The Weekly Dairy Report: Mating time looms with good grass and milk flows

Waikato milk processors report milk flows 5-10% ahead of last year and to cope with extra volumes some product is even being moved to the South Island.

Dairy NZ says other regions are also reporting improved milk flows, but warn to keep this momentum and prevent any rapid fall off, the challenge will be pasture quality.

Fonterra reports milk flows are ahead of  record levels and at the 26 processing sites peak milk flow is predicted to arrive on October the 25th.

A focus of reaching the industry target of a 90% submission rate for 3 weeks of mating is being fixed in managers minds, and with a favourable winter, spring and strong financials there is no reason why this cannot be achieved.

Replacement calves are now being seen outside in greater numbers as these young animals are now being weaned off a mainly milk diet to meal and grass.

The strong milk price run continues at auction as another lift on the global dairytrade reinforces companies optimistic forward positions.

The index lifted 2.4% at $4980 which is just ahead of average winning price over the season to date.

Fonterra starts it’s compensation negotiations with parties affected by the product recall as damage to sales and reputations cost some companies millions.

Danone the parent company of Nutricia the infant formulae producer most affected by the recall is claiming in excess of 200 million Euro in damages.

Farmers will be pleased the Ministry for Primary Industries is looking to tighten the rules, record keeping, and traceability for palm kernel imports, to try and reduce any bio-security risk.

The lack of transparency on origins of this product was exposed by Federated Farmers representatives when they visited plants in Asia and further concerns were expressed when animal parts were found mixed in product on a Waikato farm.

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In a review of last years drought the importance of water was highlighted  by Federated Farmers dairy representatives who reminded us of the value of reliable production that enables producers to cash in when commodity prices rise.

More water storage schemes are being planned that utilises natures surpluses to be harvested when summer shortages occur.

The Opuha irrigation scheme shows that both improvements to the environment and increased production can be achieved in well planned schemes.

Another release of  dung beetles was made on an organic dairy Wairarapa farm as scientists evaluate whether this biological addition can help minimise farmings footprint on the waterways and add nutrients more efficently to the pasture.