Middle East demand cushions global dairy price drop at latest GDT auction
The upheaval in the Middle East may have eased the fall in global dairy prices last week.
The bad news continues for dairy farmers with the GDT price index seeing yet another drop at the latest dairy auction.
The overall price index fell 9.3% to US$1,815/MT at last night’s auction, with the biggest decline seen in Skim Milk Powder, which dropped a massive 14.4% to an average price of US$1,419/MT.
Fonterra’s other key product Whole Milk Powder (WMP) also showed significant losses, falling 10.3% to US$1,590/MT.
Other products also fared poorly with the Anhydrous Milk Fat index dropping 11.7% to US$2,253/MT, Butter down 6.1%, with an average price of US$2,293/MT and Butter Milk Powder falling 5.1%, to US$1,700/MT.
Rennet Casein saw a decline of 2.7% to an average price of US$5,289.
Cheddar was the only product to gain ground, rising just 0.2% to US$2,663.
Lactose remained unchanged at US$535/MT.
Some 46,527 tonnes of product was traded at the auction, up from 31,691 tonnes at the 16th July sale.
This is the tenth consecutive fall for the GDT, which has been in a downward trend since March.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.

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