Strong growth in farm salaries - report
A new report shows farm employers across the dairy, sheep and beef, and arable sectors have continued to invest strongly in one of their greatest assets – their staff.
Butter prices last week burst through the US$6000/tonne mark for the first time in GDT Event history, hitting US$6004/t for the tenth time this year.
Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins says supply is short, thanks to strong demand from consumers riding the trend to dairy fat.
“This started when the European milk pool slowed towards the end of 2016 so there was less milk to churn into butter,” she told Dairy News.
“At the same time demand was bubbling away, so now we have high demand for fat and low available supply. That’s why prices have been skyrocketing.
“European milk production has now come back on line but it will take some time to correct the structural change and the record change between butter and skim milk powder, or fat and protein.”
ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny says while butter prices will eventually fall, generally higher butter or milk fat prices are here to stay.
“Demand has fundamentally shifted higher as consumers now accept that butter is no longer bad for you.
“This is good news for dairy producers globally, NZ included. In particular Fonterra is now spoilt for choice. Its recent added production flexibility means it can more easily optimise its production mix.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.