Suitors line up
OPINION: As Fonterra's divestment of its Oceania and global consumer businesses progresses, clear contenders are emerging.
OPINION: In recent years Fonterra has been ridiculed by commentators about the fact that it has been upstaged by a young dairy company, a2 Milk.
Just last August, a2 was living the dream, reporting a bumper after-tax profit of $385.6 million on revenues of $1.73 billion.
Its share price, which at one stage had dropped to 10c, hit the giddy heights of $21.50, valuing the company at $15.9 billion, above NZ's biggest co-op.
But the tables have turned. Thanks to three successive profit downgrades, a2's fortunes have tumbled.
In recent weeks, its share price was $9.50, meaning the company has more than halved in value in little over six months.
It's currently worth about $7 billion.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
The 2026 Red Dairy Cow conference will be hosted by New Zealand in March.
While global dairy commodity prices continue to climb in most key exporting countries, the second half of the year is expected to bring increased downside risks.
In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group has dumped its chair Toby Williams.
Former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has received the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand’s Primary Industries Award.
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.