Weak supply keeping prices high
Weaker milk production in the Northern Hemisphere is keeping dairy prices high.
Dairy product prices gained slightly at the Global Dairy Trade auction overnight.
The GDT price index rose 1.3% to US$3,537, up from US$3,517 at the previous auction three weeks ago. Some 21,273 tonnes of product was sold, below the 22,030 tonnes at the previous auction.
The all-important whole milk powder rose 1% to US$3,314 a tonne; skim milk powder inched 0.1% higher to US$2,608 a tonne.
There were a few big gains too; lactose jumped 12.4 % to US$910 a tonne, while butter climbed 4.9% to US$4,593 a tonne. Anhydrous milk fat gained 4% to US$5,765 a tonne.
Key Results
AMF index up 4.0%, average price US$5,765/MT
Butter index up 4.9%, average price US$4,593/MT
BMP index down 7.5%, average price US$2,254/MT
Ched index down 3.7%, average price US$3,798/MT
LAC index up 12.4%, average price US$910/MT
RenCas index down 0.4%, average price US$6,445/MT
SMP index up 0.1%, average price US$2,608/MT
WMP index up 1.0%, average price US$3,314/MT
A long-acting, controlled- release capsule designed to protect ewes from internal parasites during the lambing period is back on the market following a comprehensive reassessment.
Healthcare appears to be the big winner in this year's budget as agriculture and environment miss out.
OPINION: Foreign policy is a real strength of Winston Peter and this is recognised by Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) officials who, so the story goes, wanted him in his present role because of his experience in that field.
DairyNZ subsidiary New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL) will update the genetic base used to calculate Breeding Worth (BW) next month.
Ruralco has donated $10,000 to the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust following a recent fundraising golf tournament.
Nominations are open for three positions on the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.