Another Windfall for Fonterra Farmers, Unit Holders
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
ASB rural economist Nathan Penny says the bank sees an upside to last week’s milk price forecast from Fonterra.
“We’ll be watching NZ dairy production data closely over November and December for clues as to the direction of dairy prices over the remainder of 2019 and early 2020,” he said.
Overall auction prices have lifted by about 8% since the start of spring, with the price lift coinciding with softening NZ production growth.
Following these price moves, ASB already revised its milk price forecast higher by 50 cents to $7.50/kgMS two weeks ago.
“Looking ahead, we suspect that dairy auction prices may have further to climb,” he said.
“Recall that NZ October production was 1.5% down on October 2018 and, anecdotally, this production weakness has intensified over November.
“Meanwhile, EU and US production growth is also soft, with annual production only marginally above year-ago levels in both regions.”
Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.