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‘Wait and see’ for Synlait farmers

Synlait supplier Willy Leferink says farmers are waiting to see what happens to the troubled milk processor.

Synlait farmers can do nothing but watch from the sidelines as the company battles its financial woes, says supplier Willy Leferink.

Farmer confidence up and down

Rabobank chief executive Todd Charteris.

Farmers are now more pessimistic about prospects for the broader agri economy.

Prices face upside risk despite GDT price dip

Global dairy prices suffered its first drop in six auctions, but prices remain 10% above their long-term averages.

After five consecutive rises, whole milk powder prices dipped in the latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction.

Open Country unveils major expansion plan

Open Country chief executive Mark de Lautour says the investments give the milk processor more optionality.

Confirming its "immense faith" in the dairy industry, the country's second largest milk processor is embarking on a significant investment programme.

Keeping a spring in farmers' steps

The Easy-Access Calf Pen Gate will be on display at Fieldays this week.

As calving season approaches, so does the increased risk of sprain and strain injuries for dairy farmers.

Blender backs agri-tech startups

Throughout Fieldays, several experts from Blender will be available at their stand in the Innovation Hub to offer advice.

Product design and development consultant Blender says as part of its commitment to fostering innovation in agriculture and technology, it’s sponsoring the prototype category of the Fieldays Innovation Awards for the third year in a row.

Sustainability remains a focus

Waterways and water quality will be part of the topics covered at the Sustainability Hub this week.

A major focus for Fieldays in recent years has involved responding to the agricultural sector’s pressing challenges of environmental sustainability, climate mitigation and food production.

Lifting water quality part of sustainability fund

Bevan and Jackie Jones, Southland, say they can now fast-track initiatives that they’ve been wanting to progress for years.

The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is providing $440,000 to 18 farms across Southland, Canterbury and the Waikato in the third round of its a2 Farm Sustainability Fund in New Zealand.

Freshwater crayfish still around

Surveys do not indicate any consistent patterns or significant adverse effects of the consented discharge on the freshwater communities of the Kakahu River.

The presence of koura (freshwater crayfish) in the Kakahu River, South Canterbury, was one of the highlights of eDNA monitoring and biomonitoring (periphyton, macroinvertebrates and fish) carried out in the Kakahu River in March 2024.