Federated Farmers says it welcomes the announcement of extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago after the region was hit by severe wet weather.

ASB has become the first bank to forecast a milk price above $9/kgMS for this season.

Growing up on a Taranaki dairy farm, Nina Downer was accustomed to the isolated and repetitive nature of her parents’ work, milking at dawn 365 days of the year.

The country may have to import maize grain next season unless the issue of having enough gas to dry the local product is resolved.

Meat company Alliance says declining stock numbers in New Zealand were the primary driver behind the closure of its Smithfield plant in Timaru.

Milk processor Synlait is offering a one-off payment of 20c/kgMS to retain South Island suppliers, many of whom issued cessation notices to the company this year.

"Disappointing" - that’s how Synlait chief executive Grant Watson describes the company’s full-year financial results.

Taupo-based dairy company Miraka has lifted its forecast milk price for the season to $9.17/kgMS.

Fonterra farmers have a message for their co-operative - they need to see consistently strong performance in both payout and returns from share ownership.

New Zealand's world-first Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme is making great strides but this isn't the time for complacency, says Ospri.