THE MINISTRY for Primary Industries has reiterated Dairy NZ’s advice to check cattle for symptoms of anaemia as a new strain of tick-borne disease Theileria sweeps south.

A MILD and relatively dry winter, above-average pasture growth rates and little pugging has resulted in high average pasture cover levels on many farms. The challenge over the next few months is keeping control of pasture quality.

RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND is excited to play a key role in organising a programme of events to celebrate the UN International Year of Family Farming in 2014.

THE HUNT IS ON for New Zealand's top Farmax rural consultants in the company's inaugural Consultant of the Year Awards.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY research has found a wide variation in the number of viable and living micro-organisms in probiotic products used on dairy farms.

A SOUTH WAIRARAPA organic dairy farm will make farming history when it becomes the first in the North Island to release dung beetles into the environment to help improve soil health and pasture productivity.

CANTERBURY MILK nutrition company Synlait Milk is supportive of the investment by AgResearch in its campus infrastructure.

WAIKATO DAIRY processor Tatua's payout for the 2012-13 season is $7.40/kgMS, described as "stunning" by a Federated Farmers member and Tatua shareholder.

WESTLAND MILK has confirmed its 2012-13 operating surplus is $6.34/kgMS, with a retention of 30c, a 7% increase on the initial season opening budget.

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES Minister Nathan Guy says rural communities have bounced back strongly after this year's drought, with the official declaration ending today (September 30).