It’s an uncertain future for farmers, with global events making it harder to predict the milk price.
Fonterra's midpoint payout forecast for the current season is $9.70.
It's slightly up for next season, at $9.75, but it's signalling that could be as low as $8 or as high as $11.
Dairy NZ Chief Executive Campbell Parker told Mike Hosking the gap is mirroring the current volatility, with the top end of last year about $10.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 29 May 2026
1:30:20

Alan McDonald: Employers and Manufacturers' Association Head of Advocacy on the focus on trades in Budget 2026
02:21

Brad Olsen: Infometrics Principal Economist on Budget 2026, return to surplus coming a year earlier than expected
02:27