A FREE trade agreement with Chinese Taipei would boost returns for New Zealand dairy farmers, says Dairy Companies of New Zealand (DCANZ) executive director Simon Tucker.

FIRST SHIPMENTS of whole milk powder from the newly opened Miraka dairy factory near Taupo are on the way through the supply chain in key Asian markets.

ANALYSTS SAY Fonterra's 45c/kgMS payout revision late last month was no surprise and don't see it as the start of a 2008-9-style slide.