Displaying items by tag: Milk prices

Last month we highlighted the greater volatility the global dairy industry has experienced in recent times.

Fonterra farmers are disappointed with the final payout of $4.65/kgMS for last season.

Milk prices should keep rising given the scenario of falling NZ milk production.

Farmgate milk price forecasts by at least two banks, ASB and BNZ, have now been hiked upwards to $5/kgMS for the 2015-16 season.

Key signs of lowering production were enough to “wake the market up” out of its downward spiral at last week’s GlobalDairyTrade auction, says ASB rural economist Nathan Penny.

Milk prices are volatile and difficult to predict so farmers should approach next season with caution. DairyNZ economists look at how the 2015-16 season could shape up.

Expect the volatility in the international dairy market to be around for some time.

This tough year is the time for young people to get the foot in the door to sharemilking, says Feds sharemilker chairman Neil Filer.

THE INTERNATIONAL Dairy Federation (IDF) predicts milk prices will stabilise in the second quarter of 2015.

FARMERS’ PROBLEMS  caused by the drop in Fonterra’s forecast milk solid payout are best tackled head-on with agribusiness management training, says Primary ITO, which offers courses in this discipline.

The need is urgent to review and revise budgets and monitor cashflow to ensure debt levels don’t rise unnecessarily.  Spending cuts, increasing milk production and generally improving onfarm performance are among the options.