Dairy unity
OPINION: A last-minute compromise ensured that the election of the new Federated Farmers national dairy chair wasn't a repeat of the Super 15 rugby final - Canterbury versus Waikato.
There’s just over three months left for the 2024-25 season and most of the season’s products are either sold or contracted, so Fonterra’s milk price forecast mid-point of $10.25/kgMS looks almost certain.
All eyes will now be the following season. Last week, Westpac came out with the first forecast – estimating that the final milk price for next season could also reach $10/kgMS. That’s music to farmers’ ears.
Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says it’s been an incredibly tough few seasons for most dairy farmers, with high interest rates, high inflation, and a low payout eating into their bottom line.
“Another year or two of a $10- plus payout would certainly be welcome news and allow those businesses to pay down some debt and catch up on some deferred maintenance,” he told Dairy News.
“I know on my own farm there are a lot of things I’ve been putting off until cashflow improved and that finally looks like it’s starting to come right now.”
However, Westpac senior economist Michael Gordon noted that Fonterra may come out with a lower and more conservative opening forecast in late May.
“Our forecast is right in line with the futures market at the moment, which jumped up to $10/kg after the latest GDT auction,” Gordon says.
“We expect world dairy prices to ease over the year ahead as Chinese buying returns to more normal levels.
“On the supply side, the current high prices provide a strong incentive for the world’s major dairy exporters to ramp up production. However, they may still be constrained by other factors – in particular, how well the US and Europe deal with their respective disease outbreaks (avian flu and bluetongue virus) will have an impact on their herd sizes and hence their output over the next season.
“Overall, we’ve assumed that world prices will be 6% lower on average compared to the current season. However, this is partly offset by a lower expected exchange rate over the season.”
Westpac is forecasting a milk price of $10.30/kgMS this season.
Waikato sharemilker and Feds Waikato dairy president Matthew Zonderop says Westpac’s outlook presents a strong financial outlook for New Zealand dairy farmers.
“While uncertainty remains, this level of farmgate return provides a significant opportunity for farmers to strengthen their businesses, repay debt, and reinvest in their operations,” he says.
Zonderop says a continued $10/ kgMS payout translates to substantial profitability, with many farms $2–$2.50/kgMS above breakeven.
He points out that for a 300,000 kgMS operation, this equates to an additional $600,000–$750,000 in profit, enabling them to lower farm debt, improve long-term resilience, upgrade infrastructure, automation and sustainability efforts, secure costs (feed, fuel, fertiliser), and consider fixed milk price contracts.
He says the record milk price also translates into benefits outside the farmgate.
“This dairy sector windfall extends beyond the farm gate, stimulating regional economies through increased demand for local businesses – contractors, machinery suppliers, and rural service providers benefit from higher farm spending.
“There’s wage growth and employment – more profitability allows for potential wage increases and improved labour retention.
“And rising farm values and investment – rural property markets may see higher demand, benefiting existing landowners but posing challenges for new entrants.”
