Fonterra eyes EcoPond pilot to reduce on-farm emissions
Fonterra has invested in a new effluent pond mobile dosing service to support farmers to reduce emissions and make progress towards its on-farm emissions reductions target.
Is a record $10 milk price on the cards this season?
Fonterra now believes the milk price could hit double digits for the first time, with the top of its forecast range touching $10. The co-op board met on Sunday evening and raised the midpoint of the 2024-25 season forecast farmgate milk price from $9/kgMS to $9.50/kgMS. The co-operative also announced a narrowing of the forecast range from $8.25 - $9.75/kgMS to $9 - $10/kgMS.
It says this reflects the fact that more of the FY25 sales book has been contracted since the last forecast farmgate milk price update in September.
CEO Miles Hurrell says the improved outlook has largely been driven by strong demand for reference commodity products, which has helped to push prices up in recent Global Dairy Trade auctions.
Fonterra’s highest milk price to date is $9.30/kgMS, paid out in 2021-22 season. A fully shared up farmer received a dividend of 20c, taking the total payout to $9.50.
Fonterra notes that demand for whole milk and skim milk powder is strong in China.
“This demand has been seen out of China, where there are indications that domestic production is below expectations, and also in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia,” says Hurrell.
“Looking ahead, we’ll closely monitor any factors that could have an impact on supply and demand. This would include any significant change to milk supply in New Zealand over the second part of the season which could lead to pressure on global milk prices.
“We’ll also continue to utilise our scale and flexibility when it comes to optimising our product mix, including putting more of our farmers’ milk into the higher returning products to capture the value from every drop.”
Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.
The DairyNZ Farmers Forum is back with three events - in Waikato, Canterbury and Southland.
To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.
Among this year’s Primary Industry NZ (PINZ) Awards finalists are a Southlander who created edible bale netting and rural New Zealanders who advocate for pragmatic regulation and support stressed out farmers.
Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.
Nominations are now open for the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
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