EU processors eye more cheese, powder exports
European milk processors are eyeing more cheese and milk powder exports into South America following a landmark trade agreement signed last month.
Federated Farmers President, Bruce Wills, has been appointed to the World Farmers Organisation Board as its Oceania representative. This assures New Zealand a key voice on the peak body representing farmer organisations from more than 50 countries.
"It has been a superb General-Assembly in Japan," says Wills, speaking from Niigata, Japan.
"Federated Farmers has helped to broker a breakthrough trade policy for the World Farmers Organisation. I need to acknowledge the high level policy work involving not only Federated Farmers' staff but kindred organisations too.
"May I genuinely thank Beef+LambNZ, the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for their support and advice. The WFO trade policy not only vindicates their support but New Zealand now has a voice on governance, with Federated Farmers becoming the Oceania Board representative.
"I think it is important to recognise my WFO predecessor, Australia's Jock Laurie and the former President of Australia's National Farmers Federation. The General-Assembly has given me a great opportunity to meet the NFF's new president, Duncan Fraser as well as other global farming leaders.
"My hope is to use my board position to show case the excellent people resource we have in New Zealand that will help national and international farming to flourish," Wills says.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
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