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Goodbye to a tough year, hello to a New Year

Like a lot of dairy farmers, I am pretty happy about farewelling 2015, and looking ahead to a New Year with better prospects and farmgate milk prices.

Solar innovation could help drought-stricken farmers

Isaacs Electrical directors Gavin Streeter and Shane Heaton.

A solar water pump system is helping get much needed water to stock on remote hill country farms and has captured international interest from water-stressed countries.

Cashflow pressures increase

Cashflow pressures on dairy farmers are expected to rise in the 2015-16 season, with about 80% of farmers - representing almost 90% of sectoral debt - expected to have negative cash flow, says the Reserve Bank.

GDT lift below expectations

The GlobalDairyTrade price index lifted by 1.9% at the auction held overnight.

First drop in dairy cattle since 2005

The number of dairy cattle has dropped for the first time since 2005, says Statistics New Zealand.

Cattle methane emission downsized by 24%

Methane emissions from cattle in Australia are 24% lower than previously estimated, equivalent to 12.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, says new Australian research.

1.9m glasses of Fonterra dairy consumed daily in Malaysia

Bottoms up: Local consumers in Malaysia are enjoying the equivalent of 1.9 million glasses of Fonterra branded dairy products every day.

Local consumers in Malaysia are enjoying the equivalent of 1.9 million glasses of Fonterra branded dairy products every day — and that number is growing.

Food production recognised in climate change agreement

Federated Farmers' national president Dr William Rolleston.

The Paris agreement on climate change prioritises food security and food production, recognising the dual challenges of controlling global temperatures and feeding a growing population, says Federated Farmers.