fbpx
Print this page
Friday, 19 May 2017 11:17

Things looking better - Spaans

Written by 
Michael Spaans told the DairyNZ Farmers Forum in Taranaki today that things are looking better. Michael Spaans told the DairyNZ Farmers Forum in Taranaki today that things are looking better.

DairyNZ chairman Michael Spaans says after three “very tough” years, things are looking better for farmers.

He says while wet weather continues to wreak havoc on farms throughout the country, on the milk price front things are looking much better.

Spaans made the comments while opening the DairyNZ Farmers Forum in Taranaki today; about 120 Taranaki farmers are attending the day-long event.

Fonterra’s farmgate milk price for 2016-17 season stands at $6/kgMS, compared to $3.90/kgMS last season. The co-op will announce its forecast payout for the new season, starting June 1, on Wednesday.

Spaans, who stepped down from the Fonterra board earlier this year after a health scare, believes a $6 payout is “fairly solid” for this season.

But he says conditions on farm remain tough- wet weather has been quite a challenge.

“Spring was extremely wet- not only in Taranaki but right across North Island and South island,” he says.

“Autumn has been wetter, particularly in my neck of the woods – in east Waikato where I farm- we have had probably half our annual rainfall in the last two months.”

Flooding in Edgecumbe also affected dairy farmers earlier this year.

More like this

DairyNZ: Waikato Farmers Need Certainty on PC1 Rules

DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.

Fonterra's Whareroa Wins Directors Award

Fonterra's Whareroa site took home the prestigious Directors Award at the co-op's 'Oscars of Manufacturing', while Clandeboye led the way with multiple wins at this year's Best Site Cup.

Featured

Pāmu Opens Farm Gates for Summer Open Farm Days

State farmer Pāmu is opening its farm gates this summer in an effort to give the rural sector the opportunity to see how large-scale, multi-system farming is delivering productivity and profitability across New Zealand.

DairyNZ: Waikato Farmers Need Certainty on PC1 Rules

DairyNZ says Waikato farmers need certainty on Plan Change 1, but they say that certainty must be matched with practical, workable rules and a clear transition that doesn't get ahead of the new resource management system currently under review.

National

Machinery & Products