Revenue from sheep is forecast to rise 22 per cent.
Revenue from sheep is forecast to rise 22 per cent.
New Zealand dairy farmers could lead the global move to new production systems that deliver twice the food from half the water and soil, according to Australian science author Julian Cribb, who will speak at the DairyNZ Farmers' Forum in Hamilton on May 8-9.
Other speakers will include Agriculture MinisterDamien O'Connor, Climate Change Minister James Shaw, Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon, Tatua chairman Stephen Allen, Fonterra chairman John Wilson, Open Country Dairy CEO Steve Koekemoer, Westland Milk Products CEO Toni Brendish and Miraka CEO Richard Wyeth.
The Farmers' Forum is free to levy paying dairy farmers and their staff. Registrations are essential. To view the programme or register, visit www.dairynz.co.nz/farmersforum.
Discussion groups
DairyNZ Northland discussion groups meeting next month are — Far North: Kaikohe, May 8; Maromaku, May 16; Hukerenui, May 18; Kaitaia, Monday, May 30. Whangarei West: Te Kopuru, May 2; Matarau, May 3; Aranga, May 8; Titoki, May 9; Maungaturoto, May 16; Mid-Western, May 17; Tangiteroria, May 22; Ruawai, May 23.
In its latest economic service forecast B+LNZ has revised farm profit before tax up to $126,300 for its general "all classes" sheep and beef farm for 2017-18 — a lift of 39 per cent on last year.
Sheep revenue is expected to be up 22 per cent, with lamb values revised well up on the start of the year, pushing 661c a kg or about $120 a head thanks to a shortage of stock heading into the tail end of the season.
Beef is expected to earn the country $3.2 billion this year, with a lift in value offsetting a 5 per cent drop in export volumes. Despite global beef production increasing, a growing Chinese appetite for beef is helping underpin the strong prices, while continuing growth in the United States economy has kept New Zealand's sales of beef there buoyant.
