Editorial: We are Trumped
OPINION: Nothing it seems can be done in the short term to get Donald Trump to change his mind about removing the unfair 15% tariffs that he’s imposed on New Zealand exports to the US.
The UK has recorded its first trade surplus for dairy.
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the UK trade balance for all dairy products was positive in volume terms in 2019.
AHDB says there was a surplus of 95k tonnes of product, resulting in the first trade surplus on record since records began in 1997.
Skim milk and buttermilk recorded the largest improvements in the trade balances.
AHDB says the improvement in the trade balance for skim milk is a “direct result” of shifting trade patterns across the Irish border, whereas buttermilk’s trade balance was influenced by reduced shipments from France, Belgium and Germany.
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Cheese, yoghurt, and butter are still trading at a deficit, despite some growth in butter and cheese.
AHDB says the power trade surplus increased and the cream trade shifted from a trade deficit in 2018 to a surplus in 2019.
In value terms, there was still a trade deficit, however it has reduced since 2018, with the value of exports growing and the value of imports shrinking.
AHDB says butter was a large contributor to the improvements to the trade deficit, thanks to reduced imports in 2019 and lower prices making the volume deficit worth less overall.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.
According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.
OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

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