Global dairy prices have have fallen for a second consecutive auction, but remain near record levels.
The average price at the fortnightly global dairy auction fell 1 percent to $US4,981 a tonne, after falling 1.5 percent in the previous auction.
The price of wholemilk powder, which strongly influences the payouts for local farmers, was down 1-and-a-half-percent to $US4,532 a tonne.
Prices for other products sold were mixed, with a fall in butter but a rise for butter milk powder and cheese.
Dairy farmers are in line for a record payout this season with current forecasts around $NZ9.50 a kilo of milk solids.