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 will lead a seven-year $21 million research partnership to contribute to cleaning up rural waterways.
The central idea is to breed cattle with less nitrogen in their urine.
Participating scientists will come from DairyNZ, Abacus Bio, A. L. Rae Centre for Genetics and Animal Breeding, AgResearch and Lincoln University.
The Government has granted $8.4m to the project, $11.5m will come from farmers’ levy payments to DairyNZ, and the balance will come from CRV Ambreed and Fonterra.
CRV Ambreed’s genetic discovery that led to the launch of LowN Sires this year is an important aspect of the work.
DairyNZ’s strategy and investment leader Dr Bruce Thorrold applauds the government’s place in the project, a key in dairy’s drive to lower its environmental footprint.
It will be based on large-scale research into thousands of cows on farms nationwide to test the effectiveness of breeding and measure the reduction of nitrogen leaching expected by the change – potentially up to a 20%.
“Equally, it is important to the beef and sheep sectors where animals raised for meat also contribute to nitrogen levels,” Thorrold says. “Beef farmers will be able to rear low-nitrogen cattle bred from dairy herds.
“Better options to reduce nitrogen levels... give choices for our rural communities in achieving environmental gains and maintaining local businesses.”
Thorrold says farmers are determined to solve the nutrient loss problem, by fencing waterways, managing effluent better and innovating on farms.
“It’s a further step towards sustainable dairying, and will continue keep us as world leaders in this.”
The use of the nitrogen-lowering trait to reduce nitrogen leaching was recognised by CRV Ambreed research scientist Phil Beatson.
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.
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
There are opportunities outside the farmgate for young farmers to further develop their skills, says 2025 Primary Industries Emerging Leader Award winner Bridie Virbickas.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
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.