Dairy farmer profits to hit record levels in 2025
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
DANNEVIRKE SHAREMILKERS Mark and Jaime Arnold were named the 2016 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year. They took home $52,000 in cash and prizes at last night's national awards in Wellington.
The Arnolds are 50% sharemilking 500 cows for Mike and Sherynn Harold and Stuart and Sandra Cordell; their fifth season on the farm and a great relationship with the farm owners led the owners to partner them as they progressed from lower order to 50% sharemilking.
The Arnolds took a huge pay cut when they launched their dairy farming career eight years ago.
The former logging crew manager and teacher went on a single herd manager's salary when they stepped onto a dairy farm for the first time.
Share Farmer head judge and DairyNZ Senior Consulting Officer Abby Scott says the economic climate had meant the finalists had changed some of their management practices to ensure they better managed available resources.
"People were really focusing on growing grass and supplement within their farm boundary and making sure they utilised it. They were also more interested in profit per hectare rather than benchmarking milk production per cow. We also saw some really innovative ways in how people have reduced costs," Scott says.
"They were all very positive about the industry, about their business and their future equity growth. Their positivity rubbed off on you and was infectious. There's no doubt they're in the industry for the long haul."
Thomas Chatfield became the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and Nicholas Bailey was announced the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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