Milk Powder Prices Prop Up Farmgate Milk Price
Milk powder prices are keeping farmgate prices up, helping processors offset the dip in milk fat prices.
The weakening New Zealand dollar helped local prices this week with most types increasing by the corresponding currency change, says NZWSI general manager, John Dawson.
The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies was down 2.04% compared to the last sale on 9th July.
Of the 7,900 bales on offer from the South Island, 88% sold with types suitable for in the grease shipments coming under strong competition.
Dawson says that compared to the South Island sale on 25th June, Mid Micron Fleece 24.5 to 27.5 microns were firm to 1.5% dearer with 28 and 29 microns coming down 1 to 4%.
Compared to the last time it was offered, at the North Island sale on 9th July, Fine Crossbred Fleece remained firm with longer shear types up to 3% dearer.
Coarse Crossbred Fleece were firm to 2% stronger.
Coarse Shears 3 to 5 inches were up 1 to 2%, 3 to 4 inches 2.5 to 4.5% dearer and 2 to 4 inch and shorter, 2 to 3% dearer.
Long Oddments were nominally 2% dearer with short oddments ranging from 1% cheaper to 2% dearer.
There was widespread interest for the wide cross section of types available, with Chinese shippers the most active, supported by Australasia, Western Europe, Middle East and India.
The next sale on 23rd July comprises approximately 6,000 bales from the North Island, down 32% on anticipated roster due to poor weather delaying shearing.
When dairy manager Miriam Lauridsen learned the farm, she was joining held weekly health and safety meetings, she initially thought that was “a bit over the top”. Experiencing that culture changed her mind.
Nominations are open for the 2027 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Award.
Keeping up with pasture moisture demands is likely to be the key challenge for dairy farmers during this season’s El Niño weather pattern, says Blue Skies Weather & Climate Services meteorologist Tony Trewinnard.
Farmers have until the end of this week to help shape DairyNZ’s future focus.
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, has resigned and will leave the organisation on 15 January 2027.
The New Zealand dairy sector set a record in the 2025/26 season, producing more than two billion kilograms of milksolids for the first time.

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