A company growing and processing seaweed with known methane-busting properties at a facility in Bluff is expanding internationally but New Zealand cattle farmers won't be getting the product anytime soon.

Through its new partnership with New Zealand Landcare Trust, Fonterra has committed to funding ten $25,000 grants for wetland restoration in communities across the country.

The chair of the Dairy Environmental Leaders (DEL) says the country's dairy farmers are at the forefront of environmental management.

On the edge of the hot, dry Takapau plains, Norm and Del Atkins have cultivated a small but exceptional herd of 60 Holstein Friesian cows within their mixed breed herd of 360 dairy cows.

The DairyNZ board and management are currently trying to determine whether, and to what degree, their farmer levy payers will support any increase in their levy contributions.

Milk production is up nationally, despite drought conditions beginning to bite in some districts, according to the latest update from Fonterra.

Dry conditions are widespread but worse in some places, with rain and drought affecting farms just a few kilometres away.

The Government's plan to merge the seven crown institutes presents exciting possibilities for plant technology company Grasslanz Technology, says chief executive Megan Skiffington.

After a dry summer, the challenge is what comes in autumn, according to Ballance Agri Nutrients science strategy manager Warwick Catto.

The divestment process for Fonterra's global consumer business is gaining momentum, with the co-op meeting global fund managers this week on a potential listing of the co-operative's newly formed Mainland Group.