Pallet maker retains Fonterra contract
Timpack, one of New Zealand's largest wooden pallet and bin manufacturers, has been rewarded an exclusive contract to supply Fonterra.
NZ dairy farmers need to keep the focus on the cost of production, because New Zealand is the only system in the world that can live through the current volatility, says Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings.
"I know it's not nice but the scene in Europe is much worse than what you see here because their cost price is almost double," Spierings told Dairy News.
The middle to long term prospects are "absolutely good", he says.
"Our strategy is connected to the market opportunities and our strategy is working," he says. "But at this point in time .... There are multiple areas in the world, demand pools, which have dried up for a while.
"While the middle to long term is positive, the farmers will have to manage through these low prices and the only way to do that is manage your cost price.
"We will try to do get as much money from the market as possible, but cost price on farm is crucial. We have to turn the wheel, get value from the market. Our farmers are focusing on cost."
Farmers will hopefully have enough to keep going with the current forecast of $4.50/kgMS farmgate milk price, with the 50c support and 40-50c earnings per share, bringing the payout to a potential $5.60 including the loan.
"I really do believe in the second half of this year we could see a completely different scene with a significant weather event."
The 2025 South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) chairman, Rangiora farmer Andrew Stewart, is predicting a successful event on the back of good news coming out of the farming sector and with it a greater level of optimism among farmers.
WorkSafe New Zealand is calling on farmers to consider how vehicles move inside their barns and sheds, following a sentencing for a death at one of South Canterbury’s biggest agribusinesses.
Now is not the time to stop incorporating plantain into dairy pasture systems to reduce nitrogen (N) loss, says Agricom Australasia brand manager Mark Brown.
Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.
Precision application of nitrogen can improve yields, but the costs of testing currently outweigh improved returns, according to new research from Plant and Food Research, MPI and Ravensdown.
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