$10 milk price still in sight despite global dairy markets softening
A $10 milk price remains on the cards for this season despite recent softening of global dairy prices.
A record 13 dairy farms supplying milk to low-carbon dairy processor, Miraka have qualified for the company's farming excellence programme.
A record 13 dairy farms supplying milk to low-carbon dairy processor, Miraka qualified for an extra premium of 20c/kgMS this season.
This takes this season’s forecast payout to these 13 farms to $8/kgMS including the premium under the company’s Te Ara Miraka, the company’s farming excellence programme.
Miraka chief executive Karl Gradon joined 350 guests at the company’s annual suppliers dinner at Taupo last night to celebrate the milestone.
“We’re proud of our top 13 farms – a new record for Miraka – who share first place equally having each achieved the maximum 100 points under our farming excellence programme, Te Ara Miraka. In recognition, each farm receives our full premium payment of 20 cents per kg of milk solids, on top of our competitive milk price,” says Gradon.
“Our Te Ara Miraka programme rewards best practice on-farm in sustainability, animal welfare, people and milk quality.”
“We incentivise our suppliers to be the world’s best in these areas. Miraka is committed to supporting our farmers, with the best milk price, for the best farms and people.”
“It all begins on the farm. Our products, made from the quality milk our farmers supply, have performed exceptionally well in global markets and we have the solid backing of our shareholders. Accordingly, Miraka is well positioned to share that success via our milk price and premium payments under Te Ara Miraka,” said Karl Gradon.
Chad Hoggard, Miraka general manager of on-farm excellence, says Miraka farmers are leading the way.
“While we celebrate our top achievers, we’re also delighted that the bulk of our supplier base has made continuous improvements on-farm over the past three seasons. Our average farm, for example, has earned an extra 16 cents per kg of milk solids under Te Ara Miraka.
“We’ve worked closely with our farmers to simplify the key focus areas of Te Ara Miraka which, when combined with their efforts, results in higher levels of achievement,” says Hoggard.
Miraka recently announced a strong 2024/25 season milk price for its farmer suppliers of $8.42/kgMS, with the base price being $8.25/kgMS and farmers having the ability to earn an additional premium of up to 20c/kgMS.
The Government is set to announce two new acts to replace the contentious Resource Management Act (RMA) with the Prime Minister hinting that consents required by farmers could reduce by 46%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change would be “a really dumb move”.
The University of Waikato has broken ground on its new medical school building.
Undoubtedly the doyen of rural culture, always with a wry smile, our favourite ginger ninja, Te Radar, in conjunction with his wife Ruth Spencer, has recently released an enchanting, yet educational read centred around rural New Zealand in one hundred objects.
Farmers are being urged to keep on top of measures to control Cysticerus ovis - or sheep measles - following a spike in infection rates.
The avocado industry is facing an extremely challenging season with all parts of the supply chain, especially growers, being warned to prepare for any eventuality.

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