New Zealand Sign Language Week Highlights Inclusion at Fonterra Clandeboye
Last week marked New Zealand Sign Language Week and a South Canterbury tanker operator is sharing what it's like to be deaf in a busy Fonterra depot.
The co-op is now forecasting its New Zealand milk collections for the current 2017-18 season to be 1,480 million kgMS, down from its forecast in November 2017 of 1,525 million kgMS.
Last season was itself was negatively impacted by weather conditions.
The co-op says wet conditions experienced by farmers at the beginning of spring improved from late October and into November, but recent dry weather is continuing to impact soil moisture and pasture quality right across the country. Dry conditions are expected to continue, and even if the rain forecast for early in 2018 eventuates, it will not be enough to bring production back to previously anticipated levels.
Fonterra says it has begun to take volumes of whole milk powder off the Global Dairy Trade platform in response to lower milk supply, and has a programme in place to carefully manage sales both on and off GDT for the rest of the season as a result of the current weather conditions.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.
The stark realities of the world trade that New Zealand is having to face have been revealed by Trade Minister Todd McClay.
New Zealand and the European Union are closer than ever.
The latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) reveals a mixed rural property market due to consistent inflation concerns.
Animal welfare improvements as well as reduced costs for dairy farmers are at the heart of a new move which could help cut back on the waste of unused vet drugs.

OPINION: The old saying 'a new broom sweeps clean' doesn't always hold up, if you ask the Hound.
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