MPI director-general, Ray Smith believes the downturn actually bottomed out in about January, and since then says things have been on the improve but adds that every sector will have different trajectory or timeline as to when there will be an improvement.

A record 13 dairy farms supplying milk to low-carbon dairy processor, Miraka qualified for an extra premium of 20c/kgMS this season.

Except for horticulture, New Zealand’s main primary exports – namely dairy, meat and wool and forestry - are in for a bumpy ride in the coming 12 months.

Farmers are looking forward to less red tape and delay around approval processes for new agricultural and horticultural products.

The Government has announced a regulatory sector review on the approval process for new agricultural and horticultural products.  

As calving season approaches, so does the increased risk of sprain and strain injuries for dairy farmers.

Product design and development consultant Blender says as part of its commitment to fostering innovation in agriculture and technology, it’s sponsoring the prototype category of the Fieldays Innovation Awards for the third year in a row.

The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) is providing $440,000 to 18 farms across Southland, Canterbury and the Waikato in the third round of its a2 Farm Sustainability Fund in New Zealand.

The Government’s plan to implement a National Pest Management Plan (NPMP) for Mycoplasma bovis has been well received by farmers.

Odour from farm dairy effluent is increasingly an issue as herd sizes grow and urban boundaries get closer to operating farms.