increase font size
Fonterra's milk collection last season was slightly down as North Island farmers faced a crippling drought.
However, the 2.1% dip in North Island milk was offset by the South Island where full season collection was up 2.1%.
The cooperative’s total milk production in 2019-20 reached 1,517 million kgMS, down 0.4% on the previous season.
Full season collection for the North Island was 874.6 million kgMS and for the South Island, 642.5 million kgMS.
In its May global dairy update, Fonterra says milk production improved across the North Island in the last month of the season.
Fonterra’s collection in May was 69.9 million kgMS, up 2.1% on the same month last season thanks to heavy rain in some drought-stricken areas.
“May brought rain across the country, with some of the heavier falls across northern areas where it was very dry,” it says.
“North Island milk collection partially recovered in May relative to past months as weather conditions became more favourable and drought conditions eased, ending at 30 million kgMS, down 3.5% on last May.
“Following months of drought and lower milk production, May production improved on the back of more favourable weather conditions.”
South Island milk collection in May was 39.9 million kgMS, up 6.9% on last May, with good conditions through much of the month.
Forecast is forecasting 2020-21 milk collection to be around 1,525 million kgMS.
Milk production is also improving in Australia, jumping 6.4% in April.
Better seasonal conditions and improved farmer confidence contributed to the continuing production recovery in the second part of the season, especially in Victoria and Tasmania, Fonterra says.
Production for the 12 months to April was down 2.3% on the previous 12 months. However, Dairy Australia has moderated its outlook for 2019–20 production upwards, to a drop of just 1.3%.
But Fonterra is still struggling with milk supply in Australia.
Fonterra’s Australia collection in May was 7.7 million kgMS, a 5.3% decrease on May last year.
For the month, farm milk collection was up on last year, while third-party milk was down.
Season-to-date collection reached 100.9 million kgMS, down 12.4% on the same period last season. Fonterra says its milk collections have been impacted by the highly competitive milk supply market which has seen losses, primarily to milk brokers.
Fonterra Australia has also made a conscious decision to purchase less third-party milk to focus on a value-add product mix, the co-op says.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.
OPINION: As CEO of the Dairy Board in the 1980s I was fortunate to work with a team of experienced and capable executives who made most of the brand investments that created the international consumer business Fonterra inherited. Soprole in Chile was the largest, but there were more than 20 countries where consumer marketing companies were established and Anchor and other brands were successfully launched.
Fonterra has delivered a fifth straight year of record organic milk price for farmer suppliers.
Fonterra says favourable weather conditions supporting pasture growth is boosting milk production.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
