Lang is top cheesemaker, again!
Fonterra Brands' Cathy Lang has been crowned the country's best cheesemaker for the second time in three years.
Fonterra farmers are cutting costs on farm and expect similar discipline from their co-operative.
Fonterra Co-operative Council chair John Stevenson says farmers are feeling a real squeeze with increased input costs and decreased returns.
He points out that, at the current forecast milk price range, many stand to make losses in the current financial year.
"Farmers tell me that they are being ruthless as they look at what is essential expenditure within their own businesses, and what is not," Stevenson told Dairy News.
"They have sent a clear message to council, which has been passed on to the Fonterra board chair, that they expect similar discipline within their co-operative when it comes to managing costs."
With Fonterra slashing its forecast range midpoint by $1 to $7/kgMS, many farmers are bracing for a loss this season.
According to Stevenson, depending on debt levels and internal cost structures, $7/kgMS is widely accepted as being below the cost of production. He believes farmers will likely be working closely with their banks as they look to fund current cashflow requirements.
One silver lining will be the upcoming $800 million capital return to shareholders this month.
Fonterra has also signalled a strong dividend - a result of lower milk price lowering the cost of production for value added products.
Stevenson ays Fonterra shareholders will be looking forward to the upcoming capital return and the prospect of a strong dividend as they consider how their businesses are funded at the current mid-point of the forecast milk price range.
Nine lucky school leavers passionate about farming will join Pamu for a two-year journey into agriculture, living and working at Pamu farm, Aratiatia near Taupo.
Nutritionists are urging Kiwis to kickstart their day with a piece of fresh fruit to help improve their health and wellbeing this autumn.
Under its innovation strategy, Craigmore Sustainables says it is collaborating with new innovators of technology across sustainability, people, animals and business management to enhance New Zealand's dairy sector.
Deeply cynical and completely illogical. That's how Kimberly Crewther, the executive director of DCANZ is describing the Canadian government's flagrant breach of international trade law in refusing to open its market to New Zealand dairy exports.
This week the winner of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori Dairy farm will be announced at a gala dinner in Hamilton.
Once-a-day milking (OAD) can increase or lower the amounts of proteins in milk, according to a new study published in the journal Dairy.
OPINION: Scientists claim to have found a new way to make a substitute for cow's milk that could have a…
OPINION: The Irish have come up with a novel way to measure cow belching, which is said to account for…