Fonterra Whareroa sets cheese record, wins top award
Fonterra Whareroa wrapped up a successful season with a record-breaking cheese production volume and several gongs at the co-op's annual Best Site Cup awards.
Fonterra Cooperative Group's half year results mean it could be on track for revenue of $20 billion.
"At this point last year Fonterra's half-year profit was $293 million, but in 2012, that's grown to $346 million," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson. "The big question for farmer-shareholders is whether the year's back end will remain as strong."
Declining results on Fonterra's GlobalDairyTrade auction platform back up opinion that soft commodities are undergoing a price correction, while the kiwi is high against the US dollar reducing farmgate returns even further.
"If the high dollar continues, it will start to cause problems," says Leferink. He says farmers should base their budgets on less than $6 per kilogram of milksolids. Anything more is "extremely brave".
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
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.
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