Fonterra Whareroa sets cheese record, wins top award
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
The Global Dairy Auction suffered its sixth successive fall last night with the average price index dropping 4.3% to US $2,412/MT.
The auction saw a price decline for almost all products offered.
Fonterra’s key product whole milk powder dropped 3.1% to US$2,309/MT, while skim milk powder declined 1.3% to US$1,982/MT.
However, butter saw the biggest decline dropping 10% to an average price of US$2,619/MT.
Large declines were also seen for anhydrous milk fat and butter milk powder, which fell 7.4% (US$3,112/MT) and 7% (US$1,795/MT) respectively.
Lactose and rennet casein also fell, with lactose down 6.9% to US$540/MT and rennet casein dropping 4.4% to US$5,789/MT.
Some 27,111 tonnes of product was traded, 4.4% more than at the previous auction.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.