GLOBAL DAIRY commodity prices continue to rise and fundamentals are supporting a firmer tone across dairy markets as global supply diminishes.

LAST WEEK in the central North Island, there were rumblings, steam rose and an ash cloud covered some farms.

NEW ZEALAND produces the freshest, cleanest milk – fastest, too, according to advertisements. ‘The fastest is the freshest and the freshest tastes the best’ is supported by research using taste panels; few people like the taste of milk as it sours.

OLYMPIC ROWING gold medal winner Mahe Drysdale will be among a line-up of high-calibre speakers to the Dairy Women Network’s conference in Nelson in March where discussions will include the rural/urban divide, environmental constraints and developing future leaders.

CONVERTING A corner of a large-scale Southland sheep and beef unit to dairy has made the whole business more sustainable, say Andrew and Heather Tripp.

DURING THE last month most cows will have reached peak milk production. The typical rate of post-peak decline for pasture-fed herds is accepted as being 7% month on month.

THE FIGURES speak for themselves, says CRV Ambreed. Nearly 86,000 daughters still milking in the national herd and producing a combined 1.23 million straws of semen between them.

KIA HAS expanded its Optima range in New Zealand with a new ‘entry level’ model, on sale at $41,990 plus on-road costs.

The uptake of on-farm recycling has received a major boost with Federated Farmers and the Agrecovery Foundation, actively joining forces to increase farmer involvement in the Agrecovery recycling programme.

Trade Minister Tim Groser has welcomed the arrival of over 500 negotiators from 11 countries to Round 15 of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, which run from today (December 3) until December 12 in Auckland.