The Waikato Regional Council says it's keeping a close watch on dry conditions in the region.

Both DairyNZ and Fonterra have welcomed the government announcement to set aside $80 million in this year's Budget for irrigation and water storage infrastructure.

A host of high-profile organisations have welcome the announcement of $80 million in funding this year for water storage and irrigation.

Helping dairy women understand the ins and outs of purchasing stock is the focus of a series of practical workshops being held across the North and South Islands in February and March.

Leading rural recycling programme Agrecovery is again offering $5000 worth of rewards to encourage more farmers and growers to get recycling.

Cadmium levels in Chatham Rise rock phosphate are among the lowest in the world, says Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd managing director Chris Castle.

Over 80% of New Zealand dairy farmers intend to renew run-out pastures this season, regardless of their financial outlook, reports a dairy farm survey released recently from CINTA.

With a disproportionate number of suicides in the rural sector, Federated Farmers is calling for a proactive approach to solve the problem.

Robyn Pearce, the much sought after 'queen of time management ', will speak at the Dairy Women's Network annual conference in Nelson on March 20-21.

With Southland drenched and the West Coast battered by a second week of storms, Federated Farmers believes much of New Zealand's farmland has benefited from summer rain excepting Hawke's Bay and parts of Gisborne.