DairyNZ lifts breakeven milk price forecast to $8.68 for 2025/26 season
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
DairyNZ's general manager of extension, Andrew Reid, says dairy farmers are looking closely at their feeding systems in the light of the low payout.
The payout has come as a shock to a lot people and farmers are now challenging their own farming systems, he says.
Anecdotally they don’t appear to be changing from one system to another, but rather are looking at refining and cutting costs in their existing systems.
“People are destocking or making sure they are not carrying passenger cows through this current season.
“They are making best use of home grown feed instead of buying supplements. And they are looking at all farm inputs.”
Reid says many farmers have been through tough times before and they are now hunkering down to ride out the storm of low prices.
Many farmers got rid of passenger cows in the late spring in anticipation of a tight season, reducing reliance on supplementary feed.
But Reid says the cold wet winter has been a problem in many areas so the use of supplementary feed is going to be a focal point over spring.
The prospect of El Nino raises issues for farmers, he says. Southland farmers are already talking about growing fodder beet to take them through next winter.
OPINION: Ministry for Primary Industries' situation outlook for primary industries report (SOPI) makes impressive reading.
Sheep and beef farmers Matt and Kristin Churchward say using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread fertiliser on their sprawling 630ha farm is a game changer for their business.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.