LIC semen probe results to be made public
The result of two probes into the supply of bad sire semen to over 1100 LIC farmer customers will be made public next month.
While dairy prices continue to slide, beef and lamb prices are firming.
According to ASB Bank's Farmshed economics report, while meat markets are healthy, there are signs of an improving wool markets too.
"Lamb prices recovered steadily over the season just gone, rising some 9% for the season as a whole," it says.
"While lamb markets are quiet for now, we expect lamb price increases kick back into gear as we get closer to Christmas. Most of the factors supporting prices remain in play.
"Beef prices also remain rock solid. And similarly, factors supporting beef prices are set to stay in place for the rest of the year and well into 2015. Meanwhile, wool prices are creeping higher, with improving Australian and US housing markets generating demand for carpets and thus for coarse wool."
However, the outlook for dairy looks weaker. Dairy prices continue to slide. Ten of the last 12 dairy auctions have now recorded overall price falls.
ASB says these falls emphasise how exceptional the season just gone really was for both dairy prices and in turn for dairy production.
"Now though, for dairy farmers it's getting quickly back to reality," it says.
"The dairy price falls have been more than we and others expected. Factoring in the recent falls, we have revised down our milk price forecast for the 2014-15 season by 80 cents to $6.20/kgMS.
"That said, if current trends continue, our milk price forecast could head lower. As such, the possibility of a sub-$6.00 milk price for the 2014-15 season is rising," the bank says.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.
OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…
OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…