About
Guy Trafford
Latest articles
Despite the lure of high prices, dairy farmers may be accepting lower production levels, by being less tempted to use off-farm feed supplements like PKE. High prices make that choice easier
3rd Feb 22, 9:23am
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Despite the lure of high prices, dairy farmers may be accepting lower production levels, by being less tempted to use off-farm feed supplements like PKE. High prices make that choice easier
The fight over the Three Waters reforms is about to reignite in earnest in 2022 amid claims of administrative bullying, broken promises, and dodgy numbers. But all agree we need to rise higher than our global top ten drinking water quality ranking
21st Jan 22, 10:26am
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The fight over the Three Waters reforms is about to reignite in earnest in 2022 amid claims of administrative bullying, broken promises, and dodgy numbers. But all agree we need to rise higher than our global top ten drinking water quality ranking
New Year livestock prices have eased back somewhat, but with warmer temperatures and reasonable rainfall, some regions are not as water-stressed as usual. New Zealand is faring better than many other global agricultural areas
19th Jan 22, 1:55pm
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New Year livestock prices have eased back somewhat, but with warmer temperatures and reasonable rainfall, some regions are not as water-stressed as usual. New Zealand is faring better than many other global agricultural areas
Guy Trafford reckons the recent rural protests have been quite misplaced. Besides there are larger issues to deal with on the farm during a prosperous period, like getting ready to adapt to big climate change forces
25th Nov 21, 9:46am
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Guy Trafford reckons the recent rural protests have been quite misplaced. Besides there are larger issues to deal with on the farm during a prosperous period, like getting ready to adapt to big climate change forces
Guy Trafford checks the Glasgow 'blah, blah, blah' from a rural perspective and is underwhelmed. Even the rhetoric from the 2015 Paris Agreement has barely improved, and the NZ contribution seems confused
19th Nov 21, 10:55am
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Guy Trafford checks the Glasgow 'blah, blah, blah' from a rural perspective and is underwhelmed. Even the rhetoric from the 2015 Paris Agreement has barely improved, and the NZ contribution seems confused
With a record high dairy payout in sight, Guy Trafford checks what it will take to lock it in. He also shows what artisan cheese makers are up against, both from EU subsidies and local bureaucracy
16th Nov 21, 2:32pm
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With a record high dairy payout in sight, Guy Trafford checks what it will take to lock it in. He also shows what artisan cheese makers are up against, both from EU subsidies and local bureaucracy
Guy Trafford highlights the political games being played at COP26, the fact that only a handful of countries can make any meaningful difference, and how science can cut dairy methane by 50% of the target with one practical innovation
12th Nov 21, 3:10pm
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Guy Trafford highlights the political games being played at COP26, the fact that only a handful of countries can make any meaningful difference, and how science can cut dairy methane by 50% of the target with one practical innovation
Consumer sensitivities over farm chemical use will drive lower use. But if spoilage rises and costs escalate, those sensitivities may change if they affect first-world consumers
10th Nov 21, 11:49am
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Consumer sensitivities over farm chemical use will drive lower use. But if spoilage rises and costs escalate, those sensitivities may change if they affect first-world consumers
The higher farm gate milk prices go, the more challenging it is for Fonterra to operate profitably. Profitability is an issue for other dairy companies too at these milk prices. Early season indicators are milk volumes will be strong
4th Nov 21, 11:10am
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The higher farm gate milk prices go, the more challenging it is for Fonterra to operate profitably. Profitability is an issue for other dairy companies too at these milk prices. Early season indicators are milk volumes will be strong
Guy Trafford takes an initial look at what the COP26 meeting will be focusing on that livestock farmers here will be watching. Our chance of influencing the outcomes seems particularly weak
3rd Nov 21, 4:40pm
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Guy Trafford takes an initial look at what the COP26 meeting will be focusing on that livestock farmers here will be watching. Our chance of influencing the outcomes seems particularly weak
Guy Trafford suspects that Pāmu will achieve its climate obligations under its Westpac sustainability-linked loan by faster land-use conversions that emphasise tax-advantaged forestry, and horticulture
27th Oct 21, 9:22am
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Guy Trafford suspects that Pāmu will achieve its climate obligations under its Westpac sustainability-linked loan by faster land-use conversions that emphasise tax-advantaged forestry, and horticulture
Guy Trafford assesses the value of the NZ-UK FTA and finds the details released so far reassuring. Access to our most distant market is getting an upgrade
22nd Oct 21, 12:05pm
