Two new awards open to help young farmers progress to farm ownership
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.
ASB HAS revised down it milk price forecast for the 2014/15 season for the second time in less than a month to $5.80/kg of milk solids.
With 11 of the last 12 dairy auctions have recorded price falls, the sheer magnitude of the falls is bringing other factors in to play, according to the latest ASB Farmshed Economics Report.
"With dairy prices down by 37% on a year ago, the NZD has finally come under some pressure" says Nathan Penny, ASB rural economist.
"The NZD has passed its peak. We expect the NZD to trade at around 85 US cents for the rest of the year.
"The dairy price falls are also a major reason why we've pushed back our interest rate call." ASB Economics now expects the next OCR increase in March 2014 rather than their previous call for a December 2014 hike.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.
Rural leader Mark Hooper has been appointed as an independent director to the NZPork board, bringing extensive farming, governance and advocacy experience to the role.
OPINION: It seems Canterbury processor Synlait is still in the doldrums.
OPINION: Get offside with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at your own peril.