RWNZ chief executive to step down
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien will step down at the end of June.
The Omicron outbreak in China that sent 400 million residents into lockdown is behind the latest drop in dairy prices, analysts say.
The good news is that the price weakness is expected to be temporary.
Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny notes that the experience in other countries is that Omicron waves eventually pass.
"Some lockdown restrictions in China are already scheduled to lift," he says.
He says the 4.4% drop in whole milk powder (WMP) prices and 4.2% in skim milk powder (SMP) prices weren't unexpected.
Immediately prior to the auction, the futures market had indicated a 4% all in WMP prices.
China is New Zealand's key dairy market and lockdowns have impacted several major cities.
Penny says, with this in mind, it's not surprising that dairy demand and auction prices have taken a hit.
However, the magnitude and breadth of the price falls indicate that China's Omicron outbreak has surpassed all other dairy market concerns.
"At this stage, however, we expect this price weakness to prove temporary," says Penny.
ASB economist Nat Keall says the recent weakness in GDT events takes a little gloss off an outstanding period for prices but is understandable.
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New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.