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Guy Trafford assesses the value of the NZ-UK FTA and finds the details released so far reassuring. Access to our most distant market is getting an upgrade
The recovery in the world's foodservice industry helping Fonterra's strategies look good. Prices for livestock move up. Both needed as inflation shifts up a gear
20th Oct 21, 9:47am
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The recovery in the world's foodservice industry helping Fonterra's strategies look good. Prices for livestock move up. Both needed as inflation shifts up a gear
One region grapples with the implications of encroaching foreign-owned and 'short-term' carbon farming and doesn't like what it sees and the mess it will leave
16th Oct 21, 9:29am
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One region grapples with the implications of encroaching foreign-owned and 'short-term' carbon farming and doesn't like what it sees and the mess it will leave
'Sustainable' fresh milk comes with costs that will challenge consumers' natural preference for low prices, despite what they tell pollsters
8th Oct 21, 9:17am
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'Sustainable' fresh milk comes with costs that will challenge consumers' natural preference for low prices, despite what they tell pollsters
While spring rains generate smiles and satisfaction on farms across the country, an intense set of trade negotiations are nearing conclusion in Europe
6th Oct 21, 10:23am
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While spring rains generate smiles and satisfaction on farms across the country, an intense set of trade negotiations are nearing conclusion in Europe
Farmers turn less optimistic despite good market and product signals, mainly because of adverse government policy and a view the economy will deteriorate from here. Rising costs aren't helping, but the new visa release does
1st Oct 21, 10:58am
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Farmers turn less optimistic despite good market and product signals, mainly because of adverse government policy and a view the economy will deteriorate from here. Rising costs aren't helping, but the new visa release does
Guy Trafford sees trade peril in how we deal with the separate but competing applications to join the CPTPP by both China and Taiwan
29th Sep 21, 9:45am
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Guy Trafford sees trade peril in how we deal with the separate but competing applications to join the CPTPP by both China and Taiwan
Will high product prices and good grass growth temper enthusiasm and support for rural protest over excessive and sometimes pointless regulation? Or will, Government refusal to engage just make things worse?
22nd Sep 21, 4:14pm
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Will high product prices and good grass growth temper enthusiasm and support for rural protest over excessive and sometimes pointless regulation? Or will, Government refusal to engage just make things worse?
Guy Trafford wonders if the meat industry's selective enthusiasm for seeing China in the CPTPP might not be the principled promotion of free trade being presented, rather just a selective pragmatic approach
22nd Sep 21, 3:48pm
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Guy Trafford wonders if the meat industry's selective enthusiasm for seeing China in the CPTPP might not be the principled promotion of free trade being presented, rather just a selective pragmatic approach
Strong dairy prices are not translating into many dairy farm sales transactions, especially in Southland. Guy Trafford examines the reasons, and looks at the wider dairy trade picture
18th Sep 21, 10:30am
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Strong dairy prices are not translating into many dairy farm sales transactions, especially in Southland. Guy Trafford examines the reasons, and looks at the wider dairy trade picture
Guy Trafford sees new questions about changing land use to monocultures such as pine with no foreseeable plans for harvesting, and their GHG emissions, and with very limited contribution to ecological ecosystems
16th Sep 21, 10:44am
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Guy Trafford sees new questions about changing land use to monocultures such as pine with no foreseeable plans for harvesting, and their GHG emissions, and with very limited contribution to ecological ecosystems
Guy Trafford assesses how Australia is handling the 'opportunities' they have with forestry and carbon credits, and finds minor progress driven by local issues
12th Sep 21, 9:54am
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Guy Trafford assesses how Australia is handling the 'opportunities' they have with forestry and carbon credits, and finds minor progress driven by local issues
Despite all the external political pressures, buyers want our dairy products and are bidding up prices, reports Guy Trafford. Sadly, Synlait isn't benefiting
9th Sep 21, 4:11pm
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Despite all the external political pressures, buyers want our dairy products and are bidding up prices, reports Guy Trafford. Sadly, Synlait isn't benefiting
Guy Trafford explains how Fonterra and some other large exporters were saved from the worst of the freight stress by the Kotahi Logistics operation. He also shows that China's pig virus crisis is far from over
4th Sep 21, 9:10am
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Guy Trafford explains how Fonterra and some other large exporters were saved from the worst of the freight stress by the Kotahi Logistics operation. He also shows that China's pig virus crisis is far from over