$10 milk price still on
Whole milk powder prices on Global Dairy Trade (GDT) remains above long run averages and a $10/kgMS milk price for the season remains on the card, says ASB senior economist Chris Tennent-Brown.
Four scholarships to support Maori youth who are considering farming careers are being offered by the ASB and the Poutama Trust.
The scholarships, for courses based at the Wairarapa-based Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, are designed to eliminate the financial barriers that young Maori can face when considering training for a career in the farming industry.
Anthony Ririnui, ASB national manager Maori banking services, says ASB acknowledges the growing focus on building Māori capability in the farming sector. "We are pleased to be working with the Poutama Trust to provide an education avenue for young Maori who are interested in being part of the future of farming," he says.
Richard Jones, chief executive Poutama Trust, says an estimated $6 billion of land based assets managed and owned by Maori is significant to New Zealand's agriculture industry. "We are thrilled to be working with ASB to help build a tangible pathway into farming for the young Māori who will one day be the future of this industry," he says.
In 2012 ASB committed to the growth of Maori businesses by signing an accord with Poutama Trust, an independent, apolitical and pan-iwi charitable trust dedicated to the development of Maori businesses nationwide and internationally.
The Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is the country's biggest agricultural training centre and offers a wide range of practically-based farming courses.
The government has announced a major restructuring of the country's seven crown research institutes (CRIs), which will see them merged into three public research organisations (PROs).
Hamish and Rachel Hammond jumped at the chance to put their university learning into practice by taking up a contract milking offer right after graduation.
"We couldn't do this without our team. They are integral to everything." That's the first thing that Te Awamutu dairy farmers Jayson and Stacey Thompson have to say about their team.
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