EVERY SEPTEMBER the 87 shareholders of Waikato dairy processor Tatua receive a call from one of their six farmer-elected directors.

Pineapple-flavoured milk and cream are two of the products being churned out by Fonterra's new $120 million UHT milk processing site at Waitoa in the Waikato.

Federated Farmers chief executive Graham Smith last week spoke at the Future Farms Conference in Wellington. Here are excerpts from his speech.

THE SEASONALLY adjusted value of exported goods fell 3%, to $12 billion, in the September 2014 quarter, Statistics New Zealand says.Imports rose 3.7% to $13 billion.

THE IMPACT of Russia’s dairy ban on global dairy prices may be waning. The emergence of a ‘grey market’, allowing some Russian allies to buy milk from Europe and re-export it to Russia, is easing downward pressure on prices. 

COW NUMBERS in the US are at their lowest for 63 years, contributing to a boom in beef export volumes and prices, says Beef + Lamb NZ chief economist Andrew Burrt.

Alliance director Dawn Sangster in June and July spent five weeks visiting key markets and customers for NZ meat:  USA, UK, China, Europe, Singapore and Indonesia. She’s now relaying her findings at meetings across New Zealand. Andrew Swallow reports.

FEEDING American dried distillers grains is unlikely to cause problems with China, say agribusiness specialists.

THE KIWIFRUIT Claim was due to be lodged with the High Court in Wellington late last week (Oct 17).

NZ KIWIFRUIT Growers Inc fears The Kiwifruit Claim could be damaging to the industry's relationship with government.