Strong production, tested demand send milk prices crashing
Strong global milk production and rebalancing of demand among key buyers has delivered one of the biggest drops in whole milk powder prices in recent years.
New Zealand’s fledgling dairy goat industry is in turmoil.
Milk payout has slumped 30% over the past three years, forcing some dairy goat farmers to sell up.
The infant formula market in China has been changing. Updated regulations governing the manufacture of infant formula in China, which has increased trust in domestically produced products, along with a falling birth rate, have led to a drop in demand for imported infant formula.
Covid-19 had only accelerated changes that had been taking place over the last two-to-three years. Sales of infant formula through the ‘Daigou’ channel - cross border trading by visitors and international students from China - have also dried up over the past three years.
Waikato farmer Kevin Schuler, who milks cows, goats and sheep on adjoining properties, says dairy goat farmers are facing a tough time.
Schuler says everyone is working hard on farm, at the company level (NZ Dairy Goat Co-operative), and at board level.
NZDGC chief executive David Hemara told Rural News that the co-operative was currently meeting and updating shareholders on market conditions.
“We haven’t completed our current trading year or announced a final season payout to shareholders.”
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.
Claims that some Southland farmers were invoiced up to $4000 for winter grazing compliance checks despite not breaching rules are being rejected by Environment Southland.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
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