increase font size
Matthew Newman, DairyNZ.
Dairy farmers must review their budgets line by line says DairyNZ economist Matthew Newman.
Close scrutiny of budgets is crucial so farmers can identify any possible savings, he says.
“Many farmers will be doing that, whereas in the past four or five years they haven’t needed to do it to the same extent. They must take a hard-nose approach and ask ‘what can I do without? Can I pull back fertiliser and feed and what are the long-term implications of doing that? There are many things to consider when determining where to make savings.”
Newman says he knows low-producing cows are still being culled -- more than in previous years. Slow pasture growth in many regions is making farmers conscious of feed levels. If things don’t improve soon dairy farmers may have to feed PKE at a cost they would rather not bear.
“The cow cull brings a small injection of cash but not huge money -- about $1000. And there are some savings in not having to feed those animals.” Future mating costs are also saved, he points out.
Meanwhile DairyNZ’s general manager for extension, Andrew Reid, reports lots of requests for advice – some on budgeting and on farm systems. On the budgeting issues they mostly refer the farmers to other rural professionals, but they advise on farm systems.
“Farmers are scrutinising their farm systems and this goes hand in hand with budget advice for the most sustainable system longer term.
“Rather than looking at the next three-six months, people are looking out longer to make sure that if they go through a downturn in another five years they have a resilient farm system that will let them ride it out. This is becoming a topical issue on farms now.”
DairyNZ has comparative budgets on its website for farmers to look at for guidance or to benchmark themselves against others.
The reported surge in interest in dairy conversions should be put into the context of falling overall cow numbers and improving environmental performance, says DairyNZ.
OPINION: One thing I keep hearing from rural New Zealanders is the importance of relationships. Strong relationships don’t just happen - they take trust, consistency, and time.
Over 300 farmers and rural professionals have gathered in Hamilton for the first DairyNZ Farmers Forum for this year.
DairyNZ is back at Fieldays and bringing their science, expertise, and some interactive displays along.
DairyNZ subsidiary New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL) will update the genetic base used to calculate Breeding Worth (BW) next month.
Dairy farmers are set to benefit from the radical sweeping changes the Government is planning to make to the regulations that form part of the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The reported surge in interest in dairy conversions should be put into the context of falling overall cow numbers and improving environmental performance, says DairyNZ.
New Zealand's top trade official has told dairy farmers that their sector faces the most trade barriers internationally.
Waikato sharemilker Matthew Zonderop had no inkling that one day he would become a matchmaker for cows.
The coveted post of Federated Farmers' national dairy chair will see a two-way contest at the Federated Farmers annual meeting later this month.
Research lending to the production of dairy products that benefit the elderly and improves the overall wellbeing of all people is a key focus of Fonterra's Research and Development centre, based in Palmerston North.
OPINION: The Free Speech Union is taking this one too far.
OPINION: New national data from The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), a leading workplace drug tester, shows methamphetamine (meth) use is…
