Dairy farmers got a second dose of good news yesterday, when the two merging dairy co-operatives confirmed that they would pay $5 a kg for milksolids supplied last season.
Last month, the Dairy Board said it would make a record basic payment to dairy companies of $4.60/kg.
New Zealand Dairy Group and
Kiwi Co-operative Dairies suppliers will receive the record total payout - including their individual company premiums - in line with the merger agreement, which requires the two competitors to make their payouts the same this season.
In recent seasons, NZDG payouts tended to trail those of its rivals, most of which have now been taken over by NZDG or Kiwi.
Both firms are topping up the Dairy Board's base payment of $4.60/kg with a further 40c/kg.
For NZDG, the payout is 33 per cent up on last season.
Waikato Federated Farmers vice-president John Fisher said the good times had finally arrived for New Zealand dairy farmers.
"It's a welcome lift after several years of being promised good times around the corner."
- NZPA
