Editorial: Punching Above Our Weight
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) price index has risen for the ninth consecutive time.
Last night’s GDT auction saw the price index rise 0.8% to UIS$3483/metric tonne. GDT’s price index hasn’t seen a price drop since November last year.
A decline in milk production among key producing global regions is keeping prices up.
However, the flagship whole milk powder price was down 1.35 to US$3287/MT.
Butter prices saw another big jump- 5.8% to US$5374/MT. Skimmed milk powder was up 1.8%.
Key results
AMF index up 3.7%, average price US$5,867/MT
Butter index up 5.8%, average price US$5,374/MT
BMP index up 5.0%, average price US$3,548/MT
Ched index up 3.2%, average price US$4,248/MT
LAC index down 5.3%, average price US$948/MT
RenCas index up 7.5%, average price US$6,703/MT
SMP index up 1.8%, average price US$2,468/MT
SWP index not available, average price not available
WMP index down 1.3%, average price US$3,287/MT
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.
With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.
In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.
Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.