11 April 2008
Dairy Payout Welcomed
The chairman of Federated Farmers Dairy Section Frank Brenmuhl has welcomed the news of an increased Fonterra payout.
But he says the increase should be seen in the context of high increases this year in the price of fertiliser and
supplementary feed, with the latter being caused by the drought. He says the drought has badly hit the major dairying
regions and impacts of this adverse event will be felt over the next year or longer.
"This increase will help smooth over some of the problems that dairy farmers were facing with the drought and other
on-farm and off-farm costs. It is great to see the raw milk that farmers produce is so highly valued by manufacturers
and consumers world wide. All New Zealander's, not just dairy farmers benefit from this payout because it improves the
strength of the nations economy.
It is important to remember that $17.2 billion or 47 percent of New Zealand's export earnings come from food production
and that other industries such as tourism benefit from the primary sector."
Mr Brenmuhl says the payout is great news at the end of a challenging season.
ENDS