DAIRY FARMERS around the globe will ride a wave of strong but volatile prices for the next five years with markets driven by steady annual growth in demand around 2.5%.

LOBBYING IS underway to gain Australian Government funding for a national programme to conduct energy assessments in dairies.

ALL EYES are on farmers, the Waikato Regional Council and DairyNZ as they work out water take consents under the new Variation 6 policy.

FONTERRA'S PROPOSED 'shareholders fund' will control up to 8% of Fonterra worth up to $500 million.  The fund is a solution to a hole in Fonterra's balance sheet caused by redemption risk.

MANAWATU Rangitikei Horowhenua Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year for 2012, Shaun and Liza Connor, are going up in the dairy industry and reducing their herd size at the same time.

SPLITTING Lincoln University Dairy Farm's herd appears to be helping improve body condition and production but reproductive performance gains remain to be seen.

SOUTH AUCKLAND farmer/contractor Ad Raaymakers is so hooked on the Fendt 714 he recently went out and bought another.

The winners of the 2012 Waikato Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Barry and Nicky McTamney, take the next step in their dairy farming career in June when they enter an equity partnership.

There was only two points in it at the Carterton Events Centre on Saturday night.

Fonterra's decision to drop its 2011-12 forecast payout by 15c/kgMS demonstrates the trade exposed nature of our primary industries, says Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Willy Leferink.