Editorial: Happy days
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Westpac senior agricultural economist Nathan Penny expects prices to remain elevated as global supply remains very tight.
However, the bank is sticking to its forecast milk price of $9.25/kgMS for this season.
Penny says, at some stage, they anticipate that Covid restrictions in China will ease further and take dairy demand higher as a result.
"At that time, global dairy prices are likely to get a further boost."
However, he says last week's Global Dairy Trade auction result is consistent with its current forecast.
Fonterra has a wide ranging forecast milk for the season - $8.25/kgMS to $9.75/kgMS.
Penny notes that the mixed nature of the result suggests prices are in a holding pattern.
"At the last auction the market factored in better Covid news in terms of easing restrictions in China.
"But with no fresh news to digest on that front, the price moves reflected changes in product mix rather than any underlying factors."
One of New Zealand’s longest-running pasture growth monitoring projects will continue, even as its long-time champion steps away after more than five decades of involvement.
The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsmen Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is advising consumers to prepare for delays as insurers respond to a high volume of claims following this week's severe weather.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
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