Westpac NZ launches community banking van in Northland
A new Westpac NZ community banking van begins making visits around Northland this week.
Commenting on last night Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction results, Gordon says there was a mild 0.4% fall in dairy prices.
“The product mix was effectively a mirror image of the previous auction, with a 2.6% rise in whole milk powder prices but declines for most other products.
“We’re expecting a modest fall in dairy prices over the rest of this year, as global milk production bounces back from last year’s depressed levels. Global demand continues to grow at a subdued pace, and stockpiles of milk powder remain substantial, especially in Europe.
“Russia recently extended its ban on food imports from the EU until the end of 2018, though it has yet to make a decision on the ban from other Western markets, which currently runs to the end of this year.”
Key Results AMF index down 3.5%, average price US$6,596/MT Butter index down 0.1%, average price US$5,775/MT BMP index up 10.8%, average price US$2,264/MT Ched index down 3.2%, average price US$4,051/MT LAC index down 3.3%, average price US$839/MT RenCas index down 2.7%, average price US$6,133/MT SMP index down 4.5%, average price US$2,090/MT WMP index up 2.6%, average price US$3,111/MTOPINION: Farmers around the country are welcoming the proposed reform of local government.
A move to boost farmer uptake of low methane emitting sheep is underway.
Silver Fern Farms has tackled the ongoing war-induced shipping challenges to mideast markets by airlifting 90 tonnes of chilled New Zealand lamb and beef to the United Arab Emirates.
The primary sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery, according to economist and researcher Cameron Bagrie.
Dairy industry leader Jim van der Poel didn't make much of the invitation he received to the recent New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in Rotorua.
Farmers around the country are going public big time, demanding their local district, city and regional councils come up with amalgamation plans that meet the needs of rural communities and don't allow urban councils to dominate.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
OPINION: This old mutt went to school to eat his lunch, but still knows the future of the country, and…