Production holding up well, dry weather starting to bite

In its February Global Dairy Update, Fonterra reports milk collections for January of 165.7 million kgMS, 4.6% above January last season. The rise is attributed to favourable weather conditions, despite soil moisture levels being low in places.

Federated Farmers' Mid-Canterbury dairy chair Nick Giera says most dairy farmers in his province have had a good season.

"It's not often you get increased production in a high milk price year. So that's been really pleasing for farmers.

"And combined with that there's nbeen some easing of interest rates. That's put farmers in a strong cash flow position."

Giera said that for Mid Canterbury, a mild winter and a kind spring set up the cows really well to peak in the spring and through the summer.

"Apart from an early dry period, we've hjad more mild weather, basically a La Nina type scenario where we've had reasonable rainfall so irrigation hasn't been tested too much.

"It's been good for the cows and they've been able to hold quite high levels of production."

Giera, who contract milks about 1400 cows at Ruapuna, near Mayfield, says the province is also now well set up for winter, with good feed levels on most dairy platforms.

"There seems to be plenty of winter feed out there and also winter crops are looking pretty strong," he said.

"I think most people are looking at a surplus at the moment."

In its Update, Fonterra said favourable weather conditions supported higher milk collections in both the North and South Islands. Overall, milk collections were above the prior season for the seventh month in a row. Season-to-date collectiions were 1,048.2 million kgMS, 3.6% above last season.

Fonterra said North Island milk collections in January were 90.3 million kgMS, 5.4% higher than January last season. The increase was mainly due to above average sunlight levels which supported pasture growth across the Waikato, despite North Island soil moisture remaining drier than average. Season-to-date collections were 624.1 million kgMS, 5.0% above last season.

South Island collections in January were 75.4 million kgMS, 3.7% higher than January last season. The increase was mainly due to improved rainfall which saw easing pressure on irrigation by raising water tables. Season-to-date collections are 424.1 million kgMS, 1.6% above last season.

New Zealand production increased 2.9% in January compared to the previous January, making an increase of 2.0% for the 12 months to January, compared to the previous year.

Meanwhile, dairy exports increased 8.6% or 29,935 metric tonnes, in January compared to the same period the year prior.

The increase was mainly due to higher export volumes of Whole Milk Powder (WMP) and butter to China, and cheese to the UK, Japan, and South Korea.

Exports for the 12 months to January were up 0.8%, or 27,811 MT.

The increase was mainly due to higher export volumes of Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC) and Milk Protein Isolates (MPI), partially offset by lower export volumes of Anhydrous Milk Fat (AMF).