Election 2026: How Parties Would Lift the Arable Sector
As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:
Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Andrew Hoggard says this morning’s strong rise in global dairy prices is a morale booster for farmers.
Hoggard told Rural News online that things are looking more positive after the GDT price index rose 11.4% and the flagship whole milk powder prices rose a whopping 19.8% to US$3317/tonne.
WMP prices need to stay over US$3000/tonne for farmers to get a decent milk payout and make a profit, he says.
“Let’s hope the prices remain steady,” Hoggard says.
Hoggard also points out that money won’t start flowing to farmers straight away; it would take several months.
GDT key results
Price Index up 11.4%
AMF index up 2.6%, average price US$5,146/MT
Butter index up 4.0%, average price US$4,146/MT
BMP index down 5.4%, average price US$2,248/MT
Ched index up 0.9%, average price US$3,332/MT
LAC index down 4.0%, average price US$755/MT
RenCas index down 4.8%, average price US$6,025/MT
SMP index up 6.5%, average price US$2,329/MT
WMP index up 19.8%, average price US$3,317/MT
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As part of its Election 2026 coverage, Rural News asked political parties how they would help pull the arable sector out of the doldrums. Here's what they said:
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