Tuesday, 30 May 2017 10:55

Reviving fortunes good for the provinces

Written by 
Andrew Hoggard. Andrew Hoggard.

Fonterra's lifting of the current season payout to $6.15/kgMS highlights the revival in the fortunes of dairy farms, says Federated Farmers.

The favourable forecast wasn’t unexpected and reflects the recent trend of increasing global dairy prices, which has fostered more confidence amongst the markets.

“This is great news and comes after a turbulent few years where the industry has been under the pump,” says Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers dairy chair.

Based on Fonterra’s forecast and current production cycles, about $280 million dollars is expected to flow through the New Zealand dairy sector and provincial communities this season.

“If you take on board the amount of milk we are producing at present this means the average dairy farm will be about $23,000 dollars better off.

“This will enable farmers to invest in their business and farm infrastructure, which has perhaps not been a priority in the past two years in trying to survive the challenging times.

“We’ll also have more money to [spend on achieving] our environmental goals, the focus for many farmers in spite of modest returns from their businesses.”

NZ dairying employs at least 40,000 workers and contributes much to regional economic development.

“The regional economies and service centres will also be boosted as farmers prepare to spend again, now they are more certaint about their businesses.”

Fonterra’s predicted payout of $6.50/kgMS would mean a further $650m going into provincial economies.

More like this

Full cabinet

OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the cogs of Cabinet.

All eyes on NZ milk supply

All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.

New freshwater farm plans 'practical and affordable'

OPINION: Entering Parliament back in 2023, I wanted to help put the fun back in farming. After six years of Labour, rural New Zealand was tired of the relentless waves of red tape and compliance, draining joy from people who just want to work the land.

"Our" business?

OPINION: One particular bone the Hound has been gnawing on for years now is how the chattering classes want it both ways when it comes to the success of NZ's dairy industry.

Featured

Every vote will count - Alliance chair

An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.

John Deere technician's record hat trick

Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.

Australia develops first local mRNA FMD vaccine

Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.

National

All eyes on NZ milk supply

All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.

Machinery & Products

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

Leader balers arrive in NZ

Officially launched at the National Fieldays event in June, the Leader in-line conventional PRO 1900 balers are imported and distributed…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Full cabinet

OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter