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 latest wool auction of 4,700 bales from the North Island saw mixed price movements with a generally steady market overall.
New Zealand Wool Services International general manager, John Dawson says that despite dramatic currency movements in some sectors, the weighted indicator for the main trading currencies eased only 1.53%, having limited impact on local prices.
He says that hand to mouth customer buying activity and limited seasonal wool volumes combined with current exporter shipping requirements, underpins the market presently.
Fine Crossbred Full Fleece and shorter shears were firm to 2.5% easier with longer shears up to 2% dearer.
Good style full Crossbred Fleece were 1% easier, average 1% firmer and poor firm to 1% cheaper.
Coarse Shears were firm to 2% easier with shorter types affected the most.
Long Lambs Fleece were firm to 1% dearer, with shorter types 1 to 3% cheaper. Long Oddments lifted by up to 3% with good colour
Short Oddments 1 to 2% easier and poor styles firm.
The auction saw limited activity with China principal, supported by Australasia, India, Middle East and Western Europe.
The next sale on May 7 comprises about 6700 bales from the South Island, down 32% on anticipated rostered quantities.
Entries opened on Monday, 5 October 2026 for the 2027 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), which organisers describe as the nation's biggest celebration of excellence in the dairy sector.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.