Thursday, 29 January 2015 14:48

Fonterra milk volume forecast reduced

Written by 
Milk volume forecast has been reduced. Milk volume forecast has been reduced.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited has reduced its milk volume forecast for the 2014-15 season to 1,532 million kgMS, reflecting the impact of dry weather on production in recent weeks.

 The new forecast is 3.3 per cent lower than the 1,584 million kgMS collected last season. The previous milk volume forecast, made in December last year was 1,584 million kgMS.

Group director co-operative affairs Miles Hurrell said daily milk production was now 6.1 per cent lower than at the same time last season, as farmers appear to be using more traditional practices to manage their farm businesses with the low payout forecast.

“In the first half of the season, excellent pasture conditions resulted in milk volumes being higher than the previous season.”

“The situation has changed significantly over the course of this month.”

“In some regions where pasture quality has declined markedly since mid-January, we are seeing some farmers drying off cows early. There also appears to be a reduction in feed supplements, as the economics do not support their widespread use this season,” says Hurrell.

Fonterra has confirmed that it can meet all current sales commitments. However, in light of the reduced milk volume forecast, it is planning to reduce the quantity of product offered on the GlobalDairyTrade auction platform, and via direct sales channels.  

More like this

Featured

How Wearable Tech Powers This 1,850-Cow Dairy Farm

For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.

New Dairy Welfare Code Released, Takes Effect 2027

The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

Federated Farmers Welcomes RMA Replacement Passing

Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

'LinkedIn Greens'

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…

UK Warning

OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter