Fonterra shaves 50c off forecast milk price
Fonterra has dropped its forecast milk price mid-point by 50c as a surge in global milk production is putting downward pressure on commodity prices.
Food Safety and Associate Primary Industries Minister Jo Goodhew will travel to China for bi-lateral meetings and to open a new Fonterra dairy facility in the Shanxi Province.
"The relationship between New Zealand and China has never been stronger, and it is crucial for our economy that we maintain that strong relationship in food safety," says Goodhew.
While in Beijing, Goodhew will meet with Vice Minister Teng Jiacai of the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for the third Joint Food Safety Commission meeting, to build upon the shared goal for increased communication and cooperation between the two countries.
Goodhew will also be meeting with Vice Minister Mei Kebao of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), and with Minister Zhang Jianlong of the State Forestry Administration.
"As one of our largest trading partners, it is important that we work with China to maintain and improve access for New Zealand goods and services, and I look forward to making good progress during my visit," Goodhew says.
In Shanxi Province, Goodhew will attend the official opening of the Fonterra Ying County Breeding Hub. The facility, which has up to 30,000 cows, 16,000 of which are milking cows, employs 90% local people and sources 85% of its feed from the local area.
"The new Breeding Hub in Shanxi Province is a significant investment by a New Zealand company, and is a big opportunity to boost the local economy with some Kiwi know-how," says Goodhew.
Goodhew will return to New Zealand on Friday, September 16.
Three New Zealand agritech companies are set to join forces to help unlock the full potential of technology.
As the sector heads into the traditional peak period for injuries and fatalities, farmers are being urged to "take a moment".
Federated Farmers says almost 2000 farmers have signed a petition launched this month to urge the Government to step in and provide certainty while the badly broken resource consent system is fixed.
Zespri’s counter-seasonal Zespri Global Supply (ZGS) programme is underway with approximately 33 million trays, or 118,800 tonnes, expected this year from orchards throughout France, Italy, Greece, Korea, and Japan.
Animal owners can help protect life-saving antibiotics from resistant bacteria by keeping their animals healthy, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
According to analysis by the Meat Industry Association (MIA), New Zealand red meat exports reached $827 million in October, a 27% increase on the same period last year.

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