Skim milk powder leads 1.1% rise in dairy prices, water infrastructure to boost Northland farming productivity, and Kiwi butchers bring home international honours from Paris.

Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather!

 

Skim milk powder leads 1.1% rise in dairy prices

Global dairy prices have continued their modest recovery with the Global Dairy Trade Price Index climbing 1.1% in the latest auction. 

Strong performance was seen in key categories with Skim Milk Powder prices surging 5.9%,  Anhydrous Milk Fat also performed well, rising 2.3%, while Cheddar increased 1.7%.

Not all products saw gains, however. Butter Milk Powder fell 5.6%, Mozzarella dropped 4.0%. Butter prices eased slightly, down 1.2%, and Whole Milk Powder remained virtually unchanged with just a marginal 0.1% drop.

The April 1st auction was the seventh of the year and continues the overall positive trend seen since late 2024. The next GDT auction is April 15th.

 

June deadline set for farm plastics recycling submissions

Agrecovery is encouraging farmers to have their say on the Government's proposed regulated Farm Plastics Product Stewardship Scheme, with public consultation now open until June 1st.

The proposed scheme aims to create a consistent, convenient, and future-focused recycling system for New Zealand's primary sector, covering four key farm plastics initially: agrichemical containers and drums, bale wrap and silage sheet, small seed, feed and fertiliser bags, and large grain and fertiliser bags.

Agrecovery Chief Executive Tony Wilson says the regulation will enable them to scale up services, expand access to recycling, and deliver a more consistent nationwide system. The organisation has worked collaboratively with industry and rural sector stakeholders to develop a scheme with a clear focus on delivering an effective, efficient and customer-centric solution.

Agrecovery Board Chair and farmer Anders Crofoot emphasises that the goal is a system that's simple, free, and accessible for farmers to use. The demand is already there – now it's about ensuring every farmer has access to a service that makes doing the right thing the easy thing.

Farmers are encouraged to make submissions through the Ministry for the Environment's website before the June 1st deadline to support the move towards a regulated solution that will help end the cycle of burning and burying plastic on farms.

 

Water infrastructure to boost Northland farming productivity

Drought-stricken Northland is set to receive two major water infrastructure projects with government loans totalling over $40 million, aimed at transforming the regional economy through improved water security and agricultural development.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has announced a $17.5 million loan to construct a 22km pipeline from Waihekeora Reservoir to Dargaville, which is currently under level 4 water restrictions. The project will open up approximately 3000 hectares of potential horticultural land between Te Kopuru and Dargaville, while also securing water supply for Silver Fern Farms' processing plant, the area's largest employer.

Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust chairman Murray McCully says the pipeline will make Dargaville's recurring water shortages "a thing of the past" while creating significant opportunities for land use conversion to horticulture. Evidence of this potential is already visible with avocado orchards being established near the reservoir. The infrastructure is expected to be completed by summer 2026-27.

A second loan of $24 million will fund a 15km pipeline connecting the Otawere and Matawii reservoirs, creating a "water corridor" across mid-Northland that will unlock another 1600 hectares of highly fertile land between Waimate North and Kaikohe for horticultural development.

Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson welcomed the announcement as a solution to the district's long-standing water security challenges that had previously seemed prohibitively expensive to address.

 

Kiwi butchers bring home international honours from Paris

Central Hawke's Bay apprentice Rhys Tamanui has carved his name into butchery history, claiming third place at the World Champion Butcher Apprentice competition in Paris this week.

The 23-year-old from Waipawa Butchery competed as part of the ANZCO Foods Young Butcher Squad against the world's best young talent. Contestants transformed a beef rump on the bone, side of lamb, pork loin and two chickens into a themed display within just two and a half hours.

The Hellers Sharp Blacks, New Zealand's national butchery team, also brought home international recognition, winning Best Lamb Product for their Te Whā Nōta Cutlets created by team member Luka Young from Foodstuffs North Island.

 

Dairy Women’s Network announces top regional leaders for 2025 

Dairy Women's Network has announced the three finalists for its prestigious Regional Leader of the Year award.

Tania Clark from Waikato brings dedication to building strong rural networks, while Wairarapa's Shayla McGrory is recognised for her infectious energy and inclusive leadership approach. Completing the impressive lineup is Aimee Wilson, a Waikato dairy farmer known for her community leadership and advocacy for women in agriculture.

DWN CEO Jules Benton says the finalists exemplify leadership and community engagement, driving the success of the dairy sector and rural communities forward. The FMG-sponsored award highlights volunteer Regional Leaders who demonstrate inspiration and excellence at grassroots level.

The recipient will receive a scholarship for an approved leadership development programme of their choice, with the announcement taking place during the DWN Conference themed on May 1st.

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