zealand's annual gathering in Gisborne on 17 September.
Leading John Deere technicians and apprentices from New Zealand and Australians were recognised at the recent sixth annual JD Technician of the Year Awards, held in Brisbane.
In Dacre, near Invercargill in New Zealand’s South Island, Bruce Dinnington is running a dairy operation unlike any other.
A free online platform aggregating governance vacancies across rural and regional New Zealand has been launched.