Early Bird I Tuesday November 26th 2024

Synlait raises its forecast milk price, new report reveals how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could shape our trade, and the hunt is on for the countries best rural sports men and women. 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!   Synlait raises its forecast milk price Synlait Milk has raised its forecast milk price to nine dollars and fifty cents. This latest increase reflects ongoing market improvements, particularly in international trading results. The announcement follows Fonterra's recent move to increase its return range between nine and ten dollars. This strengthening market outlook now has major banks adjusting their income estimates, with both ASB and BNZ indicating returns near nine dollars and seventy-five cents. Recent international trading shows continued market recovery, as worldwide dairy markets maintain their recovery track. Last week's global dairy auction recorded gains, with whole milk reaching three thousand eight hundred US dollars per metric tonne. Looking at local milk volumes, October marked this year's high month with production running ahead three hundred thousand units above last year. Earlier calving dates and ideal winter growing conditions led to this increased autumn milk flow.. The dairy market recovery maintains its momentum through decreasing inventory levels in key Asian markets.   New report reveals how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could shape our trade Donald Trump's anticipated return to the White House could trigger major changes across global agricultural markets, according to new analysis released by Rabobank.  They warn that Trump's stated intention to introduce universal tariffs between 10 and 20 percent on international goods could reshape existing trade relationships. More dramatic changes might include tariffs reaching 60 percent on Chinese imports, creating widespread market disruption. These changes could bring both challenges and opportunities. New Zealand meat, dairy, and grain exporters might gain advantages in certain Asian markets where American products become less competitive due to trade restrictions. The broader economic effects would likely include increased inflation and slower economic growth in key markets. These changes could emerge as Trump's intended tax reductions and reduced immigration policies take effect, potentially altering buying patterns in our export destinations. Reduced economic activity could happen in major Asian markets, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and Korea. These nations, currently taking significant amounts of New Zealand agricultural goods, might experience economic pressure as American trade policies change. Rabobank also say Trump's emphasis on American-made goods could alter established trading arrangements. This America-first approach might require New Zealand to navigate carefully between maintaining access to Chinese markets while managing relationships with American trading partners.   NZ-UK unite to advance rural innovation A groundbreaking agreement has been reached between New Zealand and the United Kingdom to create new ways to advance rural technology and enhance market returns. Chair of AgriTechNZ Bridgit Hawkins says the new memorandum of understanding with the UK Agri-Tech Centre, creates a two-way innovation exchange, allowing rural technology advances to move rapidly between both nations. This means local innovators can now test their ideas across both growing seasons, accelerating development time. Researchers will gain direct entry to UK markets, while our rural sector receives early access to UK agricultural advances. This includes linking research trials across both nations, meaning innovations can be tested year-round. UK Agri-Tech Centre Chief Executive Phil Bicknell says regular technology exchanges will mean earlier advances in rural technology in both countries.   Kiwi team leads seaweed farming revolution New Zealand's aquaculture industry has marked a major achievement as a three-year Greenwave Aotearoa pilot achieved its goal to understand native ocean seaweed cultivation methods. The team has now established reliable techniques to grow two native marine species in the Hauraki Gulf. The pilot, backed by the Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, and environmental investment group EnviroStrat, managed to cultivate both native brown kelp and a native red variety.  EnviroStrat project manager Rebecca Barclay-Cameron says they were able to grow the native kelp alongside existing mussel operations, with ideal growing environments near existing aquaculture areas along the Coromandel coast. During the three-year program, cultivation teams worked through multiple challenges, and much like land-based agriculture, the team learned that choosing optimal locations remains critical to achieving reliable harvests.   The hunt is on for the countries best rural sports men and women The hunt to recognize our nation's rural sports talent is underway, as nominations open for the Ford New Zealand Rural Sports Awards. This celebration of rural excellence returns to Manawatu in March next year, highlighting outstanding sporting achievements. New Ford Managing Director Annaliese Atina says the awards maintain vital connections between rural heritage and achievement, recognizing excellence from wood-chopping to shearing, through to ploughing and fencing. Award winners will be announced at the Awapuni Racecourse on March 7th next year, during the Rural Games weekend in Manawatu.  Award entries remain open until January twenty-fourth, with major category announcements arriving in early March. To nominate someone and for more information on the awards head to ruralsports.co.nz  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.