Farmers are being told to spare gorse plants and let them flower – at least that’s the message on the Chatham Islands.

Fonterra has lifted its forecast milk price for the second time in as many months.

The annual Northland Dairy Development Trust (NDDT) conference will now be run as a series of webinars.

Driving improved efficiency, many farmers and contractors are committing to machinery that improves output, preserves quality and ultimately reduces costs.

Fonterra has lifted the mid-point of its forecast milk price for this season by 40c to $8.40/kgMS.

The stage is set for another rise in Fonterra’s forecast milk payout following a fifth straight jump in Global Dairy Trade (GDT) prices.

Dairy prices dipped last week after three consecutive rises but economist Nathan Penny, Westpac, says the dip is likely to be temporary.

GrainCorp Feeds is offering dairy farmers advice on transition feeding for their calving season as a means of improving cow health and lifting milk production, reports general manager Daniel Calcinai.

Was last week’s 3.4% drop in the Global Dairy Trade overall price index a warning sign or a temporary dip? Economists are divided.

Rural banker Rabobank is forecasting a milk price of $7.15/kgMS for the new season.