Editorial: Punching Above Our Weight
OPINION: With 10,500 dairy farms, New Zealand continues to punch above its weight around the world.
After four successive price increases, global dairy prices dipped slightly in Global Dairy Trade auction overnight.
The GDT price index was down 0.5%; whole milk powder prices dipped 0.8% to US$3568/tonne.
The slight drop in prices is not expected to impact forecast milk payouts announced by Fonterra and other independent processors.
Some 22,321 tonnes of product was sold last night, down from 22,472 tonnes at the previous auction.
Key results
AMF index down 2.3%, average price US$5,367/MT
Butter index up 0.5%, average price US$4,290/MT
BMP index up 3.1%, average price US$2,874/MT
Ched index up 1.9%, average price US$3,826/MT
LAC index down 1.6%, average price US$857/MT
RenCas index up 3.3%, average price US$6,473/MT
SMP index unchanged, average price US$2,621/MT
WMP index down 0.8%, average price US$3,568/MT
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
Food rescue charity Meet the Need has released its 2025/26 Impact Report, revealing a record year of growth alongside a stark warning: demand for food support across New Zealand is rising faster than supply can keep up.
As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
New Zealand growers have always adapted to changing conditions, but one challenge is steadily gaining ground across the horticulture sector: resistance.
OPINION: The Irish dairy sector is facing a new dilemma - maintaining year-round fresh milk supplies.
OPINION: Could beef cows play an increasingly important role in improving profitability and resilience on hill country farms?