Chinese strategy
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
Farmers are being urged to budget on a milk price in the lower half of Fonterra's present guidance range, $6.25 to $7.75/kgMS.
ASB economist Nat Keall says there is plenty of uncertainty at this stage in the season.
"There are some upside risks as well as downside ones.
"Nonetheless, we think it is prudent for farmers to be budgeting on a milk price in the lower half of Fonterra's present guidance range."
ASB has lowered its forecast milk price to $6.60/kgMS.
Westpac is sticking to its $7.50/kgMS forecast, which was revised this earlier this month.
Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says they had expected prices to continue to fall in the short term.
"Recall that global demand is weak, notably from our key market in China." However, the fall in last week's Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction was larger than expected.
"And while it is difficult to read too much into one auction result, it does point to prices potentially falling by more than our updated forecast suggests," says Penny.
"To that end, Fonterra's forecast range is a useful tool to keep in mind.
"After Fonterra's recent update, the range stands at $6.25 to $7.75.
"Indeed, we continue to note that it's still early days in the season and a wide range of milk prices are possible," says Penny.
A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.
Free workshops focused on managing risk in sharefarming got underway last week.
Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.
Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.
WoolWorks, New Zealand’s largest wool-scouring company, has partnered with the Lions Club of Riverton to help raise money for much-needed repairs to the Southland town’s swimming pool.
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OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
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