Fonterra lifts forecast milk price mid-point, advance rate
Fonterra has bumped up its forecast farmgate milk price for the season on the back of rising commodity prices and a strong balance sheet.
GOAT MILK sales growth of 50% in two years is prompting the Dairy Goat Cooperative (Hamilton) to look for suppliers in Northland and Taranaki.
"We now export to 20 countries, and sales in Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Korea keep growing at record levels," co-op chief executive Dave Stanley told a recent meeting of the Waikato branch of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science.
When Stanley started with the co-op, in 1993, he was the only employee. Now there are 100, and turnover tops $100m/year from four plants in Hamilton drying, blending and canning product.
"Our plants are state-of-the-art, and farmers are hugely impressed when we take them round the sites."
Stanley says the co-op has deliberately kept a low profile as, compared to bovine dairy, it's still a niche market.
"But despite producing a comparatively high priced product for infant food, our customers, particularly in Asia, seem prepared to pay for it in increasing numbers."
Goat milk is secreted in the same way as human's – apocrine secretion – whereas cow's is merocrine secretion. Protein differences are important.
"Some reports say many Asians are lactose intolerant [hence demand for goat milk].
"In fact, goat milk also contains lactose, but it's the different proteins that mainly make the difference."
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…